A/33/PV.52 General Assembly

As representatives will recall, at its 50th plenary meeting on 10 November 1978, the General Assembly decided to post- pone the election of one member of the Economic and Social Council. 2. The vacancy remaining to be fl1led is for group C, that of the Latin American States. We have held three restricted ballots and one unrestricted ballot, all of which have been inconclusive. In accordance with the rules of procedurlf., we shall proceed to a second unrestricted ballot. 3. May I remind representatives tha,t thf}y have the right to vote for any country from group C, t'XCf:pt, of course, those countries which are already members of the Council and those which have been elected for a term beginning on 1 January 1979. To make this quite clear, I shall state the names of tnose countries which cannot be voted for in the present balloting: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. 4. I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

I have the honour to announce that my Government has • Resumed from the 50th meeting. NEW YORK decided to postpone its candidature for the Economic and Social Council and accordingly withdraws its candidature in favour of Barbados. 6. I should like to express our sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation to all those States that voted in favour of the Cuban candidacy. At the same time, I should like to ask all those which supported our c".ndidature to support that of Barbados, that friendly Caribbean country.

Ballot papers will now be distributed.

I propose to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.

The result of the voting is as follows: 128o 128 2 126 84 Number o!vtjtes ubtained: Barbados 121 Cuba ..........•.............. . .. 5 Having obtained the required twcrthirds majority, Bar- bados was elected a memD~:'r of the Economic and Social Council/or a three-year t'€mn beginning on 1 January 1979 (decision 33/311}.1

I give the floor to the representative of Barbados.

I should like to express the Barbados Government's appreciation of the kind and friendly gesture of the Cuban Government in WithdraWing 1 See also the 43rd meeting, para. 23, and the 50th meeting, para. 17. A/33/PV.52 J Bar~lados today to the Economic and Social Council, will receive the support of the Assembly when it is presented again. We sincerely hope that those which llupported us in today's ballot--and we should like to thank them very much",will, in turn support the Cuban candidature at that time. 19. In view of the problems confronting Africa at the present time, I wish to draw the attention of the General Assembly to operative paragraphs 4, 7, 12, 13 and 14 of th~ draft resolution, which I hope will be adopted by con: sensus.

'1 wish to congratulate the countries which have been elected members of the Economic and Social Council, and I thank the t~ners for their assistance. 20. Finally, it is my duty to announce that, after consultations wiht the delegations of certain friendly countries Witllin the context of the solidarity and consensus which has always existed in regard to adopting these draft resolutions, the sponsors have accepted some changes in operative paragraphs 6 and 14. Those changes have been incorporated in draft resolution A/33/L.9/Rev.l and we hope 'hat, in the light of those changes, the draft resolution will ~,~ adopted unanimously.

I call on the representative of Chad, who wishes to introduce draft resolution A/33/L.9. 21. The new paragraph 6 reads as follows:

Since the twenty-seventh regular session of the General As!embly ~ have seen a rapid and continuous develop- ment of co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity {OAU~. That co-operation, of course, is based on the conviction expressed at the Addis Ababa Summit Conference of Independent African States, in May 1963 by the African Heads of State and Govern- l1ltcnt that the Uliited Nations is an effective tool for maintaining peace and international security and for foster- ing economic and social equality among nations. But it is also supported by the similarity of the goals an principles of the two Organiza~ons, that is: the triumph of human dignity, the reign of justice and freedom, the establishment of peace 2nd security and the development of international global co-operation leading to the full flowering and prosperity of the world community. The new operative paragraph 14 will read as follows:

