A/32/PV.2 General Assembly

This mornhig we shall continue to hearstatements of welcome to the two new States Members of the United Nations-the Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

Mr. President, the Head of the delegation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the USSR, in his forthcoming statement will of course be welcoming you on your assumption of the post of President of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly on behalf of the Soviet delegation. Therefore, with your permission, today I should just like to express my satisfaction upon your election to this important post. We are convinced that under your leadership the General Assembly will success- fully discharge its duties. 3. Today we are witnessing a momentous and, I would even say, a moving event. Whenever a new Member joins the Organization, this is viewed as new evidence of the growth and strengthening of the ranks of the United Nations and progress towards the final implementation of the principle of universality, of our Organization. However, today is a special occasion, even an unusual one in many respects. 4. The General Assembly is redressing a historic injustice and, upon the entirely correct and well-founded recom- mendation of the Security Council, has taken a decision on the question of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations. 5. For the Soviet Union there has never been any question of a~ceptingor rejecting the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as a Member of the United Nations. We have always been firmly convinced that the 50 million heroic Vietnamese people have the legitimate and inalienable right to occupy their proper place in the world Organization. That is the obv~vus right of an independent and sovereign country. The Soviet delegation welcomes the fact that trumped-up 15 A/32/PV.2 NEW YORK pretexts which had prevented a solution of this question have been cast aside and that the United Nations has finally come to the only just conclusion which, without any doubt, will promote the implementation of the lofty purposes and principles of the Orga-nization. 6. The victory of the August Revolution of 32 years ago and the formation of a democratic Vietname~" State marked, as we know, the beginning of a new phase in the centuries-old history of Viet Nam. Having taken its fate into its own hands the Vietnamese people engaged in a selfless struggle for freedom and independence and for the reunification of its country. Displaying unflinching deter- mination for victory the people of Viet Nnm defeated the imperialists and their henchmen and created the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. This feat of the Vietnamese patriots will go down for ever in the annals of the liberation struggle of mankind and will become one of its brightest pages. It is a major contribution to the strengthening of the forces of peace and social progress. 7. The heroic history of the Vietnamese people, its invaluable contribution to the struggle for the strengthening of security in South-East Asia and throughout the world has earned for Viet Nam the steady growth of its authority on the international sc~ne. At the Fourth Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam in December last, it was stressed that the foreign policy goals of the Vietname~se State and the Vietnamese people in their new phase lie in the speedy healing of the wounds of war, the restoration and development of the economy and a tireless struggle for peace and national independence, and the establishment and development of normal relations with all other coun- tries on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, equality and mutual advantage. 8. It is quite obvious that these goals proposed by the Congress for the foreign policy of the Vietnamese State.are entirely in keeping with the provisions of the Umted Nations Charter and confirm the readiness and desire of the Socialist RepubJic of Viet Nam to comply with the obligations under the Charter of our Organization. 9. Viet Nam has already taken some important steps in the practical attainment of these ends. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam supports and is developing diplomatic relations with almost 100 States in the world, is occupying its proper place in the community of socialist countries and is playing an important part in the non-aligned movement. Viet Nam is taking an active part in a number of international organizations and specialized agencies within the United Nations system. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has now become an important factor for peace and progress in Asia, and by no means only in Asia. There can be no doubt that its participation in the work of our Organization as a 10. The progress made by Viet Nam is unchallengeable. However, it is too early to assert that it has overcome the difficulties inherited from the past connected with impe- rialist aggression and domination of the south of the country by a neo-colonialist regime. Further protracted efforts will be required in order to eliminate the severe problems left over from the war. To attain this goal, Viet Nam will require considerable assistance. 11. The Soviet Union believes that responsibility for the elimination of the consequences of aggression should be borne by those who were responsible for beginning the war in Viet Nam. This responsibility has also been confirmed by direct international legal obligations assumed under the Paris agreements. In article 2I'..Jf the 1973 Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet-Nam, we find the following statement: "In pursuance of its traditional policy, the United States will contribute to healing the WOU:13S of war and to post-war reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and throughout Indochina." In other words, this commitment exists and the time to fulfil it has come. 12. Today, on this memorable occasion for the people of Viet Nam, we should like to cong~atulate the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam upon its admission to the United Nations from the bottom of our hearts. The Soviet people would like to extend to the people of Viet Nam cordial congratulations and best wishes for further major achieve- ments in strengthening a bulwark of peace and socialism in South-East Asia. In welcoming to our country a delegation from the Vietnamese Party and Government, Leonid I. Brezhnev said: "For Soviet Communists, for all Soviet peoples, to act in solidarity with Viet Nam has been and is merely to do the bidding of their hearts and heads, and to express the unswerving faith of our Party and people in the principles of internationalism." 13. There can be no doubt that th(~ decision to admit the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations will serve the cause of the development of international co-operation and the consolidation of peace ~nd security for the good of all countries and peoples. 14. The delegation of the Soviet Union would also like cordially to congratulate the new inaerendent African State, the Republic of Djibouti, upon its admission to membership in the United Natiom. 15. Together with other delegations, the Soviet delegation supported its application in the belief that a positive solution to this question would constitute a further step towards the total ar.d final eHmination of the colonial system and would pro~lOte the development of relations of equality and co-operation among all States, large and small. 17. We should like to assure the delegation of the Republic of Djibouti of our readiness to co-operate constructively with it in all useful enterprises in the United Nations and we wish the people of the Republic of Djibouti peace and success in its national development.

