A/34/PV.20 General Assembly

Mr. President I should like, on behalf of my Government, to welcome you warmly and to express my hope that the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly under your leadership will be successful in its work. 35. On behalf of my Government, I should like to ~8. In recent years significant changes have occurred In the Near East. 59, .A popula~ revolution has triumphed in Af- gh.amstan, but It h~s still to fight counter-revolution- anes and the foreign forces. w~ich ~ssist them. My 90vemm~nt expresses Its solIdanty With the revolution In Afghanistan and stands at its side in its hard struggle. ?o. Present-day developments point to an increas- !ngly active participation of Latin American countries m the struggle for a democratic and independent pattern of political and economic development. We welcome the democratic changes in Nicaragua and reject any manoeuvres designed to impose on that country arrangements alien to the interests of the people. It is for the long-suffering Nicaraguan people to choose the path they wish to follow. ?1. ~Che ~ung~r:ian Government continues to pledge lt~ s~lId~ty WIth the Arab peoples fighting for the e~lmInatI0!1 ~f tile conseq~ences of the Israeli aggres- Sion, and IS In favour of a Just and lasting settlement of the Middle East. The separate peace treaty between Egypt and IsraeF disregards the concerns of the Arab peoples, tends to increase tension in the region and is a source of new conflicts. That is why we refuse to accept ~he sepa~ate peace treaty and oppose the effort to have It recogmzed by the United Nations. Ajust and lasting settlement can be .brought about only with the equal participation ofall the interested parties, including the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO], and that set- tlement should ensure the right of the Palestinian Arab people to establish a State of their own. 62. The recent Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries in Havana was a true reflection of the increasing role being played by the non-aligned movement in shaping international political life. Following the movement's traditions, the meeting of Heads of State and Government once again raised its voice against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism and racism, and in favour of disarma- ment. The Hungarian Government supports the just aspirations of the non-aligned movement and agrees with the substance of the Havana Declaration.

On behalf of my country, I have the honour of extending my most sincere con- gratulations to Mr. Salim on his election as President of the thirty-fourth session ofthe General Assembly. I am sure that his choice for this important post reflects the international community'S appreciation ofhis qualities, which we have observed in his discharge of the func- tions ofPermanent Representative ofhis country. They are qualities, that have been reflected in his very wise conduct of the chainnanship of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the' Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and in the important role which he played in bringing about justice and truth in southern Africa and Palestine while he represented 7 Treaty of Peace between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel. signed lit Washington on 26 March 1979. 63. My Government is increasingly concerned over some of the alarming phenomena occurring in the world economy which are manifest in no small measure in the protectionist and discriminatory tendencies of the de- veloped capitalist countries and the international monopolies. We find it unacceptable that the capitalist countries should be shifting the burden of solutions to their intemal economic problems to other countries, particularly those which are economically less developed. shoul~ also make clear the close relations between in- ternatIOnal economic and political processes on the one hand, and the internal and external conditions of economic growth on the other. 65. As I have had several occasions to state from this rostrum, ~y Government c:onsiders it necessary that the effectiveness of the Umted Nations should be en- hanced. We appreciate the significant personal efforts made towards that goal by the Secretary-General Mr ~urt Waldheim, whom we had the pleasure ofwel~om~ Illg to Hungary last July. The Charter of the United Nations contains numerous possibilities that have not yet been sufficiently used to that end, We still hold that th~ ~rovisions of ~he Ch~rter on the purposes and pnnclpl~s ofthe, Umted NatIOns, as well as on its organs and their functIOns, provide an appropriate basis for perfonning the tasks incumbent upon us. 66. The constant and considerable increase in the United Nations budget is a matter ofconcern. We think that effective measures should be taken to reduce the rate of increase in expenditure. 67. It is with these reflections in mind that I have sought to outline my Government's position on some of the major international issues before the General As- sembly. We hope that the work ofthe present session of the United Nations General Assembly will live up to our expectations and that the world Organization will contribute substantially to the realization of the ardent wish of all of us to establish firmly lasting international peace and security, 69. We should also like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to Mr. Salim's predecessor, Mr. Indalecio Lievano, who conducted the proceedings of the last session of the General Assembly so successfully. 70. We should also like to congratulate Saint Lucia, which has just been admitted to membership in our Organization.. 71. On behalf of the delegation of United Arab Emi- rates I should like to express again our respect and appreciation to Mr. Kurt Waldheim for his efforts to achieve the primary objective for which the United Nations was founded: namely, the safeguarding of in- ternational peace and security. The Secretary-General has been consistent in his efforts and has carried out a number of visits to various parts of the world, the results of which have been reflected in the excellent report he has submitted to us on the work of the Organi- zation [A/34/1]. In spite of the positive results that have affected international life in certain areas, the main feature of the report is the profound concern we all feel about the fate of mankind because of a continued ab- sence of democracy ip. international life and the persist- ence of economic and social injustice in the world today. 72. A review of the international situation-whether from the political or the economic standpoint-since the previous session of the General Assembly, hardly gives grounds for optimism, for, on the political scene, we unfortunately see certain dangerous trends emerg- ing that might reactivate certain aspects ofthe cold war and lead to a deterioration of the situation in certain parts of the world. This derives from the failure to achieve real progress in solving serious international problems by eradicating their causes, and from a failure to respect the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 73. The Middle East, of which we are a part, is still far from real peace, in spite of the efforts that have been made both inside and outside the United Nations. 74. Our delegation would like to reaffirm that we are profoundly convinced of the truth, accepted by the international community as a whole, that the cause of the Palestinian people is at the very core of the Middle East problem and that there can be no settlement ofthe Israeli-Arab conflict without a global settlement of the Palestinian question. We believe that that settlement should be based on the following: first, Israel's with- drawal from all occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, and secondly, the recognition ofthe inalien- able rights of the Palestinian people, particularly its rights to return, to self-determination, to have an inde- pendent State and to recover its sovereignty over its territory. We also believe that the PLO, which we con- sider to be the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, should participate in all efforts to settle this question in conformity with the right of 75: In the light of all these facts and principles we reJectC?d the Camp David agreements8 and the Israeli- EgyptIan peace treaty because those agreements disre- gard these facts and principles. 