A/32/PV.28 General Assembly

This morning the Assembly wil:l hear a statement by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. I have great pleasure in welcoming His Excellency the Right Honourable Michael T. Somare and inviting him to address the General Assembly.

Two years ago, on the occasion of Papua New Guinea's admission to member- ship in the United Nations, I had the honour to address the thirtieth session of the United Nations General Assembly.l Since then Papua New Guinea has held national elections, and I now avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm Papua New Guinea's support of and continuing commit- ment to the principles of the United Nations. 3. Papua New Guinea wishes to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election to your high office. The taSk that you have been given is not an easy one, as the outcome of this session of the General Assembly will depend largely on your guidance. I wish you well in this task. 4. I wish *0 to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Ambassador Amerasinghe of Sri Lanka, who P!lrformed his duties as President of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly with distinction. 5. I should also like to place on record Papua New Guinea's appreciation for the work done by the Secretary- General and his staff. 6. It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, to extend a warm welcome to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Djibouti as new Members of the United Nations. We hone NEW YORK that both nations will have ;tlong and rewarding association . with this Organization. 7. Papua New Guinea is still a ~ery young Member of the United Nations family and is only now becoming aware of the full scope of the Organization. Our experience with the United Nations hRS, so far, beenJimited to a number of the special bodies of the Organization and its related egencies. These are already making a valuable contribution to Papua New Guinea's development. 8. There are numerous United Nations conferences and meetings held every year on m.::ny and varied technical matters. In view of our limited resources, we have carefully selected the conferences to. which we could send repre- sentatives, but now we must ask whether the diversity and complexity of the matters considered by the United Nations family have not grown so great that this Organiza- tion is losing its effectiveness. Papua New Guinea hopes that a cautious review of this problem could be made. 9. Papua New Guinea attended the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London in June and came away from it with a sense of achievement. The Common- wealth has proved thaUt can play an effective role in the field of international affairs, and we therefore applaud the decision taken at the last General Assembly session to gnmt the Commonwealth Secretariat observer status. within the United Nationsfresolution 31/3/. 10. Papua New Guinea has been involved, through direct participation, in programmes of action and development undertaken by the world community to create a peaceful and balanced world order, especially in the field of intemational trade. We have also followed with much interest the current North-South dialogue at the Con- ference on International Economic Co-operation. We deep- ly regret that the results of that Conference fell short of expectations. Papua New Guinea will continue its active participation in the meetings under the auspices of UNCTAD, particularly in relation to the Integrated Pro- gramme for Commodities2 with the common fund. We· should like to see a much firmer commitment by ·theparties involved on these two particular issues. This commitment should be one based on an honest and reali~tic exploration of all avenues,because flilling to do so may well lead to inappropriate and inadequate solutions, and certainly not to the new international economic order we all wish to see. 11. My Government has noted with concern the failure so far of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of 2 Sce Proceedings oftiieUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Fourth Session; vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.11,D.IO), part one A, resolution 93 (IV). 12. In the absence ·of a new treaty, the general extension of fishing limits has created a special challenge for the countries of the South Pacific. Most of Us in the South Pacific are developing countries; some lack any resources of economic value except fish. Fisheries management has presented these countries with a new opportunity for regional co-operation. However, we know that this is a field in which rich and powerful countries can gain benefits at the expense of the smaller, less-developed nations. Papua New Guinea is a small country, but we are determined to resist exploitation by foreign fishing interests. We are also determined to see that the policy of regional co-operation takes account of the interests of our developing neighbours, including those not yet fully independent and those smaller than ourselves. 19. My country recently banned trade with South Africa. Although trade between Papua New Guinea and South Africa was very small, we wish to play our part in enforcing the sanctions. We eaU upon other, more intluential Mem- bers of the United Nations to be totally honest in enforcing the agreed sanctions. We feel that the racist regime will continue to oppress the majority of the people of South Africa as long as Members of this Organization continue illegally to trade or associate with this racist regime. 20. While we are concerned at illegal white minority regimes that cause suffering to black people in southern Africa, Papua New Guinea is also gravely concerned that in Uganda there is a black regime which resorts to oppression of its own people. This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by this Assembly, and we urge that consideration should be given to ways in which this Assembly can help to alleviate suffering in that country. 13. Papua New Guinea was honoured to welcome Samoa, another member of the Pacific group, into the United Nations at the last session. We hope that with the admission of more Pacific countries into the United Nations and other agencies the voice of the South Pacific can now be clearly heard. 21. In addition to the appalling denial of human rights already mentioned, there are instances of many other countries denying their citizens basic human rights. Such violations must be strongly condemned. It is the view of my Government that this Organization must take appropriate action to ensure that all people of all races are accorded the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Charter and other instruments of the United Nations. 14. The South Pacific region is often thought to consist of many small island-nations without regional identity. That is no longer true: the region now has an identity in the South Pacific Forum, and we hope that decisions made by that body will be given due consideration by the United Nations, its related agencies and all Member nations.. 22. Another area of grave concern to us is the continuing development and testing of new types of nuclear weapons. In the past we have strongly opposed the testing of such weapons, particularly in the Pacific region, and we will continue to do so. That the testing of nuclear weapons has not been totally banned is a matter to be regretted, and I urge all nations to co-operate in the search for an effective means of controlling those weapons of mass destruction. 15. Papua New Guinea is an ardent supporter of the decolonization process, and we note with considerable gratification that our near neighbour, the Solomon Islanes, will become independent next year. It is the hope of Papua New Guinea that all of the few remaining colonies, not only within the South Pacific area but world-wide, will achieve self-determination within the immediate future. 23. There is one further issue that I must mention. That is the question of resolving the conflict situation in the Middle East. We commend the diplomatic initiatives taken by the United States of America on this problem and have sincere hopes of their success. lt is essential that there be an early resumption of the Geneva negotiations. We hold the view that a Palestinian State must be given recognition but, on the other hand, we firmly believe that Israel must not be denied the right to exist as a sovereign State. 16. I should now like to speak about some of the major intemational issues before the General Assembly. Of particular concern to Papua New Guinea are developments in southem Africa. 17. First, as regards Rhodesia, Papua New Guinea strongly supports a negotiated settlement between the parties involved. We welcome efforts by the Covernments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America to seek a constitutional settlement there. We would not support the use of force in any settlement of this question. We have already made it clear at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting that we should like to see majority rule in Rhodesia. Any settlement there must fully ensure the rights of the black African majority. 24. I have touched on a number of issues of real concern to the world community and hope that thinession will find lasting solutions to th08e and many other issues to be debated in this forum. Finally, I wish to reiterate the view of my Government that our involvement and participation in international affairs reflects the genuine values that our people have and their aspirations to live in a peaceful world. We shall continue to be mindful of developments on the international scene and the likely implications for Papua 18. Papua New Guinea condemns the sL\uation in southern Africa, where the rights of the peop~~ a,re totally suppr~..ssed

On behalfof the General Assembly I wish to thank the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea for the important statement he has just made.