Mr. President, I should like first to convey to you my congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of our thirty-second session and to express to you my pleasure at seeing you occupy that place of honour. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Louis de Guiringaud, will, within a few days, express to you his own sentiments as well as those of my Government at seeing you occupy the very high position which the Assembly has unanimously conferred upon you. 19. I wish also to take this opportunity to extend greetings to former President Amerasinghe, who ably and efficiently presided over the Assembly during the thirty- first session. 20. Once again we meet at the beginning of a session of the General Assembly for the purpose of admitting new Members. Need I say that this year it is with a special. sense of the solemnity of the occasion that my delegation speaks. In fact, we are today welcoming as Members of the United Nations the Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. 21. With regard to the Republic of Djibouti, when I submitted to the Security Council on 7 July last the draft resolution recommending the admission of Djibouti, I had already taken the opportunity to say how deeply moved we were to witness the birth of that new Stat" on the shores of the Red Sea. 22, Today, it is with the same sense of emotion and satisfaction that I welcome Djibouti to the United Nations. We have long known the people of that country and its deeply-rooted qualities. We are convinced that its repre- sentatives will make an extremely useful contribution to the work of Qur Organization. What I would call the exemplary conditions which governed the new State's accession to sovereignty, of which the United Nations is fully aware since it joined the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States in sending a mission to observe the consultatior.s which preceded independence and the way in which it has subsequently made its mark on the international scene bear witness to the maturity of its people and to'the wisdom of its leaders. 23. I should like on beh~H'of my country to pay a tr,ibute to President Hassan Gouled for his wisdom, his high sense of responsibility and his highly~principled views. The "It is not without concern that France notes in the immediate geographical area of the Republic of Djibouti an increase in situations of conflict which could consti- tute a threat to the future of the new State. The disturbances occurring among its big neighbours are already having an adverse effect on its fragile economy. The French Government therefore views with sympathy the efforts made by President Hassan Gouled to keep the new State aloof from regional quarrels." 25. There is no need to underline the importance for the international community of the presence of this new State at the cross-roads of the Arab'and African civilizations and at the hinge of Africa and Asia. As they face the many different challenges which active participation in inter- national life inevitably implies today, the leader'i of the Republic of Djibouti may rest assured that France is determined to offer its ,helping hand and friendly and selfless co-open,ltion as far as its resources will allow and in strict respect f?r Djibouti's sovereignty. Needless to say we do not wish to see this co-operation remain exclusive; it should involve the largest possible number of States. 26. Our Organization today also welcomes another State. Ten months ago thf; r~presentative of France stated from this rostrum that no one could doubt that onr.~ day the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam would be one of us, but that that day must come as soon as possible.I 27. That wish, which was embodied in a resolution of the Security Courlcil on 20 July last, is fulfilled today. Viet Nam will henceforth be a full Member of our Organization. 28. A paradox has thus been ended. Despite the role which it played on the international scene, and particularly in South-ERst Asia, and despite its 50 million inhabitants, Viet Nam had been kept out of the United Nations. In fact, that anomaly could not continue much longer without damaging our Organization, whose fundamental principle must be unive ..:ality. 29. Does 1I0t Article 4 of the Charter state that member- ship in the Organization is open to all peace-loving States, regardless of theIr system, :size or strength? By the decision it has just taken the United Nations has therefore acted in accord with its own principles. 30. On this solemn o(;casion I should like to weicome the presence in this hall of Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh, the Deputy Prime Minister and \1inister for Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and to convey to him the congratulations of France at seeing him take part in the debates of the General Assembly. 31. The links forged between the peoples of France and of Viet Nam throughout history have never really been 32. Since the restoration of peace in its territory, the Republic of Viet Nam has embarked .on a vast task of reconstruction commensurate with the outstanding quali- ties of its people. The task -is such, however, that the international community must come to its aid. 33. For its part, France is willing to do;o to the full extent of its means. In so doing it has th~ feeling not only of providing Viet Nam with the co-operation it needs, but also of contributing to the restoration of stability. As the President of the French Repuh~ic said. ~n May last: "It is necessary for all ot South-East Asia to find once again the climate of security and trust which is e.ssential to the progress of its peoples and to the safeguarding of peace." 34. I do not doubt that this is a~so the feeling of the Members of this Assembly. 35. In conclusion I wish to convey, on behalf of France, our most cordial wishes to the Republic of Djibouti and to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. They may both rest assured of our wish to maint · ~n relations of co-operation and friendship with then' 36. Mr. ~AMEED (Sri Lanka): Mr. President, it is my very pleasant t.l.lty to offer you my congratulations and good wishes. on your unanil:l0uS election to the high office of Pres~;jent of this Generai AS'iembly. Your election is a fitting tribute to your qualities of leadership, your under- standing of this great institution and, may I add here, the policies which your Government has followed, in particular the policy of non-alignment to which both Yugoslavia and Sri Lanka adhere. My delegation is confident that under yJur able guidance our deliberations will contribute to the success of this session. 37. My delegation would, I believe, be voicing sentiments which tare perhaps unanimously held in this Assembly when we welcome the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations. On a more personal note, I am especially happy that my first intervention in this thirty-second session of the General Assembly is, irr our capacity as Chairman of the Group of Non-Aligned Coun- tries, to express on behalf of that group of countries our sense of rejoicing over the admission of Viet Nam. 38. When we moved a similar draft resolution last year,2 we did so in sorrow rather than in anger-in sorrow that Viet Nam, which had all the qualifications f.)r membership, was yet being denied its pk~e in the United Nations, denied its place notwithstandiqg the expressed will of the over- whelming majority of our membership. Today, the wide 2 Ibid., Thirty-first Session, Annexes, agenda item 26. document A/31/L.21 and Add.1 and 2. 39. The Government of Sri Lanka was among the first countries to recognize what was at that time the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Viet Nam. It was a Provisional Government formed to realize the objective which had been denied the Vietnamese I ~ople for 30 years, the objective of a unified and independent Viet Nam. For the realization of that goal, the Vietnamese people endured a savage war the like of which one had hoped would not be repeated! in our generation. It was a war that brought deprivation and untold suffering to a people and reduced the territory of a small nation to a wasteland. 40. Viet Nam's admission to this Organization today must, therefore, be an occasiml to pay a tribute to a people whose valour and perseverance against unprecedented odds must earn them a p;ace in the history of our timet). In paying this tribute we cannot but recall the memory of President Ho Chi Minh, the leader and visionary who led his people on that long march. But an unkind fate took him on the eve of the achievement by the Vietmmese people of their goal of independence and unification. 41. My delegation welcome:; Viet Nam as a neighbour in our Asian continent. We welcome it as a country and a people with which we have had long and enduring ties of history, culture and religion. We are the common inheritors of the teachings of tbr great Gautama Buddha. teachings which have contributed so much to their age-old civili- zation. In concluding our remarks, my delegation expresses its confidence that Viet Nam can contribute much to the fulfilment of the 2Jims and objectives which have inspired this Organization. 42. Permit me also to express, on behalf of my own delegation, our warm greetings and welcome to the Re- public of Djibouti on its admission to membership in our Organization. I am happy to associate myself with the sentimepts which were so eloquently expressed a while ago by the representative of France. Our greetings and good wishes arc perhaps rather more persomd in that Sri Lanka was privileged to have been a member of the United Nations Mission to Observe the Referendum and Elections in French Somaliland (Djibouti), a mission which was established in accordance with a resolution of this As- sembly last year {resolution 31/59/. It did credit to the people of Djibouti and the administering Power that the State of Djibouti came to independence by the will of its people freely and overwhelmingly expressed. The United Nations, whose own efforts have contributed to the attainment of this goal. can also be justly proud of the birth of this new nation. May I, on behalf of my delegation, extend to President Hassan Gouled Aptidon, who is with us today, the good wishes of the Government and people of Sri Lanka.

Mr. President. on your election to the high post of the President of the thirty- second session of the General Assembly may ( offer my delegation's warmest congratulations to you, the repre- 44. I should like to extend my delegation's warmest congratulations to the two new Members, the Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Repl:lblic of Viet Nam. We express our conviction that their membership will be of great value and benefit to our Organization. 45. The reason I should like to go beyond the customary words of congratulation is well known to all of us in this hall. The Government of the Hungarian People's RepubHc has followed with the utmost interest the question of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. My delegation has attended all the debates and has contributed to the deliberations in all United Nations forums on this question. The admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is not just the admission of yet another new Member-which is in itself, of course, a happy occasion. This event has a special significance for us, and not only because the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is another socialist country with which my country has the warmest brotherly relations. After the end of the war in the battlefield this admission represents also 'in the field of diplomacy a great and well-deserved victory for the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as well as for most of us in this hall. The Organization as a whole is certainl} a winner, and through this we all will benefit. 46. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has already made a historic contribution to the goals and ideals for which we individually, and the United Nations as an Organization, stand, especially regarding the end of the war, thereby making a most valuable contribution to the cause of peace and also ~o the realization of the ideals of national independence and self-determination. 47. The long years of the heroic struggle of the Viet- namese people have brought about the deepest admiration and esteem of all peoples and have served as an example for all of us. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is a strong pillar of peace in Inde-China. But beyond that, the mere existence of a strong, unified, and peace-loving Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in (ndo-China has a favourable effect on the cause of peace in Asia and contributes to the strengthening of international peace and security in general. 48. During the years that have pa~;sed since the end of the war we have all witnessed the falet that the Vietnamese people and Government have devoted all their abundant energies, talent, devotion and heroism to the cause of economic reconstruction. The tasks here are enormous, as were the destruction and devastations of the war. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is not alone in this struggle. Many countries are helping to the best of the~r ability, including my own. In this respect one cannot fail to call attention to the fact that the United States Government which has legal, and should have moral, obligations to help heal the wounds of the war is still missing from those .who provide assistance officially. w~ hope and expect that the sense of justice whit.h is so strong in the American people 50. When I extend the most heartfelt and sincere con- gratulations of the Government and people of the Hun- garian People's Republic to the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on that state's admis- sion to the United Nations, I should like also to assure the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam of all the help and co-operation the Hungarian delegation is able to offer it. 51. Finally, we should like to avail ourselves also of this opportunity to welcome whole-heartedly the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, headed by Comrade Trinh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, to this session of the United Nations.

