A/31/PV.26 General Assembly

This afternoon the Assembly will hear a statement by the Prime Minister of Barbados. I have great pleasure in welcoming His Excellency the Honourable John M. G. M. Adams' and inviting him to address the General Assembly.

Mr. Preadent, the Barbados delegation wishei to add its congratulations to those which have already beensoeloquently expressed on yourelection to preside over the current session of thisaugust Assembly. Your election clearly reflects the esteem in which the State which you represent is held in this Organization. Your countryi like Barbados, is an island plagued-but, I am happy to say, not paralysed-byeconomic problems. In the face of serious difficulties, the commitment of your country to extendin.s the frontiers of international justice and equality is particularly welcome. We wish to acknowledge also your personal contribution to the negotiations that have taken place to establish an international regime for the use of the resources of the seaand the sea-bed. The people of Barbados have followed \".>ith keen interest anda sense of optimism these delibc:rations and have observed with constant admiration the skill which you have been displaying as President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. 3.• My delegation wishes to place on record, too, its appreciation for the unstintedapplication and diligence of the Secretary-General of thisOrganization, whohasqUietly and seriously pursued the maintenance of international peace and security in the very troubled months of the last year. . 4. My delegation, which represents a small but proudand industrious people of the Caribbean, wishes to restate its commitment to two sacred principles, namely, the principle of the equality of States and the principle of the unive~- Monday, 11 OctoHr 1976, at 3.30·p.m. NIW YOlK sality of this Organization. Asfar _ the equality of Statesis concerned, countries like Barbados are aware of the ea~ with which the strong and mighty nations are often alternately bored and irritated by what are considered the empty pretensions and vain posturings of srnaD States. Many large and wealthy States subscribe undentandablyto the maxim that he whopays the pipershould callthe tune, and they seek to call the tune for small States like Barbr.dos. Bu~ the attitude of painful tolerance does not take account of the part which the sober interventions of small States can, and do, play in the heated debates and discussions which often preoccupy the attention of the world and impinge upon the deliberations and discussions of thisbody. S. Conscious of the possible contribution of the small States, Barbados happily anticipates the imminent participation of fenow States from the Caribbean, incl~ding Belize, in the activities of the United Nations. We island people from the Caribbean standat the cross-roads where history meets and where alien civilizations converge. I use the word "at" advisedly. I haten to pointout that our role is not to stand in the cross-rOlds. to be.trampled ~y strong and conflicting forces-and there are many abroad in tlle Caribbean-but to use our experience to influence the course of international developments. We, the small island States of the Caribbean, are peace-loving, propewYe and democratic States. Indeed, it is the tide of democracy that has brought me here to thisforum after IS vean of loyal opposition in Parliament. Asmembers of the Assembly will note, we of Barbados and of the Caribbean are not Qnly peace-loving, progressive andproud;wearealso patient. 6. May I again underline our commitment to the universality of this Orpnization. Thjs deleption does not held the view that retaliation bom of pique and false pride arising out of lost causes should frustrate the legitimate desires of nations to become memben of the United Nations. In thisregard, thisdeleption hopes that a waywill . be found to welcome to our numben the unrepresented millions of fomerly war-tom Angola, Korea and Viftt Nun in the near future. Today, we are of counedeliahted to welcome to the United Nations the representatives of the Seychelles-like Barbados, a Commonwealth and an island people. 7. It is fitting that I sJtould indicate the commitment of the Government of Barbados to this Orpnization. We are convinced that continuing dialogue in this .forum will eventuany lead to solutions to the problems of this world. We areof the opinion that themajor intemational problems have their birth in the denial of fundamental riahts and freedoms to individuals and Ut a lackof real concern about the distn'bution of wealth amonsnations. Consequently, in our relations withother States, both within and outside this 8. Barbados is a very small State, limited in status rmd powerby its size. But there are some thingswhich operate strongly in Barbados' favour. We face no imminent threat of invasion by a more powerful neighbour. We live in a politically stable and socially homogeneous country. We have strong aad dynamic social institutions. Our educational system is as good as any. Ourreligious ins~itutions are alive and outward-looking. Our trade unions are free and alert.In short,Barbados' strength isin the quality of its people. 9. With the supportof all Barbadians, the Government is dedicated to trying to flnd a way towards independence of mind and policy. TheGovernment will embark on an active foreign policy, hoping to strengthen its economic base by strengthening its international links, especially with all Caribbean, Commonwealth and Latin American countries, and withthe developing countries asa whole.: 10. Our hope of success lies in negotiation and collective action, and one of the main pillars of our hope is this Organization and the specialized agencies to which it has given birth. For this reason, the delegation of Barbados hopes that the workwithin the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization will contribute to a restructured United Nations system that reflects the configura- ' tions of power and the pattern of changes that have taken place since 1945. 11. Matters of war and peace were as crucial in the framing of the Charter of this Organization as they have beenin its operation over the past30years. The in~reasing emphasis being placed on mattersof economic co-operation and development and on issues related to human rights and freedoms is an indication of the Organization's ability to adapt to the imperatives of the world situation in the last quarter of the twentieth century. 12. Barbados will exert, itself to achieve a higher standard of living and a better quality of life, not only for the disadvantaged within' its own boundaries, but alsofor the world's deprived who may be assisted by international co-operation. 13. In respect-ofthe international situation my delegation notes with disquiet the continuing lmbalanee between the exports and imports of the developing countries, and !he failure of these countries as a whole to approach the 7 per cent growth target set in the International Development , Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade {resolution 2626(XXY)}. On the other hand, the growing concern of Member countries of this Organization about problems of distribution indicates an awareness within the international community thatproductivity goals without the moral objective of greater e~wdity are inadequate for the resolution ofcurrent international social and economic problems. It is, imperative that there be at moreequitable distribution of consumption internationally. 15. The emergence, of consultative mechanisms at the international level for determining the need for external assistance of a particular recipient country may ensure some measure of consistency in the treatment of that country. However, the recognition that multilateral and bilateral agencies are acting consistently provides no comfort to the small developing country that fmds its requests for external support for its domestic efforts increasingly ignored. What is evident is that the current trend of dividing the developing countries into various groups based on allegedly common characteristics can lead to disturbing results. Indeed, there is a real danger that some donors mayadopt the view that, because the needs of some groups of States for concessional assistance are particularly urgent, the needs of others have become less urgent. The dangers inherent in the use of crude classifications for determining relative need of external assistance can be obviated only by the establishment of measures and guidelines which apply uniformly to all developing countries and which take full cognizance of the social aswell as structural features of theirdevelopment prospects. 