3 Mr. President, the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea is happy to extend to you its warmest congratulations on your election to the presidency of the thirty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly. Your election represents a tribute to Yugoslavia, a friendly nation which has always pursued a policy of independence and non·alignment and, through Yugoslavia, it also represents a tribute to the movement and the principles of non-alignment. We offer you our best wishes for success in carrying out your new mission. 27. We should like also warmly to congratulate Mr. Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe on his success as Presi- dent of the thirty-first session of our General Assembly. 28. We extend our warm congratulations and our welcome to the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Narn, which is participating in our work for the first time since its complete liberation on 30 April 1975 and the achievement of the unity of the country. We also express our warm congratulations to the Republic of Djibouti on its admis- sion to the United Nations. 29. In the course of the past year the movement of revolutionary struggle, the movement of national liberation, the struggle for the defence of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of self-determination and the struggle of the oppressed peoples, of the peoples of the non-aligned countries and of the third world to build their nations have made a tremendous forward thrust and have grown prodigiously. This is a new situation which will gladden the hearts of all the world's peoples and will further strengthen their confidence, but which causes panic among imperi'alists' and reactionaries of every kind. By standing firm the struggling peoples have won one victory after another, creating anew situation favourable to the revolutionary cause and to the cause of the national liberation of peoples throughout the world. 30. Faced with this situation, the imperialists and the expanshnists, who have suffered one' complete defeat after another, are pursuing their subversive activities in various regions of the world in order to stem the victorious tide of the peoples' struggle. They are engaging in psychological warfare and attempting through campaigns of mendacious propaganda to ~eatein the peoples a spirit 'J[ J,l;'pelldence . and serviIityvis..a-'1is thegreat Powers. They an~ interfering 3 Mr. leng Sary spoke" in Khmer. The French version of his statement was supplied by the delegation. 31. After the 'failure of the United States policy of aggression in the region and, 'in particular, after the complete collapse of the South-East Asia Treaty Organiza· tion, the peoples of South·East Asia, having seen through the designs of the imperialists, the expansionists and their partisans, stepped up their struggl~ in full independence and sovereignty and have resorted to their own means to achieve their aspirations to independence, peace, neutrality and genuine, democracy in their respective countries, Without military bases or foreign troops on their national territories. The peoples of the countries in that region are resolutely opposed to all forms of foreign interference and intervention, so that their countries may live in genuine independence and sovereignty. 32. In the couse of the past year and parallel to their efforts in their struggle in full independence and sover- eignty, the African peoples have consolidated and de- veloped their solidarity and have given each other encour- agement and support. The Organization of African Unity has decided to consider the struggle to overthrow the racist regimes and apartheid and for the lib,eration of southern Africa as the task of all African countries and has determined to increase its support for the national libera- tion movements in that region. Thanks to that support the peoples of Zimbabwe, Namibia and Azania have been able to carry their just cause towards victory. The resolution of The Organization of African Unity against interference by wealthy great Powers in the affairs of the African con- tinent4 does not. merely emphasize the determination of the African peoples to struggle against outside interference and to choose their own destiny; that resolution also shows that the countries of Africa are resolved to strengthen their solidarity where their common interests are concerned and to settle their problems among themselves without any outside interference. Furthermore, the success of the first summit Conference of Arab and African countries last Marchs also'advanced the struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, expansionism, zionism, racism, and apartheid. ~ 33. The political and moral support that the oppressed peoples, the peoples of the non-aligned countries and the third world give one another is a powerful source of mutual encouragement and has become a material force which bears down hard an all oppressors, interventionists, aggres- sors, and annexationists, inflicting on them' defeat after defeat. Such solidarity is thus an imperative necessity and a sacred duty. It has been consolidated in the course of 4 See document A/32/31 O,'annex 11, AHG/Rcs.85 (XIV). 5 First Co~fcrence of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Afdcan Unity and the League of Arab States, held at Cairo from 7 to 9 March 1977. 37. Secondly, the United States of America continues its interference and intervention in the internal affairs of China. The People's Republic of China rightly insists on defending its national sovereignty and its territorial integ- rity. The liberation of Taiwan, which is an inalienable part of the Pe'ople's Republic of China, is a matter which falls entirely within the sovereignty of that country and must be resolved by the Chinese people themselves, without any foreign interference. The Government of Democratic Kampuchea unreservedly supports the position of the People's Republic of China and the manner in which that Republic is seeking to resolve the problem of Taiwan. 34. The people of Kampuchea, who suffered from the war of aggression waged by the American imperialists and their lackeys, who carried on a stubborn fight for national liberation and who are at present struggling to defend and build their country in the new stage of their revolution, greatly appreciate the real vaiue and effectiveness of the meral and political support of the struggling peoples, the non-aligned and third-world countries and the genuinely progressive countries of the world. 38. Thirdly, in southern Africa the barbarous and colon- ialist apartheid regime of Vorster and the racist and colonialist regime of lan Smith have been severely shaken by the powerful struggles of the peoples of Zimbabwe, Namibia and Azania. Those regimes would have crumbled long ago if the rich great Powers and their supporters had not given their political and material support, and carried out manoeuvres, to oppose the resolute struggle of the peoples. We offer our continuing resolute support to all peoples and countri~s of Africa, all the non-aligned coun- tries and countries of the third world in their action against the treacherous manoeuvres of the wealthy great Powers and their supporters. We highly appreciate the firm resolve of the people of Zimbabwe to continue the people's war; counting mainly on their own force~ to secure the country's independence. We highly commend the efforts of the people of Namibia to persist in the armed struggle for the independence and unity of Namibia. We also praise highly the Widespread spontaneous movement of insurrection of the people of Azania to secure the right to determine their own destiny and to achieve the unity of their country. We once again express our firm solidarity with the just causes of all peoples in southern Africa. 35. Democratic Kampuchea considers it to be its noble duty to show its solidarity with and give support to the just struggles of the exploited peoples and of the non-aligned and third-world countries for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, the right to decide their own destiny and to build an independent and prosperous economy and against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, expan- sionism, zionism, racism, apartheid and all the forces of interference, aggression, expansion and annexation. Al- though we continue to face many p'roblems following the devastating war waged by the American imperialists we are doing our best to show our solidarity and to give our moral and political support while standing firmly shoulder to shoulder with the peoples struggling for national liberation, independence, freedom, democracy and social progress. 36. First in Korea, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea under the leadership of Presi- dent Kim Il Sung, representing the profound aspirations of the entire Korean people, has repeatedly put forward proposals for resolving the problem of Korea and reuniting Korea in full independence and sovereignty. But the Government of the United States of America obstinately continues its designs for aggression and interference in Korea, its policy of "two Koreas" and of maintaining its domination over the southern part of the country. Re- cently, while the South Korean puppets were stepping up their cruel and Fascist repression of the population, the United ,States of America took various measures in South Korea to strengthen its military base and its neo-colonialist regime there in order to perpetuate the division of Korea. That is a further grave violation of General Assembly resolution 3390 B (XXX) and also a fundamental obstacle to the reunification of the Korean homeland. The United States of America should immediately withdraw from South Korea all its land, naval and air forces and all its military maten;el, including nuclear weapons; it should cease its interference and intervention in and its aggression against Korea, abandon its policy of "two Koreas", dissolve the so-called "'United Nations Command" and transform the "Armistice Agreement" into a definitive peace agree- ment. That is the only way the problem of Korea can be resolved in full independence and sovereignty without any 39. Fourthly, in the Middle East the Palestine problem remains the key to the situation. The problem of peace cannot be resolved so long as the Palestinian people are unable to exercise their fundamental national rights. To attain this objective the heroic Palestinian people have carried on a long and valiant struggle. But the wealthy great Powers, which are competing for influence in the Middle East, have created many obstacles to the exercise of these sacred rights of the Palestinian people. The United States of America supports the Israeli Zionists in the pursuit of their policy of aggression, expansion and the settlement of colonies directed against the Palestinian people and other Arab peoples. It opposes the implementation of various United Nations resolutions recognizing the fundamental national rights of the Palestinian people and demanding fhat Israel restore to the Arab countries territories con- qu.ered by force. We express our firm and constant support for the just and many-faceted struggle, particularly the armed