A/33/PV.68 General Assembly

Before taking up the agenda for this afternoon, I should like to refer briefly to the progress of the work of the Assembly. 2. In this connexion, I met this morning with the Secretary-Genera] and the Chairmen of the Main Com­ mittees, as well as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, and I would like to share with representatives the following con­ siderations. 3. It has been my observation that the nature of this Organization is evolving in terms of its methods of work. We are now 150 Members, but we are using the same facilities of Headquarters as when the membership was half that number. There are more consultations going on among delegations—something that is obviously necessary. These factors have affected the organization of recent sessions, and it is my concern that the work of the United Nations should continue normally, but without sacrificing the need for consensus and political accommodation. 4. There are still 101 items to be concluded by the General Assembly, including major items to be considered in plenary meetings, and a tremendous effort will have to be exerted by all of us in order to conclude the session in time. 5. As representatives know, the target date for the completion of the work of the Main Committees has been 1117 A/33/PV.68 set at Friday, 8 December. In order to reach that goal, it will be necessary for the Committees and later for the plenary meetings of the Assembly to use all the facilities at their disposal to complete their work, including night meetings and meetings on Saturdays or even Sundays. 6. In view of the very limited time left, I make a special appeal to representatives to be present during the voting on draft resolutions, especially in the Fifth Committee. 7. Reports of Main Committees will be considered in plenary meetings as they become available. Since the distribution of documents in all the official languages is expected to be made 24 hours before the plenary meeting, sufficient time should be allowed for the preparation, editing, translation and reproduction of the reports. Items having financial implications should also be given additional time for action by the Advisory Committee and the Fifth Committee. 8. I am sure I can count-and I do request this most earnestly— on the spirit of co-operation of all concerned. 9. I have brought this matter to the attention of represen­ tatives as I realize the difficulties which delegations have met because of these factors. However, since we are approaching the end of the session, may I make a very earnest appeal that the Main Committees complete their work by the date agreed upon so that the session can close on Tuesday, 19 December.

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their vote before the vote.

With regard to the financing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East, the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam wishes to reaffirm the position of its Government on that question, namely, that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam declines all responsibility with respect to the financing of those United Nations forces. 13. Therefore, the delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam declares that it will not participate in the vote on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in part II of its report, submitted to the General Assembly in document A/33/346/Add.l and relating to the financing of UNEF and UNDOF.

For reasons which we have explained and made known on previous occasions whenever a vote has been taken concerning the financing of the United Nations forces in the Middle East, the delegation of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania reiterates once again that it will not take part in the financing of those forces for the period from 1 to 7 December 1978 inclusive, and that the Albanian delegation will vote against the draft resolution contained in document A/33/346/Add.l.

My delegation has already had occasion to state its position, both in the Fifth Committee and in plenary meetings, during consideration of the report of the Fifth Committee on item 113(a) and (b), concerning the fi­ nancing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East. 16. For the reasons already stated, which remain valid, my delegation cannot participate in the vote on the draft resolution before us.

The delegation of Iraq wishes to give the reasons why it objects to the draft resolution relating to the financing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East: it is because we feel that this draft resolution is not in keeping with the provisions of the Charter and the principles of justice. A distinction should be drawn between the aggressor and the victim. Furthermore, it is a question of indirect or implicit recognition of the aggression and its results. Is it fair, is it just, that the peoples of the world should be held responsible for the results of the aggression of the Zionist entity ? The delegation of Iraq reaffirms, as it has done in the past, the principle according to which the aggressor should assume responsibility for the consequences of its aggression.

The delegation of the People's Republic of Benin has

The Assembly will now take a vote on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 7 of part II of its report [A/33j346lAdd.l]. 20. A separate vote has been requested on the part of operative paragraph 1 relating to the authorization for the Secretary-General to enter into commitments for UNEF to a total amount not to exceed $1,456,000 for the period from 1 to 7 December 1978 inclusive. If I hear no objection, 1 shall put to the vote that part of operative paragraph 1. A recorded vote has been requested.

I now put to the vote the draft resolution entitled "Fi­ nancing of the United Nations Emergency Force and of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force" as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.

As representatives will recall, the decision to postpone con­ sideration of this item was taken by the General Assembly at its 52nd plenary meeting, on 17 November 1978. The revised draft resolution is contained in document A/33/ L.9/Rev.2. 23. 1 now call on the representative of the Congo, who wishes to introduce the revised draft resolution.

On behalf of the African group of States, and before we take a decision on draft resolution A/33/L.9/Rev.2, I wish to say that we feel that this text needs hardly to be introduced at all. It is the fruit of consultations with the other groups. 25. Everyone fully appreciates the need for proper and effective co-operation between the world Organization and the Organization of African Unity [OAU]. Since the text is the result of various suggestions that went into its formula­ tion, we hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus.

We shall now take a decision on draft resolution A/33/ L.9/Rev.2 entitled "Co-operation between the United * Resumed from the 52nd meeting. 3 For resolution 33/13 A see the 44th meeting, para. 93.

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote after the vote.

In explaining its vote after the vote, the delegation of the German Democratic Republic would like to reaffirm its full agreement with the draft resolution. We attach great importance to the intensification of that co-operation. Positive response to the demands contained in operative paragraphs 4 and 14 to intensify the efforts for the final elimination of colonialism, racism and apartheid and to expand assistance to the national liberation movements in Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa is of high priority for the liberation of the African continent. 29. The activities of the OAU to strengthen the co­ operation among the African States and peoples and to resolve the urgent problems of the continent are highly appreciated in the German Democratic Republic. In view of the powerful movement of the African peoples towards national, political and economic independence, the impor­ tance of the OAU is growing. It is obvious that the strengthening of African unity on an anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist basis is a thorn in the side of certain quarters, which seek to counteract this process by various manoeuvres. Is it not surprising that precisely those forces which give massive support to the racist regimes in southern Africa and have maintained military bases on African soil for decades suddenly speak of non-interference in the internal affairs of the African States and peoples? There­ fore, vigilance is required. 30. My country fully supports the African peoples in their determination to eradicate, once and for all, the vestiges of colonial and racist exploitation and oppression, and freely to determine their development in peace and security, free from outside interference. The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Chairman of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic, Erich Honecker, reaffirmed in his message to the fifteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU: " . . . t h a t t h e G e r m a n D e m o c r a t i c R e p u b l i c , f a i t h f u l t o the principles of its socialist foreign policy, will continue to stand firmly by the side of the African States and peoples in their just struggle for national and social liberation."

The United States fully appreciates the important role that regional organizations can play in promoting international peace and co-operation in an increasingly interdependent world. Con­ sequently the United States is pleased to take this occasion to reaffirm its respect for the OAU and for the efforts the OAU has made in promoting political and economic co-operation among its member States. In particular, the United States fully supports efforts of the OAU to negotiate peaceful solutions to conflicts in Africa. 33. The United States is pleased to join in the consensus on draft resolution A/33/L.9/Rev.2. However, with ref­ erence to paragraph 6, the position of the United States on resolutions adopted at the sixth special session remains unchanged. The United States has reservations on paragraph 14, for reasons which are well known. The United States believes that the increased politicization of the specialized agencies undermines their effectiveness in performing the technical and humanitarian functions for which they were established. We believe the United Nations and the special­ ized agencies should offer assistance to the people of southern Africa, not to liberation movements as organiza­ tions.

On behalf of the European Community and its member States, 1 wish to express our appreciation to the sponsors of draft resolution A/33/L.9/Rev.2 for having made a consensus possible under this item. 35. Although individual members of the European Com­ munity continue to have reservations regarding the resolu­ tions referred to in operative paragraph 6, the nine mem­ bers of the Community consider that in a matter of such importance as the co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU it was appropriate to adopt this draft resolution by consensus.