16. Barbados is hopeful that the attemptsto dealwiththe problems of unequal distribution will soon bear fruit. In this connexion the so-called North-South dialogue taking place in Paris, the Conference on International Economic Co-operation, must attempt to fmd answers to the problems developing countries are facing in the four broad areas being dealt with,by the commlssions, that is,those on energy, ra",materials, development andfmancial'affairs. We are concerned that the developed countries appear to be set against accepting the principle of "indexation", which we believe to be an important aspect of any mechanism that may be devised to deal with decreases in export earnings from the commodities of our countries. My delegation is convinced that a reJationship must be established between the prices we receive for our exports and those wepay for imports; for our economic development prospects are conditioned by the .purchasing power of our export earnings. We trust that such arrangements as the compensatory fmante facility of the International Monetary Fund and the integrated programme for commodities approved by the fourth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development {UNc:I'AD] at Nairobi will be utilized, after appropriate adaptation to meet the needs of developing countries. Moreover, we hope that some means will be found to redress the cash flow shortage in the United Nations Development Programme {UNDP]which has meant a virtu'al cut-back in aid to some countries-certainly paramount. Therefore thisdelegation is prepared to raise its voice in the support of international action against imperialism of allkinds, colonialism of alltypes, andracism of allshades. 18. The festering wound of gross social injustice and political and economic inequality within southern Mrica remains with us. Perhaps, however, at no previous session was it possible to state with as much confidence aswe can today that that wound isbeginning to heal. Thepatience of the black people of southern Africa hasbeen sorely tried. Their fortitude, however, has not wavered, nor has their dignity diminished•. 19. 'Barbados wishes to paya tributeto the courage of and sacrifice made by black men and women and by black youngsters of southern Africa whohave been callously cut offin the bloom of theiryouth. LetaD beassured that their contribution will not be forgotten. EquaDy, let all be cognizant that, even though brutal and heartless tyranny may postpone the day when thisOrganization will welcome to its ranks with rousing and endless acclaim and enthusiasm the representatives of a free Namibia and a free Zimbabwe, that day must surely come-sooner,rather than IIter. Let me parenthetically state that Barbados will not support the sham independence of a Transkei. The tide'of freedom is flowing southwards across Africa relentlessly andirresistibly. This tidemay be temporarily interrupted or momentarily deflected but it cannot be pt!ll1W\ently cb~cked or eternally halted. My delegation, speaking without rancour, without bitterness and without malice, calls upon all nations-especially those whose assistance hasin the pastmade possible the extension andretention of the iniquitous and ineqUitable empires of southern Africa, and whOle economic strength underpins the racist regimes of southern Africa-to exertalleffortsto bring aboutin the near future the demise of racial oppression. Enlightened self-interest sUBBests it, andobjective justice demands it. 20. Barbados notes with pleasure the coming into force earlier this year of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultursl Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political ~ts and regards with even more signal pleasure the operation of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That only a handful of nations have found it possible to ratify the Covenants and Protocol is for Barbados a cause of regret and concern. Barbados, as a contracting party-and an early contracting party-to the Covenants, sees themas an opportunity to make a positive contribution to the advancement and development of international orderandwelfare. 21. The Optional Protocol wh'.ch offen individuall who are deprived rights and freedoms an opportunity to bring their pievancel before an international commildon is revolutionary. In this, Barbados il delisbted to be 22. Barbados will oppose withoutfear or favour allsocial conditions which reduce men to the level of playthings of othermen.AD too frequently, just asstronger nations make playthings of weaker nations, sodo menmake playthings of women. The Government of B~bffidos will be stout in its defence of women, nationally and mternationally, andwill be in the vanguard with thosewhofight for the promotion and advancement of the rights of women. NationaDy, the Government which I have the honour to leadis committed to a new deal and a charter of rights for women, and a national commission on the status of women will be establdhed. In this way myGovernment will seek to ensure equal opportunity for employment andequal payforequal work. My Government is pledged '"to equal access to education and equal scope for inteDectual development; snd my Government is solemnly resolved to remove all semblances of female second·class citizenship, with regard to property andpenonalrights. 23. Legislation will fortify practice; equality before the law will enhance equality in the eyes of the people. Internationally, my delegation will set its faee like flint against any discrimination on grounds of sex, will actively joinin plomoting the enjoyment andexercise of civil rights and will participate in any move to achieve the full integration of women in the total development effort. Perhaps a nation like mine, aware of the contribution and merit of mothers and grandmothers, and aware of the intrinsic strength in people traditionally considered weak, understands better than most the importance andpotential of women's increasing contribution to the development of friendly relations among States and to the strengthening of world peace. 24. I am sure that speaking to you, Mr. President, of the need to promote, defend and advance the rights of women is mere preaching to the converted. The achievements of the Heads of Government of the great Republics of Sri Lanka and India are well known in our part of the world and they have spurred on the effortsof women everywhere prOViding, as it were, encouragement and justification for those efforts. 25. As in affairs pertaining to the advancement of women and to the promotion and defence of their rights, so in matten regarding the sea, to outline this delegation's progressive position to you, Mr. President, is like canying coals to NewC'...stle. My Latin American coDeagues tell me that the modern apt hemispheric expression is echDr peces illmar-to throwfish into thesea. 26. As fu as the law of the lea is eoncereed, the Government of Barbadolis pledged to the extendon of its territorial wat~n from three to 12 miles, in this respect moving moderately with the tide in extending the sover- Barbados' concept of a just and reasonable arrangewill leave no stone unturnedin our effortsto ferret out and 27. punish the perpetrators. ment includes access to the resources of the sea and the sea-bed for disadvantaged States,whether the disadvantages 34. We do not believe that the endjustifies the means, and be natural-for example, those of being land-locked or that iswhywehave endorsed the Tokyo,the Hague and the shelf-locked-or technological. Asin somuchof our foreign Montreal Conventions. We urge all countries to do likewise policy which is a reflection of our domestic policy, the view without further delay before such acts of air piracytrigger which Barbados will defend is that the strong must share disruption on a universal scale. the burdens of the weak. We are all,asnations and peoples, our brothers'keepers. 35. Barbados will aim through its work within inter- 28. ~y delegation therefore subscribes to the view that national organizations to soften extreme positions, to. the seais jointly ownedby the peoples of the worldand its emphasize the need for a modicum of morality andjustice resources should be shared fairly and equitably, with 2 in international affairs, and to utilize those orpnizations conscious effort to meet the needs of the needy, while for the promotion of peacefuJ initiatives and for the utnizing and rewarding reasonably the abilities of the able. alleviation of social and economic inequality and injustice. This type of undertaking is of coune nothingnew in this 29. In attempting to reconcile the occasionally conflicting Organization, and perhaps the experienced and the cynical interests of the able and the needy, Barbados believes that will say, "We have heard it all before;let's hearhistune in the demands of the needyare paramount. 