struggle, of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, until the Palestinian people can exercise their national rights, and particularly the right to return to live in their own country, 40. Fifthly, among the problems of decolonization, the problem of East Timor continues to concern countries which have known foreign domination and to confront the conscience of peoples that prize independence and justice. The aggressors continue to vioiate the independence, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of East Timor. They continue to violate the principles of non-alignment and the pertinent resolutions of the General Assembly and of the Security Council of the United Nations. We reaffirm our support for the struggle of the people of East Timor, carried on under the leadership of the Frente Revoluciomi.ria de Timor Leste Independente, to recover its independence and the right to decide its own destiny. Our support rests on the principle that no country should use either the size of its territory or its population as a pretext for acts of aggression or annexation against the territories of other countries or attempt to absorb· such territories. That is a position of principle. We do not believe that support for a small country with a small population like East Timor should come into conflict with self-interest and consequently suffer neglect. We consider the defence of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of East Timor as being the defence of the principle of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, great and small, that is stipulated in the United Nations Charter and thlj.t conforms to the principles of non-alignment. The defence of those principles is at the same time a condemna- tion of the law of the jungle practised by imperialists, colonialists, neo·colonialists and reactionaries of every kind, which, abusing their power and their strength, commit acts of aggression and annexation against small or weak coun- tries, while claiming that they do no more than exercise their rights. We should defend these sacred principles against any attempt from the outside to mount acts of aggression against our countries and to swallow up our territories, and we must never allow such designs to be achieved. 41. Sixthly, the poor countries are still wrestling with numerous difficulties in their efforts to - develop their independent economies. The reason is that the wealthy great Powers persist in defending the present international economic order, which is a regime of domination and exploitation, and throw the entire burden of their eco- nomic crisis upon the poor countries which they are endeavouring to keep in their place. The poor countries, closely united, have struggled actively to install a new international economic order based upon equality and justice. This struggle is an integral part of the struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism and ex- pansionism, and against all acts of exploitation,oppression, interference and intervention. The countries of the third world are aware of the tremendous strength of their peoples and of their fertile creative genius that has bUilt brilliant civilizations in the past. They also are aware of the 42. Seventhly, the poor countries have expressed soli· darity with each other in their struggle to establish a new law of the sea. They have achieved tangible success in the defence of their sovereignty and of their maritime re- sources, and have broken the privilege of the wealthy great Powers in exercising exclusive control over the sea. The sea-bed in the international zone and the resources thereof are the heritage of all the peoples of the world. No country has a right to appropriate those resources unilaterally. The trend towards establishing the exclusive economic zone at ::WO nautical miles has been affirmed in practice. But the large wealthy countries have attempted to prevent the establishment of the new law of the sea with the unavowed aim of preserving their privilege of exploiting the sea-bed for their own selfish interests. They have not hesitated to use technical and financial pressure, and have resorted to manoeuvres in order to control the so-called "international authority" that is to be set up, with a view to reducing the role played by the countries of the third world. On this question of the sea-bed, Democratic Kampuchea, as ever, associates itself firm;,: with all the countries of the third world in pursuing the joint struggle for a new law of the sea that will be in the common interest of all the peoples of the world. 43. Eighthly, thanks to the common struggle of the non- aligned countries and the countries of the third world, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted pertinent resolutions on some important world problems. But those resolutions have remained a dead letter because of the abuse of the veto power by the large wealthy countries in the pursuit of their own interests. Furthermore, while competing for influence and with each other in continuing the sophisticated arms race and the sale of arms all over the world-a source of continuing tenSiQII in various parts of the world-these large wealthy Powers use the rostrum of the United Nations to dupe the peoples, to lull their vigilance, in order the better to subjugate them. At the same time, they are endeavouring to stem the tide of the national liberation struggle of peoples all over the world. This tends to reduce still further the role played by the United Nations. With all the non-aligned and third world countries, we continue to demand the urgent revision of the United Nations Charter so that the United Nations may be enabled to play its role in conformity with the realities of today's world, which is undergoing profound change. Decisions on major world issues should not be the exclusive reserve of the wealthy great Powers. All States, great or small, must have the same rights in deciding international affairs. 44. The movements of revolutionary struggle a.nd national liberation, the struggle for the defence of independence, 45. The people of Karnpuchea wis~ to live in peace, with dignity and honour, as masters of their own country, and to build a society in conformity with their deepest aspirations, to follow a road which they have themselves chosen, in full independence and sovereignty. Those are $e basic princi· pIes to which they are firmly committed. But in the past, for centuries, our country was reduced to the most abject slavery. Our country" which was subject to exploitation and domination by foreign feudal and reacHonary circles, by colonialists and imperialists, lost much of its territory. Its present frontiers are the unhappy result of endless acts of aggression, expansion and annexation by foreign Powers. Since 17 April 1975, the date of the total and final liberation of Kampuchea, our people has become the true master of its country and of its own destiny. It is inspired by a burning and just patriotism. Despite its painful past history, it has no wish to open old wounds; it is looking to the present and to the future. We have no enmity; we have no designs against other countries for aggression, expansion or annexation. We covet not a single inch of anyone else's territory. Our country is small; our population is small; our geographical situation and our political regime in no way predispose us to commit acts of aggression against other countries. Small weak countries do not swallow large countries. In world history only the reactionary ruling classes in large countries, like Hitler, invent pretexts for provoking small countries, accusing them of aggression and using such pretexts for committing acts of aggression against the small countries, and increasing their own territory at the expense of the latter. Democratic Kampuchea has no motive which might impel it to acts of aggression against others. Its territory is some 18'1,000 square kilometres and comprises about 6 million hectares of rice paddies and fields. Its great lakes, its rivers, including the TonM Sap, the Mekong and the Bassac, its ponds and other water courses are abundantly stocked with fish. Its forests, its soil, its subsoil and its sea abound in natural resources. And yet we have scarcely 8 million inhabitants. Each peasant family has an average of five hectares of cultivable land. Thus we have had no reason to extend our territory at the expense of others. On the other hand, our country has just emerged from a devastating war. We need time, and we must mobilize all our forces to build up our own country and effect a rapid improvement in the living standards of our people. 47. More than two years have elapsed since then, and despite many post-war problems which still remain to be solved, our people and our Revolutionary Army-alerted to the true nature of the aggressive and annexationist, cruel and treacherous American imperialists and of their lackeys and reactionaries, who are the enemies of our people to be found on every hand, now constantly on the revolutiomuy alert-have shattered all their attempts at aggression, ilX' pansion, subversion and provocation, fully succeeding in the defence, consolidation and development of the achieve- ments of the revolution and of revolutionary power, as well as safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and frontiers of their own country in full independence and sovereignty, and relying entirely on their own strength. 48. All these victories have created new conditions, enabling us to complete the work of national defence and to work even more successfully towards building up the country. 49. We should like formally to proclaim once again here that Democratic Kampuchea will provoke. no other country and will adhere resolutely and unshakeably to the principles of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and equality. 50. Security is complete throughout our country. Foreign guests can travel by day or night in perfect safety for hundreds and thousands of kilometres. Our national de- fence is thus far perfectly sound, but we must redouble our revolutionary vigilance to remain masters of the situation in case of attempts at provocation and aggression on the part of the enemy. 46. Respect for our independence, our sovereignty and territorial integrity is an imperative for us. We have always endeavoured to establish close and friendly relations with all countries, near and far, throughout the world. This can be seen from the visits by our delegations to various countries in 1975, immediately follOWing the liberation of our country. We have always scrupulously respected the independence, soverejgnty and territorial integrity of othr countries. But we are firmly resolved to defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our own country. Our people has now become master of the destiny of its country, having waged a valiant struggle, endured all kinds of difficulties, and having vanquished the 51. In both the building up of our country and in safeguarding the gains of the revolution and the national defence, we still cling to our position of independence and sovereignty, and we still rely on our own strength, This position which the people of Kampuchea has won, thanks to the constant education of the ComrnunistParty of Kampuchea, has been tried and tested at all stages of the revolutionary movement and has won a succession of brilliant victories for the people of Kampllchea. 