The French delegation endorses the general philosophy of the draft resolution just adopted, which is directed at greater co-operation between the United Na­ tions and the OAU. However, if the text had been put to a vote, while we value certain improvements made to the initial draft, my delegation would have had some difficulty in supporting it. By comparison with last year's resolution [resolution 32/19], the present text contains new pro­ visions which, in our opinion, fall properly under other agenda items and in respect of which we have strong reservations. 37. Miss FORT (United Kingdom): My delegation, of course, favours close co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU. Indeed my Government itself seeks to maintain close co-operation with the OAU. Therefore we have traditionally supported resolutions of the Assembly on this subject. We were pleased to do so again today.

Although the Canadian delegation associated itself with the consensus that has just emerged on item 29 for obvious reasons of solidarity with the OAU, we must nevertheless state certain reservations on two aspects of the resolution. First, as regards paragraph 6, my delegation's position on certain resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, and in particular some of those adopted at the sixth special session on the establishment of a new international economic order, compels us to enter certain reservations. Secondly, paragraph 14 also causes us certain difficulties. It was our impression at one point that an agreement had been reached whereby a compromise for­ mula could have been arrived at for the paragraph, and we regret that that agreement was not maintained. My delega­ tion wishes to make it absolutely clear that the reference to liberation movements recognized by the OAU can be understood only in the sense of an appeal for humanitarian aid to those organizations.

I wish to announce that we have received draft resolutions A, B and C in document A/33/L.11 on agenda item 31, "Question of Palestine". The sponsors of these draft resolutions have asked to be allowed to introduce them at this meeting so that delegations would then have time to study them before they are subsequently considered and voted upon. 40. I call on the representative of Sri Lanka to introduce the draft resolutions on behalf of the sponsors.

It is my privilege as Chairman of the group of non-aligned countries to in­ troduce draft resolutions A, B and C in document A/33/L.11. 42. The question of Palestine was inherited by the United Nations over three decades ago. Since then this question has remained before this body without a solution. It is the historical duty of the United Nations to find a solution to this problem. On behalf of the sponsors of these draft resolutions I wish to express our grave concern that no just solution to this problem has yet been achieved. This problem continues to aggravate the Middle East conflict, of which it certainly is the core, and also to endanger international peace and security. 43. I would add that the solutions to the problems of Palestine and that of the Middle East are indivisible and that the solution of one of those problems cannot be achieved without the solution of the other. And just solution to these problems cannot be achieved except on the basis of the attainment of the inalienable rights of the 45. On behalf of the sponsors I wish to reiterate their regret and concern that recommendations of the Com­ mittee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People which were endorsed by the General Assembly have still not been implemented. It is essential that the recommendations which have been endorsed by this General Assembly be implemented if the effectiveness of this Organization is to become a reality. 46. The sponsors also wish to express to the Committee their appreciation of its efforts in performing the task assigned to it by the General Assembly. It is also our wish that the Committee should continue to exert every effort to promote the implementation of its recommendations. 47. Draft resolution C deals with the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights, which was set up in accordance with paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 32/40 B, adopted last year. That Special Unit has functioned for only a few months. It is necessary that the Unit be 49. It is also my duty to express the appreciation of the entire Sri Lanka delegation for the untiring and invaluable efforts of the Secretary-General with regard to the Palestine problem. 50. The draft resolutions in document A/33/L.11 are self-explanatory and have been sponsored by the members of the working group of non-aligned countries on the question of Palestine. It is my privilege to mention also that they have received wide sponsorship. Indeed, they have been supported by the Arab countries and many other groups. I commend these draft resolutions for the Assembly's con­ sideration and general acceptance.

As the draft resolutions now before us have financial implica­ tions the vote will take place only when the relevant report of the Fifth Committee is available to us.