Before I call on the next speaker, I should like to inform representatives that there are 25 names on the list of speakers for this morning. That is why, under rule 35 of the rules of procedure I should like to suggest, without infringing the right of every member to speak, the closure of the list of speakers at 11.45 this morning. In order to be able to organize the work, we should have a clear indication of how many more represen- tatives wish to speak on this item. I hope that this suggestion meets with the approval of the Assembly. If I hear no objection, it will be so decided.

Mr. President, may I first of all congratulate you, my dear colleague and friend, on your election as President of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. 54. On behalf of the non-aligned countries Cyprus and Malta and of the Yugoslav delegation, I should like to say that today's decision of the General Assembly to admit the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Djibouti to United Nations membership has put an end to an injustice towards those peoples almost as old as the world Organization itself. 55. The long colonial rule and then the aggression and devastating war, accompanied by attempts to divide per- manently the Vietnamese people and Viet Nam as a country, have finally suffer->d a well-deserved defeat. By its determination, steadfastness and persistence in the struggle for freedom and independence, the Vietnamese people waged a heroic war of national liberation which is unique in character in contemporary history and has deserved the respect and admiration of the whole world. By their struggle the Vietnamese have proved that a people resolved 57. Both our countries waged Ci long war of liberation and suffered enormous human sacrifices. Peoples that have paid such a high price for their independence are in the best position to appreciate and respect the freedom and inde- pendence of other peoples and to exert active efforts for peace. I am convinced, therefore, that vur two countries will co-operate closely and successfully as socialist and non-aligned countries and as active Members of the United Nations on the basis of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the decisions of the Conferences of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries. 58. Bv its constructive initiatives and activity in inter- national relations since its accession to independence, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has made a genuine contribution to the establishment of new, democratic, international political and economic relations founded on the principles of equal rights, mutual respect, non-inter- ference in the affairs of other States and respect for the sovereignty and integrity of countries. 59. The international community is in duty bound to lend all-round assistance to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, so that it may heal the wounds inflicted by a long war and be able to continue to develop by relying on its own forces and to integrate itself, as soon as possible, into international economic co-operation. In this respect, my country will continue to promote the existing bilateral economic, scientific and technical co-operation between the two countries. 60. By the decision to admit the Republic of Djibouti into the United Nations, a new step has been made towards the strengthening of the world Organization and the achieve- ment of its universality. This is a victory not only for Africa but for freedQm-Ioving people all over the world. From the very outset, Yugoslavia had supported the struggle of the people of Djibouti for self-determination, independence and liberation from colonialism. I wish to address our felicitations to the delegation of Djibouti and to express the readiness of the Yugoslav delegation for all-round co- operation as well as the desire that relations and friendship between Yugoslavia and Djibouti should develop in har- mony with our common interest in further strengthening peace and security in the world.