76. The barbarous attacks of Israel upon southern I.:e~anon, the victims of which are Lebanese and Pales- tlmans, are of profound concern to us, because they are a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Le~an?n. They also threaten the Palestinian people, whIch IS menaced by total extermination. We address an appeal to the international community to adopt all measur.es necessary to compel Israel to comply with the re.solutlOns of the Security Council that demand its Withdrawal from all Lebanese territory. 7~. The development of ev~nts in southern Mrica, in Zimbabwe and Namibia, are of profound concern to us because we think that the racist minority is still trying to p~rp~tuate its domination and to trample underfoot the dlgmty ofthe peoples ofthat region and to subjectthem to domination. 78. In South Mrica, the racist Government continues to establish bantustans and to apply the policy of apartheid. 79. In Namibia, the racist regime ofSouth Africacon- tinues to create obstacles and great difficulties in order to prevent the United Nations from participating in the process of ensuring independence for that people and thus enabling it to exercise its right to self- determination under the leadership of the SWAPO, its only legitimate representative. 80. In Zimbabwe, Ian Smith and his supporters among the racist white minority, continue to subvert any effort made and any conference convened for the settlement of the problem in that region under tile lead- ership of the Patriotic Front, the sole legitimate rep' resentative of that people. 81. We are convinced that we should increase mate- rial and moral assistance for the African liberation movements until their regions are liberated from the yoke of colonialism and the domination of the racist minority. The United Arab Emirates have always given assistance to the liberation movements, and we shall continue to do so until such time as colonialism and racism have been eradicated from the area. 82. The report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization contains another disappointment on an important question that has concerned the United Nations for a long time: the question of Cyprus. The breaking-off of negotiations between the two Cypriot communities is a source of concern with regard to the future security of this island. We can only hope for the resumption of serious negotia~ions betwe~n the r~p­ resentatives of the Greek Cypnot and Turkish Cypnot 8 A Framework for Peace in the Middle East, Agreed at Camp David and Framework for the Conclusion ofa Peace Treaty between Egypt'and Israel, signed at Washington on 17 September 1978. 83. The Unit~d Arab Emirates has declared on many occasions that It welcomes the creation of nuclear-free zones. Our State has also supported, since its indepen- dence, the United Nations Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace [resolution 2832 (XXVI)] so that rivalry between the great Powers may be eliminated from that region to which we belong. We have also co-operated diligently and faithfully with our neighbours to bring stability and security to that area. 84. We followed with great interest the long and tedi- ous negotiations of the Third United Nations Confer- ence on the Law of the Sea, and we hope that at the forthcoming session it will be possible to carry out the programme of action that was drafted at the eighth session,9 so that next year we can have a convention on the law of the sea. 85. The tenth special session of the General Assem- bly, devoted to disarmament, showed the importance that the peoples and Governments of the world attach to this important subject. This subject is intimately linked with the primary objective that led to the crea- tion ofthe United Nations, namely the safeguarding of international peace and security. It is no longer possible to continue to live in a climate ofnuclear terror, nor is it possible any longer to remain silent about the vast resources that are being wasted on armaments at a time when mankind is in dire need of all those resources for purposes of economic and social development. While the tenth special session was very difficult and the negotiations highly complex, it Can be said that its re- sults constitute a first step on the long road that should lead to general and complete disarmament. The Final Document adopted by consensus at the end ofthe spe- cial session [resolution S- 10/2] stipulates a strategy for disarmament, which will help guide us in all our efforts to this end in the years to come. The special session also recommended the creation ofan international organiza- tion to deal with disarmament questions in all their aspects, and we hope that the next special session to be held on tllis subject will make even more progress in order to clear the way for the holding ofa world disarm- ament conference in which all the States of the world will participate and which should be prepared for in such a way as to guarantee its success. 86. We welcome the most recent agreement con- cluded between the United States and the Soviet Union on the limitation of strategic armaments, the treaty resulting from the second stage of SALT negotiations. 87. Since the thirty-third session of the United Na- tions General Assembly, economic problems have grown more complex daily and the gap between de- veloped and developing countries has become wider and deeper. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer because of the refusal of the developed countries to participate in serious negotiations to create a new, just and equitable economic system. 88. The current economic systems are no longer ade- quate. Consequently, it has become necessary to 89. In order to provide radical solutions to interna- tional economic problems, we must find just solutions to a certain number ofproblems, the most important of which are the indexing of primary commodity prices of exports from the developing countries to the developed countries, and in tum, the establishment of equitable prices for the manufactured goods imported by the developing countries from the industrialized countries. International trade problems should also be settled by alleviating the protectionist policies pursued by the in- dustrialized countries, which prevent the products of the developing countries from reaching markets. There are also the problems of the transfer of technology, of increased and diversified industrial productivity and of limiting the control transnational societies exercise over the natural resources of the developing countries. There must also be a drastic solution of financial and monetary questions because the present monetary sys- tem obstructs financial and monetary relations between States. The present system has created distortions in the balance of payments of the developing countries and has increased the rate ofinflation in those countries because the developed countries export inflation; it has also caused a deterioration in exchange rates, which has forced the developing countries to limit their de- velopment programmes and has imposed on them a heavy burden of indebtedness. 90. The phenomenon of famine, rife in developing countries, is a source of great concern and should be promptly alleviated through ajoint international effort, so people suffering from hunger may be adequately fed. 91. We believe that the international community should intensify its negotiating efforts within the con- text of the North-South dialogue in order to devise a new formula for a new international economic order based on right, justice and equity. We hope that the next special session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will be held in 1980, will provide the opportunity for the realization of this objective. 92. The United Arab Emirates wishes to reaffirm that it will continue to fulfil its responsibilities to the interna- tional community and the third-world countries who believe in collective efforts and true international co- operation aimed at establishing a new international so- ciety based on the principles ofjustice and peace.

On behalf of my Government, I should like to congratulate Mr. Salim on his election as Presi- dent of the thirty-fourth regular session of the General Assembly. Our Organization has thereby attempted to acknowledge the debt it owes to his country, the United Republic ofTanzania, and its illustrious President, Mr. JulIus Nyerere, in the lengthy struggle for the decoloni- zation of Africa, a task that entailed many risks. In Mr. Salim we recognize the continuity of that tradition of struggle for freedom and self-determination of peoples. In the Special Committee on decolonization, we have seen him as a leader of the decoIonization movement 94. On behalf of the Government of Colombia, I should also like to extend a fraternal welcome to Saint Lucia, the beautiful Caribbean island that has just . achieved full independence. It enters the United Na- tions in its own nght, as it has entered our regional group, the Organization of American States. In both organizations, we hope to co-operate with it for the success of our endeavours. We offer it our support in order that its international role may be commensurate with its people's just deserts. 95. The thirty-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly is convening against a background ofcontradictory signs and ofthreats to world peace. No one can ignore the efforts this Organization has made to preserve security in various continents and its tireless striving to avert conflicts that would inevitably have led to new hostilities. However, speaking objectively, we should note that the United Nations must seek to re- cover the initiative in and responsibility for the mainte- nance of peace on the five continents of the world. lest all that does not partake ofthe spirit of the Charter and that is undertaken without reference to the competence ofUnited Nations bodies should subsequently occasion fresh difficulties on the road of understanding and concord. 96. This is why in my statement to the Assembly last year lO I emphasized the importance of strengthening the Organization as the nerve-centre of major world decisions. In pursuit of that policy, I now wish to pre- sent some views, on behalf of Colombia, on how the functioning of the world Organization might be strengthened in a creative spirit. 97. First, my country continues to view with concern the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, an area now being shaken by new and disturbing signs ofstrife. We believe that peace in the region must be sought through the United Nations system and that it must be based on over-all solutions in accordance with the spirit of the oft-reaffirmed Security Council resolutions. These so- lutions can only lead to progress to the extent that they include the full recognitIOn of the rights of the Palestin- ian people to a sovereign territory. This situation is analogous in many respects to that which Israel faced in 1947. 98. Accordingly, the initiative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Kurt WaIdheim, to convene a special conference with the participation of all parties con- cerned on the basis of equality is a step forward which should be supported and adopted by the present session of the General Assembly. The indefinite postponement of this problem has brought grave difficulties to the countries of the Middle East, and the call for a just solution deserves universal attention, as does the future status of Jerusalem, a city holy to three of the world's major monotheistic religions. 99. Together with the Middle East, we must em- phasize with anxiety the tragic condition of the people of South Africa, where a systematic crime against the indigenous populations is being perpetuated in the sys- 100. The independence of Namibia and an ap- propriate solution to the problem of Zimbabwe'are also matters of. particular concern. 10 I. Colombia has for some time observed that Arti- cle 2, paragraph 3, of the Charter, which makes the pacific settlement of disputes mandatory, has not yet been the subject of orderly development offering pos- sibilities for settlement in many conflicts. The world is aware that the problems of our times stem from a com- bination ofeconomic, political and social factors which do not always lend themselves to solutions by law. Possibly, the branch of international relations in which there has beel1' the least progress is the settlement of disputes by peaceful means. Both the International Court ofJustice and the Permanent Court ofArbitration tend to be kept at one remove from the difficulties which they were intended to solve and for which they were established. It would therefore be a proper task for this Assembly, in pursuance of the imperatives of the Charter, to promote a current of world opinion aimed at devising new and imaginative machinery for the settlement ofdisputes. Colombia views with favour and lends its support to the initiative ofthe Government of Austria to establish a centre for research and concili- ation which could by its flexible character contribute to the direct settlement of disputes which might arise in future. This plan has been discussed previously in the Assembly but, while there might have been doubts in the past as to its desirability, world security today de- mands more expeditious and manageable instruments which can be resorted to so as to reconcile conflicting positions and prevent the deterioration of relations among States. 102. Colombia has been an advocate of furthering the work on the review of the Charter. efforts on which have yielded only hesitant conclusions. However, without prejudice to continuing this work, a decision by the General Assembly to create new machinery for investigation and conciliation together with new im- aginative approaches to the mediation of international conflicts is not only a timely task but also a very promis- ing one. 103. Our country is finnly convinced that the interna- tional crisis we are going through is directly related to the stagnation of programmes for a new international economic order, which the United Nations itself has proclaimed as an undertaking of the Organization and made into a norm of conduct for its Member Govern- ments. It is obvious that the North~South dialogue, which began with so much optimism, has only given rise to new frustrations. As its last session in Manila UNCTAD once again brought to light the Jack ofunder- standing of the industrialized countries vis-a.-vis the demands of the third world, and we must not hide the 104. With regard to the law of the sea, the intransi- gence of some Powers has complicated the task of drawing up a harmonious and just code for the use ofthe oceans. Each time the Third United Nations Confer- ence on the Law of the Sea is convened, we hear in ever stronger terms the voices of those countries which dis- regard the achievements ofthe small and medium-sized countries, achievements which had seemed secure, such as the 200-mile limit ofsovereignty over economic resources. With respect to the sea-bed authority, the distribution of powers now claimed dampens our hopes that the future treaty could become a true instrument for the decolonization of the seas. 105. With reference to the question of price-support machinery for commodities, such as coffee and sugar, the major consumers are reluctant to support its opera- tion, which, coupled with the new obstacles to trade in commodities from developing countries, is rendering the world distribution of power increasingly unfair. To that we must add the dwindling financial potential of international bodies devoted to promoting co- operation, which earmark disproportionate sums for administrative expenditures with the concomitant de- cline in aid programmes. 106. The demand by the equatorial countries that the synchronous geostationary orbit should become part of the resources falling within their full competence, a point on which Colombia reaffirms its full solidarity with the countries of the area, has been persistently rejected by certain Powers, which wish in the matter of outer space as with the use of the seas to reserve re- sources for their exclusive use. 107. This review of developments which point to a grave deterioration of international co-operation in re- cent times leads to the conclusion that the concept of the new intemationaleconomic order is still nothing more than an aspiration which is frustrated at every step. 108. To this negative balance-sheet of international co-operation. which sows mistrust in relations between the affluent nations and the third world, we must add the energy crisis, which has dealt its hardest blows to the small and medium-sized countries. 109. At the Meeting of Heads ofState or Government held in Caracas during the term of office of the distin- guished Venezuelan leader Mr. Luis Herrera Camplns, on the initiative ofMr. Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, Presi- dent of Colombia, the following statement was made: "Let us avail ourselves of this opportunity to ad- dress an appeal to the petroleum-producing countries and to the entire world concerning the need to establish without delay appropriate machinery to permit a logical application ofthe price of petroleum and its derivatives. Our position is not one ofopposi- tion to the establishment of just prices. On the con- trary, we need such prices for our products. But we take exception openly with arbitrary price-fixing and an indiscriminate increase in the price of petroleum, 110. The Caracas declaration, from which I have just quoted, was signed on 12 March 1979 by the Presidents of Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, as well as by the Head of Government of Spain. The views expressed referred to the urgency of seeking, at an intemationallevel, machinery to render less difficult the fulfilment ofdevelopment programmes for countries which lack petroleum and therefore face critical difficulties. Ill. It is worth while emphasizing, in addition, the view expressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Mr. Jose Alberto Zambrano, in the state- ment he made at the Sixth Conference ofHeads ofState or Government of Non-Aligned Countries at Havana: ..As countries members of OPEC, I J we are fully aware of the imperative need for new initiatives and strategies of preferential co-operation with the de- veloping countries, and this matter will have special priority at the next meeting of OPEC to be held in Caracas at the end of this year". 112. President Jose Lopez Portillo of Mexico also discussed the desirability of adopting, within the framework of the United Nations, a new policy with respect to energy sources, especially petroleum [see JIth meeting]. All these statements buttress and under- score the urgent need for the General Assembly itselfto take steps and provide guidelines in order to deal with the major problem now burdening the developing world. I [3. With reference to Latin America, we must welcome as an important development the creation of the Junta of National Reconstruction as the new Gov- ernment of Nicaragua established in the wake of the heroic victory which overthrew the Somoza dictator- ship, a development that was endorsed by the General Assembly itselfat its last session [see resolution 33/76] in response to charges of human lights violations brought by the Governments of Colombia and Ven- ezuela. The tragic events which the Nicaraguan people have endured compel us to reiterate the appeal made to all countries to contribute to the task of national recon- struction in a spirit ofauthentic international solidarity. 114. The signing in Panama on I October of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties restoring sovereignty over the Canal Zone to the RepUblic of Panama should be hailed as a genuine triumph for free peoples. 115. Perhaps the most important political develop- ment this year in South America was the strengthening of the Andean subregional group, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. This consti- tutes an important step towards economic integration and encourages joint action vis-a.-vis various interna- tional organizations. The Andean Group, created by the Cartagena Agreement, 12 is. perhaps the best exam- II Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Il Agreement for Subregional Integration. done at Bogota on 26 May 1969. 116. The appeal I am making on behalfof the Govern- ment of Colombia for the creation of machinery to develop the mandate of the Charter in the sphere of the peaceful settlement ofdisputes, the urgent need for the United Nations fully to exercise the responsibility for the maintenance of peace that rightfully falls to it, the importance of furthering the new international economic order in the domain ofpossible achievements and the urgency of arriving at a common policy with respect to the critical energy situation are all things that are not only the aspirations of my country but also undertakings of the United Nations, which should un- derstand the new path it must follow so that economic and social conditions in the world will not trigger a new conflagration of unforseeable dimensions. 117. For confidence in the future of the Organization to be renewed, as it must be, what is required today is steadfastness and boldness in the quest for a new sys- tem of international relations. Because of its urgency, this is something that should be the subject ofparticular attention by all countries, and it is something which Colombia repeatedly advocates. 118. World peace requires that a supreme effort be made to narrow disparities in development among na- tions and to ensure that policies based on power alone give way to an order in which human dignity and the fundamental rights of peoples are guaranteed by law. To that end, Colombia, as a deeply democratic country, offers its loyal co-operation.

I am happy to extend to you, Sir, on my own behalfand on behalf ofthe delegation of the King- dom of Morocco, our most sincere congratulations on your election as President ofthe thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly. We consider your election as an honour conferred on our continent of Africa and a trib- ute to your well-known quality and abilities. We are sure that your political experience will be ofthe greatest benefit to you in directing the work of this session with the requisite wisdom and impartiality so that it may successfully participate in the consolidation of peace and justice throughout the world. 120. I should also like to commend your predecessor, Mr. Indalecio Lievano, for his wise actions during his presidency of our previous session, and to welcome Saint Lucia, whose membership in the United Nations will help to strengthen the universal character of our Organization. 121. I also have pleasure in thanking the Secretary- General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, for his unceasing en- deavours in the cause ofjustice and for the realization of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. l22. The political horizon ofour world is still clouded with elements of tension and unrest arising from at- tempts made by certain States which, to satisfy selfish interests, continue to impose political and doctrinal hegemony, persist in abusing the rights of peoples and 124. The major political and economic Powers in the world are still striving to retain their privileged position at the expense ofother regions ofthe world. This policy of hegemony has, unfortunately, been transmitted to some other nations which have recently started to practise it on a regional scale, which in no way lessens Its dangerous effects. 125. After enduring the worst kinds of exploitation and colonial rule, and with some of its southern tem- tories still struggling under the burden of racist and colonial regimes, our African continent, with its wounds still unhealed, is once again suffering from the evils of foreign intervention and attempts to impose regional hegemony and destabilization ofits countries. 126. The continent ofAsia is also suffering from simi- lar onslaughts in its far eastern and central regions. In its western region, the problem of the Middle East puts this area in the first rank among areas of international tension throughout the world. 127. As part of the Arab nation, Morocco has con- stantly shown the greatest concern for this problem and is giving its full attention to the question of Palestine, which lies at the heart of the conflict in the Middle East region as a whole. 128. The political and humanitarian dimensions of the question of Palestine constitute a blatant example of international political injustice and provide a clear il- lustration of Israel's contempt for human rights and its violation of the principles and resolutions of the inter- national community. 129. Indeed, the question of Palestine has, in recent years, witnessed a significant and fundamental change brought about by the recognition given by most countries of the world to the inalienable national rights of the struggling Palestinian people and, primarily, to their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent State on their land, and the wide international recognition given to the FLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. J30. In spite of this international consensus I Israel is still persisting in its aggressive policy against this long- suffering people and in its policy ofcolonial settlements on Palestinian land and the physical liquidation of the sons of this embattled people. 13 l. The Kingdom of Morocco strongly condemns the Israeli policy of aggression, which finds. c~ncrete expression in the infringement of every prIncIple of international law, ethics and conventions, and in the most serious violation of human rights, and of the principles and precepts of international relations. t~e resolutions adopted by the internatio~al comm~­ OIty. the most recent of which was Secunty Council resolution 446 ( 1979) concerning settlements. 133. Morocco wishes to draw the attention of the international community to the far-reaching and serious dimensions of the recent Israeli decision to pennit its nationals to purchase Arab land in Palestine. This deci- sion is only a screen to disguise Israel's new criminal plan designed to consolidate its policy ofcolonial settle- ment throughout the land ofPalestine in preparation for the Judaization and complete transfonnation ofthe hu- man and cultural identity of this Holy Land. 134. This measure should be immediately censured and condemned by the international community and tangible. practical steps should be taken to render it ineffective before it leads to a fait accompli that Israel will exploit in order to further consolidate its ex- pansionist policy. 135. The Kingdom of Morocco, which regards the question of Palestine and the Middle East as its first concern, reaffirms its commitment to support the Pales- tinian people and the Arab States, part of whose terri- tory has been subjected to Zionist occupation, and reit- erates its commitment to the resolutions ofthe Seventh Conference of Arab Heads of State, held at Rabat in 1974, of which Morocco considers itself to be the trustee, and to the resolutions of the Baghdad Conference. 13 136. On the basis of these resolutions, Morocco be- lieves that any partial solution not including complete Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories and, primarily, the holy city ofJerusalem, and rec08ni- tion of the inalienable rights ofthe Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their own independent State in Palestine, will be rejected since, by its very nature, it would not meet the requiremenls for peace, which can only be established in the Middle East on the basis of a just and comprehensive solution. 137. My country had the honour to host the Tenth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in the city of Fez last May, and subsequently had the honour to welcome the meeting of the Jerusalem Committee, presided over by His Majesty King Hassan II. 138. Those two important Islamic meetings resulted in an overwhelming Islamic consensus in which the I) See document A/33/400. 146. In keeping with its standard practice, Morocco 140. In the face of Israel's persistent defiance of all these resolutions and its violation of the purposes and principles ofthe Charter, we call for preventive meas- ures to be .imposed against it in accordance with Chap- ter VII of the Charter. 141. It is with extreme concern that Morocco is fol- lowing the repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which have recently assumed the fonn of the occupation, either directly or by proxy, of its southern territory. Morocco 'most strongly censures and condemns the barbarous raids which the Zionist regime is launching on the towns and villages of Lebanon, and which con- stitute a serious and continuous threat to peace in the Middle Eastern region as a whole. Morocco reaffinns its full solidarity with the people of Lebanon in their ordeal. and its desire to see that Lebanon is fully inde- pendent and sovereign and that its territorial integrity is safeguarded. 142. The African continent, which, during the past two centuries, witnessed the worst fonns of colonial exploitation, is even today suffering from the adverse effects ofcolonial dependence which bequeathed to the land of Africa an enduring legacy of chronic economic backwardness, ignorance and political fragmentation. 143. Southem Africa is still suffering under the burden ofodious racist, colonial regimes and is waging heroic wars of liberation in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. 144. While saluting the southern African peoples' just struggle for emancipation and liberation, we reiterate our firm resolve to continue to provide their liberation movements with every kind of aid and support. As a dedicated proponent of dialogue and negotiation, Morocco hopes that the current negotiations in London will result in a solution which will guarantee the inalien- able right of the people of Zimbabwe, represented by the Patriotic Front, to full independence and elimina- tion of all vestiges of the racist regime. 145. Pending the achievement ofthis desired solution, Morocco declares its solidarity with the front-line 147. With regard to Namibia, which is still subjected to an illegal occupation and domination by the regime of Pretoria, Morocco salutes the struggle of SWAPO, the legitimate representative of the people of Namibia, and declares its continuing support for their struggle to achieve full independence and to preserve their territo- rial integrity, including Walvis Bay. which is an integral part of Namibia. 148. The problem ofdisarmament is still an increasing source of concern to mankind since the survival of the human race and the preservation of life itself on this planet depend on the fate ofthe enormous stockpiles of nuclear weapons and the future course of the frantic nuclear arms race. 149. While expressing our satisfaction at the results achieved by the tenth special session, devoted to dis- armament, by way of defining objectives and priorities and establishing the bodies needed for the achievement of full disannament, we feel that there is an urgent need for greater political will on the part of nuclear-weapon States in order to attain the goal of ridding mankind of the spectre of impending nuclear annihilation. 150. We are still inspired by the hope that the various committees responsible for monitoring this issue will be able to bring about the conclusion oftreaties prohibiting nuclear tests and the production of chemical and other lethal weapons which threaten the very survival of life on our planet. lSI. I should now like to touch on a matter of direct concern to my country which the Moroccan people regard as an issue affecting their destiny, namely the so-called question of the Western Sahara. for whose inclusion on the agenda of the General Assembly or of the Special Committee on decolonization we can see no justification, since the decolonization of this Territory has been completed in confonnity with the principles of international law. 152. I am convinced that the world will one day realize the true nature of this question and will learn that the problem has been fabricated with a view to the attainment of hegemonistic aims and the aims ofvested interests disguised behind the veil of the defence of principles. 153. It may be asked why this is an invented question. It is an invented question because everyone knows that the Sahara is a single geographical area extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and does not confer any ethnic identity of a special nature that could distin- gUish the inhabitants of the Sahara from the population of neighbouring States belonging to the same area. In effect, the Sahara only represents a natural geographi- cal prolongation of the States adjoining it to the north and south. There is a Moroccan Sahara, as there is a Mauritanian Sahara, a Malian Sahara, an Algerian Sa- hara, a Tunisian Sahara and other Saharas belonging to every State bordering on this desert. 