53. In 1973, at a time when the international situation was complex and hardly as favourable to us as it is now, when the United States imperialists were mobilizing all their strategic and tactical air forces in Asia and in the Pacific solely to attack and to bombard Kampuchea so as to destroy at a blow our country and our revolution, our people and our Revolutionary· Army resolved to defend our national dignity and to take a firm hold on their own destiny and the destiny of their country. Not disheartened in the face of any difficulty or saCrifice, they resolutely carried on the struggle and launched offensives without respite for five years and one month until they achieved a glorious victory which was total and definitive. 54. The valuable experience acquired in the course of the war for national liberation has strengthened our faith in the path of independence and sovereignty and in reliance on our own strength. 55. The results obtained by our people and our Revolu- tionary Army during the nearly two years since ]7 April .]975 have once again clearly confirmed that this policy of struggle is the key factor in all our victories. 56. In the work of national construction, we are not disregarding the true state of affairs of our country, which is a backward agricultural country destroyed by a war of aggression and devastation. We firmly rely on the exalted revolutionary awareness, the tremendous strength, the experience and creative spirit of our people, the vast majority of whom are. peasants. We take agriculture as the fundamental factor, and we make use of the capital accumulated by agriculture in order progressively to build up industry and to transform Kampuchea, which had had a backward agriculture, within a short period of time into a modern agricultural country and then into an industrial country, while firmly keeping to the path of independence and sovereignty and drawing fundamentally on our own strength. 57. With respect to agriculture, we are giving priority to solving the problem of water, which is the key factor in obtaining the maximum yield in the production of rice. which is our basic food crop. During the last dry season, in every zone. we completed the construction of large. reservoirs with a capacity of· from 100 miIlion to 200 million cubic metres each, in each region that of medium- sized reservoirs each containing 50 million to 60 million cubic metres of water,· and in each district that of small 58. The, orientation of our industry is also based on the practical state of affairs in our country. We are con- centrating on factories that serve the. development of agricultural production and the improvement of the living conditions of the population. 'We are not diversifying beyond what is necessary. In conformity with this policy, we are concentrating our efforts on the construction of new factories and on repairing and transforming factories that depended on foreign supplies of raw materials, in order to enable them to use the country's own primary com- modities. Parallel ·with industry, we are developing artisan activities at the level of both individual and regional production units so as to stimulate economic development. 59. In the field of oulture and education, our policy is to study the task of national defence and constructionwhiie we put our studies into practice. Theory is related to practice and toO work and production; Our schools exist mainly at the level of co-operatives and factQries;Our education rests on· a popular and national base, froI1L'!Yb!gh we are speeding up the development of technology aridthe • sciences. In the immediate future, our main objective is the elimination of iIliteracy. In the old society, there were certainly schools and high schools and a certain number of universities, but in the country~ide 75 percent of the people, particularly the poor and marginal peasants, were illiterate, and even in the cities 60 per cent ofthe workers were illiterate. At present, just two years after liberation, only la· per cent of the poplilation can neither read nor write and these are all persons already advanced in age~ We have solved the problem 6f illiteracy by resorting to a mass movement of- study. The former system of education was no more than a copy of it foreign system alien to our national situation. it was useful neither for national defence 64. Although our people do not yet live in affluence, their living conditions are assured for each and in all spheres. By comparison with the situation in 1975, as we emerged from the cruel war of devastation, the present situation does show considerable improvement. Our people are very happy and are proud of this excellent state of affairs where they are truly the masters of their own destiny and of their own country. Oui' population now consists of 95 per cent workers and peasants and 5 per cent persons engaged in other tasks. Closely united under the just and far-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, our people live and work in perfect harmony, in a healthy society. where equality, justice and genuine democracy prevail. .Masters of the revolution and enjoying all' its benefits, our people continue with enthusiasm, faith and confidence to continue the revolution. Our people are resolved to safeguard and defend, to consolidate and incessantly to strengthen its .revolutionary power. The victory of the policy of independence, sovereignty and self-reliance has strengthened our people's faith ~ the country's radiant future. Without the support, union, unity and the faith of the entire people, the present spontaneous movement fm national defence and construction would be unthinkable and Democratic Kampuchea would have been unable to win such brilliant victories. The strength of this union, this unity and this faith is the key factor in our present victories, as it was in our great victory of 1.7 April 1975 over the United States imperialists. 60. .In the social and health fields, in order rapidly to improve the health of the entire population, we are training revolutionary doctors, who are moved by a deep love for the people and by a lofty spirit of self-sacrifice, and we are producing medicines from the herbs growing in the coun- try. In their training, our revolutionary doctors combine theoretical studies and practice, and they increase their knowledge at the same tim.e. We have developed and are developing. health networks by creating hospital establish~ ments and centres for the manufacture of medicines in all co-operatives, districts, regions and administrative zones and in the capital Phnom Penh. There is an average of one general hospital, three attending physicians, one factory for the production of medicines and three pharmacists for every 100 families. The health of our people has shown considerable improvement. We have defmitively eliminated social diseases and drug addiction. We are paying particular attention to the eradication ofmalaria. In the past year, the fust year of the four-year plan for the eradication' of malaria, 70 to 80 per cent of the plan targets has already been achieved. We are endeavouring very rapidly to improve the living conditions and the health of our people because we need a population of 15 to 20 million in 10 years' time. Vice, delinquency,prostitution, theft, robbery, banditry and other social evils of the kind that exist in the imperialist·countries and in an exploitive class society have been rooted out by the great mass movement. 65. Many friendly peoples and countries have welcomed these achievements of Democratic Kampuchea and have expressed to us their sympathy and encouragement and their moral and political support. Some friendly countries have given us bilateral assistance. We are happy to receive this assistance without strings which, granted on the basis of the principle of equality and genuine mutual respect, fl1'rther strengthens our independence and sovereignty. This is evidence of the sincere solidarity among the non-aligned and third-world countries. But our 'country is now already liberated and our people are amply capable of defending themselves and (jf building the country using their own strength. We believe that peoples that are shedding blood in the struggle for national liberation are in greater need of support. and additional assistance in order to secure tile triumph of their just cause. This does notmean that we are living in abundance. But we -must persevere further.in our 62. The results achieved by our people in the past year, under the just and far-sig.~ted .leadership of the Communist 61. Over and above the results I have just men'tioned, the line of independence, sovereignty and self-reliance, and a sense of being masters of the country and of.the revolution have deeply pervaded our people and have aroused through- out the country a spontaneous and enthusiastic mass movement deeply imbued with an .ardent.spirit of patriot- ism and of a lofty community feeling which is of profound revolutionary significance. This is a movement which has never before been known in the more than 2,000-year history of our nation. 66. Democra,tic Kampuchea considers the sympathy, encouragement and various tokens of the solidarity of the non-aligned and third-world countries and of genuinely progressive countries as a precious support for its policy of independence, peace and non-alignment. We shall always abide by that policy. Never shall we allow any foreign countlY to establish militalY bases on our territory. Never shall we tolerate the presence of foreign troops on our soil. In the past we have from time to time been asked to join this or that federation or regional association. Democratic Kampuchea belongs to no alliance and no regional group. But we do endeavour to develop with all countries, near and far, bilateral relations of friendship, based on equality and mutual respect. This position has met with· the sympathy and understanding of many countries with which we maintain good and friendly relations. 67. Our people are convinced that their efforts to carl)' through the revolution in its COUntlY, effectively to defend and solidly to build our home:and and rapidly to improve our living conditions on the basis of independence, sover- eignty and self-reliance represent a modest contribution to the revolutionalY stmggle of peoples in the world, to the national liberation struggle of peoples of exploited coun- tries and_ to the struggle to. safeguard and defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the non-aligned and third-world countries. The experience of our own revolutionalY struggle and the struggles of peoples throughout the world have taught us that, if we wish to make a positive contribution to the world-wide revolu- tionalY struggle, we must resolutely carry the revolution in our own countlY to a successful conclusion. Revolution cannot be exported or imported from one COUntlY to another. That is why our 'people are bending evelY effort to complete the revolution in their own countlY, in complete independence and sovereignty, relying on their own stren~t~ . I w that they can better contribute to the revo1..tiJ~ulY movements and the fighting movements of the world's peoples. 