First of all, in the name of the Chinese delegation, I wish to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of the Republic of Djibouti, headed by Preddent Hassan Gouled, and to the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh, both 63. Under the leadership of their great leader President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and with the support of the revolutionary people of various coun- tries, the Vietnamese people, who have a glorious revolu- tionary tradition, won complete victory in the war of national liberation after waging protracted arduous strug- gles. This victory once again demonstrated that countries want independence, nations want liberation and the people want revolution, and that this has become an irresistible historical trend. This victory has made a tremendous contribution to the struggle of the peoples of the world against imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism. 64. After completely defeating the United States aggres- sors, the fraternal Vietnamese people speedily brought to fruition the great cause of reunifying the fatherland as envisaged in President Ho Chi Minh's will. They have also continually achieved new successes in consolidating the fruits of revolution and in restoring and developing their national economy. The Chinese people hail the great historic victory won by the fraternal Vietnamese people and we wish them new victories in their cause of building a prosperous and strong socialist Viet Nam. 65. The peoples of China and Viet Nam have forged a profound militant friendship in the prolonged revolutionary 66. On 27 June this year, the Republic of Djibouti proclaimed its independence and became the forty-ninth independent African State. The independence of Djibouti is the result of the protracted struggle persistently carried on by the people of Djibouti with the support of the independent African States and the entire African people. It is another new victory for the entire African people in their struggle for national liberation. In accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the Security Council, the General Assembly adopted yesterday resolution 32/1 for- mally admitting the Republic of Djibouti to membership in the United Nations. Likewise, we extend warm congratu- lations to the Republic of Djibouti. We sincerely wish the people of Djibouti continued new victories ~n their cause of opposing imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism, safe- guarding their national independence and State sovereignty and building their own country. We wish that the friendly relations between China and Djibouti and between our two peoples, which have been forged in the common struggle, will continually develop and grow stronger. 67. We believe that, upon their admission to the United Nations, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam' and the Republic of Djibouti will make positive contributions to the realization of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, together with all the justice-upholding States Members of the United Nations.

On behalf of the Mongolian people and the Government of the Mongolian People's Republic, our delegation most heartily congratulates the people of Viet Nam, its Government and the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh, upon the unanimous admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations. We, like all sincere (riends of the people of Viet Nam, feel deep satisfaction at the fact that right and justice have triumphed, and that a single Vietnamese socialist State has come to occupy its proper and legitimate place in this world Organization. 69. This event is a new major victory of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on the international scene. At the same time, it is entirely in keeping with the goals of the further strengthening of the authority and effectiveness of the United Nations as an instrument for peace and international co-operation. 70. Today, a country whose people, by its heroic struggle against imperialist aggression, has made a valuable contri- bution to the strengthening of the cause of pnce, national independence and the social progress of peoples in &outh- East Asia and in Asia as a whole has become a Member of the United Nations. 72. The First Secretary of the Central Committee ef the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Great Khural of the Mon- golian People's Republic, Comrade Tsedenbal, has stressed that the formation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is an important contribution to the strengthening of the forces of peace, democracy and socialism on the Asian continent and throughout the world. 73. There is a steady growth in the international authority and prestige of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. As we know, at the present time the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam maintains diplomatic relations with more than a hundred States and, along with the socialist countries and other peace-loving States, is taking an active part in the struggle for the easing of international tension and the building of a stable peace on earth. 74. The people of Viet Nam, implementing the historic goals of the five-year plan for the development of the economy and culture of their country, outlined at the Fourth Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, are now striving for ever greater progress in their peaceful creative labour. 75. This and other objective factors, and the very course of events, have, in the final analysis, promoted the elimination of artificial obstacles to the full-fledged partici- pation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in the work of the United Nations. 76. The unanimous admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations is further cogent evidence of the fact that the inexorable movement of the peoples of the world for national independence and social progress cannot be halted either by aggressive wars or by economic blockades, and certainly not by any absu~d maneouvres. 77. We believe it more than symbolic that one more socialist country, having overcome all difficulties and obstacles, is triumphantly entering the United Nations in the year which marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, which opened the epoch precisely of this historic movement of mankind towards peace, democracy and socialism. 78. The Mongolian People's Republic is linked to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam by close ties of fraternal friendship which have become ever closer and warmer in the terrible years of the struggle of the Vietnamese people against imperialist aggression. 79. The friendship and co-operation between our two countries are based upon the principles of mutual support and mutual help, upon common interests and upon the ideals of our peoples. Additional evidence of the further development of Mongolian-Vietnamese relations was the recent fruitful visit to our country of a delegation from the 80. We should like once again to congratulate our Viet- namese friends and express our conviction that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will, without any doubt, be making a constructive contribution to the implementation of the lofty goals and principles of the United Nations Charter and will be achieving further success in its socialist develop- ment. 81. The Mongolian delegation hopes that following the' example of the socialist countries, the world community will extend all-round assistance to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in healing the wounds of war and in the restoration and development of its economy. We believe that the Power whose armed forces for so many years waged aggressive war on the soil of Viet Nam and did tremendous human and material damage to that country should bear special responsibility for this. 82. The Mongolian delegation would like to take this opportunity also to congratulate the representatives of one more new Member of our Organization, the Republic of Djibouti, upon its admission to membership in the United Nations and to wish it and, through its delegation, its people great success in the construction of a new life in their country. 83. My delegation would also like to take this the first opportunity we have had at this session to congratulate you heartily, Sir, upon your well·deserved unanimous election to the important post of President of the thirty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly. This is an expression of our recognition of your great diplomatic and personal qualities and of the valuable contributions the people and Government of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have made and continue to make to the fulfilment of the ideals of peace, friendship and co-opera- tion among peoples. We very much hope that under your skilful leadership this session of the General Assembly will take a new step forward towards a positive solution of urgent international problems.