As Chairman of the Assembly of the OAU at its fifteenth extraordinary session, the Sudan had the honour this year to act as host to the July Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU in Khartoum and became aware of the great responsibility incumbent upon it an the considera- tion of the affairs of that great continent. The Sudan took note of the fact that ~e African countries at their last meeting in Khartoum expressed their concern to assume their responsibilities not only with regard to the African region but also to international peace and security as a whole. On that basis the Sudan adopted an Mrican and international policy with a view to aqhieving, in unity and solidarity, a solution to. the conflicts in Africa. 15. This co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU h2s now reached ~:ch a degree of development that it covers the most varied ~~ctors, involving almost all the specialized agcn~s in the United Nations system, as we see from the Secretary-General's report in document A/33/253 and Con_I and 2. 16. I do n,ot intend to make lengthy comments on the :report, although it is an excellent one. I simply wish to say ~ that the report stresses in particular the action tmdcrtaken jointly by the two Organizations to rid the African continent of roch scourges as racism, colonialism, poverty and natural disasters. 23. As the General Assembly is aware, the African continent is experiencing a series of explosive conflicts that are the sequels of colonialism and which still persist as a sickness thafinternational society should help to eradicate. Similarly, it has witnessed military and political forms of intervention. Among the other sequels of colonialism, mention must be made of the economic backwardness from which developing countries suffer. Hence co-operation between this international Organization and -the Q.,-i.U is necessary in order to prevent interference and inter;ention being carried out by foreign forces on the pretext of 17. Sucl1 oo-oper.\tion can only be encouraged, since the whole of manhnd has a stake in this. That is why the ,Africugroup of States, which I have the honour of rept'e'Cnting at this rostrum, is submitting draft resolution Aj33tL9, lmtitled "C~peration between the United Nm<ms aDd the Organization ·of African Unity", which is :spomored by aD the 49 African States that are members of i1le t"nitDd Nations. "Reaffirms the determination of the United Natiors to work closely with the Organization of African Unity towards the establishment of the new international economic order". "Reiterates its invitation to the specialized agencies and 'Jilier organizations concerned within the United Nations system to continue and expand their co-operation with the Organization of African Unity and, thr,mgh it,"-and this is where we have another change-"their humani- tarian assist9"lce to the liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity". 33. The current phase of the international campaign to eliminate racism and colonialism from southern Africa is characterized by strong emphasis on support for the liberation movements recognized by the OAU that are carrying on legitimate struggles by all means in their power, since all avenues for peaceful change have been closed to them. 25. My country considers that the various bodies within the United Nations shoul«:\ co-operate with the OAU and work together to meet the needs of the African continent. My delegation considers, moreover, that solid close links should be established between the two organizations, in order to permit the continuation and expansion of their efforts to implement their resolutions, so that they may provide an effective solution to the problems of the African continent. 34. The key role of these movements in the liberation of their countries and the duty of the international com- munity to afford them strong support have been empha- sized by several international conferences, notably the International Conference in Support of the Peoples of Zimbabwe and Namibia, held in Maputo in May 1977, the World Conference for Action against Apartheid, held in Lagos in August 1977, and the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in Geneva in August this year. It has therefore been a most constructive development that United Nations political bodies, such as the Special Committee against Apartheid, the Special Committee <m the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the United Nations Council for Namibia and the Commission on Human Righ~s, now work as a matter of course in close consultation with the leaders of the liberation movements and with the OAU Co·ordinating Committee for the Uberation of Africa. 26. In making this appeal, my country's delegation takes into account the long list of international problems facing Africa. These have st~1 not been resolved· because of the intransigence of the imperialist, colonialist and racist regimes in s0!3i:nern Africa and their pursuit of racist policies in Zimbabwe and Namibia. 27. My country therefore once again appeals from this rostrum, in conformity with the statement of the Chairman of the OAU at the 10th meeting of the General Assembly on 27 September last, for all efforts to be made to ensure the closest co-operation between the two Organizations. My country's delegation considers that there is no doubt that co·operation between th~se two Organizations will facilitate and speed up a solution to the many problems which have not yet been resolved. 35. The response of the specialized agencies to the needs of the liberation movements has been slower in its deveJopment, b~t we are gratified to see from the Secre- tary-General's report that the agencies are steadily in- creasing the scope and number of programmes planned specificaJly for the assistance of the liberation movement groups and that such programmes are being developed in collaboration with representatives of the OAU. 28. The Sudanese delegation reiterates the hope of the African countries to see co-operation between the various international.bodies and reaffirms the desire of the African continent to see this international Organization become a place where the aspirations and the wishes of all the peoples of the world can be made a reality.