68. The peoples of the exploited countries, the peoples of the non-aligned andthird-world countries, have acquired an ever keener political awareness and ever more confidence in their own strength and capacities; they See ever clearer the true nature and manqeUVl:'es of imperialism and expan- sionism and their supporters, and they endeavour valiantly to continue the struggle as masters of their own destiny. At the same time, they continue to develop and strengthen theirs()lidarity by .foiling the divisive. manoeuvres carried· out by all the imperialist and expansionist powers. This historic current will develop incessantly for ever; no force can halt it. The revolutionalY and progressive '. peoples throughout the wodd will surely win further victories. In the past,as at present and in the future, Democratic Kampuchea will continue to identify itself with those 70. Allow me also to express'my Government's apprecia- tion of the invaluable role played by your predecessor, Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe, during his term of office as the President of the thirty-first session. I wish to congratu- late Mr. Amerasinghe on the successful manner in which he discharged his onerous responsibilities. 71. I should also like to express my Government's deep appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Waldheim, for his untiring and dedicated efforts to promote the objectives Qf the Organization. 72. This current session marks the admission of two new Members to our Organization: the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Djibouti. My delegation welcomes with joy the two new Members in our midst, whose admission to our Organization is not only a further step towards the achievement of universality of the Organization but also a clear indication of the strength displayed by the peoples of those two countries in achieving self-determination and national independence. We are convinced that their presence in this family of nations will contribute positively towards peace and co-operation. 73. Maldives is among the community of nations a small nation which depends very much for its well·being and progress on the _principles of peace and international co-operation. We firmly believe that the United Nations system, despite its short-comings, has been and will continue to be the most vital instrument that the family of nations has so far evolved for the maintenance of peace and security iri the world and for the promotion of the principles offreedom,justice and human dignity. 74. We realize that the problems which we face today are difficult, complex and of a considerable magnitude; but we hope that, with a greater sense of responsibility 1ir!l!-0ur collective efforts, we shall be able to solve those problems. The implementation of the resolutions we adopt, and a genuine belief in and enthusiasm for the principles em- bodied in our Charter remain the key factors for the success of our deliberations. As our Secretary-General h.as. said in 1976 in the introduction to his report on the work of the Organization: "The ... concept of world·order is based on respect for the decisions of the principal organs of the United Nations and for international law, principles and pro· cedures."6 6 5ee·OfficiJJ1·Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-Fust Session, Supplement No. lA, sect. IV. i cr~ate effective conditions for a better world economic order. 76. Allow me to mention some specific problems of my country pertaining to development. The most serious impediments are our meagre natural resources and the extreme fragmentation of the thousand-island archipelago,' which occupies nearly 100,000 square kilometres in thel Indian' Ocean. Fisheries and tourism are the only two major fields in which any viable activities can be immediately carried out. So far, Maldives has depended solely on its own limited resources and the bilateral assistancereceived from friendly countries. The effectiveness of United Nations- assisted programmes was in the past at a minimum, due to the lack of intensified programming to caterfor the existing problems' of the country. It is only now, because of the nature and urgency of our development needs, combined with the hard economic realities of our times, that we have embarked on projects which require relatively large funds. It is in this context that the Government of Maldives decided to join the IMF, the World Bank Group' and the Asian Development Bank, Furthermore. the Government is also seeking assistance from other, similar sources. We are hopeful that with the support of these sources and agencies, and given a few more years to plan ahead, we will be able to catch the train and thereby be able to maintain an adequate momentum of progress to participate in the newly- constructed world economic order. 77. Turning to the major issues confronting the world as a whole, my delegation believes tliat the problem ef disarma- ment in all its dimensions, particularly the question of controlling the nuclear arms race, remains most urgent. The dangers of recent developments in the field of armaments are beyond our 'nagination. My delegation hopes that the forthcoming special session of the General Assembly on disannament will achieve progress in the directiOn of completedisarmarnent, or at least free mankind from the perils of nuclear destruction. We strongly. condemn the trend of thought which tries to justify the acquisition and use of nuclear weapons as a method of blackmail, even as the last resort for survival. 78. We in Maldives, as a freedom-loving and peace-loving country, view the question of southern Africa as another issue posing grave threats to world peace. In Zimbabwe, the 79. The situation ill the Middle East remains a grave disappointment to the people of Maldives. On earlier occasions, my delegation has clearly indicated its rejection of the illegal occupation by Israel of the Arab territories. I wish to reaffirm this position of my Government, which is based not only on an understanding of the historical factors involved, but also on our rejection of the idea of the acquisition of territories by war. We further deplore the flagrant violation of human rights carried out by the Israelis in the occupied territories through systematic efforts to change the demographic composition of Arab lands. We in Maldives, being a Moslem nation, are particularly hurt by the Israeli practices in Jerusalem aimed at changing the Islamic edifices in the Holy Land. My delegation also reiterates its support for the Palestinian people, who have the legitimate right to self-determination on their own' national soil. We are convinced that the participation of their authentic representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization, is essential in any peace-making effort aimed at a just and lasting solution which will guarantee peace and security in the area. 80. As a maritime nation, Maldives pays special attention to the work and achievements of the Third United Nations Conference on theLaw-- of the Sea. It is of special significance in determining the status of the economic and maritime zones, defining the continental shelf and dealing with the problems related to marine.environment. 81. We view the achievements of the last session of the Conference with optimism. It is hoped that the forth- coming session in Geneva will achieve a higher degree of co-ordination in order to conclude the task of the Con- ference. 82. The Indian Ocean washes the shores of most countries .of Asia, including ours. We have joined hands with the countries of the region to make that ocean a zone of peace, free from great-Power rivalry and conflict. 83. Since the inception of the United Nations'Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace {reso/lftion 2832 (XXVI)], we have supported all efforts made towards. the practical implementation of that Declaration. Further, we, are happy to note the interest expressed early this month by the United States and the Soviet Union in achieving practical results in their talks on this subject. We believe that their good will and co-operation will yield a significant degree of progress in this endeavour. 8S. The question of Cyprus is another unsolved problem which has remained on our agenda for the last several years. My delegation supports all efforts in search of a negotiated and pennanent settlement of the problem. We feel that any realistic soluti!m should take into consideration the legiti- mate interests of all the ethnic groups of the Cypriot community, and that it should preserve the independence and territorial integrity of the nation. 93. My Government believes that within this Organization the nations of the world must direct their efforts to two fundamental and indissolubly linked objectives: peace and development. 94. There must be world hannony, but it will be difficult to achieve without high levels of economic growth and social well-being for the more than two thirds of the people of the world who are liVing in a state of abject poverty. The United Nations .must therefore maintain peace with justice and, faced with this immense task, its role as a great conciliator will increase, and in future years its success will largely depend on the progress made in the area of justice among nations and development. 86. Strengthening the role of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security, fostering economic co- operation and hannonizing international action towards a better future is not an impossible task only if we are committed seriously to the principles of the Charter and if we can summon the will and sustain the courage to adjust the national interests to the changing perspectives of the world. 9S. There have been many chang~s in the international arena iD th~ past few years, and in this constantly changing world of ours there must be respect for the principles which should underlie international relations and which have been often proclaimed by our Organization over the past three decades. Not only is this the right time to reaffinn our faith in thl: principles of the Charter; this is the time for perfonnance and for achievement. It is a matter of urgency that we overcome 'the economic and political obstacles to a climate of peaceful coexistence based on a harmonious and balanced development of the international community that will end situations of great inequality, substitute dialogue for confrontation, recognize the interdependence of the peoples of the world and associate the developed and developing countries in prosperity and freedom. We believe that it is only by overcoming economic and political obstacles that we can guarantee peace and well-being for present and future generations of the world in which we live. It is towards these goals that we must strive. 87. Once again I reiterate my country's faith in the United Nations and its firm commitment to the principles of the Charter. I wish to express my Government's hope that the work of the thirty-second sessitm will be crowned with successful results compatible with the expectations of the peoples of the world.