I thank the representative of Mongolia for the words he addressed to me and to my country.

Mr. President, allow me to con- gratulate you on your assumption of the responsible post of President of the thirty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly. Your election to the presidency is a tribute paid to you and also to the role your country, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, has played in the United Nations. 86. At this session the Socialist Republic of Viet Nani has become a full-fledged Member of the United Nations. The German Democratic Republic, together with the Soviet Union, the other States of the socialist community and other States, has always worked to ensure that the Vietnamese people should occupy its rightful place in the world Organization. The decision the General Assembly has 87. I must say from the bottom of my heart that it is an honour and pleasure for me, on behalf of the delegation of the. German Democratic Republic, to address to the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, headed by Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and through him to the entire Vietnamese people our warm congratulations on the occa- sion of this important success. 88. For many years the German Democratic Republic has been linked to the Vietnamese people by ties of the closest friendship. Eloquent proof of this may be found in the words of the' General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, Comrade Le Duan, who, in an important expression of friendship in Berlin, the capital of the German Democratic Republic, in October 1975, stated: "Guided by the same ideals, the peoples of our two countries have forged their great friendship and their unflinching militant solidarity in the fire of a revolu- tionary struggle which has gone on for many years." 89. On the basis of the aid and support lent in solidarity at all levels by the countries of socialism and by progressive ·world opinion, the' Vietnamese people in 1975 attained the total victory of its just cause, a victory which was decisive for an improvement of the situation in South-East Asia and on the entire Asian continent. 90. The creation of thel'Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in July 1976 marked the,'culmination of the struggle-full of sacrifices, but just-of the Vietnamese people. Today the entire people of Viet Nam is making successful progress on a new path, the path of socialism. The work of building is not easy, because it requires at an early stage overcoming the burdensome aftermath of war. 91. The Soviet Union and the other socialist States offer Viet Nam their fraternal solidarity. As far as the German Democratic Republic is concerned, the orientation of its actions in this connexion has been defined by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the United Socialist Party of Germany and the President of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic, Erich Honecker, who has stated: "We shall continue in the future also to contribute our active support to the Vietnamese people in their efforts to overcome the aftermath of the war and to build socialism." 92. At this memorable moment, we also wish to recall from this rostrum that it is precisely those who are mainly responsible for the injustices, the destruction and the untold suffering of that country and its people that have 93. The Vietnamese people has already made an invaluable contribution to the fulfilment of the noble purposes of the United Nations Charter. The participation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in the· world Organization as a full-fledged Member will have a favourable impact on international relations and on the development of co- operation among peoples. For the United Nations this is an emiching factor. 94. Along the same lines, the delegation of the German Democratic Republic welcomes the admission to the world Organization of the Republic of Djibouti, a State which has only recently acquired its national independence, after haVing been long kept under the yoke of colonial oppres- sion. We are convinced that the fact of having been admitted to membership in· the United Nations will strengthen the people of that State in safeguarding their independence, their territorial integrity and their national sovereignty. On behalf of the delegation of the German Democratic Republic, I congratulate the delegation of the Republic of Djibouti and the people of that country upon its admission to the United Nations.

Mr. President, since this is the first time that my delegation has spoken under your presidency, permit me first to take this opportunity today to convey to you my warmest possible congratulations upon your unanimous election as President of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. With the competence and tact which are so characteristic of you, I am sure that you will discharge your important responsibilities impeccably. 96. I should also like to pay a tribute to the President of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly, Ambas- sador Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe, for the competence and devotion with which he conducted our proceedings throughout the thirty-first session. 97. The delegation of Japan welcomed most warmly the decision taken by the Security Council in July last to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of the Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. This initiative has helped us to draw closer to one of the fundamental goals of this Organization: universality. Our Organization will thus be able to enhance the efficiency of its main function, that of maintaining peace and security and of promoting inter- national co-operation. 98. We should like most warmly to congratulate the leaders and people of The Republic of Djibouti upon their country's accession to independence, and particularly on the exemplary manner in which it came about, in order and tranquillity. The Government of Japan recognized the Republic of Djibouti immediately after its independence. and to the young Republic, which yesterday became the one hundred and forty-eighth Member of the great' inter- national family, we should like to express our best wishes 100. I should therefore like to welcome to this hall the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, headed by Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and to express to it my delegation's pleasure at being able to work together with it both in the United Nations and bilaterally. 101. It is thus with great pleasure and profound friendship that we yesterday associated ourselves with other delega- tions in supporting the admission of the Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations.