155. I emphasize that history has never recorded the existence ofa Saharan people distinct from the peoples of the region. 156. The concept ofthe existence of a people in the Western Sahara was created by Spain. the State which colonized the Territory, and this colonial concept was subsequently resurrected, following the liberation of this land. for reasons relating to a policy of hegemony and expansion out of keeping with the purposes and principles or our Charter. 157. The inhabitants of the Territory are Moroccans who, after their liberation from the yoke ofcolonialism, have rejoined their homeland, and henceforth. no one can separate them from this homeland. 158. In this context I should like to recall certain facts relating to this matter. It is common knowledge that Morocco. because of its strategic location, was a coveted objective for many colonial Powers, and this finally led to the fragmentation of its territorial integrity and the partitioning of its lands into several zones of influence controlJed by more than one colonial Power. Hence, the elimination of colonialism from all of the territory of Morocco was accomplished in several stages and at different periods. 159. Morocco tried hard to recover its remainingterri- tories, which had been colonized by Spain and, when it realized that the latter country had resorted to a policy of prevarication and procrastination, it was obliged-in view of its desire to follow peaceful procedures-to refer the matter to the United Nations. In resolution 2072 (XX) adopted in 1965 the General Assembly did, in fact, request Spain to "enter into negotiations on the problems relating to sovereignty" in the Moroccan ter- ritories of Ifni and Spanish Sahara. 160. At the time, Spain turned a deaf ear to that re- quest and persisted in its policy ofprocrastination, after returning the Territory of Ifni to Morocco in 1969. until its manoeuvres reached a climax in 1974, when it de- clared before the United Nations that it intended to create an artificial entity in the Saharan Territory, which had always been Moroccan, with a view to keep- ing the spurious entity that it wished to create under its effective control. 161. There is no need to recall the successive stages through which this issue subsequently passed and which ended with the administering Power's giving in and consenting to the signing of an agreement on 14 November 1975 14 whereby the responsibility of Spain over this Territory would tenninate on 26 February 1976. 162. The return of the inhabitants of the Territory to their homeland was the result of a free act of will. 14 OfficiaLRecords ofthe Security COl/lldl, Thirtieth Year, Supple- ment for October. November and December /975, documenl 5/ 11880, annell III. 163. This free expression was a true and faithful im- plementation of General Assembly resolution 3458 B (XXX) of 10 December 1975 concerning this matter. It is well known that this resolution confirmed the tripartite agreement concluded at Madrid on 14 November 1975, under the terms of which all the pow- ers formerly exercised by the colonial autholities in the Territory were handed back to Morocco after negotia- tions, which had been called for by the Security Council of the United Nations. 164. When they were subsequently given the op- portunity, the population of the Territory ofRio de Oro gave free. spontaneous and impressive expression. in the presence of numerous observers and within sight and hearing of representatives of the international press, to their overwhelming desire to join the father- land. They officially confirmed this when the rep- resentatives of the Territory declared their attachment and loyalty to the Moroccan State by taking the oath of allegiance to His Majesty King Hassan II, the King of Morocco. 165. Having recovered its territorial unity, for which it strove and fought so long and for which it suffered so much at the hands of the colonialists, Morocco once again declares that it is still ready to make any sacrifice-however costly-to protect and defend its regained territorial integrity since, for every member of the Moroccan people, this is a sacrosanct issue and a matter ofdestiny on which there can be no going back and no bargaining. 166. We are deeply and utterly convinced of the justice and legitimacy of our cause. However, our firm resolve to defend our rights in no way means that we shall tum a deafear to the call of peace, since Morocco has always been an advocate of peace. We have often given proof of our full willingness to seek peace and ways of reaching a mutual understanding even with those who contest our right to recover our territorial integrity and who incite their agents to create a ficti- tious, artificial entity intended to constitute a focal- point of tension and instability in the region. 167. As an expression of Morocco's desire to over- come this fabricated problem, His Majesty King Has- san II, the King ofMorocco, in a letter addressed to the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity [OAU] on 28 August 1979, proposed the holding of a summit conference of Heads of State and Government of the countries bordering the Sahara, with a view to examining the measures to be taken for the achieve- ment of co-ordinated and joint economic development in keeping with the aspirations ofits peoples and for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the greater Saharan region, since the Sahara-as we have already indicated-is not confined to what used to be known as the Western Sahara, which was occupied by Spain, but extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. 169. Our proposal is aimed at overcoming the spuri- ous, artificial problem, which was created regarding the question of the Sahara, and calls for a future solution based on sound and true mutual co-operation. 170. We address this call for co-operation to the countries bordering on the Sahara. This vast sea of barren sand has always been a meeting ground for neighbouring countries and has never formed a banier between them. Trade between these bordering countries flourished throughout the ages prior to the colonial expansion, and the inhabitants of this region were linked by solid bonds and ties of ethnic, cultural, religious and economic relations until the advent of the colonial age, when these links were severed. We must now re-establish these links in the interest of the popu- lation ofthe region as a whole and within the framework of a comprehensive view of the future. Hence, in his proposal to the current Chairman of the OAD, His Majesty King Hassan II made the following point: "You will undoubtedly share our view that Africa is currently passing through a crucial stage in its quest for true economic and political emancipation. Instead ofdissipating our endeavours and our meager resources. both human and material, in an effort to solve spurious problems, we feel that it is necessary to devote ourselves fully to work which will ensure the harmonious development of Africa and a more comfortable life in keeping with the aspirations of all Africans, "In this perspective, and in order to co-ordinate our endeavours, we believe that a summit confer- ence, held under your chairmanship, and with the participation of Heads of State and Government of the countries bordering on the Sahara and of the esteemed members of the Committee of Wise Men, would constitute an effective contribution to the quest for this economic emancipation for which we all hope. Ifwe pool our human and material resources and set as a fundamental objective the general prosperity ofour continent within a context ofmutuaI assistance and fraternal co-operation, we will have proved to the whole world that we are able to manage our own affairs in a clear-sighted and perspicacious manner." 