I congratulate you, my dear, and I congratulate the captain, too.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my felicitations to other members of the Bureau as well.

On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to Eritrea on this historic occasion.

On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Principality of Monaco on this historic occasion.

On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Principality of Andorra on this historic occasion.

At first, when I was little, it felt isolating and curious, and people would do things like congratulate me on speaking Spanish so well.

President Tong Please accept my congratulations, Sir, on your election to the presidency, and my assurances that Kiribati will support you during your term of office.

I also congratulate your predecessor, Mr. Jean Ping, and thank the Secretary General for his efforts for peace, development and agreement among nations.

Mr. Bamba (Côte d'Ivoire) (spoke in French) On behalf of my delegation, I wish to express my sincere congratulations on your election as President of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly.

The Chairman I wish to express my most sincere and cordial congratulations to Mr. Goosen, the representative of South Africa, upon his election as Rapporteur of the First Committee.

Mrs. Laohaphan (Thailand) As I am taking the floor for the first time, allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to you, Sir, on having been elected to your important post.

On behalf of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization, I reiterate my congratulations to you and express the hope that this session, under your able guidance, will achieve tangible progress in advancing the cause of international peace and security.

Mr. Scharioth (Germany) (spoke in German English text provided by the delegation) Please accept my congratulations, Sir, on your election to the presidency of this historic sixtieth session of the General Assembly.

The Chairman I wish now to express my warmest congratulations to the two Vice Chairmen and assure them of my confidence that we shall jointly discharge the important responsibilities incumbent upon us.

Mr. Al Khalifa (Bahrain) (spoke in Arabic) It is my pleasure to congratulate you upon your election as President of the General Assembly during its historic sixtieth session. I am fully confident that you will lead its deliberations towards a successful conclusion.

It is a pleasure for me as well to take advantage of this opportunity personally to congratulate him, as I participate in the consideration of an item which is extremely important to Costa Rica, quot Programmes and activities to promote peace in the world quot .

quot The Security Council has decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the Principality of Andorra be admitted as a Member of the United Nations. On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Principality of Andorra on this historic occasion.

quot The Security Council has decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the Principality of Andorra be admitted as a Member of the United Nations. On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Principality of Andorra on this historic occasion.

President De Menezes (spoke in Portuguese English text provided by the delegation) First, Sir, I should like to extend my sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of your election to the presidency of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly and to wish you the greatest success in conducting the work of the Assembly.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu apos Izzaddin Waddaulah My congratulations, Mr. President, on your election to this high office. You are well known in United Nations circles and your election is a tribute to your country, Côte d apos Ivoire, and to you.

Mr. Mabilangan (Philippines) As this is the first time I have addressed the Chair, may I, on behalf of my delegation, extend my congratulations to you, Sir, on your election to the post of Chairman of the First Committee.

Mr. Steward (South Africa) It is a particular privilege, in view of an enforced absence from the Committee for many years, to be able today to offer my congratulations to you, Mr. Chairman, on your election to your responsible office, and also to congratulate the Vice Chairmen, from Austria and Japan, respectively.

Congratulations are also due to the United Nations itself on its success in clearing away much of the divisive ideological and political underbrush that occupied so much time, to so little effect, during the era of maximum East West and North South confrontation.

Mr. Kayumov (Tajikistan) (interpretation from Russian) Since my delegation is speaking for the first time at this session of the First Committee, may I very cordially congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the post of Chairman and offer my congratulations to the other members of the Bureau as well.