Mr. President,"in the absence of my Chairman, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, who is expected shortly in New York, may I on his Lehalf extend to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations on your unanimous election to the presidency of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. Your election to this high office is indeed a tribute not only to your country, Yugoslavia, one of the original founders of the non-aligned movement which has contributed substantially to world peace and security, but also to you, Sir, personally, as a distingu;shed citizen with an outstanding diplomatic background. We are happy that at this interesting time when important political develop- ments that affect world peace and security are taking place, you, Sir, will be presiding over our deliberations. We are confident that the General Assembly will be able expedi- tiously and successfully to conclude its work under your capable guidance, and I take this opportunity to wish you every success in the discharge of your duties. 103. My delegation would like to associate itself with many others before it in supporting the unanimous decision of the General Assembly to admit the Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United 109. It is with a feeling of deep satisfaction that we, the Nations. The admission of those states indeed signifies that delegation of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, welcome the United Nations is one step nearer its goal of achieving among us at the thirty-second session of the General universality of membership. I should like to take this Assembly of the United Nations the delegation of the opportunity to offer, on behalf of the Government and fraternal Sociall'st Republl'c of V'et N h d d b th people of Malaysl'a, our warmest congratulatl'ons to the 1 am, ea eye Deputy Prime Ministe~ and Foreign Minister, Comrade Government and people of the Republic of Djibouti and to Nguyen Duy Trinh. On this memorable day, we should like the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of to congratulate the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam most Viet Nam, and to extend to their delegations present here a warmly upon its admission to membership in our Organiza- very warm and hearty welcome. tion. 105. For these reasons, the Government of Malaysia has consistently supported the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and by the same token was a sponsor of the draft resolution that has just been adopted by the General Assembly. 106. It is therefore very gratifying indeed to us to see that country now assuming its rightful place in the United Nations. We look forward to the many opportunities that we shall have to work in close co-operation with it, not only bilaterally, but also within the many forums afforded by the United Nations, to redize the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter and to further our efforts toward strengthening regional stability and develop- ment in our part of South-East Asia. 107. In condusion, may I once again on behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia extend our warmest felicitations to the delegation of the Republic of Djibouti led by Mr. Hassan Gouled, as well as to the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, led by Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh, and wish them every success in their endeavours in the United Natigns.

Comrade President, permit me sincerely to congratulate you upon your election to the important post of President of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. We are pleased that such a high honour has been earned by a representative of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a socialist State with which we are linked by ties of traditional, warm friendship, forged in the joint struggle of our peoples against the common foe, fascism. We should like to express to you our wish for your great success in the discharge of YOUi weighty responsibilities in this important post. 111. The results of the many years of war in Viet Nam and lodo-China have once again confirmed the great significance of the international solidarity of the socialist countries and the co-ordination of their efforts with those of all progressive countries and forces throllghout the world. The victory of the Vietnamese and other peoples of the Indo-Chinese peninsula is tl:erefore a great joint success for all peace-loving and progressive forces. 112. One proof among many of the marked increase in the international authority of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is the active development of its international relations with the overwhelming majority of the States Members of the United Nations. Viet Nam is a member of many international organizatiop."i; it is a member of the non- aligned movement and Its Co-ordinating Bureau. I am convinced that the membership of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in the United Nations will provide our Viet- namese comrades with even greater opportunities for the development of all forms of international co-operation and the active pursuit of a socialist foreign policy which has always strictly observed the principles of independence, sovereignty and equality. As a Member of the United Nations, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will be able to play an even greater part in the application of the ideals and goals of the United Nations Charter, and to make its contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security throughout the world. 113. The life of peace which, after so many years of indescribable suffering by the Vietnamese people, has now come to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, is opening up for that people favourable prospects for the removal of the scars left by the war and for the construction of a socialist society. 114. In the course of my official visit this spring to the northern and southern parts of this united country, I had the opportunity to see with my own eyes that the people of Viet Nam are evincing, in their peaceful and creative labour, the se!flessness and heroism which are so typical of that people. The whole Vietnamese people are endeavouring to eliminate the frightful consequences of war by developing their agriculture, industry, culture and science~ they are improving the living standards of their population, which has undergone such great hardships. 115. We should stress that, in the post-war reconstruction of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, a substantial contribution should be made primarily by those countries 116. The unimaginable sufferings, the loss of millions of Vietnamese lives and the ruthless material destruction which was inflicted upon Viet Nam cannot of course today be compensated by any amount of money. However, there must at least be some partial compensation for what was destroyed as a result of a senseless and aggressive policy. 117. In conclusion, I should like to wish the fraternal Vietnamese people great success on its socialist path, which it is treading so confidently under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and to assure it that the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, its Government and people will always be its devoted and reliable friend and class ally. Our greetings are particularly sinc~re inasmuch as Czechoslovakia gave active support to the heroic people of Viet Nam without doubting for a moment that its struggle for freedom, independence and unification would be successfully consummated. 118. Today we should also like to welcome the represen- tatives of one more independent State, the Republic of Djibouti. The formation of that State and its admission to membership in the United Nations once again demonstrates that the process of the total elimination of all the vestiges of colonialism in the world is one that cannot be halted. We most sincerely wish the people of the Republic of Djibouti much success and prosperity in the construction of an independent State.

r thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia for the kind words he addressed to me and my country.