My Government has always placed the highest value on close co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU, and I am happy to note, from the Secretary·General's report on the subject IA/33/253], that this co-operation continues to be de- veloped throughout the United Nations system. 36. Among the initiatives that we have noted with particular interest are UNICEF plans to assist liberation movement groups in the front-line States of Zambia, .Angola, M;_'~'.<1~"lbique an~ the United Republic of Tanzania; .)/ the ILO v;.,......donal training courses for refugees of the < liberation movements of Namibia and Zimbabwe; the FAO agricultural training programmes for Zimbabwean and other southern African refugees and the FAO contribution to the Nationhood Programme for Namibia; and the WHO Multi- national Liberation Movement Trainmg Centre in the United Republic of Tanzania for the instruction of medical assistants. 30. The collaboration of the ~wo Organizations is most evident, of course, as they pursue the common goals of eliminating colonialism and racism in southern Africa and of reducing the gap between the developed world and the developing countries. 31. The fruitful co-operation between the world Organiza- tion and the regional organization in these and other spheres of activity is, we are glad to say, firmly established, and the task for the future is mainly one of building on the existing foundat~on. 37. The efforts of UNDP to co-ordinate interagency planning for assistance to liberation movements in countries that act as hosts to these movements are especially commendable. We hope that Ui~DP will also be able to respond generously in suppori of a number of specialized agency programmes that have been submitted to it for financing. 32. My delegation would like to express here its apprecia- tion of the active interest shown by the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, in African affairs and of his vjgorous efforts directed towards the solution of African problems. His encouragemont of greater contributions to the United 38. Mention must also be made of the World Food Programme's substantial assistance to the South West Africa 39. The long campaign carried on by the United Nations and the OAU to free the oppressed people of southern Africa from racist oppression is in its final stage, but this may prove to be the most difficult period of all and will certainly require the exertion of the most strenuous efforts by the two Organizations. We hope that the various bodies of the United Nations system will continue to increase the range and depth of their commitment to the liberation movements of southern Africa. 40. With regard to the achievement of a new world eoonomic order in which the gap between the developed and the developing countries will be closed, it is natural tha.t Africa, which comprises a large proportion of the w()rld~s d~velopingcountries, should be deeply involved in the tasks associated with this goal a!ld should seek the closest co-operation with the United Nations system in the furtherance of common objectives. 41. The Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order [resolution 3202 (S- VI)] emphasizes the importance of regional coo- n()mic integration, technical co-operation among developing countries, the transfer of technology from developed to developing nations, and the furtherance of the industrializa- tion of the third world. The OAU's contacts with UNCTAD, ECA: UNlDO, UNDP and other organs of the United Nations system are of vital importance for the furtherance of these objectives in Afric.~. We note with satisfaction that these bodies are attempting to deal with the fundamental ec.onomic problems and the technical assistance projects that must be dealt with in the imple- mentation of the Programme of Action. We believe, however, that there must be an even stronger commitment on 'the part of all conccmed if significant change is to be effected. 42. Of course, co-operation between the OAU and the United Nations is not conf1Iled to questions of southern Africa or to the specifics of the Programme of Action on the Establishment {)f a New International Economic Order, but.operates over a 'wide spectrum of activity. 43. The efforts of UNEP to promote the desertification action plan or the international telecommunications net- worl. .clearly illustnte the range and practical value of co-operntion bt'tween the United Nations and the OAU. 44. While we wish to see the various organs of the United Nations system intensify the-iT efforts on behalf of the libemtion movements and in support of development goals, \Ye are conscious that co-oper2.tion between the United Nations and the QAU in aD its forms is contributing to the :political, economic and social stability ofAfrica. . 45. A matter of great concern to my delegation, Which I must :IIH:Iltion, is the inadequate representation of the Af:ricancontinent at the higher levels of the executive 46. In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity to caU on all Member States to support the OAU in its firm opposition to the new policies of interference and aggres- sion by external forces that have recently been directed against African States and peoples. 