1980". It is by the actions of Barbados and not by the 30. Thatthe discussions on the lawof the seahave beenso words of its Prime Minister that Barbados will ultimately be protracted mirrors the controversial and Fensitivenature of judged. It will be a challenge for my island of Barbados to match its deeds over the next yearswith the words I have the problem and the clash of conflicting self-interest. This spoken on its behalf today. The international challenge is delegation doesnot feel that its intervention in the debate no more daunting than the national challenge. will suddenly resolve the thomy issue. What the representatives of Barbados will bring to the debate, as in all 36. It is a challenge that, as the new Prime Minister of other international issues, will be a measure of good sense, Barbados, I am happy to accept on behalfof the people of balance and integrity clothedin a willingness to understand Barbados. contrary viewpoints-with, I admit, a pardonable bias towards the deprived and the disadvantaged. 37. ThePRESIDENT: Onbehalfof the General Assembly, 31. The threat to intemational law and order assumes and on my own behalf, I thank the Prime Minister of many guises. In the Caribbean we have only'recently been Barbados, His Excellency the Honourable John M.G.M. confronted by the actsof embitteredandfrustrated persons Adams, for the importantaddress he hasjust delivered. intent on waging, in the ail',a campaign of unbridled terror against innocent travellers. Bombings, hijacking of aircraft and other acts of internationalpiracyarebeing perpetrated AGENDA ITEM9 with criminal abandon. Thenewinternational assassins now injure the innocentin the same mannerasthosewhom they General debate fcont/nwd) perceive to be the guilty. The Government of Barbados wishes to register in 'the strongest possible terms its 38. Mr. BONGO (Gabon) (interpretation from French): repugnance to this form of international terrorism arid Speaking for the fll'St time from this rostmm u the blackmail and calls on all countries to raise their voices representative of a country whose policy is' profoundly against thistype of conduct. attachedto the nobleprinciples ofdialogue and tolerance, a country devoted to universal peace,the self-determination 32. Less than a week ago my country was indirectly of peoples and their rightto development and prosperity in dragged into a dastardly incidentof this sort which resulted justice and dignity, I cannot refrainfrom paying a tribute in a serious loss of humanlives. We have already expressed, to all those today, dead or living, whohave given theirbest and do so publicly again, our.deepregrets to the Republics for the foundation and survival of the United Nations. It is of Cuba and GUY2na and also the the Democratic People's therefore with a feeling of deep pride mingled with deep Republic of Korea for that senseless and tragic act. In emotion that I speak today before this Assembly. I am collaboration with another small sister country, the Removed, I Say, because it is in thisverysame areat American public of Trinidad and Tobago, my Govemment has city which offers us its hospitality 'each year, in this same pursued andwill continueto pursuea vigorous investigation glass palace, the symbol of truth andhumansolidarity, that of that act of terrorism which caused the. total destruction is the scene where the fate and deatiny of the world in of a Cubana Airlines plane shortly after it left our shores. profound change is determined and will continue to ~ Within 12 hours of the occurence our investigations and determined, a world which certain sorceren' apprentices pursuithadalready bomesome fruit. maybring to fmalcatastrophe. 40. Before turning to the substance of the subject, it is a particular pleasure for me, Mr. President, to convey to you the warm congratulations of my delegation on your unanimous election to the presidency of the thirty-first session of our Assembly. We are convinced that your tried and tested abilities and your exceptional diplomatic qualities will permit you to measure up to the noble and~y delicate task which has been allottedto you. Furthermore, your election to the presidency of this session of the General Assembly is also a tribute to your great country, Sri Lanka, which recently so brilliantly played host to the important Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries. TheGabonese delegation b convinced, Mr. President, that our debates, which have always been distinguished in the past by moderation and restraint, will under your leadership preserve the same character of tranquillity and judiciousness and will be carried on in a spirit of mutual respect, which is the sine qua non of thesuccess of meetings asimportant asthose of our Organization, meetings which for three months will be in the spotlight of the attention of the whole world, because they carry with them the hopes of a mankind which has been the victim of its own contradictions, a mankind tom by conflict and consumed by fear, but hungry for peace and thirsty for happiness. Theexperience which you have accumulated; Mr. President', throughout a long and brilliant political and diplomatic career constitutes, in the view of mydelegation, a guarantee of the final success of ourwork. 41. There is no need,. of course, -to stress that these congratulations are also extended to the Vice-Presidents and the other officers of the Assembly who play such an impOrtant role by your side in the conduct of our debates. 42. I am happy to pay a particularly well deserved tribute to the President of the thirtieth session of the General Assembly for the remarkable work that he did at that session. Mr. Gaston Thorn, Prime Minister and Minister for . Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a country which hasvery goodrelations withmyown, caused 43. Before turningto the views of my Government onthe important items on our agenda, I should liketo welcome among usthe fraternal Stateof Seychelles. Onbehalfof the Gabonese delegation and people, it is myagreeable duty to bid welcome to this new Member of our great United Nations famny. 44. We would have liked'at the same timeto welcome the fraternal State of Angola and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam among us. We venture to hopethat the dayis not too far off when these two States,which meet the conditions laid down by the Charter, will beamong us.Theadmission of these two countries will genuinely giVe our Organization its proper Universality• 45. There has been much talk of a world crisis situation, of a universe on the brinkof coUective suicide ana, indeed, crisis and the temptation to coUective suicide do un- deniably exist, because there is no doubt that whichever way we turn we flnd war, teptession, poverty, hunger, disease, racism in ail its forms and the growing disinte- gration of the world economic order, whoDe appointed victims are of course the countries which are constructing theireconomies. 46. We are stillliving underhegemonilm andselfIShness of all kinds, phenomena which maintain inequality among men and different parts of the world. We are still living in the reign of hotbedsof tension andexplosive utuations,of which the mostdangerous are,aseveryone knows, southern Africa andthe Middle East. 47. Thepeace and security for whichwe soardently wish and the justice and happiness forwhich we so deeply yearn are a common heritage which nature has bequeathed to be shared equally among all men and ill peoples on earth. They are not the preserve of any special category of men; they belong to all human beings. To disregard thistruth, to deny this obvious fact would lead to frightening conse- quences andthe mostbloodytngedies. 48. Amere h8ll1dfi.JI of menof disparate minorities are,on the pretext that they" belong·to the. white race, making life a nightmare for the indigenous majority on thispart of ourcontinent. 49. These minorities belong to another age; they are deaf to the voice of all the other nations in the world; they refuse to restore their rights and their freedoms to the peoples which th~y keep under their domination; this is intolerable and unacceptable. 