TwoyearnagoIalready hadthepleasure ofinforming theAssembly aboutthe nawphaseSuriname hadenteredintoDSaconsequence ofthegenuine 4~sireofthe SurlnBmese peoplefordemocracy. Butthenitwasalreadyclearthatthe transfo~ation ofthepolitical andsocialorderwouldnotbeaneasytask.In fact,diverging interests insociety havebeenimpeding therealization ofthe ob'ectives setbytheGovernment forthisphaseofthedemocratization process, in whichprimeconsideration lsgiventothestrengthening' ofacommonawareness, a general eocietal participation andanational conSDnsus intheinterest ofa sustained national development. MyGovernment waspleased tofindthatinthecommunity anumberof initiatives werebeingtakenaimedatpromoting theessential national harmony, so ~.responded byinitiating national dialogue asaconstructive consensus mechanism. Thismechanism, whichembodies themobilization ofallsoci~lgroups, shouldofferpossihilitieB toworkoutstrategies andtodiscuss theimplementation ofprogrammes aimedattherealisation ofournational development. We40realisethatthisnational development shouldtakeplacewithina specific institutional political andlsgalframework whichisapplicable tothe entireterritory adwhichpromotes national stability, peaceandsecurity. Itis obviousthatwithout sustained national economic andsocialdevelopment allour effortstoreinstate andpromote aconstitutional democracy willbeievain. Therefore, weareconvinced thatourendeavours shouldbedirected towards forging Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryBHS/gtAl45/PV.9 7 (President ShDDkar)• thenational consensus Imentioned earlier, andtowards overcoming thepresent economic impodiments. Withitsvastmaritime areaandhinterland anditsabundant natural resources, Suriname hasthephysical basistoprovideitspopulation withanadequate living standard. However, thepresent socialandeconomic conditions inthecountry have anegative impactonthefullutilization ofitsnaturalpotentials. Ofcourse, we areconvinced thatnoresponsible Government can,forwhatever reason, simplybrush asidesoundexpertadvicewithregardtotheinternal causesofdeclining productivity andincreasing inflation. Indeed, myGovernment hasseriously embarked onthenational preparation ofacarefully considered programme, inspired bytheneedbothforadjustment andforstability. Wedrawjustification forourcaution fromareviewoftheresultsof adjustments whichhavebeenintroduced insomecountries andhavehadserious effects onthestabiilty ofdemocratic processes. Therefore, whenexternal economic andpolitical pressure isexertedindefiance ofsolemncommitments sealed inatreatyandindisregard ofthehistorically determined complexity ofour society, wedoperceive notonlyadeviation fromformalloftyprinciples, butalso anunwarranted attempt tointerfere inthedecision-making processinoursociety. Iamwellawarethatmycountry's problems, whichIhave'ustbriefly touched upon,arenotuniqueandapplytoothercountries aswell.!bisisjustone illustration oftheadverse tendency ininternational ecoDomic relations, whichis characterized byanever-increasing gapbetween theindustrialized Northandthe developing countries thatarefacedwithincreased dependency onfor&iqn development-financing andthestea~ily groving impoverishment oftheirpopulations. _ 4Lt- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryBRS/gt Al45/PV.9 8 (President Shonkar) Manyofthesedeveloping countries noveceasedtogrowinpercapitGterms, andphenomena suchaspoverty, misery, malnutrition andevenhungerarebecoming moreandmoreacommonconcernofmanyofthesecountries. Inmostdeveloping countries, immense humandeprivation persistm: 1billion peopleliveinabsolute poverty and900million receive noeducation, while14million children dieevery yearbeforetheageoffive. Duringtheeighteenth special sesaionoftheGeneral Assembly, ~.~~April, representatives ofvarious countries fromtheNorthandtheSouthexpressed their increasing disappointment withtheresultsofthedevelopment strategy planned for the1980s. Theexpression "lostdecade"strikingly illustrates theenormous disillusion withregardtotheeconomic position ofthedeveloping countries, despite theimmense technological changes anddynamic growththatcharacterised the development oftherichcountries. Thereisagrowing awareness thatourworldisoneofinterdependent relationships, andthatdevelopments inonepartoftheworldunavoidably affect
**Analysis**
The text is a speech by the President of Suriname, discussing the country's democratization process, economic challenges, and the impact of international relations on its development. The speech touches on themes such as the need for national consensus, economic stability, and sustainable development. The President also references the challenges faced by developing countries, including poverty, hunger, and lack of education.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade