Being the first among 20 heads of state to speak on the first day of the General Debate, Cardoso's speech covered a wide range of topics which distinguished it from the other addresses which mainly concentrated on terrorism.

"Brazil hopes that notwithstanding these circumstances, humanitarian assistance efforts in Afghanistan will not be frustrated," said Cardoso while he was talking about the attack on America on September 11 and the armed conflict in Afghanistan. He went on to say that his country will accept refugees who wish to settle in Brazil within their own capacity.

He said that crime, drug abuse and trafficking, and money laundering were "evils related to terrorism." He called for a "worldwide public awareness campaign to make drug users realize that, even if inadvertently, they are helping to finance terrorism." He went on to say that if the world intended to curb terrorism then it is vital for drug use to be curtailed.

>From terrorism and drugs Cardoso went on to talk about capital flight. He said that a difference in national tax regimes should not be a reason for capital flight, which inturn adversely affects economic development. He said it might even lead to the financing of terrorism. "If the existence of tax havens is inseparable from these problems, then tax havens should not exist. We must put an end to these safe harbors of corruption and terror, towards which move governments have up to now been complacent," he said to the member states.

He acknowledged that after September 11 the matter of international security was of top priority. However, he said that it should not be a reason to "stifle" other issues of global interest.

Cardoso spoke of the daunting task that the ministers have in Doha, Qatar at the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Fourth Ministerial Meeting. According to him their responsibility is to "ensure that the new round of multilateral trade negotiations indeed turn out to be a 'Development Round'."

He suggested to the member states of the UN that the Breton Woods institution, which led to the formation of the World Bank, be "revamped if they are to respond to the challenges of the 21st Century." He suggested that the International Monetary Fund be allotted more funds if it is to be the lender of last resort and the World Bank and other development banks be given a more active role in encouraging economic growth and development.

Echoing his counterparts, Cardoso said it was vital to restore peace in the Middle East. "Brazil today calls for concrete measures towards the setting up of a Palestinian State that is democratic, united and economically viable," he said. He stressed that this was a "moral debt owed by the UN" and it should not be postponed. He went on to say that it was equally important to find solutions to the conflict in Angola and East Timor. He concluded his address by saying, "Brazil joins those who appeal for more democracy in international relations in calling for the enlargement of the Security Council." He also said, "Its [Security Council] composition should no longer be a reflection of arrangements among the victors of a conflict that took place over 50 years ago."

The General Debate in the General Assembly will continue to take place till Friday, November 16. Heads of state and government and ministers of member states of the UN will address the General Assembly.