51. Gabon fmnly condemns the policy of Qptl1theid because it is absurdthat this policy of the Government of South Africa should continue at the very time when our Orpnization has aff'mned its determination to safeguard human rights and the rightof peoples to self-determination. It is absurd that South Africa should continue to belong to our Organization when 'it 'is defying the Charter, its principlel and United Nations resolutions as well as the pubHc opinion of the whole world. Just as we condemn aptlItheid, so we condemn those countries which for commercial reasons are giving active assistance to this regime in maintaining itself thanks to various kinds of agreements, which thus give the regime the appearance of invincibility• 52. We know that the VORter racist regime is stilldeafto the appeals of the international community that it should lee reason. Not only does this notorious regime refuse to change its policy inside South Africa but it has even extended it to Namibia, a Territory under United Nations administration. 53. The situation in Namibia causes usgreatconcern. The Security Council should again take up this problem, which WlS the subject of its resolution 385(1976) of 30January 1976. If South Africa persists in its refusal to withdraw from Namibia-assisted as it is by certain countries-the Security Council should in that case have recourse to the measures provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter of our OrgInization. 54. We know that a so-called constitutional conference is now going on in Windboek. Gabon fmnly opposes this . masquerade, which excludes the SouthWest Africa People's Orpnization, the authentic and sole representative of the Namibian people. Gabon will alsooppose the results of this conference, the only purpose of which is the "bantustaniza- tion" of NlIIlibia and the establishment of puppet regbnes in the payof Pretoria. SS. With regard to the prOblem of Rhodesia, Gabon is following with particular attention the current efforts of. Mr. Henry Kissinger, the United StatesSecretary of State, to f'md an acceptable solution for thisdistressing problem. However, there is a sacred principle which is non-negoti&ble 2Ibid., Twenty-fourth Se8on, Annutl, agenda item 106, document A/77S4. 56. On the question of Comoros, wehope that the French Government, which has always shown such wisdom in decoloRization matters, will grantthis fraternal country it~ legitimate claim in orderto preserve the unity andintegrity of its territory just as they were respected in the years of colonization. 57. My delegation is gratified at the process of decolo- Rization which hasalready been embarked upon in Djibouti with a view to the independence of this Territory in accordance with the aspirations which have so often been expressed by its people. 58. The Middle East today is the most dangerous source of tension. Four frightful wars have caused a heavy loss of humanlifein that partof the world. 59. The deep reason for that situation is the refusal by the State of Israel to recognize the Palestinian factor. We do not think that there will be peace or detente in that areaas longas the Palestinian people remains Stripped of its rights. As everyone knows, the Palestinian people, uprooted from its terdtory, stripped of all its rights to return to its homes, and property, is languishing in refugee camps. That people must have a territory,a national territory; it mustexercise its rights asa people andasa nation. Anysolution that fails to recognize that reality andthat fails to provide for direct, full and complete participation by the Palestinian people, represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization, in all conferences will not be acceptable. Peace in the Middle East cannot be based on the fruits of aggression. Israel must unconditionally withdraw from all the Arab territories occupied by force in 1967. 60. The Lebanese tragedy is of concern to my country, which has always had very good relations with Lebanon. Gabon very sincerely hopes that peace will return to that country. That peace can only be the result of mutual agreement ~ong the Lebanese themselves, without any outside interference. Of, course, the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon mustbe safeguarded. 61. The Cyprus crisis has, unfortunately, not yet been settled. In spite of the unanimous deci1,ons taken by our Organization, Cyprus is divided into two separate terri- tories, each with its own administration. Gabon fmnly supports the efforts of our Secretary-General to fmd a solution acceptable to all the Cypriot communities, a solution that will safeguard the independence andintegrity of the island. 62. Gabon is gratified at the factthat the Korean problem is no longer on our agenda. Gabon, which enjoys friendly relations with the two Korean States, believes that the settlement of the Korean question is to be sought in candid and sincere North-~uth dialogue, and that that isthemost 63. With regard to Latin American, I should like to assure the peoples of that continent of the whole-hearted support of Gabon for the efforts they are making to strengthen their national security. For Gabon is convinced that that is one of the most positive contributions to the historic current of the liberation of enslaved peoples. 64. I should like on behalf of my country to extend here our warmest congratulations to the Mexican authorities for having established the Centre for Third-World Economic and SocialStudies. 65. If, from a purely political point of view, the picture of the' world we have just painted seems to us to be undeniably marked by disorder and disarray, that should .surprise no one, because it is a consequence and a logical emanation of an anachronistic world economic system that is itself dominated by disorder. 66. Indeed, that disorder is manifested in different forms, of which inflation, the worsening of the terms of trade, and the constant impoverishment of the third world are just a few examples. 67. That problem is of such concern and so crucial to our countries that it has led to the convening of two special sessions of the United Nations General Assemblyto debate the matter and lay the foundations for a new and more just international economic order. Our country, which is a major producer of primary commodities, cannot be indif- ferent to this situation. Accordingly, the President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency El Hadj Omar Bongo, took an active part in the laying down of the guidelines for this new economic order, which from now on should take the greatest account of the interests of the primary- commodity-producing countries. And, in order the better to defend those interests, our country and other partners, following the example of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, have just established the Organization of Timber Producing and Exporting Countries. 68. Within the world structure of relations there is no sphere more manifestly saturated with inequalities, uni- lateral advantages and lop-sided contracts than the sphere of economic relations. 69. Indeed, if we look at the world scene we see that about 80 per cent of world trade and about 95 per cent of private investment are controlled by a minority of States, while more than two thirds of the world's population continues to live in conditions ofpoverty. , 70. We believe that the time has gone by when the international eeonomic system was directed by that minority. We believe that the time has gone by when the will of that minority W!lS imposed upon the majority. 72. Wilful disregard of those factors by the affluent countries is putting a brake on the actual establishment of the new international economic order, as defmed and accepted by the international community during the sixth and seventh special sessions of the General Assembly of our Organization. That bad will on the part of the developed countries is also at the basis of the partial failure of the fourth session of UNCTAD, in which the developing countries had placed so much hope. 73. The overcoming of the present economic crisis is a fundamental goal with a high priority. There can be no question of returning to a past which everyone acknow- ledges has been superseded. 74. The problem of under-development will be genUinely solved only if the developed countries manage to overcome their selfishness, which is at the basis of the poverty of the third-world countries. 75. The former relations of domination and dependence must give way to the legitimate' interests of the vast majority of the international community. Any partial solutions' or solutions that would take account of the interests only of the minority could not be supported. Solutions must be global and must be in keeping with the urgent needs of all the peoples of the world. 76. If there is one subject which is ofthe greatest interest with regard to the economy, development and sovereignty of nations, it is the subject of the ocean. 