Mr. President, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of my country will have the pleasure of welcoming, on behalf of the Romanian Government, your election to the presidency of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly and of conveying to you the congratulations of the Romanian delegation. However, I wish to take this happy and solemn occasion to express to you my personal feelings of esteem and friendship, to wish you all success in the performance of your important responsibilities and to assure you of the co-operation and full support of the Romanian delegation. i 21. The General Assembly yesterday welcomed the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations, thus raising its membership to 149 States. This event will remain fixed in our memory for more than one reason, for by its unanimous decision to admit the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations the General Assembly has just redressed-even though very belatedly-a twofold injustice. The denial to Viet Nam for an excessively long time of its legitimate place among us is not only an injustice to the Vietnamese pe,ople but 'also a great loss for our Assembly, which has been deprived of the participation of representatives of a great 123. The massive support for the admission of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations given by States of all social systems and of all parts of the world is based on the fact that that cou~try acquired that right in the course of its heroic struggle for its independence and freedom and that it follows a peaceful foreign policy and an internal policy aimed at the development of the country and the welfare of its people. 124. We welcome with satisfaction and pride heroic Viet Nam, which has just taken its rightful place among the Members of the United Nations and we address warm congratulations to the Vietnamese delegation present here, headed by Nguyen Duy Trinh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. 125. At every stage on the difficult road which ended with the decision adopted yesterday, Romania has been along- side the Vietnamese people in its struggle for national liberation as well as its political and diplomatic struggle for international recognition until final victory. 126. My country, Romania, expressed from the Qut!'et its miIit..:nt solidarity with the Vietnamese people by lending it multilateral support throughout the difficult years of the struggle against foreign intervention, and it whole-heartedly welcomed the victory of Viet Nam, which represents a large-scale contribution to the over-all struggle against the policy of domination, aggression and diktat and for the affirmation of the right of every p:ople to develop free ~md independent. 127. The Romanian people has aisc welcomed the historic act of reunification and followed with interest the activities of the Vietnamese people in its task of peaceful reconstruc- tion and multifaceted development of the country with a view to ensuring its social and economic progress. 128. I take particular pleasure in recalling on this happy occasion the continuous develvpment of relations between Romania and Viet Nam at all levels-political, economic, technical, scientific and cultural. There have been moments of exceptional significance in the ever-ascending course of our mutual relations, as when documents were signed in Bucharest in November 1975 and when talks were held between President Nicolae Ceau~escu and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, Le Duan, which gave major impetus to co-operation between our peoples and countries in the interest of the cause of freedom, independence and peace throughout the world. 129. The admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations is, above all. a 130. We are convinced that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will make a major contribution to the strengthening of peace and security in South-East Asia and, in general. throughout the world. 131. At present the Viemamese people, master of its destiny, is committed to the vast and complex task of rebuilding its country with a view to undoing the havoc wrought by the war. It seems natural to us that in those efforts that people should also have the support of the international community and should benefit from the necessary aid which would allow it to overcome the effects of war. We therefore support the legitimate claims of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for reparations in respect of war damage and for assistance in the economic reconstruction of the country. 132. I should like once again to convey to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh, to the other representatives of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and, through them, to the Vietnamese people, our most sincere wishes for success in their work of social and economic development of their free and independent country, as well as in their international activity directed towards the realization of the aspirations for peace, progress and justice of the friendly Vietnamese people. I should also like to assure our Vietnamese friends at the outset that they have the full co-operation of the Romanian delegation in our joint efforts within the framework of the United Nations. 133. The General Assembly has also admitted the Repub- lic of Djibouti -to membership in the United Nations, and I should like to take this opportunity to convey our warmest congratulations to the delegation of that country, headed by Mr. Hassan Gouled, the President of the Republic. Romania was one of the first countries to re,:ognize the ne1tf/ State and to greet with satisfaction the proclamation of the Republic of Djibouti. In repeating our satisfaction at that country's accession to independence and its admission to membership in the United Nations we should iike once again to underscore the imperative need to eliminate the last vestiges of colonialism on African soil. 134. The Romanian delegation would like to convey to the representatives of the Republic of Djibouti our cordial wishes for success in their task of consolidating the independence of their country for t~le progress and welfare of their people, and we wish to assure them of our full co-operation.

I thank the representative of Romania for his friendly words addressed to me. The meeting rose at 12.35 p. m.