47. The peace and security of Africa are endangered by attempts to impose on purely African problems solutions inspired by external interests. The use of foreign merce- naries in these efforts is particularly threatening to African peace and security and should be strongly condemned by the international communit~. 48. We hope that Member States will give firm support to the solemn declaration made on this question by the OAU Council of Ministers at its thirty-first session that: "... in all cases, the security of Africa is the concern of Africans only and... no Power or group of Powers outside Africa is to interfere in this respect" [Ibid., CM/Res. 641 (XXXI)}. In res~cting tillS position, States Members of the United Nations and of the OAU will be fulfilling obligations undertaken under the charters of the two organizations.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the nine countries members of the European Community. 50. !'lv report of the Secretary-General [A/33/253] has gi"~' Uf Co, ,-cil'iprehensive picture of the various fields of , , ·'~'·h( 'ion "'" '.t'p.en the OAU and a great number of . ,.,;h' .ons '13 ~gencies of the United Nations system, rar~-6 from. "he !,olitical problenls of southern Africa to the protection of the environment and to highly specialized training programmes. 51. The nine countries members of the European Com- munity support the role played by. regional organizations in solving the world's. problems, wherever possible. We think that the countries most directly concerned with a given political conflict or with certain economic, social or environmental problems should be encouraged by our world body to fmd solutions to those problems by co-operating, above all, among themselves. 52. The OAU represents almost a third of the membership of the United Nations. The countries members of the OAU have many social, economic and political problems in common. We fully support their efforts to strengthen their national independence in both the political and the economic fields, to keep their continent free from outside 54. Mr. KHARLAMOV (Union of Soviet Socialist Re- publics) linterpretation from Russian): The question of co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU is examined at each session of the General Assembly. That very fact shows how much significance the Members of the United Nations attach to that co-operation. 55. Since establishing the OAU in 1963, the African Heads of State or Governments have expressed their aspirations to strengthen ~nd support the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and to fulfil all obligations flowing from it. 56. Now, co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU is being implemented in various spheres, pro- moting and implementing the noble aims which both Organizations have endorsed. The broadest and most fruitful co·operation has been evidenced during the imple- mentation of the historic Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples [resolu- tion 1514 (XV)], adopted on the initiative of our country. That co-operation is being successfully expanded and developed in the struggle for the total and complete elimination of colonialism, racism and apartheid from the continent of Africa. 57. In the Soviet Union people are familiar with and highly commend the activities of the OAU. Expressicr the general interests and aspirations of independent Africa, that Organization has made and is still making a great contribu- tion to the complete liberation of the peoples of the. African continent from racism and colonialism and is greatly strengthening the independence of the young African States and enhancing the role they can play in international co-operation and in strengthening peace and security. 58. The great importance of the principlesof the Charterof the OAD is clear: they reflect the strivings of the libemted countries of Africa to strengthen in practice the principles of sovereignty, equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of others, non-alignment, and solidarity \\'1th the struggle of peoples which are still oppressed. 59. Now Africa, as was noted by a recent speaker representing an Mrican country, is going through a very crucial period in defining its fate. Certain international circles which obviously do not like the national and social progress of the peoples of Africa are pursuin~ a policy designed to increase tension in and aro~nd Africa. They are fanning fratricidal conflicts among African countries in 60. We are firmly convinced, however, that the leaders of the independent African countries-as has happened many times in the past-will themselves fmd solutions to the problems facing them which correspond to the vital interests of that continent, without any outside inter- ference. 61. Under the banner of an intenl1ifkation of the struggle for the complete liberation of the African continent against the attack by neo-colonialism and imperialism, in July this year the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU was held. The attempts of the enemies of African wity to side-track the discussion in that lofty and authori- tative forum of the question of the complete elimination of colonialism, lmperialism and apartheid completely failed. 62. In the decisions taken at that Assembly we fmd spelled out means of providing political, moral and material assistance to the national liberation movements ~ecognized by the OAU. The decisions of that Assembly on major questions expressed an understanding of the great signifi- cance of that struggle against new imperialist attempts to enslave Africa and showed how important African soli- darity is for the success of the cause of the freedom, independence and social progress of the peoples of that continent. 63. The Assembly received the news about attempts to railroad through the United States Congress a decision officially abolishing the sanctions against the illegal racist :-egime in Rhodesia as a defiance of independent Africa. In the resolution adopted on this matter a stricter observance of sanctions wa~ called for. Support was reaffirmed for the armed liberation struggle of the peoples of Zimbabwe under the guidance of the Patriotic Front. 64. The Heads of State decisively condemned all attempts at imperialil't interference in the internal affairs of the African continent. One of the most recent manifestations of such interference, which was severely condemned, was the use of mercenaries to destabilize progressive regimes and to subvert the revolutionary liberation process.. . 65. The attempts by the imperialists and forces connected with neo-colonialism to cast a shadow on the relations between independent African countries and the national liberation movemer.ts and the socialist countries were rebuffed at the Khartoum meeting. 66. The peoples of Africa and the peoples of the world well know that they can rely on the socialist countries and the Soviet Union in their struggle for freedom and independence. l~sidium 'Of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR ,md the ('oul\cilof Ministers of tllc USSR, to the partldplmts ill the fiftcel\thotdiilt'll'Y session of the AssetHbly of "eads of Sta'te "tn'ld GUW\1\mellt of the OAU it was said: "the SQviet Unlx.')l\ Welcomes attemlm to sttel\gthcll nnd defend the Organization of African Ul\ity. We ate 'c(fnviul'ed \')1' the fiJlal vich'l\"Y of the lofty principles of genui.ne Afri~at\ solidarity and the Ci\use of the l\-cedOl\\\ indel~t\denl'e :md s\~dal Pl'Og\'eSS of Atnca. the Soviet tJrrion, true to the testaWlent of the great lelUl\\ has tllWAyS supported and will always SUP1)ort ill future thl;)'Sc jUlIt aspirati\)t\s (.)f the pe()ples ()f At'rica.H 68. lrealio8 in mind that the further activation and dew}ol'lmcilt 'Of all·round l'clati()ns between the Ut\ited Nations and ~hc OAt' is bec<llll'it\g ll\()re and t\\O\'C s~fiificatlt tlw the stl'en:~thenins of peace, ti-eedoll\, the "SeCurity of peoples, tM expansion. 'Of international dehmte and the 'final ~Hmmlltionofc()lol\ialisl\l and all its c()n· ~quen~s, the SOViet Union, as l·u~retofoi.';:', will giVe th" nc~s'Sal)' 'Supplirt in United Nations bodies to the efforts of the OAJJ ~fid of the l~'lplesofthe African CO\\l\tries ain\ed at -safeguarding the political and economic illdependence of those countries. m~reasmg their Mnstructive -colltribulion to the resolution of all vitp} international 'P'r()blet\\s and strengthNling the dlUse of peace and general secmity. 6~. TI~ PRESIDENT (interpreti1tio'12 from Spanish): We 'Sh~1l nOw take a decision -on draft· resol\ltion A/33/ L.~,1R~v.1. 7D. I -c:J:'~ {In the representtltive df Mtldagascaroll a point of.order. 71. 'Mr. RA-BEtAFIKA (Madagas.)~r) (int~".pretl1tion from FrmcM: lapologi2~ for speald~ -at this late Stage but we 1l'ad t~ hold ~nsultations .among :sev~tal delegations. For reasons that I will .explain later, "SOme delegations, both AG~NDA ITEM 27 QUestion of Namibia: (a) ltepOl't of tlte Spechtl Colt\iuittee on the Situation with t'egnrd tt) the 1lUl,leauentlition of tlte Declaration on the GhilUh\g of ra\depcndence to Colonhll Countries and Peoples; (h) Report of the United Nations Council for Naanibht REQUEST FOR AHl~ARING ON THE QUESTION OFNAMIJnA 73. The PRESIOHNT (interpretation from Spouis/I): Be- f()re adjourning the n\e~tiJ\g\ I should like to i\\form the Assembly that consideratiol\ of agenda item 27 has beell postponed at the request of the President of the United Nations Coul\cil for Namibia nnd the Chairman of the Aftical1 gr()up of States. It is now teiltatively scheduled for early December. ltl the mcanthl1e\ a request for a hearing r~bting to that item has been received from an ()\"83I'1ization. 74. I should like to propose to the Assembly that the Fourth COlllll\ittee be requested to hold the hearing, in confornlity with established practice, and to report there- on. May I take it that the General Assembly has no objection to that proposal'?