77. Although its importance is not matched by any great interest on the part of the public at large, it remains crucial for contemporary needs, as indeed it has been crucial throughout the history of mankind. The ocean occupies 71 per cent of the earth's surface and is an inexhaustible source of wealth. Its role in the life of mankind has become particularly- great in the past 10 years. That is why Gabon is following with very close attention the Third United Nations Conference on the law of the Sea. . 18. We recognize that the problem of the oceans is very. important and very complex, and that any hasty solution in. this area is unacceptable. The Conference must take account of the legitimate interests of coastal States as well as the aspirations of land-locked States. 79. Gabon wishes to encourage the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea to continue its work until it produces an international treaty on the subject. 80. The elimination ofhotbeds of war and the settlement of all armed conflicts which are dividing nations constitute the first stage on the' way to peace and security. The peoples of the world can live in peace only if they have a true sense of security untroubled by threats. When we 81. The attitude of those r.-.=:h!nts of weapons makes us doubt it. In the face of the risks to internationalpeace and security posed by the production, accumulation and reck- less distribution of armaments, it is becoming necessary to combat the folly ofsomein order to guarantee the security of others. 82. At a time when the threat of hunger is a realityto so many millions of people, vast amounts of moneyarebeing spent on the work of destruction. Thegross indifference of the weapons merchants, the tranquil assurance of the buyers and sellers at a time when the business of supplying food to countries suffering fromhungerposes suchdifficult problems, is something to cause us concern. The statistics of the World Bank showthat in 1970 the worldspent $183 billion on annamenu-some 24 times the total amount allocated for aid programmes. Military expenditureisrising by about 6 per cent a year,so that the growthof the forces of destruction is greater than that of the total production of all the goods and services in the world.We can therefore see that, in spite of speeches and conferences on disarma- ment, the international arms market has never been so prosperoU!. 83. It is therefore the duty of our Organization to stepup its efforts and its actions in this area in order to prevail upon Member States to reach an qreement which would lead to general and controlled di.rmament. 84. But the Government of Gabon is always wondering what ~ be the purpose of the bombs already stocl~piIed before the entry into fqrceof the Treaty on the Non-Prolifention of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)). . 85. In order to assuage our fears and to give a satisfactory reply to all countries which dream only of peace, there is only one solution, and that is the solemn, formal banning of the production of ne~ nuclear weapons and the immediate formation of international commissions under the aegis of the United Nations that will embark upon the systematic destruction of existing stockpiles. To us, failure to agree to that simply means the shirking of a sincere searchfor peace. 86. In conclusion, I should like to reaffmn here our unswerving faith in the United Nations. In spite of the difficulties in which our Organization finds itself, wehope that the international community will continue its efforts to make of the UnitedNations an indispensable instrument

I should like on behalf of my delegation to convey to Ambassador Amerasinghe our most sincere congratulations on hiselectionasPresident of the thirty-firstregularsession of the General Assembly. 88. May I also be permitted to reiterate the warmest congratulations of my delegation to his outstanding predecessor, Mr. Gaston Thorn. 89. The thirty-first regular session of our General Assembly is taking place at a time when the world is still deeply affected by the death of one of the most distinguished statesmen to leave their imprint on the twentieth century, Chairman Mao Tsetung. My delegation wishes yet again to pay a sincere tribute to the memoryof the helmsman ofthe Chinese people who made it possible for his country to become a modern, free and respected nation. The peoples of the third world will always be grateful for his constant unreserved support of their fight for liberation. The principle he taught, that one must rely first and foremost on one's own resources, has become a slogan for the Chinese people and a source of inspiration for the nations of the third world. 90. At a time when the majority of States of our international community are confronted with serious problems of development, we believe it is important to highlight that principle, so true is it that it is through their own daily collective endeavours and common will to overcome disease, illiteracy and hunger that the developing countries can hope to achieve social well-being while safeguarding their dignity and independence, which can be realonly if they have beenwon. 91. Desirous of achieving that kind of independence, the Government of Niger, under the enlightened leadership of His Excellency, Lt, Col. Seyni Kountche, has bent every effort to mobilize all the vital forces of the nation to build a new Niger and at last ensure the happiness of each and every one ofits citizens. 92. That mobilization hasbeen carried out :in particularby traditional youth associations called samarias, which, by channelling all their efforts, undertake joint mutual assistance and development activities at the town and village levels. Their dynamic and resporisible action has made it possible, inter alia, to build in less than ayear about 2,000 classrooms, something the First Republic had been unable to do in 15 years of independence. After six long years of drought and cruel trials and tribulations,we are more determined than ever to persevere in this, the only true course of freedom and source of development. Thus wehave placed ail our hopesin the three-year development plan, which upon completion should enable us, in particular, to raise the rate of school attendance from -12 per cent to 35 per cent and to move towards agricultural self-sufficiency. 94. But before dwelling on these burning questions, I wish, on behalf of my delegation, to applaud the admission to our Organization of the sister Republic of Seychelles. As great as our joy at welcoming that new State in our midst, so great is our disappointment at the non-admission of the People's Republic of Angola and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as a result of the abuse of the right of veto. Niger, which supports the principle of the universality of the United Nations, emphatically denounces this attitude, for which there is no justification in any of the provisions of the Charter. 95. With regud, first of all, to the People's Republic of Angola, we believe that it is doubly unjust to keep that country outside our Organization: on the one hand, that country is a member of the Organization of African Unity [OAUj, which has given it its full confidence; and, on the other, that same nation has been recognized by over two thirds of the United Nations membership. 96. As for the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, my delegation feels itself in duty bound to emphasize that that State, which only recently regained its national unity and territorial integrity after more than 30 years of a cruel and bloody war that marked its brave people profoundly, deserves that our Organization should do it justice at last, not only by admitting it to membership but also by helping it to heal its wounds. 97. This abuse of the right of veto leads us to believe that there is ail urgent need to amend the Charterin order that some of its machinery may 00 brought more into line with the reality of our time, which is characterized by a more marked desire to introduce a certain degree of democratization into international relations. 98. One of the most difficult tests to be withstood by our Organization in the forthcoming years is that of the unbridled arms race, which has reached alarming proportions in some countries. Thus it is that the report of the Seeretary-General[A/31/1/Add.lj stresses that over $300 billion is spent annually for that purpose, whereas three quarters of mankinCllive in poverty and despair. That arms ra~ is one of thegr~testscandals of our time, because the world is in the process of manufacturing the instruments of its own destruction. The list of those that have it in their power to blow us all to kingdom come grows longer and longer as time goes by. Even Africa, which was expected after decoionization to make development its primary objective, is also.lU'l11i:Dg itself dangerously. 