On this particularly auspicious occasion I should like to'present to all the members of this Assembly and to the peoples of the' world so ably represented here the best wishes of the people and the Government of Honduras. 89. I wish in particular to offer my sincere congratulations to f.k Mojsov, Deputy Federal Secretary for Foreign Affairs of YugoslaVia, on his well-deserved election as President. We are well aware, Mr. President, of the dynamic role your country has played in the international arena ;'n the past few decades, and we are famiHar with your personal contribution. Our congratulations go also to Mr. Amerasinghe, who so ;lbly carried out his important functions as President of the General Assembly in a year which was particularly important for the United Nations. 96. Honduras is a peace-loving nation and it respects its international commitments. We hope that in our part of the world, Central America, renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling differences will be a guiding principle in our international conduct. 97. I shoul~ like to reiterate on this occasion our detennination ta achieve an early and satisfactory settle- ment of the dispute that has in the past few years divided my country and the Republic of El Salvador. Wel1eliev.e that the mediation agreement concluded under the ausPices of the Organization of American States on 6 October 1976 will be a decisive element in a final settlement, if both sides so agree. We expect that on 22 November next the procedure laid down will be initiated and can lead us eventually to the restoration of the peace and the cordial relations which should exist between peoples that are linked together by history and geography. We shall go to the negotiating table without any prejudgement and with our minds open to whatever solutions may be proposed for the settlement of the dispute, and we invite the nations represented here, and the Organization itself, to follow closely and support our efforts to bring back peace and harmony to Central America. 90. My country welcomes the admission of two new Members to the United Nations: The Republic of Djibouti and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. We greet them ,warmly and wish to express to them our feelings of friendship and solidarity. 91. The United Nations came into being at the end of the Second World War and unquestionably it has been an expression of the fondest 'hopes of the peoples of the world for the creation of lasting peace for everyone on the basis of sovereign equality and international co·operation. The United Nations today constitutes the best forum for raising and solving the problems besetting nations. It offers us eloquent proof of what can and should be achieved through <U,alogue for the benefit of mankind. 92. We have faith in the United Nations. By strengthening it we are laying the groundwork for world peace and we are 99. It is with good reason that my Government has viewed with concern the crisis which has recently arisen between Guatemala and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the territory of Belize. My country wishes to express its support for a negotiated settlement of the problem. 10S. The efforts which have been made to maintain peace throughout the American continent strengthen our con· fidence in the inter·American system and its machinery for the peaceful settlement of disputes. We note that similar arrangements exist in other parts of.the world with regard to pending problems, the solution of which is not impos- sible. 100. Honduras believes that in the solution of this problem the historical and legal data on which the Guatemalan claims are based and the universally recognized principles of international public law that guarantee for the parties a solution that will take account of their funda- mental interests, must not be disregarded. 106. Consequently my Government views with satisfac- tion the prospects for the resumption in Geneva of negotiations on peace in the Middle East. The diplomatic actions of friendly nations lead us to hope that there will be at the negoti3ting table representatives of all the parties concerned. The United Nations has played and should continue to play an important role in the maintenance of peace in the Middle East, and resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (I973) adopted on the subject by the Security Council take account of the interests at stake and l>hould serve as a basis for lasting peace in that part of the world. Honduras cannot fail to reaffirm its hope that in regard to this international problem as to others the principles of the United Nations Charter will be respected. 101. In accordance with the Guatemalan statement of 25 August of this year, my Government reiterates its satisfac- tion at the decision of the Governments of Guatemala and the United Kingdom to resolve the problem of Belize in accordance with the method of the veaceful settlement of international disputes established by international law in such a way as to find a negotiated solution which will reconcile the rights of Guatemala and the interests of the people of Belize. 107. My Government joins the international community in urging the provision of assistance to the peoples of Namibia and Zimbabwe in order to ensure that they speedily obtain majority government and independence by peaceful means. 102. Pursuing the same line of thought, I must say that the Government and people of Honduras welcomed with satisfaction the signing of the Panama Canal treaties between the United States of America and Panama. Honduras interprets this as the expression of a new attitude and a new desire on the part of the United States of America to understand Latin America sympathet,ically, to work with and respect us in meeting the challenges of the worid of the present day. Force must no longer be us~d but must be replaced by interdependence and considerations of mutual benefit. 108. We also hope that there will be genuine progress in the talks on Cyprus which are being held in Vienna with the participation of the United Nations. The best tribute to the memory of Archbishop Makarios would be the achievement of an eqUitable solution of the complex problems of that country, which relate to its territorial integrity. 103. It is our earnest hope that the dispute between the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Malvinas Islands will be resolved taking account of the historical and legal rights underlying the position of the Argentine Republic. We are confident that the talks which took place in Rome in May of this year between the representatives of the two nations will make a posUive contribution to the settlement of the problem. The reopening of the dialogue is proof of the mature and responsible manner in which the Governments concerned have approached the settlement of the problem. We also hope that Spain, rejuvenated and Vibrant, will conclude its negotiations on Gibraltar with the United Kingdom. 109. Today more than ever before the future of mankind depends on our being able to reconcile the different interests in the international community. Honduras places its faith in continuous negotiations, open dialogue and permanent co-operation. No matter how widely separated positions may seem to be, my country believes that at the present time no international conflict can remain unre- solved indefinitely. 110. Reviewing the principal international problems, Honduras is particularly pleased that in most cases the world has chosen the only acceptable civilized way of settling disputes among nations-namely, the peaceful way, which my country traditionally, clearly, sincerely and unswervingly supports. 104. For the reasons already stated, my country has followed with interest the negotiations between the Gov- ernments of Bolivia, Chile and Peru relating to the land-locked status of the ·first. While sympathizing fully with Bolivia's predicament, we believe that the countries concerned will be able to reconcile their positions so that, in accordance with the historic Declaration of Ayacucho,7 Ill. I am expressing the feelings of the people and Government of my country when I say that it is our hope that the outstanding problems to which I have referred will be solved speedily and appropriately in accordance with the principles of international respect and harmony. 112. Any conflict requires the diversion to armaments of the resources needed to provide better living conditions for man. Unquestionably, the settlement of international dis- 7 Signed in Lima on 9 December 1974. For the text, see document A/I 0044, annex. 113. Because it is contrary to our way of thinking, we are particularly concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the growing danger of the use of nuclear energy for warlike and destructive purposes. The security supposedly created by an anns race has in fact been destroyed by the very existence of these death·dealing weapons. The enormous sums of money spent on arms make us think that the world's development depends largely on halting the aons race. The world community can no longer continue to harness human genius to the invention of the means of its own destruction. With a quarter of the resources spent in one year on research on and the production of armaments we could carry on a significant struggle against under.development and social injustice in Asia, Africa-and Latin America. 