171. His Majesty also proposed that these countries should jointly formulate a plan that would enable land- locked countries such as Mali, Niger and Chad to have access to sea ports as a necessary benefit. In His Majes- ty's own words: ':We would thus also be able to jointly formulate a poltcy based on the right to utilize the sea. Such a right will be of vital importance for life and for the supply offood after the year 2000, yet many countries bordering on the Sahara are deprived ofthis right as a 173. One of the aims ofthe OAU is the promotion and encouragement of co-cperation among its members in all .fields throughout the continent, beginning at the regIOnal and local level, because this is the natural and practical way to achieve general continental co- operation. 174. This initiative on the part of Morocco offers a practical plan for co-operation within the framework of the African co-operation plan which is being promoted by our African organization. 175. In another broader context, this initiative might represent a connecting link that could give positive, concrete form to African-Arab co-operation and pro- vide new scope for joint and fruitful action, since it is common knowledge that one of the main objectives of the Declaration on Afro-Arab Co-operation 15 was to !1rge and encourage the Arab and African States to Implement as many joint projects as possible in order to strengthen and consolidate their mutual co-operation. To that end, a special committee was established, called the Standing Commission on Afro-Arab Co- operation, of which Morocco and most of the African countries concerned with this initiative are members. Consequently, this initiative will open up new vistas for African-Arab co-operation in a region which has until now been neglected. 176. This initiative could also be placed in a wider geo~raphicaJ context in which inter-African and Afncan-Arab co-operation would eventually benefit frof!l the results of European-Arab co-operation achIeved through the European-Arab dialogue. If this Moroccan initiative is faithfully implemented, it will tum this region into a natural meeting-point for such tripartite co-operation in which capital from one party would participate side by side with technical expertise from another party in the profitable development ofthe region's resources for the benefit and general good of the population of the region as a whole. 177. This initiative is in total harmony with the con- cept of co-operation between the African, Arab and European communities which was highly extolled by the President of the Republic of the Sudan, the former Chairman of the OAU. Indeed, it provides a practical opportunity for the implementation and realization of this concept in a tangible manner. ,178. This initiative is aimed, above all, at endowing mter~African co-operation with a lofty significance so tha~ It can stand as a model and a shining example of aSSIstance to help the land-locked countries of the re- gion obtain the right ofaccess to the sea, which could be of considerable benefit to them. 179. In short, this initiative is intended to tum this 180. This initiative would bring prosperity and de- velopment to tens of millions of people who have so often been the victims of natural disasters such as drought, and would help to mobilize abilities and re- sources to put an end to the misery, disease, illiteracy and ignorance which are the distressing symptoms of backwardness. 181. In view ofthe importance and broad scope ofthis initiative, Morocco is submitting it to the OAU, the United Nations, the League ofArab States, the Islamic Conference, the European Common Market and the FAO. 182. In so doing, Morocco is offering to the world a sincere and living example of true co-operation and finn solidarity for which it is striving in the interests of the peoples of the region at a time when the world is del- uged with narrow-minded selfishness, controversies, doctrinal disputes, interference in the affairs of others and armed aggression. 183. The international economic situation is still a matter of grave concern to us since the gap between the wealthy and the poorer nations of the world is increas- ing at a time when we had hoped that it would be narrowed or closed. 184. This situation has caused most of the poorer nations-and the majority of them are African countries-to lose hope of ever escaping from the clutches of economic backwardness. 185. Although the intel11ational community has realized the extreme urgency ofbringing about a radical and thorough change in international economic rela- tions, the lack of political will on the part of the indus- trialized nations for the establishment ofa new interna- tional economic order still constitutes a stumbling- block against which the hopes that most ofthe countries of the world entertain regarding the establishment of such an order have been shattered. This can clearly be seen in the failure of the North-South dialogue to achieve the desired results. 186. The new international economic order has be- come a necessary aJtel11ative to the currently prevailing system of economic prejudice and injustice, especially since the principle of international integration and in- terdependence has become a self-evident reality in economic relations among States. 187. It is truly distressing for us to see the indus- trialized nations resorting to subterfuge, hiding behind the walls ofeconomic protectionism and turning a deaf ear. to the developing countries' appeals for aid and assistance. Those nations should realize that the basic interest of their peoples lies in the abandonment of the old economic order and in agreeing to make economic relations more democratic. 163. This free expression was a true and faithful im- plementation of General Assembly resolution 3458 B (XXX) of JO December 1975 concerning ~his matter. It is well known that this resolution confirmed the tripartite agreement concluded at Madrid on 14 November 1975, under the terms of which all the pow- ers fonnerly exercised by the colonial authorities in the Territory were handed back to Morocco after negotia- tions, which had been called for by the Security Council of the United Nations. 164. When they were subsequently given the op- portunity, the population ofthe Territory ofRio de Oro gave free, spontaneous and impressive expression, in the presence of numerous observers and within sight and hearing of representatives of the international press, to their overwhelming desire to join the father- land. They officially confirmed this when the rep- resentatives of the Territory declared their attachment and loyalty to the Moroccan State by taking the oath of allegiance to His Majesty King Hassan II, the King of Morocco. 165. Having recovered its territorial unity, for which it strove and fought so long and for which it suffered so much at the hands of the colonialists, Morocco once again declares that it is still ready to make any sacrifice-however costly-to protect and defend its regained territorial integrity since, for every member of the Moroccan people, this is a sacrosanct issue and a matter of destiny on which there can be no going back and no bargaining. 166. We are deeply and utterly convinced of the justice and legitimacy of our cause. However, our firm resolve to defend our rights in no way means that we shall turn a deaf ear to the call ofpeace, since Morocco has always been an advocate of peace. We have often given proof of our full willingness to seek peace and ways of reaching a mutual understanding even with those who contest our right to recover our territorial integrity and who incite their agents to create a ficti- tious, artificial entity intended to constitute a focal- point of tension and instability in the region. 167. As an expression of Morocco's desire to over- come this fabricated problem, His Majesty King Has- san II, the King ofMorocco, in a letter addressed to the current Chairman of the Organization ofMrican Unity [OAU] on 28 August 1979, proposed the holding of a summit conference of Heads ofState and Government of the countries bordering the Sahara, with a view to examining the measures to be taken for the achieve- ment of co-ordinated and joint economic development in keeping with the aspirations ofits peoples and for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the greater Saharan region, since the Sahara-as we have already indicated-is not confined to what used to be known as the Western Sahara, which was occupied by Spain, but extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. 