99. The various disasters that have struck the world, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and droughts, and that have caused so many victims, should bring us all to greater wisdom. 101. Another source of concern is to be found in the countless cases noted here and there of interference in the internal affairs of other States. Weregard such interference as true acts of terrorism and a permanent source of conflict in international relations. 102. For our part, I can say that ours is a peace-loving people, an advocate ofhuman brotherhood. But I must also add most emphatically that we shall always remain obdurate where our sovereignty and dignity are concerned, because no one can love or stand up for our fatherland better than ourselves. 103. In the Middie East, too, the situation has in no way improved. Israel still persists in its refusal to restore to the Arab States the territories it has unlawfully occupied since the June 1967 war, despite Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). Niger, for its part, denounces and condemns. most strongly the policy of aggression and expansion undertaken by Israel in the region. It is for this reason, and in conformity with the relevant aforementioned resolutions of ~ United Nations, that we vigorously reaffirm that any settlement of the Middle East crisis necessarily entails the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all the occupied Arab territories, and its recognition. of the legitimate, inalienable right of the Palestinian people to a homeland. Therefore, we shall continue to hold the Zionist State of Israel alone responsible today for that situation. 104. As for the serious and sad tragedy besetting Lebanon today, it is, in our view, the result of that permanent crisis which has reigned throughout the Middle East since the birth of. the Hebrew State. We exhort all the parties involved in that country to show greater moderation and wisdom in order to put an end to that war which has already claimed too many innocent victims. Thus we firmly support the laudable efforts made by the League of Arab States in its search for a peaceful political solution to this painful problem. 105. Elsewhere in the world, there are other thorny problems which could, unfortunately, lead to fratricidal confrontations. I am referring, inter alia, to the situation prevailing in Cyprus and in Korea. Although .our General Assembly decided this year no longer to deal with the Korean problem, it still remains a concrete reality which we cannot continue to evade indefinitely in so far as it represents a defmite threat not only to stability in the Asian continent but also to peace throughout the world. In Niger, our view is still that it is for the two parties concerned to seek, through dialogue and without outside interference, ways and means which will lead to a just and peaceful settlement of their dispute, a settlement that will be lasting only if it leads to the reunification of the two Koreas. 107. However, it is the events in southena Africa which today constitute the most sordid and most repugnant drama of all. In fact, we cannot but deplore the fact that our Assembly hasbeenpowerless to put an end to the racist South African policyever since this question was included on our agenda for the rust time in 1951. 108. Twenty-five years have elapsed without the international community making the slightest change in the arrogant and defiant attitude of the colonialist and racist authorities in Pretoria. Not only has the heinous Policy of apQ1'theid been entrenched ss an almost inexpugnable state instit",tion, but it is in the process of being trmsplanted to the neighbouring Territories of Namibia and of Rhodesia. The question that arises for the conscience of mankind is whetherour Assembly today is in a position to checkmate the insane determination and senseless conspiracy of ~ handful of unenlightened white settlers whC? wish to see theirretrograde dreams become a reality. 109. Everything seems to have been said again and again for the past 25 years oonceming that situation. Our Organization today. appears to be tired of vainly condemning at each of its sessions one of its obstinate'Members which appears to be more determined than ever not to implement its decisions. This continued defiance by South Africa of the United Nations cannot but undermine our Organization. 110. Niger believes that the time has come for our Organization and, more particularly, for certain States to . put an end to their complicity before the policy of fait accompli carried on by the Government of South Africa, and that the time has come, to embark, at last, upon a complete and swift consideration 'of the question of southern Africa, because too much blood has already been shed on our continent. Perhaps it is time for us to ponder the old adage that hatred brings forth hatred and blood calls for blood. . 11t. Hundreds of young black Africans died in Soweto and other South African ghettos while confronting with bare hands the bullets of the racist criminals. Africa's reaction to this massacre, so revolting to the worid conscience, was its spontaneous, unanimous condemnation of it. In addition, on the occasion of their summit conference in Mauritius, the Heads of State and Governmentof(OAU)3 decided that eachyearthe date of 16 June shall be commemorated throughout the African continent asthe Dayof Martyrs. 112. How much longer will our Assembly tolerate the bloody exactions and dlilly crimes perpetrated by that accursed, shameful regime? 113. We believe that the time has come to take decisions. 3 Twenty-seventh ordinuy .eSlion of the Council of Minilterl of the Orpnizltion of African Unity, held at Port Louis, MauritiuI, from 24 June to 3 July 1976. 115. Asfor Rhodesia and South Africa, we must recognize that only the direct application of majority rule should prevail. This is the reason why Niger will not oppose any initiative, from wherever it may come, provided that its ' ultimate aim is the strict application of that ruleand that it take into account at all times the recommendations of OAU, one of whose fundamental objectives is precisely the liberation of the entire African continent. 116. I appeal to the conscience and logic of some of the great Powers, those which, in one way or another,support the survival of a system that they themselves rtaject. 117. I advisedly decided to dwell' on thef", burning questions, some of which seriously endanger international peace and security. However, we are also well aware of the economic crisis rampant in the world today, the nefarious effects of which are deeply felt by the poorer countries, among them my own. 118. An analysis of the international economic situation leaves no room {or optimism. In fact, the inflationary situation which has afiected the world for the past three years remains an important factor in the' decline of the world economy, above all in the non-on-exporting developing countries. In our view, this factor-rather faci1eto recall whenever there is an economic crisis-is far from justifying by itself the ever more serious difficulties faced by our CQuntries. This is~ perhaps, an appropnate time to denounce not only the tendency to blame it all on a circumstantial-albeit serious-event, but also, and Ibove all,the deliberate absence of political will on the part of the industrialized countries increasingly concerned with nottoo-honourable preoccupations that generally run counter to the objectives of the Charter, sum as the' arms race which I have denounced earlier. 119. What has become of the United Nations Strategy for the Second Development Decade-a whole ingeniousmechanism of operation and assessment, which wit drawn up with suchardourand detail? Like all human constructions, it soon became obsolete, and scepticism prevails each time that we consult the very meagre results at the end of each year. There are many industrialized countries which have not yet accepted the transfer of 1 per ,cent of their gross national product to the developing countnes..'Thus, we must note that the lackof rmancial resources prevailed over the enormous hopes for development that were aroused throughout the developing world. 