114. My country hopes that at the next special session of the General Assembly which will be devoted to disarma- ment'significant progress will be made and that the role of the United Nations in achieving this priority objective will be strengthened; otherwise the declarations and covenants which state that international society was created by and for man will have no meaning. 115. In the sphere of human rights our position has been, is and will continue to be one of strict respect for those rights. We believe that the problem of human rights is a challenge to the international community. There can be no respect for human dignity when we do not fight hunger, low. levels of health, illiteracy, inequality and injustice. My Government is trying to bring about substantial reforms with a view to furthering economic, social and political development in my country. We are particularly interested in social development-:to benefit the overwhelming majority of the population of my country. I 16. In September Honduras became the fourth country to deposit with the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States its instrument of ratification of the American Convention on Human Rights, which was signed in San Jos,e, Costa Rica, on 22 November 1969. By so doing, my Government wishes to emphasize the importance which it attaches to this subject. 117. We hope there will be an analysis of the situation of human rights throughout the world, with special reference to the close relationship between under-development and respect for human rights. We believe that respect for human rights is a problem which cannot be taken up solely from a national standpoint. We believe that international relations play a most important role in the observance of human rights and that both the industrial nations and those striving for development, have a responsibility which cannot be avoided. For that reason, my country supports Costa Rica's proposal for the establishment of the office of United Nations High Commissioner forHuman Rights. 118. Political terrorism, which is non-eXistent in our country, is a source of great concern to the Honduran 119. We are well aware of the efforts that the United Nations has made to arrive at decisions aimed at eliminating this problem completely. It is unquestionably a threat to the integrity of the human person. 120. My country greatly regrets that, halfway through the second part of the twentieth century, the policy of apartheid continues to exist, for it negates the principles of the Charter and constitutes a real crime against humanity. The indifference with which the various resolutions of our Organization have been greeteu should lead us to reconsider collective action against that particular odious form of segregation. For that reason, my country will continue unreservedly to support whatever action is taken to eliminate the policy ofapartheid once and for all... 121. Regarding the problems relating to the law of the sea, Honduras hopes that, with wisdom, nations will be able to remove the dangers that threaten the conservation and exploitation of the resources of the sea, which is the common heritage of mankind. In the coming years, we will have to resort more and more to the sea as an important source of food and mineral resources. The conferences that the United Nations has convened on the law of the sea should give the world rules and regulations ensuring the rational and equitable exploitation of such resources, the freedom of navigation, agreement on the delimitation of various maritime areas under national sovereignty and control, effective means to prevent the pollution of the seas, and the rights of States to conduct scientific research in the various zones. All such arrangements should, of course, have due regard for the inalienable right of the developing countries to dispose freely of their natural resources. 122. My country established its sovereignty over the continental and insular shelf and superjacent waters out to a distance of 200 miles from our coast, in Decree No. 96 of 26 January 1950, which was issued during the administra- tion of Mr. Juan Manuel Glilvez. Our rights were reaffirmed ip. the Declaration of the Honduran Forei~n Ministry ~f 17 June 1974, wherein Honduras' right was stated as follows: "to exploit the living and mineral resources in a 200-mile zone, in accordance with the principles proclaimed for the .first time in the Glilvez Declaration of 1950". 123. This is perhaps an appropriate time also to Sa); that recently the twenty-fifth anniversary of the historic Decla- ration of the South PacifieS was put forward. While recognizing the special features of the position putforward by the brotherly countries of Chile, Peru and Ecu,ador, we must recognize their contribution to the fight being waged by developing countries to maintain their rights over the sea. 124. This struggle cannot be separated from the interna- tional undertaking to bring about a new international 3 Declaration on the Maritime Zone. See Yearbook of the International Law Commission, 1956, voI. I (United Nations pub- lication, Sales No. 1956.V.3, voI. I), 362nd meeting, para. 35. 132. We believe that the time has come for the peoples of the third world unhesitatingly to increase their efforts to improve their future in the economic and social areas. We hope that they will in this way play their part in the concert of nations. The results of this would be that the new human spirit we all hope for. will indeed emerge and there will be a respect for man wherever he may be in the world. 125. It would be disastrous for the world to close out the possibilities of discussion and effective co-operation con- cerning energy conservation, rational use of energy, energy supplies and the search for riew sources of energy, as well as the help that should be given to the developing countries that do not. produce oil and whose economies have been seriously affected by the recent rise in the price of energy. 133. I should not like to conclude my statement without expressing warm and respectful appreciation to Mr. Kurt Waldheim for his wisdom and dynamism as Secretary- General. ' 126. The establishment of a common fund for stabiliza- tion of commodity prices might be one result of the Paris Conference. This co-operation should be extended to the search for effective means to ensure competitiveness be- tween natural and manufactured products and to ensure better marketing and distribution of raw materials, diversi- fication of exports, the opening of new markets for traditional products, and the improvement of the generali- zed system of preferences and of bilateral trade conditions. 134. I wish to express the hope of the people and Government of Honduras that the debates of this Assembly will be directed towards the finding ofsolutions which will guarantee peace among nations, so that man's great adaptability and imagination will be used to overcome the obstacles to the development of all the peoples of the world. 135. Today, when we no longer believe that negotiations on a world-wide basis should be marked by sterile rhetoric; today, as we try to go beyond the more inglorious moments of human history, using our knowledge of what we ,have been and of what we are and with faith in a future that will confirm the prodigious changes wrought by man for man through progress in science and technology, we wish to reaffirm our adherence to the principles of the legal equality of States, of territorial integrity, of the self- determination of peoples and of respect for human rights. We proclaim our belief in the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in non-intervention, in international co-operation, in the permanent and full sovereignty of each State over its natural resources. We condemn the use of force and armed aggression. We repudiate foreign domina- tion and .occupation, discrimination in any form and the exploitation and degradation of man by man. That is our credo. 127. Negotiations regarding tropical products in the Tokyo round of GATT negotiations ran into the same sort of impasse as in other areas, despite the urgent· label attached to the conclusion and implementation of an agreement on the subject. 128. Attention must be given to development aid pro- grammes and to increasing co-operation in the areas of agriculture, food and health. Similarly, in the areas of industrial development, infrastructure and the transfer of technology, my country feels there should be machinery to make more flexible and regulate relations based on mutual advantage, bearing in mind the special needs of the developing countries. 129. UNDP has fortunately overcome the crisis ,which threatened it last year, but it cannot be said that its future is completely secure. It has done most useful work, for which Honduras would like to express its appreciation once again; it should continue to receive increased funds, to administer them judiciously, and to adopt new machinery such as joint projects and bilateral sources ofassistance.

We have heard the last speaker for this morning. Several representatives have requested to exercise their right of reply today. I will call on three representatives this morning and the others will speak at the end of this afternoon's meeting. 130. Other United Nations funds should also co~ordinate their policies with those of UNDP, and all of them should always adhere to the principle of universality in their allocations. The specialized agencies of the United Nations should not only De able to use the resources of UNDP, but they should begin really to supplement them with funds from their regular budgets wh~ch,despite' the financial

Of all the baselesS allega- tions made by the spokesman of the Zionist entity yesterday before this Assembly I shall, in exercising my right of reply, refute only one, namely, that relating to the cause or-the refugee problem,since he brought up the name of Iraq within th~t context. "Until the British left, no Jewish settlement, however remote, was entered or seized by the Arabs, while the Haganah ... captured many Arab positions and liberated Ti"erias and Haifa, Jaffa and Safad .... So, on the day of desiiny, that palt of Palestine where the Haganah"-the Haganah, as you know, is the Zionist terrorist organiza- tion-"could operate was almost clear of Arabs."9 "Clear of Arabs": how similar is that expression to the Nazi concept of the Judenrein Reich, the Reich made clear of Jews. As Ben-Gurion said, Arab armies did not enter Palestine until after the British left, and there were already 300,000 Arab refugees from Palestine. The Arab armies came to the rescue of the remnant of the Palestinians. 139. When the Zionists now point out that there was in fact an exchange of populations as a result of the alleged Arab aggression, they are seeking to perpetuate another myth in order to cover up their premeditated plan which effected the said exchange of populations. 140. The plan was hatched here in New York in May 1942, long before any Arab soldier set foot in Palestine. The Zionists met at the Biltmore Hotel and adopted the so-called Biltmore' programme. After consulting with Zionist leaders, General Patrick J. Hurley reported the following to President Roosevelt: "... the Zionist organization in Palestine has indicated its commitment to an enlarged programme for (l) a sovereign Jewish State ~hich would embrace Palestine and probably eventually Transjordania, (2) an eventual transfer of the Arab population from Palestine to Iraq and (3) Jewish leadership for the whole Middle East in the fields of economi~ development and control."I 0 14I. In order to establish their entity in Palestine, the Zionists had to clear the land of the Palestinians, the rightful owners and the undisputed majority in the land. Iraq never acqUiesced in the Z':onist plan. It never accepted the movement of peoples like herds of cattle across international boundaries in order to fulfil the dreams of the Zionist empire. Hence the Zionists' venomous attacks against Iraq, especially since the Government of Iraq has promulgated a law ensuring full citizenship rights to all Iraqi Jews Wishing to return to Iraq. Other Arab Govern- ments have adopted similll.r laws. This of course raises the wrath of the Zionists. It is a reversal of the Zionist plan to uproot all Jewish communities wherever they may be throughout the whole world and transplant them to occupied Palestine.

By a remarkable and blatant combination of omissions and commissions, 9 David Ben Gu.rion, Rebirth and Destiny of Israel (New York, Philosophical Library. 1954), pp. 530-531. 10 Sce Foreign Relations ofthe United States, Diplomatic Papers: the Near East and Africa, 1943, Department of State publication 7665 (Washington, D.e., V.S. Government Printing. Office, ~964), p.n. 143. Specifically, J would refute the following points. 144. First, it is a distortion to claim that the Arabs have been for the last 30 years guilty of aggression. The Israelis wilfully and d~liberately launched their '80,000-man mili- tary machine against the wholly disarmed Palestinians, who did nothing more than to take part in one or two riots in protest against the vivisection of their country. 145. Secondly, the Israelis launched the 1956 war against Egypt, and everybody knows that. 146. Thirdly, the Israelis struck Egypt in 1967-Pearl Harbour style-on the eve of the scheduled departure of Egypt's Vice-Presid.ent to Washington, D.C. to resolve the issue peacefully. 147. Fourthly, 1973 was the only time that the Arabs started a war after despairing of Israel's withdrawal from the occupied territories and after telling the Security Council in June-and I attended that meeting-that occupa- tion could not and would Rot be allowed to continue. I 1 Israel occupied four fifths of Palestine long before a single Arab soldier set foot in Palestine. The Arab armies entered after 15 May 1948 in order to prevent a more massive massacre of the -civilian population that would have dwarfed the indescribable Deir Yasin massacre of 300' unarmed men, women and children by the arch-terrorist, Mr. Begin. I saw the remains. of those stunned children when they were. thrown across the lines, having been paraded on Israeli streets in a "victory parade". 148. Fifthly, s;ontrary to what Mr. Dayan claimed, we could have had peace decades ago when both sides met at Lausanne and initialled the Lausanne Protocol on 40 July 1949. After initialling, the Israelis reneged and a member-cor the Israeli delegation told a Palestinian member of "the Syrian delegation, whom he,knew in Haifa: "Every time we tell the old man"-meaning Ben-Gurion-"about that peace- ful solution, the old. man's eyes turn red". This all happened under the auspices of the United Nations ConciIiationCommission for Palestine. 149. Sixthly, the Jordanian Army never conquered or annexed Palestine. It was-as Mr. Dayan knows better than anyone else because he was a member of the British Army-stationed in the Q10st strategic areas of Palestine' 150. Seventhly, the allegation of Jordanilmannexation is equally distorted. The unity of the two banks was an act adopted on 24 April 1950 by Parliament, a Parliament freely elected from.both banks. In that resolution there was a provision to the effect that their unity was based on their working together towards the restoration of all the inalien- able rights of the Palestinian people, who, when those rights were restored, would' exercise their right to self· determination-which His Majesty King Hussein has been saying all along. ' 151. Mr; Dayan's reference to Security Council resolutioI;lS 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) renders them meaningless, just as frenzied Israeli settlements in the occupied territories have renderecl them, in practice, empty shells. 152. Eighthly, I do not know why the Israelis have such a penchant for self·persecutir.l The reference in resolutio,~h 242 (1967) to refugees is clearly to the Palestinian refugees~ whose sufferings have been beyond description for the last 30 years, while the Israeli conque.'ers were happily settled in their homes, farms, factories and public utilities. 153. Ninthly, the Arab Jews from the Arab countries are not refugees. They were enticed, bribed and promised heaven tf they would leave their ancient homes. They left properties for which, if they refuse to return, they will be compensated. But who in his senses would equate that migration with the dispersal, homelessness and suffering of the Palestinian refugees recognized by this Assembly in resolution 194 (Ill) and reaffirmed every year thereafter? 154. Tenthly, a little bmshing up on English terminology might well be in order. Quite apart from the "inadmis· sibility of the acquisition of territory by war" which are the words of Security Council resolution 242 (1967)-and quite apart from the notorious missing "the", the word "with- drawal" refers to the territories occupied in 1967. The identification of withdrawal with 1967 means, in straight English as I understand it, all territories occupied on a specific date, namely, 6 June 1967. 159. My country is aware of its special responsibilities regarding the maintenance of stability and attaches special importance to its co·operation with the neighbouring. . countries concerned. Thanks to that co-operation with our neighbours and brothers, we are determined to ensure the security and stability of our countries. And that is the· very basis of my country's foreign policy established by His Majesty Sultan Qabus bin Said. 155. I have given a very brief comment on Mr. Dayan's diktat to this Assembly yesterday. 157. The reason why Mr. Dayan has not come out for open and complete annexation is that he does not wish the Palestinian inhabitants to undermine the purity of the Jewish State. So he came up with this ingenious idea. Need I go any further? Yes, I should, because upon this hangs the survival of the Middle East region and not only that region. In 1950, Mr. Ben·Gurion formed a special com- mittee, accountablf) directly £0 him, to work in the development of an atomic arsenal. To do this Israel has resorted, over the past two or three decades, to every means, fair and foul, including the piracy of plutonium and the theft of the ideas and technology of advanced coun- tries. Now Israel has the atomic weapon, and yet Mr. payan claims that it wants a nuclear·free zone in the region, and that the Arabs are standing in the way of the establishment ofsuch a zone.

In reply to the representative who took the floor for the third time when he was claiming that regional co-operation, in which my country firmly believes, is a threat to the stability of that country, I would like to offer the following comment, which is simply to state that the true threat in fact stems from the policy of aggression in various forms adopted by his Government vis-a-vis my country ever since its independence. The meeting rose at 1.25 p.m.