169. Our proposal is aimed at overcoming the spuri- ous, artificial problem, which was created regarding the question of the Sahara, and calls for a future solution based on sound and true mutual co-operation. 170. We address this call for co-operation to the countries bordering on the Sahara. This vast sea of barren sand has always been a meeting ground for neighbouring countries and has never formed a barrier between them. Trade between these bordering countries flourished throughout the ages prior to the colonial expansion, and the inhabitants of this region were linked by solid bonds and ties of ethnic, cultural, religious and economic relations until the advent of the colonial age, when these links were severed. We must now re-establish these links in the interest of the popu- lation ofthe region as a whole and within the framework of a comprehensive view of the future. Hence, in his proposal to the current Chairman of the OAU, His Majesty King Hassan II made the following point: "You will undoubtedly share our view that Africa is currently passing through a crucial stage in its quest for true economic and political emancipation. Instead ofdissipating our endeavours and our meager resources, both human and material, in an effort to solve spurious problems, we feel that it is necessary to devote ourselves fully to work which will ensure the harmonious development of Mrica and a more comfortable life in keeping with the aspirations ofall Africans. "In this perspective, and in order to co-ordinate our endeavours, we believe that a summit confer- ence, held under your chairmanship, and with the participation of Heads of State and Government of the countries bordering on the Sahara and of the esteemed members of the Committee of Wise Men, would constitute an effective contribution to the quest for this economic emancipation for which we all hope. Ifwe pool our human and material resources and set as a fundamental objective the general prosperity ofourcontinent within a context ofmutual assistance and fraternal co-operation, we will have proved to the whole world that we are able to manage our own affairs in a clear-sighted and perspicacious manner. " 171. His Majesty also proposed that these countries should jointly formulate a plan that would enable land- locked countries such as Mali, Niger and Chad to have access to sea ports as a necessary benefit. In His Majes- ty's own words: "We would thus also be able to jointly formulate a policy based on the right to utilize the sea. Such a right will be of vital importance for life and for the supplypffood after the year 2000, yet many countries bordenng on the Sahara are deprived ofthis right as a 173. One of the aims of the OAU is the promotion and encouragement of co-cperation among its members in all .fields throughout the continent, beginning at the reg[onal and local level, because this is the natural and practical way to achieve general continental co- operation. 174. This initiative on the part of Morocco offers a practical plan for co-operation within the framework of the African co-operation plan which is being promoted by our African organization. 175. In another broader context, this initiative might represent a connecting link that could give positive, c~ncrete form to African-Arab co-operation and pro- vIde new scope for joint and fruitful action, since it is common knowledge that one of the main objectives of the Declaration on Afro-Arab Co-operation IS was to urge and encourage the Arab and African States to implement as many joint projects as possible in order to strengthen and consolidate their mutual co-operation. To that end, a special committee was established, called the Standing Commission on Afro-Arab Co- operation, of which Morocco and most of the African countries concerned with this initiative are members. Consequently, this initiative will open up new vistas for African-Arab co-operation in a region which has until now been neglected. 176. This initiative could also be placed in a wider geographical context in which inter-African and African-Arab co-operation would eventually benefit from the results of European-Arab co-operation achieved through the European-Arab dialogue. [f this Moroccan initiative is faithfully implemented, it will tum this region into a natural meeting-point for such tripartite co-operation in which capital from one party would participate side by side with technical expertise from another party in the profitable development of the region's resources for the benefit and general good of the population of the region as a whole. 177. This initiative is in total harmony with the con- cept of co-operation between the African, Arab and European communities which was highly extolled by the President of the Republic of the Sudan, the former Chairman of the OAU. Indeed, it provides a practical opportunity for the implementation and realization of this concept in a tangible manner. .J78. This initiative is aimed, above all, at endowing lDter~African co-operation with a lofty significance so tha~ [t can stand as a model and a shining example of a~s[stance to help the land-locked countries of the re- glon obtain the right ofaccess to the sea, which could be of considerable benefit to them. 1}9. In short, this initiative is intended to tum this 180. This initiative would bring prosperity and de- velopment to tens of millions of people who have so often been the victims of natural diS2.sters such as drought, and would help to mobilize abilities and re- sources to put an end to the misery, disease, illiteracy and ignorance which are the distressing symptoms of backwardness. J81. In view ofthe importance and broad scope ofthis initiative, Morocco is submitting it to the OAD, the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Islamic Conference, the European Common Market and the FAO. 182. In so doing, Morocco is offering to the world a sincere and living example oftrue co-operationand firm solidarity for which it is striving in the interests of the peoples of the region at a time when the world is del- uged with narrow-minded selfishness, controversies, doctrinal disputes, interference in the affairs of others and armed aggression. 183. The international economic situation is still a matter ofgrave concern to us since the gap between the wealthy and the poorer nations of the world is increas- ing at a time when we had hoped that it wOlild be narrowed or closed. 184. This situation has caused most of the poorer nations-and the majority of them are African countries-to lose hope of ever escaping from the clutches of economic backwardness. 185. Although the international community has realized the extreme urgency of bringing about a radical and thorough change in international economic rela- tions, the lack of political will on the part of the indus- trialized nations for the establishment of2. new interna- tional economic order still constitutes a stumbling- block against which the hopes that most ofthe countries of the world entertain regarding the establishment of such an order have been shattered. This can clearly be seen in the failure of the North-South dialogue to achieve the desired results. 186. The new international economic order has be- come a necessary alternative to the currently prevailing system of economic prejudice and injustice, especially since the principle of international integration and in- terdependence has become 2. self-evident reality in economic relations among States. 187. It is truly distressing for us to see the indus- trialized nations resorting to subterfuge, hiding behind the walls ofeconomic protectionism and turning a deaf ear to the developing countries' appeals for aid and assistance. Those nations should realize that the basic interest of their peoples lies in the abandonment of the old economic order and in agreeing to make economic relations more democratic. 189. Morocco is once again endeavouring to help to create a better political and social climate for the in- habitants of its region by calling for fraternal, local co-operation in which hands and minds can join to- gether for the general good in order to build, develop The meeting rose at /2.55 p.m.