120. The same problem of the transfer of resources is to be found everywhere as the key to any development aid programme. We saw this in Nairobi at a time when UNC'1~AD felt it necessary to create a buffer stocks fund. The mitigated, even hostile, acceptance by some countries .. !toe Ofjicml R~cortb of the &curityCouncl" 7Jl1rty-ji,:t r.,., 1959th meetinl 121. The countries of the third world without oil resources continue to live in the most precarious economic situation. The deficit in their balance of payments in 1976 reached SUS 45.2 billion. This exorbitant fJgUre represents a growing trend, and if nothing stops this upward trend between now and 1980, most of the countries concerned will cease to participate in world trade.Moreover, no one is unaware of the fact that the fmancial resources of those same countries are exhausted or, more particularly, that theyare increasingly obliged to resort to borrowing in order to ensure some continuity in their investments. We must believe that, if this is the price of development, very few developing countries will be. in the lace by the year 1980. 122. My country will never cease to denounce most forcefully the world economic order as it exists. In this confrontation between the powerful and the weak weknow what our fate will be. This scandal to which so many nations are still attached persists despite resolutions adopted here and there. The promise of a gesture towards more balanced co-operation as prOVided for in the objectives of the Second Development Decade has,regrettably, found only timid accomplishment. In our view, although there are plenty of good intentions everywhere there still remains to be carried out a deliberate, courageous political action which would induce the rich nations to fulfd their contracts and commitments with those on which, often, they have based theirowndevelopment. 123. A ray of hope shone for a moment at Lom6: nine Western European countries instituted a stabilizing system for export earnings for the benefit of 46 countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the P3.~ific. The policy and the evolution of relations between the rich and the poor countries had led us to expect better prospects for the future. ~any had h.oped that this machinery would be enlarged and improved and consequently would have an effect on the linkage between prices of manufactured goods and commodities, but nothing happened. Theworld must once. again take note of the fact that the new world economic order has its price. Whichever way we approach it, the essential thing is to accept the idea andfacilitate its application. 124. The countries of the third world want their nonmanufactured products to receive a fair remuneration. They are aware that their development depends essentiaJiy on those products and'that any transfer of financial resources can only be a supplement, 125. The international situation! aswe together with most of the previous speakers from the third world have noted, leaves very little hope for a solution of our development problems. However, we shall not be discouraged. With our neighbors alone or jointly with those that share our ideals . of solidarity and devotion to development, we have undertaken local and regional actions to benefit our peoples. Among these I shall mention only the Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel, whose actions 126. Outside the regional sphere, we made a point of being present at the meeting of solidarity of the third world at the Colombo Conference. On that occasion the Head of State of Niger, Lt, Col. SeyniKountche, when speaking of the dynamics of non-alignment taid the following: "Let us conceive formulas for mutual assistance in order to avoid accepting the generosity of the twoblocs, because, just as water that comes from the same source cannot be both salt and fresh, so'we cannot expect to maintain non-alignment while we areattached to others." 127. The fifth session of the Third United Nations Conference on the I.aw of the Sea was concluded only a fewweeks ago. Without advocating scepticism, the leastone can sayof that session is that it achieved no positive results. 128. We may search for the reasons for thissemi-failure in the difficulties inherent in the establishment of an international convention; but we cannot conceal the fact that there are too many interests involved, whether admittedor otherwise. The obstacles encountered dUring the fifth session stem particularly from the hegemonic desires of some and the egotism of others. . 129. My country, Nipr, which is a land-locked State, must point out that its good relations with its coastal neighbours make its geographical position less hard to bear. 130. However, as regards the elaboration of a convention to govern at the international level the rights anddutiesof the States parties, we could not accept a text which does not recognize to land-locked or disadvantaged States the rightof free access to and from the sea. 131. SimiJarl~l, we could not remain silentas regards the exploration and exploitation of the resources of the sea-bed, which arethe common heritage of mankind. Those resources should be used for the harmonious development of the international community as a whole, and that result cannot be achieved if the authority and the enterprise to which all States are to belongdo not have the appropriate legal andfmancial means for that purpose. 132. However, we all k:now that there are other things involved besides direct economic interests which hamper the progress of the work of that Conference. Thesharing of the oceans is part of international military strategy. The great marine spaces, like outer space, have become privileged territory where man is beginning to establish hisbases for the launching of weapons of destruction. 133. Another ominous subject of tension mustbe pointed out: it is the gap that divides us from the greatPowers. We speak of development, but on the other side they think of strategy and hegemony with all its retinue of provisions which seek to keepthe planetin a stateof terror. 135. The intentions of my country are sincere, and our preoccupation is stm development. Around us reasons for satisfaction arerare;but, despitethesedisappointments and perplexities, my delesation sincerely hopes that we shall soon see an era of poolq of views leadins to the establishment of a new worl~ orderof peace and tolerance.

The election of Ambassador Amerasinshe as President of the thirty-fustsession of the United Nations General Assembly is indeed a recognition by the world body of .his eminent qualities of leadership, wisdom and conference diplomacy that he has demonstrated so well in his outstandins career in the internationl1 arena. It is also an acknowledsement, as he has stated, of the positive role that hiscountry, SriLanka, has been playins in world affairs under the inspiring leadership of his Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. On behalfof my delesat~on~ I ~xtend to Ambassador Ameruinshe our sincere conpatulations and assure him our full support and co-operation at all times. We are particularly happy to see him in the Chair because his country is our closest neishbour, with which so many historical and cultural ties unite usandwithwhich wehave enjoyed very fruitfullinks1Jf economic co-operation for the pastseveral decades. 137. On behalf of the Gowrnment of the RepUblic of Maldives,l should like to express our d~ep appreciation of the man who has been directina. with such efficiency and skUl, the executive machinery of the United Nations for the past five years, the 'Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim. His dedication to the cause of peace andhisvision, courage and impartiality at all times have earned himthe respect of the entireinternational community. 138. On the occasion of the·admission of the Republic of Seychellc$to the United Nations, may I also extend our warm pe~tinBS to its delesation. The Maldives looks forward to the establishment 9f cordial relations with the newly independent State. 139. Since this isthe fust timethat a representative of my country has had the honour of addressing the Ge~eral Assembly for some yean, allow me to convey to the 5 Thirteenth ordinary ..on of the AslelRbly of Heads of State and Government of the Oqanization of African Unity, held at Port Louis, Mauritius, from 2 to 5 July 1976. 140. On this occasion, I should also like to reaffmn tile commitment of the Government of Maldives to the purposes and ideals of th;e United Nations. We are convinced that me United Nations system, despite its shortcomings, has been and still is the most important instrument the family of nations has so far evolved for the maintenance of peace andsecurity in the world, andfor·the promotionof the principles of freedom, justiceandhuman dilfdty. In its 30 years of existence, the United Nations tias accomplished much, especially in the process of decolonizationand in the development of peaceful co-operation in many fields of international relations, in addition to peace-keeping operations in many troubled areas. We believe that the United Nations remains the besthope for a better world. 141. We fmnly support the call for the strengthening of the United Nations system in order to increase the effectiveness of its role in the pressing political and economic issues that face us today. A fllSt step in this direction would be the implementation of the principle of Universality of Its membership. We feel that no sovereign State should be barred from membership in the -United Nations. 142. We areacutely aware that the non-implementation of its resolutions is weakening the very foundations on which 'the authority of the Uriited Nations· is based. We believe that it is the collective duty of all Member States to fmd ways and means which wUI ensure that the resolution and decisions of both the Security Council and the General Assembly arerespected andimplemented. 143. The primary concern of my Government is to improve the living conditions of our people. TheMaldives is one of the smallest Member States in the United Nations. The most senoue impediments to our social and economic development are our meagre natural resources and the extreme fragmentation of 0,,'\1' sprawling clusters of islands which stretch over an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean. 144. Until very recently', almost 90 per cent of our national income had been dependent on the fishins industry. Our efforts to fmd other sources of revenue have resulted in the establishment in recent years of some excbange-earning industries, the most promising of which has turned out to be tourism. The tropical beauty and the calm serenity of the sun-drenched islands have made the Maldives a country with tremendous potential for J flourishing touristindustry. 145. So far the Maldives has depended.solely on its own resources, however li-:nited they may be, for its economic and social developm snt, We arc rightly proud of the fact that we have been able to achieve, under the dynamic leadership of our youthful President and by our policyof "development throush self-reliance", a measure of success that others may find hard to believe. But owing to the nature and urgency of our development needs, combined 146. The stability of our own area is crucial to' our political and economic well-being. For that reason the Maldives fully endorses General Assembly resolution 2832 (XXVI), which declares the Indian Ocean a zone of - peace, free from great-Power rivalry and conflict. We believe that the implementation of that Declaration is essential to the true independence and security of the States of the region. In this connexion, we welcome the statement made before this Assemblya few days ago by the Foreign Minister of the USSR[7th meetingJthat the Soviet Union had no intention of building military bases in the Indian Ocean. 147. The Maldives has noted with deep satisfaction the nonnalization of relations between India and Pakistan, with both of which we enjoy very close and fruitful relations. 148. The Fifth Conference of non-aligned countries held in Colombo in August of this year was of special significance to us, since at that Conference the Maldives became a full member of the non-aligned group. We have joined the non-aligned movement as a result of our conviction that this movement embodies not only the legitimate aspirations of two thirds of the world's entire population, but also of mankind's sear-h for peace and harmony among nations. In our perception, non-alignment is a constructive force that strives for the establishment of a new international economic and political order based on justice and equity. 149. The non-aligned movement is not a new political bloc, as so lucidly explained to this august Assembly only a few days ago by Mr. Amerasinghe's Prime Minister and the current Chairman of the group of the non-aligned countries f11th meeting]. By becoming a member of the movement, no country loses its right to formulate its own domestic or external policies according to the political will of its own people. The Maldives, as a Moslem country with its own cultural heritage on which no foreign culture has ever made its imprint over the centuries, has -its own fundamental values by which it interprets the principles of liberty, democracy and social justice. 150. The l\ofiddle East is a region with which the Maldives hasalways had very strong traditional-links. It it! a matter of de~p concern for us that no positive stepshave been taken since the last session of the General Assembly in the search for a just and lasting peace in the area. 151. The Maldives reaffmns its solidarity with the Arab countnes in their struggle to liberate their occupied lands. We firmly support the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their legitimate right to establish a homeland on their own national soil. Weare convinced that a just ami durable peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through a comprehensive settlement based on 158. The Maldives, being a maritime nation, attaches great importance to the deliberations of the Law of the Sea Conference, which has had the good fortune of meeting _--_.~-------------~ 152. The situation in southern Africa continues to constitute a threat to the peace and security of the region. Wein the Maldlves strongly object to the policy ofapartheid and racial discrimination, since it violates all fundamental human values. We emphasize the need for the total and speedy eradication of apartheid and for the exercise, by the South African people, of their legitimate right to selfdetermination, . . 153. We denounce South Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia. Wecall for the immediate transfer of power to the people of Namibia under the auspices of the United Nations in accordance with Security Council resolutions 264 (1969),269 (1969) and 366 (1974). 154. We fmnly endorse the right ofthe Mrican people of Zimbabwe to self-determination and independence. We welcome the recent diplomatic mitiative of the United States to fmd an equitable solution. Mr. Kissinger is a man of great diplomatic skill, as he has proved in so many critical situations. His efforts will no doubt make a positive contribution towards a just and durable settlement. But we fullyagree with the front-line African States that the prime objective in Zimbabwe should be the immediate introduction of majority rule. 155. The Maldives supports all efforts made in the search for a negotiated settlement to the problem of Cyprus. We hail the continued efforts of the Secretary-General to promote talks between the parties directly concerned that would, hopefully, pave the way to a peaceful solution. We feel that any realistic solution to the problem should take into account the legitimate interests of both the rYreek and Turkish communities, and that it should preserve the independence and the territorial integrity of Cyprus. "156. We in the Maldives remain deeply disturbed over the continued presence of foreign .military forces on the Comorian island of Mayotte. In accordance with the resolutions adopted at the Seventh IslClmic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in 'Istanbul in MaY.lsee A/31/237] and at the Fifth Conference' of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Colombo {see A/31/197, annex "IVJ we call for the immediate withdrawal of those forces. 157. The problem of disarmament has become of prime importance to all countries in the world, big and small. In the words of our Secretary-General, "the problem of armaments continues to present the most serious threat to a peaceful and orderly future for the world community". It is time that a comprehensive programme of agreed measures for the opening of a process of genuine disarmament is worked out. . . 159. In this session of the General Assembly, as in many previous ones, we are faced with a multitude of crucial illues.· The success or failure of our deliberations win largely depend on the manner in which we deal withthem. If we, conectively, have the political will and the moral strengthto face the chaUenges of our times With dedication and c:ournge, success wiU be within our reach. If we lack 160. In conclusion, let me repeat these inspiring words of the Secretary-General in the introd':'Ction to hisreport: "Our efforts to make the United Nations work will inevitably contain a measure both of hope and of frustration, of ac.bievement and of failure. In the long run only the dedication of the Members to the ideals and objectives of the Charter, andtheirpersistence in working to realize those ideals and objectives... will be the decisive factor. in the success or failure of this great experiment." {A/31/1/Add.l, lect.I.} 771e meetingroleat 5.30 p.m: