A/34/PV.32 General Assembly

Mr. President, the Commonwealth of Dominica wishes to congratulate you on your election as President of the thirty-fourth session ofthe General Assembly and to wish you well in your new office. That you were elected to that office by this body is ample evidence of the Assembly's faith in your capacity to live up to the high expectation ofthat responsibility. The commonwealth of Dominica also salutes the United Republic ofTanzania for producing so able a diplomat. 3. The Commonwealth of Dominica also congratu- lates the Secretary-General for a comprehensive and instructive report on the work of the United Nations over the past year [AI3411]. The report gives us confi- dence that there is some hopefor the continuationofthe fine work that the United Nations has been undertaking and for the continued projection of th.e spirit of peace and security and brotherhood that inspired its founda- tion. We note that the report also very realistically lets it be known that all is not so well in many areas of the Organization's endeavours, one of those being the area of peace-keeping. It is to be hoped that each of us will examine his conscience in respect of the principles of the Charter and by so doing reaffirm our commitment and allegiance to those principles. 4. The Commonwealth of Dominica wishes to con- gratulate our sister State, Saint Lucia, which became the one hundred fifty-second Member of the Organiza- tion during this current session of the General Assem- 8. The basically export-oriented agricultural econ- bly, and we look forward to welcoming the State of omy of our country has rested mainly on bananas, Saint Vincent in the not-tao-distant future. We are con- which constitute about 60 per cent ofour exports and 80 fident that we shall find it easy to work with every per cent of foreign-exchange earnings, and a small Member of the Organization. We wish also to thank all quantity of citrus and coconuts. Our tourist industry NEW YORK those Members which have promoted and greeted our admission to the United Nations and which have pro- moted and defended our interests in that forum. 5. It is said that what is obvious and well-known bears purposeful repeating at certain times and in certain places. Hence, permit me to observe with emphasis that the Commonwealth ofDominica is a small country. I am pleased to be reminded of the saying, too, that good things come in small packages. We trust that the representation here of our country will be a shining example of the tradition of this Organization and of the international community as a whole, and that, further, this bears testimony to the fundamental rights ofall free and independent nations, irrespective ofsize, to partici- pate and contribute in the deliberations of this Assembly. 6. The emergence on the world scene of a large number of small States or mini-States, particularly in the Caribbean, is one of the phenomena of the second half of the twentieth century. But while the world com· munity has recognized this phenomenon, yet very little has been done in concrete terms to come to grips with the very real problems-such as a lack of economic viability and an undue dependence on metropolitan Powers-confronting these States. Note is taken with much concern ofthe threatened confrontation oftwo of the world's super-Powers on the very doorsteps of the Caribbean archipelago. The implications of this can be very far-reaching, especially in terms of the future de- velopment of our countries and the stability of this region as a whole, and therefore we hope for an early resolution of this situation in the best interest of the Caribbean basin. 7. It is well known that the Commonwealth of Dominica became a legally, politically independent and sovereign State on 3 November 1978, which is less than a year ago. The chequered conS'titutional, social and political history of our State up to that date makes for some interesting reading. However, we are aware that many other States Members of the United Nations are not familiar with that history in its intimate details. Our country is a Caribbean State, situated at longitude 61 degrees west and latitude 15 degrees north. It is only 289.5 square miles in area and has a population of approximately 80,000. It lies between the two depart- ments of the Republic of France--Guadeloupe, which is some 30 miles to the north, and Martinique, which is some 30 miles to the south. This geographical proximity has resulted in an ongoing and dynamic cultural close- ness which is reflected in the fact that a large number of Dominicans still speak a French pat6is. 9. The story of third-world countries can be a fascinating and painful drama, but ours would certainly be in the running for first place jfthere were prizes to be awarded. Towards the latter part of 1978 and during the early part of 1979, the dreadful leaf-spot disease wreaked havoc with the banana industry of the Com- monwealth of Dominica. The self-evident story of the implications of such an occurrence for an economy whose efforts are based mainly on the tourist industry and, of course, on agriculture is, in fact, too difficult to go into in detail. The impact may be grasped, however, if we say simply that the banana industry, which is largely labour-intensive in the Commonwealth of Dominica and which employed several thousands of persons, was responsible for the bulk ofourexports and foreign-exchange earnings, as has already been noted. This has linkages and interlacings, that permeate the economy as a whole and, consequently, the life and livelihood of the entire population. The leaf-spot dis- ease and the disaster were hardly over when the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica embarked upon a 24-day constitutional and democratic struggle to re- place without violence and within the framework of their independence Constitution, a Government that they considered high-handed and dictatorial. There was a high economic price to pay for the 24 days during which the popular struggle lasted; but the unprec- edented constitutional end to the struggle, which re- sulted in victory for the people and the preservation of democracy, the integrity of the Constitution and res- pect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, have les- sons for States Members of the United Nations and, indeed, for all who are genuinely interested in the pres- ervation of democratic constitutions and in the univer- sal struggle for the preservation of the fundamental rights and freedoms and the downtrodden at home and abroad. 10. The Commonwealth of Dominica had not re- covered from the shock and rigours of that struggle when a completely unexpected and deadly stroke by the forces of nature wreaked havoc with the economy, infrastructure and other aspects of life in my country. 11. The report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization [A/3411] makes interesting, but not really surprising, reading in most respects. The remarks contained therein with respect to the political and economic state of the international community, though largely dismal from the immediate point of view of the less developed countries of the world, is a good barometer of the state of the human spirit in an age when there is so much talk, so much discussion and so much journalistic fulmination about human rights and a corollary, the New International Economic Order-a good indicator, indeed, ofthe sincerity ofan unproduc- tive North-South dialogue. 12. Dominica, along with other Caribbean States, continues to deplore the apartheid policy of South Af- rica. That foolhardy policy must fail in time. The dynamics of international exchange and intercourse dictate this. Our own experience has taught us, quite recently, that a suffering and deprived people will at- 13. We think, perhaps from the point of view of a country not long since cast into the arena of interna- tional politics, that the answer to the underlying theme ofcontinuing disturbances in the Middle East lies in the recognition and implementation of the rights of all peoples of the area to a secure homeland which can be enjoyed with dignity. Unless this basic principle is ob- served and pursued with vigour, with a view to genuine realization, the situation in the Middle East will con- tinue to deteriorate, with increased adverse conse- quences for the international community. 14. We in the Caribbean do not wish to see the region become a pawn in the international power play. The Commonwealth ofDominica believes in the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent, sovereign States. We also believe in the concomitant sovereign right of independent States to choose their allies. It is for this reason that we express reservation about uninvited interference in any form in the internal affairs of other independent States. 15. Mr. President, my Government is fully aware of your record as Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colo- nial Countries and Peoples, and being fully cognizant of the imperative nature of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960, we wish to recommend that member States, and the Special Committee on decolonization, should keep a keen eye on the Powers which, by subtle means and by use of euphemistic terminology, perpetuate the process and system ofcolonization in its .old form and in new forms either by economic or ideological means. The Commonwealth of Dominica is further aware that there are many territories and peoples which are still labouring under the yoke of colonialism, which want political independence and an opportunity for self-determination, and whose wishes are being balked in one way or another. To resist sub- mission to the wishes, the will and the determination of such peoples is to court disaster. By the same token it ought to be a moral and human obligation, spelled outin international law, that a colonizing, metropolitan Power, should adequately prepare those colonized to face independence, and that such preparation should not be an excuse for the perpetuation and prolongation of colonial status. Such preparation should also include at least the provision of a sufficiently basic and sound infrastructure. A colonized, enslaved people can never be compensated for the material, physical, social. ~reat, ifindeed any, success in gaining access toa token mdependence gift offered by that country. If the reason for such failure is attributable to the Commonwealth of Dominica, as some would suggest, that is, neverthe- less, a strident indictment of colonialism. 16. The literature on international economic issues is of old and also of current vintage, voluminous and increasing, and the verbal debate and recrimination continues almost ad infinitum. As we all know, the stark fact is that the rich and advantaged, generally, are getting better off, while the poor and disadvantaged, at least in numerical terms, are getting worse off. Now, to the delight of some, we have coined a new escapist phrase: "New International Economic Order". That there is need now, and that there was need before, of such an order is beyond question. What appears to have always been at issue and in question is the will and the determination to institute that Order. 17. The Commonwealth of Dominica is mindful of the whole range of important domestic and international factors that can militate against the speedy realization of the much-needed tilting of the inequitable interna- tional economic balance. We find it difficult to accept the short-sighted psychology that perpetuates the use ofthose plausible factors as a means of continu!ng and reinforcing an economic system that is unquest~onably both unjust and exploitative, explosive and ultImately self-destructive. 18. To complicate matters, the world is faced wit~ an energy crisis which we seem unable to solve. Agam, I must em\,hasize the Commonwealth of Dominica's un- derstandmg of the domestic and international imper~­ tives and' 'politics" that complicate the problem ofOil. For example, we understand the need in some quarters to make good the losses suffered as a result 0f,exploita- tion, and we also understand the counterreactlon not to allow former colonies to use oil as a weapon or for blackmail. What we, like the Secretary-General, find difficult to accept is the forced and artifici~ divor~e of the energy issue from the rest of the mternatIOnai economic issues. We are not impressed because we are sceptical about the ultimate consequences of that di- vorce on the economies of "innocent" countries and the lives of millions of ordinary citizens of the world. That is why we think that the advice of ~e ~ecretary­ General in his report on the OrgamzatlOn bears repeating: "We need to organize our efforts to bring the nego- tiations on the implementation of the new interna~ tional economic order out of their present state of stalemate; "We need to deal vigorously with the area of en- ergy, which is a major challenge, and to launch a co-ordinated and imaginative effort by the world community io this field; "We need to address the urgent problems of the oil-importing developin~countries in a concerted and effective way." [See A/34!J, sect. V.] 2.0. I s.hould like to present in some detail the devasta- two ":,hlch was wreaked by Hurricane David. Ifthere is one dl.saster that appears to have brought international attention to the Commonwealth of Dominica, it is this catastrop~e. That is not surprising. The hurricane was the worst In 100 years, bringing winds ofup to 175 miles an hour. It changed course and headed for Dominica quite unexpectedly and nearly unpredictably. Before the hurricane, the economy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, like that of the rest of the Caribbean was an open economy-imports equalled about 70 per cent of the gross domestic product. It was predominantly based on agriculture and it was monopolized by bananas, which accounted for approximately 80 per cent of our foreign-exchange earnings. Added to this was the susceptibility of that crop to external fluctua- tions in prices and the vagaries of nature, uncontroll- able by the Dominican producers. 21. During the past few years, the island faced con- tinued balance-of-payments deficits. The economy grew during the 1960s but underwent prolonged con- traction during this decade, with a real annualgrowth in its gross domestic product of 3.5 per cent, concurrent with population growth of 1.6 per cent and aggravated by decline in banana output and per capita income at an average annual rate of6per cent. In addition to a fall in the gross domestic product by 12 per cent by 1974, the economy faced severe problems. 22. At this time the oil crisis reared its head and sent prices and production costs catapulting. Fertili,zer price rises outstripped increases in farm gate pnces, ~g­ ricultural exports fell by 15 per cent, manufactunng stagnated with the closing down of pumice and timber industries in 1975 and tourism fell, owing to world re- cession and bad publicity for the island. The trade ac- count contracted. with real imports falling by 30 per cent and exports by 10 per cent. Imports ofmachi?ery and manufactured goods fell by 50 per ~ent.' reflectmg a stagnation of investment and a reductIOn In lo~al.con­ sumJ?tion. The Government was. unable. to el~~mate contmuous current deficits, despite the ImpOSItion of successively higher taxes. Revenues could no~ be maintained in real teons, and the economy dechned throughout the period, reducing t~e potential ~evenue base. Budgetarygrants, togethe~ WIth co,?merclaI bank credit and financing by the SOCial secunty fund, were insufficient to cover growing deficits. 23. By the end of 1977,.t~e situ~tio~had worsened. A six-week strike by the CivIl service \n Septe~ber 1977 paralysed the economy. The sevenng ?f au and sea links put an end to imports for ,the penod'.1.'he 1977 current accounJreflecteda defiCit of $4.5 1!1I!hon from the emergency assistance programme, administered by the Caribbean Developme~t B~k..fhe finances for 1977-1978saw further detenoratlOn WIth the settl~~ent of the civil servants' strike by payment of $?.4 mllho~, which was equal to 27 per cent of the prevIOus year s current revenue. 24 Further in 1978 banana production continued. to fali with 4 000 acres having to be destroyed dunng No~ember ~d December of ~978 owing to the ravages of a disease that caught the mdustry flat-footed. The 25. It was in the light of that bleak situation that the Government, in stating its aims to achieve economic development, saw them as being to improve the quality of life of the rural population to raise the standard of Iiving of the entire population by increasing the level of economic activities, thereby providing greater op- portunity for remunerative employment for the people of the country, to meet the nutritional requirements of the population, and to provide greater economic flexi- bility by the diversification of agriculture. Up to 29 August of this year every possible avenue had to be exploited to realize those aims. 26. However, Hurricane David made the foregoing sad tale dismal. In the Commonwealth of Dominica, as of29 August 1979, there were no coconuts, no bananas and hardly any citrus and ground crops. In addition, Hurricane David blew and washed away our already weak infrastructur~:our port facilities are almost com- pletely destroyed; we have no hydroelectricity or other electricity; there is no internal telephone communica- tion, and the villages cannot be reached by that means of communication; several of our main and agriculture feeder-roads have been severely damaged or washed away and will not be repaired for a considerable time; nearly every school and other government building has been structurally damaged or destroyed. To date, we are having difficulty instituting the semblance of a re- sumption ofclass-room activities, and our school popu- lation is consequently adrift, either at home and out of school, or abroad in school away from home. 27. Some 60,000 ofour population are at the moment homeless, except for temporary improvised shelters which are not necessarily structurally sound or even healthy; the others who are homeless live in tents and public buildings that had not been blown away or badly damaged. Our already high incidence of joblessness is phenomenally aggravated. 28. In brief, Dominica stands destroyed and in need of all the international assistance it can get. But our spirit and our sense of pride and fair play have not been daunted by the experience. We remain unwilling to allow opportunists to exploit our situation of need for the purpose ofmaking international or regional ideolog- ical capital to the ultimate detriment of the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica. 29. And so, the four aims which the Commonwealth of Dominica had set itself have assumed greater paramount urgency and immediacy. We have the greatest faith, a faith that is as clear and unambiguous as far as we are concerned, that the internatibnal commu- nity will listen to our plea. We therefore make a special appeal in the clearest language-the language of the heart-for over-all assistance in this our hour of suffer- ing and need. The Commonwealth of Dominica is in need of complete reconstruction. 30. We hope that whatever further assistance may be forthcoming in response to the present appeal and as a result of the study of our situation at home undertaken 31. I wish to thank publicly all those Governments, organizations and agencies which have assisted or of- fered to assist. To those which have already assisted, we say we would appreciate any further assistance, if they are in a position to give it. To those who have not yet offered or have not been given an opportunity to make an offer, we say that we are still in need and can do with any assistance compatible with that need. To the United Nations itselfand its administration we say, ••sincerest thanks for your expressions of sympathy and your assistance." We have every confidence that the Organization will continue to make tangible dem- onstrations of its concern and solicitude. 32. To all we say that the immediate and paramount task that lies ahead for the Commonwealth ofDominica is the over-all reconstruction ofour country in the wake of a natural disaster over which man had absolutely no control, despite his technological and sophisticated advances. 33. Reconstruction effort is therefore only primarily Dominica's responsibility; but ina "global village" and in the spirit of brotherhood, international peace, stabil- ity and co-operation, we hope the international commu- nity will not leave it to the Commonwealth ofDominica and Dominicans alone. The Commonwealth of Dominica is down, but not out. We are confident that, by the grace ofthe Almighty and the help ofour friends, we will rebuild our country. 34. We conclude with a reiteration of our congratula- tions to you, Mr. President, on your election to that position of grave responsibility and our expression of hope for a fruitful and successful tenn of office. 35. As a new Member of the United Nations, we wish to let it be known that we stand by the principles and purposes ofthe United Nations Charter. We respectthe sovereignty and territorial integrity of every nation, large or small. We respect each nation's sovereign right to make its own decisions, and we stipulate the con- comitant duty and obligation of other States to respect that decision. A compelling corollary of the principle of territorial integrity is the sovereign right to control own- ership by the State of its natural resources. We depre- cate any attempt, overt or covert, to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign States. International indi- cations appear to be that the majority of the world's peoples, particularly in the third world, are for equita- ble mternational intercourse in the economic and other areas, without pressure to align with one antiquated ideological bloc or the other. The Commonwealth of Dominica identifies with that mood and feels that any I See document E/CEPAL/PLEN.13/G.6. 37. It is our expectation that the constant and cease- less expressions of good faith and good intention of Member States will now find an available repository in the Commonwealth of Dominica. . 38. We look forward to our continued and permanent participation in the affairs of this Organization. We wish to maintain and justify the confidence of all free and recently independent nations that, in our newly found relationships with our former masters and ex- pected brothers in the community of nations, all the resources available to the world will shortly be harnes- sed for the commongood, realizing as we do that equity is the foundation upon which the era of the 1980s will allow for the universal solution ofproblems that will be resolved through peace, goodwill and solidarity.

On behalf of the General As- sembly, I wish to thank the Prime Minister andMinister for External Affairs ofthe Commonwealth ofDominica for the important statement he has just made.

A world in crisis, mankind in disarray, in perij, in danger of being swept away in a general conflagration, in an apocalyptic cataclysm, which it must ward offto make sure that the human race survives, chronic economic and financial disorder based on obsolete theories and definitions, insensitive to the inevitable changes brought by time, which itmust redress and rationalize if it wishes to bring peace and justice to the world-this, in rough outline, is the picture of the international situation, fraught with dan- gers and pitfalls, racked by anxiety and anguish, which we should think about and study during this thirty- fourth session of the General Assembly, so as to try to find, in the spirit of harmonious and calm co-operation which has always characterized our Organization, ap- propriate solutions to the multiple and complex prob- lems besetting the universe that recent developments require. - 41. But this thoughtful analysis requires us to go beyond what we already know, beyond the possible and the imaginable. We must go beyond the boundaries of thought to discover the sources which inspired human genius, not to cause the destruction and the disappear- 43. This brief introduction at once places the main concerns ofmy delegation before the present session of the Assembly and is the message of our faith in the destiny of the United Nations. 44. Therefore, at this very late stage in the general debate, I should like to associate my delegation with the heartfelt congratulations addressed to Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim by the eminent speakers who have spo- ken before me from this rostrum on the occassion ofhis outstanding and unchallenged election to the presi- dency of our Assembly. The unanimity of his election does honour to the whole of Africa, a well-balanced continent with a bright future, and to the United RepUb- lic of Tanzania, a country which, after a short period of independence, has shown its vitality, its dynamism and its political maturity, and which is seeking to make, with conviction and resolve, a major contribution to- wards spreading the noble ideals of our Organization and of world peace. The large body of experience of that skilled and seasoned diplomat in international problems is, for my delegation, a comforting augury of success. 45. With respect to Mr Lievano, that writer and statesman whose eminent qualities we have ap- preciated, his competence and the mastery with which he guided the previous session has merited the satisfac- tion of my delegation, as well as that of others. We should like to extend to him our sincere thanks. 46. To Mr. Kurt Waldheim, our indefatigable Secretary-General, who is completely devoted to the cause of our Organization, whose tireless efforts to restore credibility and confidence in the Uniled Nations and in world peace, so fragile and precarious, so threatened but so desired by all, are well known to us, I should like to reaffirm the total support of my Govern- ment and the people of the Central Mrican Republic in his activities. May the wishes of my delegation for his success be with him wherever he goes in his efforts to strengthen peace. 47. Furthermore, we note with satisfaction that the universality of our Organization, enshrined by the Charter, is being reaffirmed more every day with the admission of new Members, which come here every year to expand and strengthen its activities to bring about the consolidation of its vocation, which, though still Utopian at San Francisco, has now become a dynamic reality and a vital need which mankind has been forced to face. 48. My delegation, therefore, welcomes with great joy and pardonable pride the entryofSaint Lucia to the great family of the international community. We are convinced that the recent struggle that it waged to re- cover its inalienable rights and the heavy price that it paid, as well as its unquenchable thirst for justice, free- dom and independence are valid reasons for my delega- 49. Since the thirty-second session, our Organization has gone through a very important stage, abounding in events which have marked international life, threatened by the curbing or even the shattering of its vitality and of its resolve for renewed activity, its ef- forts to adapt to the need for inevitable changes which stem from the requirements of the modem world. That ardent desire for a fresh start, that deep and legitimate aspiration for peace and international security should, in our opinion, be expressed by a more sustained and decisive wiJl and political commitment courageously to face events ofall kinds in order to dispel the uncertainty and the threats which weigh heavily on, the future of mankind and to break down the contradictions of our Organization which weaken its action and paralyse its momentum. 50. Having said that, I should like to proceed, as briefly as possible, to a retrospective examination of the international political situation. A world-wide ap- proach, which is indispensable for this examination, reveals murky areas as well as bright spots in the world political sky, which we want to be pure and calm. Despite the laudable efforts made by our Organization to maintain international peace and security, to establish a new international economic order, the world situation remains marked by threats of conflict, in- justice and socio-economic inequalities. 51. The world oftomorrow, a better world, a world of justice and freedom, of moral values, will not come about through a distorting prism or through pre- conceived ideas. Intelligence, which has allowed man to make prodigious progress, to push forward the bounds of knowledge, must be placed at the service of his emancipation for the realization of his most legiti- mate aspirations and his most elementary rights. One of the great acts of courage that will have to be accom- pJished by the world community in modem times will be the categorical and definitive rejection ofthose obsolete stereotypes, to bring about a more dynamic future, resolutely turned towards the search for the well-being and happiness of man. One ofthe traits of modem man is his propensity for new ideas which bring about progress. 52. After that appraisal of this no less important as- pect of the responsibilities and political obligations of our Organizati~n, I s!tould like now to undertak~ an more in-depth diSCUSSion of recent world events WhiCh, because of their political, military, social, economic and cultural impact, continue to dominate in~ernational affairs, raising the spectre of an apocalyptiC war and postponing the prospects of true international peace and security to which mankind legitimately aspires. An analysis of these events reveals a pattern of confronta- tion of divergent interests and the implacable an- tagonism ofestablished ideological systems. Will man- 54. A cradle of humanism which has managed to resist the pernicious assaults of the vicissitudes of time, M- rica' has been able, since time immemorial, to make its notable contribution to the universal spread of culture, a source of emancipation. Mrica is today a theatre of ideological confrontation manifested in the field by pockets of tension. 55. Heedless of the irreversible winds of indepen- dence which have been blowing throughout the world, in Africa, in Asia.and in Latin America; deaf to the desperate cries of peoples fighting tooth and nail for their freedom and independence; and insensitive to the human suffering of the developing countries, those '~reat Powers continue to organize and maintain their Ideological rivalries and their political, military and economic competition to delay the advent of total and final decolonization. 56. The fight being waged here and there for the full exercise of people's right to self-determination and to the free choice of their socio-economic systems has always been, and will always be, a liberation struggle. It will always triumph, as it has already triumphed, over obscurantism and imperialist forces, however mighty they may be, because it responds to the deep aspira- tions of those who wage it, and because nothing can resist that combat. Itis a source ofhope that victory will finally be won. 57. To say the least, it is regrettable that the Western Powers that still give multilateral support to the cham- pions ofone of most abhorrent and barbarous forms of colonialism-loathsome racism which, entrenched in southern Africa, the last bastion of an anachronistic era, has been institutionalized in the name ofgoodness- knows-what philosophy-cannot learn the lessons of history and face the truth about our modern times. 58. Undoubtedly, Africa is now turning one of the most tragic pages in the history ofits decolonization, of which the most recent moving, pathetic, cruel and barbarous episodes are occurring now in its southern part. 59. Hence, regarding the Zimbabwe situation, my Government has, here as elsewhere, had occasion to express grave concern over the threat to international peace and security posed by the situation in that country due to the constant and deliberately abusive violation of the most sacred human rights and by the systematic refusal to transfer power to the majority. Moreover, my delegation has always considered that any final solution aimed at genuine peace mustofneces- sity, and quite obviously, involve the Patriotic Front, the sole representative of the people of Zimbabwe. In other words, any proposed settlement which leaves out the Patriotic Front is doomed to failure. Muzorewa and Smith have just learned this bitter lesson after the rig- ged elections the results of which were rejected and 61. By the very nature of the unimaginably far- reaching dimensions and implications of the conflict, the United Nations, that guarantor of total decoloniza- tion, which is one of the basic purposes and principles of its Charter, must reaffirm and assume its re- sponsibilities in this matter. 62. As for Namibia, the situation prevailing in that part of Mrica continues to arouse deep concern. The more time that passes, the more remote are the chances for a lasting and final solution, and the more critical is the situation. That is why, in my delegation's view, only the strict implementation of relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and especially Security Council res- olutions 435 (1978) and 485 (1979)-can enable the people of Namibia, under the banner ofthe South West Afnca People's Organization [SWAPO], its sole rep- resentative, to achieve its deep legitimate aspirations to total peace, freedom and independence within a framework of respect for Namibia's unity and territo- rial integrity. Therefore, my country solemnly reaffirms its full support for SWAPO, that spearhead of the armed struggle of the Namibian people, as well as the pledge of our continued unreserved support for all ef- forts to bring about the total elimination of apartheid, that disgrace to ethical behaviour and a defiance of the international community. 63. Along the same lines, I should like to reassure the front-line States of my country's sincere fraternal sup- port. We reiterate to them, with the same faith and conviction as always, our entire solidarity. 64. Concerning Western Sahara, the Central African Republic, in its deep devotion to freedom, peace and independence, unreservedly supports the efforts un- dertaken here and elsewhere to bring about a just and lasting settlement of this highly volatile issue. We en- dorse, in a spirit of solidarity, the decisions taken at the Monrovia Conference by the Organization of African Unity [OAU].3 In my delegation's view, any just and equita?le solution must be ?ased ~n self-determination. That· IS why my delegatIon WIshes to pay a well- deserved tribute to the Government of Mauritania, which has just strikingly demonstrated its staunch polit- ical maturity by signing the Algiers agreement [AJ34J 427-SJ13503, annex 1]. That was a courageous and wise decision redounding to the' honour of the Islamic Re- public of Mauritania and, indeed, to the whole conti- nent of Africa. . 65. The Middle East, a land of conquest since time 2 Meeting of Heads of Government of Commonwealth Countries, held at Lusaka from 1 to 7 August 1979. • l Sixteenth ordinary session ofthe Assembly of Heads ofState and Government of the Organization of African Unity, held at Monrovia from 17 to 20 July 1979, and the thirty-third ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, held at Monrovia from 6 to 20 July 1979. See document A/34/552. 66.. Fanned by great-Power struggles for influence, carned o~ through proxies, and dominated by passion and emotIon, the situation prevailing in that region bat- tered ~y a ~ong destructive war constantly threatens humamty WIth general conflagration, so enormous are the risks of explosion. 67. In the opinion of my delegation, a just and lasting peace, so ardently desired by the people concerned, c~n be achieved only in the framework ofa comprehen- sIve settlement. Furthermore, we consider that a joint effort among the parties to a dispute is not always il!compatible with the goals sought, because any frank dIalogue is constructive; but in order for it to be so, passion must yield to reason, which is a source of enlightenment. ~8:. That is why my country will support aIL efforts and ImtlatIves taken here or elsewhere to bring about a peaceful atmosphere and a return to calm leading to real peace. In this respect, my delegation considers that the Camp David agreements4 are not necessarily negative, for they are based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). 69. In stating this, I wish solemnly to proclaim- should there still be need to do so-that the exercise by the Palestinian people oftheirlegitimate rights is one of the prerequisites to a final solution to this conflict. At the same time, the right of the State of Israel to exist within secure and recognized borders should be ac- knowledged in accordance with the letter and spirit of those same resolutions, to which my country fully sub- scribed at the time of their adoption. 70. In bringing up the burning and complex problem of the Middle East, I cannot but recall another bloody and odious tragedy which is rending Lebanon asunder. That country is now the theatre ofa violent, bloody and destructive confrontation. The national unity and identity of Lebanon, as well as its territorial integrity, are placed in permanent jeopardy by the escalation of the violence in which the parties are locked. 71. It is my hope that once peace is restored to the Middle East all the Lebanese communities will quell their animosity and quarrels to bring about the national reconciliation which is the only guarantee of the secu- rity and independence of Lebanon and which would enable its populations to devote themselves to the task of reconstruction. 72. In this same Mediterranean region the situation in Cyprus, which has remained deadlocked for many years, continues t? cause us deep concern. Hence the resumption of the mtercommunal talks announced dur- 4 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. 73. But the suspension ofthose negotiations owing to the profound divergences which exist between the parties to the dispute has quickly cast a pall of doubt over the real will of the two communities to expedite a satisfactory solution. In the opinion of my delegation, all efforts must be pursued to reopen the negotiations in order to bring about a final, just and lasting settlement which would preserve the national unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus. 74. Finally, in South-East Asia, Korea is another source of concern to my country, which, faithful to its policy ofdialogue and adamantly opposed to the use of force as a means of settling conflicts between States, is deeply convinced that this is a problem which is of concern first and foremost to the Korean people themselves. The division ofa people and of a nation is one of the most harrowing, odious and cruel tragedies there are: an identity and culture run the risk of being shattered and of disappearing. This illustrates how deel?ly my country is disturbed by the tragedy which is teanng apart the heroic, friendly people of Korea. It is why I exhort the two parties not to do anything which might aggravate a situation which is already tense, and where there is a major risk of flare-up and general conflagration. The price already exacted from the Ko- rean people by its division is too great. 75. This is why my country hopes sincerely that the two parties will renew their dialogue as quickly as pos- sible to bring about the national independent and demo- cratic reunification of Korea on the basis of the princi- ples set forth in the joint communique of4 July 1972. 5 76. At a time when the United Nations Disarmament Decade is drawing to a close, it is encouraging to note, without being unduly optimistic, that the tenth special session ofthe General Assembly, which was devoted to general and complete disarmament and was held on the mitiative of the non-aligned countries, was an im- portant historic event. For the first time, thanks to the wide-ranging debate to which that session gave rise, world opinion became aware ofthe gravity ofthe situa- tion created by the frenzied arms race and ofits political implications and apocalyptic consequences for interna- tional peace and security. 77. My delegation therefore is justly pleased at the signing of the agreement concluded as a result of the second round of the Strategic AIms Limitation Talks [SAL1].6 It considers the agreement to be a major posi- tive contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, which are so dear to our Organiza- tion. The SALT agreement can be consideredas a point of departure for the continuation of talks and as an example encouraging the quest for realistic solutions, based on compromise, to disarmament problems and to controversial political problems. 78. Pennit me to devote the last part ofmy statement 6 Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. signed in Vienna on 18 June 1979. 80. The national party, the Social Evolution Move- ment of Black Mrica, no longer expressed the will of the people, but became the instrument oftheir regimen- tation and oppression. It was a party with no political or ideological direction, a party in a quagmire of immobil- ity, unreasonableness and superstition. It freely ma- mpulated the working masses, men, women and children, who served only as conveyor belts to pass along the arbitrary edicts of a despotic power. The party leaders were uneducated, deaf to the needs ofthe masses and ignorant of public affairs. They were re- cruited solely on the basis of their ethnic origin, their servility and their greed. 81. Parliamentary power and life were non-existent; the judiciary was in bondage; and governmental re- sponsibilities were confused because they were two-· headed, and exercised in fact by a single man sur- rounded by an entourage which, although superficially respectable, consisted in truth of adventurers and ex- ecutioners. Decrees, orders and commands were drawn up extemporaneously, amid uncertainty, negli- gence, inefficiency, intimidation and torpor. 82. Its very substance gone, the administration was paralysed by lack ofcredit, deficits, and the frustration and under-utilization of its staff, as well as its senior officials, whose careers now faced a precarious future. It was staffed with people recruited on the basis of favouritism and nepotism, who collected State funds while perfonning no precise function. Drained and in disorder, the administration was totally hamstrung in its various services. 83. Diplomacy was conducted on the basis of al- liances which came and went; it was unpredictable, inconsistent and enjoyed no credibility on the interna- tional scene. 86. In the social field, all rights and freedoms were suppressed and the individual had an interminable series of duties. 87. Education was elitist, in a state of decline both from the pedagogical and from the infrastructural point of view. Health services were defective and there was an undetermined growth in the mortality rate. 88. These are a few of the main features of our uncer- tain political and social life which depended on the whims and follies of a megalomaniac who was always and only interested in titles, honours and money. 89. Although gagged, although not enjoying a single moment of freedom, threatened with physical harm, arbitrary arrest, torture and physical annihilation, the people of Central Africa always resisted and fought, proud and upright, against tyranny and arbitrariness. 90. Even the stages of our fight for freedom were marked by coups and attempts at assassination in the years 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976. The establish- ment in 1977 ofa monarchic, autocratic and reactionary regime encouraged our people to fight with fresh vigour and new determination in their anxiety to achieve victory. 91. It is with the blood ofour martyred children, ofthe men and women who fell last January and April, that the people of the Central African Republic, inspired by their instinctive attachment to freedom, appealed to the only democratically elected leader, President David Dacko, who was elected in 1964, to bring down the regime which had been repudiated and condemned by Africa and the world. 92. The people ofCentra! Africadid this because they had an overriding duty so to do. They could not remain silent; they could not continue to be subject to a regime which had killed so many of their courageous sons and daughters. They did so because ofa moral obligation- an obligation arising from the support it had received from the international community, in the forefront of which I should mention Amnesty International and var- ious similar non-governmental organizations, as well as France and all those countries who have beenfriends of the Central African Republic. 93. What could be more natural, then, for a people that had been long in bondage, long deprived of free- dom, than to appeal to their friends for assistance to ensure security? What could be more natural than for that people, in resisting a power which had violated even their very conscience, to do what they could to guarantee their own freedom? 94. That is why I wish to tell the community of the United Nations that the outside assistance which the Central African Republic requested from France in the exercise of its sovereignty to maintain security through- out our country was quite proper. It was proper legally 95. Be that as it may, the presence of the French Army in the Central African Republic is temporary. It will remain there until the Central Mrican armed forces are reorganized. That is the desire which was expressed by the people during the support march for the Presi- dent of the Republic, which was held on 23 September 1979, 96. The people of the Central African Republic in expressing that desire did not wish to sell their sovereignty or their wealth. The new regime which we are try'ing to.promote in Central Africa is keenly aware of the sacred nature of its sovereignty and wealth. 97. That is why I wish, on behalf of the Central Afri- can Republic and its Government, solemnly to thank France and all those countries and international organi- zations which joined us in our victorious struggle against an oppressive and anachronistic regime. ' 98. In expressing this gratitude, I cannot conceal the bitter disappointment of my country over the culpable silence ofthe United Nations and ofthe OAD regarding the suffering of the people of the Central African Re- public in face of the massive and flagrant violations of human rights in the name of the sacred principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States. 99. Those institutions,wh.ose basic principles depend on the protection ofhuman rights and freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, will never be able to do anything useful until they stop being a syndicate of dictatodal, oppressive Governments. Those organizations will gain incomparably in stature if they rid themselves of many of their outmoded, obso- lete and irrelevant principles, whenever they have to deal with victims of genocide, torture or killing at the hands of brutal or oppressive dictators. 100. The time is ripe for my country, the Central African Republic, to create a democratic State structure. Our goal will be to create a society with no exploitation, humiliation or dictatorship-a society based on justice and on the full development of every human being. 10I. The Central African Government has already overhauled its political, administrative and social in- stitutions and it remains convinced that nothing lasting . can be achieved without an effective promotion of fundamental human rights and freedoms. 102. The Central African people have just turned a sorrowful page of their history and have given themselves a provisional government which we trust will give us a fresh start. The Government knows that the task ahead will be long. Everything has to be rebuilt within the framework of our recovered national unity. Our Government has established a dialogue with vari- ous groups which were fighting from outside 0l!r country against the Bokassa regime and whose mam leaders are now meeting in Bangui. That dialogue should lead to a programme of joint action. 104. I wish I'OW solemnly to proclaim our faith in the Universal Deciaration of Human Rights. We vow to spare no effort to promote the creation, functioning and effectiveness of the instruments which have been adopted in the United Nations and in the OAU in order to give concrete meaning to this noble objective. 105. The people of Central Africa, whose very con- science had for 13 years been violated, are keenly aware of the size of the job ahead. They are convinced that theirs is a task which is also facing the Govern- ments of the entire international community. 106. In the field of international relation's, I wish to say that for the first time in 13 dark years the Central African Republic is happy and proud to make its voice heard in the concert of nations as a free and sovereign State. 107. That is why 1 wish to proclaim that in its foreign relations the Central African Republic will pursue a new fonn of active diplomacy devoted solely to its full development. It will try to gain respect for the princi- ples ofgood neighbourliness, the peaceful settlement of disputes, free co-operation and mutual benefit, non- interference in the internal affairs of States, non- alignment and support for the just struggle of all op- pressed peoples. 108. Together with a political situation that had de- teriorated seriously, we were facing a catastrophic economic situation. The country was in a state ofcom- plete bankruptcy. 109. His Excellency Mr. David Dacko, the President of the Republic, concemed himself with this situation immediately when, after taking power, he stated: "For 13 years the country has been exploited by a person who had himself proclaimed Emperor but who demeaned the country in the eyes of the world by his excesses, his ridiculous behaviour and his megalomania. The country is in a state of ruin. The economy has been destroyed. "There are no more roads, no trade, no produc- tion. Public funds and foreign assistance have been misappropriated by Bokassa and deposited in ac- counts in Switzerland and in Europe." 110. That statement obviously needs no further com- ment. But to give members a clearer picture, and to help them better to understand the economic stagnation that Bokassa and his accomplices brought upon our country, I should give the following details. 112. First, there is the fact that in order better to exploit the peasants Bokassa and his accomplices all set themselves up as official purchasers ofagricultural prod- ucts and through unpopular measures that could be contested by no one, had blocked the producers' purchasing prices while selling prices were constantly soaring in the markets of the world. 113. Then there is the fact that the organizations for agricultural credit that had been set up to give loans to peasants or producers' co-operatives were all in the hands of Bokassa and his accomplices. One had to belong to those circles in order to have any right to the services of those institutions. 114. The non-reimbursement of loans-money from which had been accumulated and misappropriatec\ by the caste ofprivileged individuals in the fallen regime- destroyed the organizations that could have played an important role in agricultural development in the Cen- tral African Republic. Support for the peasants and agricultural popularization campaigns were completely done away with. The disastrous state of the roads- almost all the bridges had been destroyed-made com- munications between the provinces and the capital, on the one hand, and among the provinces, on the other, very difficult. Credits or subsidies for highway mainte- nance had been systematically misappropriated by Bokassa and his agents. 115. To these causes we might add the near disappear- ance of almost the entire social infrastructure in the provinces, and in particular dispensaries, which were in a state of ruin and devoid of medicines. Thus the rural masses were exposed to illnesses ofall kinds, which led to a significant increase in the m0l1ality rate. 116. I might also stress that the practice of making payments by cheques that were not always honoured by the Central African Treasury was a source of no solace to the peasants, 117. In mining, one witnessed the plundering of diamonds by Bokassa. Production, which in 1%5-1966 was at the 1,500,OOO-carat level, went down to 300,000 carats in 1977-1978. Bokassa was always parading around with a suitcase full of uncut diamonds, which he used as collateral for his debts. 118. In spite of a chronic budget deficit amounting to more than 4billion CFA francs, equal to $US 16 million, Bokassa continued to display delusions ofgrandeur and a propensity for spending on prestige projects. This megalomania attained its height with the infamous coronation ceremony, and, although all businessmen, citizens and foreigners in Central Africa had to make a contribution, that ceremony emptied the coffers of the public Treasury. 119. After that date, the State was, to all practical intents and purposes, in default. Some ofour diplomats abroad had to suffer worse fonns of humiliation. The 120. The economy of the country was completely de- stroyed. It was a country without any financial re- sources, a country whose schools had fallen into ruin, a country in which epidemics broke out in rural zones because of the lack of medicines in dispensaries and hospitals. Such is the legacy of the bloodthirsty tyrant Bokassa. 121. The Central African Republic, in a state of ruin, now needs reconstruction. It must rebuild its economic infrastructure that was destroyed. It must rebuild its schools. It needs medicines; it needs food assistance. Now more than ever before the Central African Repub- lic feels the need for urgent assistance from the interna- tional community for its national reconstruction. 122. As a land-locked country, the Central African Republic feels more .stro~&ly than any ?ther the impact ofthe world economic cnsls that has eXIsted since 1973, the worst effects of which were amplified in our country by the unbridled greed of our fallen dictator. 123. The world economy is now in veritable crisis. This crisis stems partly from a deterioration in the terms of trade, from the introduction of protectionist meas- ures by the developed countries, from monetary insta- bility, from the inability of most countries to meet the targets set for development assistance, and, more gen- erally, from their lack of the political courage to imple- ment the decisions of the international community re- garding the establishment of a new international economic order. 124. The more serious effects ofthe crisis have hit the developing countries very hard, especially the least advanced countries, including mine. The fact that the international commlmity has been unable to close the gap between the rich and the poor should encourage it to seek solutions to this problem as a matter of great urgency, because, in the final analysis, the economi"c well-being of all nations guarantees international peace and security. 125. That is why, to return to my country, I would say that in restoring peace and security my Government needs assistance from the international community. 126. The Central African Republic is a rich and fertile land, and our people, though beaten and battered, are full of talent and imagination. We need financial, mate- rial and technological assistance from the international community if we are to mobilize our resources for na- tional rebuilding and reconstruction. We earnestly hope that the United Nations will help us to revive our hopes. 127. Thirty-four years have already passed. They have been decisive years in the course of which the forward march of self-determination of peoples has constantly established the frontiers of many nations of so~i.al cr1sis. And mankind .has experienced a profound cnsls as It has awakened to Its own ugliness, cmelty and moral poverty. There are many evils to do away with, but there are just as many achievements behind us. Aft~r all, in ~pite ofits diverse membership, the United NatIOns has In 34 years preserved-albeit within rather precarious limits, at times perhaps-international peace and security, understanding and dialogue. It has been a bastion for the protection of the sovereignty of newly independent States. It has been a forum for the strug&le for emancipation of peoples still under the colomal yoke. 128. This is the pinnacle of achievement of this century. That is the direction our world seems to be taking as this decade draws to a close. 129. Will mankind manage to bring about the changes that are necessary now, as we usher in a new decade?

We have heard the last speaker in the general debate. The representative of Angola has expressed the wish to make a brief state- ment, and I now call on him. 131. Mr. de FIGUEIREDO (Angola): It is with pro- found sorrow that I speak today. I wish to convey to the General Assembly the deep appreciation of the Central Committee of the MPLA7 Workers' Party, the Govern- ment, the people and the delegation of the People's Republic of Angola for the numerous tributes paid in this hall during the general debate just concluded to our late President. Agostinho Neto was the father of our nation, the architect ofour revolution, the author ofthe principles on which our nation is based and run. Agostinho Neto was a revolutionary, a visionary, a professor, a humanist, a poet. His work for the libera- tion of Angola and his quest for stability and peace in southern Africa place him in the ranks ofgreat African leaders. To the third world he was a great friend. 132. Today, we are orphaned without him but, in the realization that life and work must proceed, our Party, our Government and our people are committed to fol- lowing the progressive path on which Agostinho Neto set us and implementing the policies he formulated. He is no more, but his ideals guide us; his dreams inspire us. 133. Comrade President Neto had planned to partici- pate in one of the sessions of the General Assembly, perhaps even this year. In memory of the visit that might have been, I should like to say, "Hail, Agostinho Neto" . 7 Movimento Popular de Libertac;ao de Angola. 135. Because of its commitment to revolutionary struggle and the cause of liberation everywhere, the People's Republic of Angola will continue to take part in the substantive work ofthe present session, although we have made no policy statement in this hall. 136. However, we cannot remain silent in the face of recent attempts at reviving "gunboat diplomacy". We condemn imperialism wherever it appears and stand ready to offer our solidarity to the third-world regions and subregions where these activities show signs of resurgence. 137. But our alarm is all the more acute when our own African continent is a target ofEuropean adventurism, especially in view of the fact that it is the last continent to be decolonized, and parts of it are still treated as colonies by the former colonizers.

Several representatives have requested to be allowed to exercise the right of reply and I shall now calion them in tum. May I recall that the General Assembly, at its 4th plenary meeting, decided that statements in exercise of the right of reply should be limited to 10 minutes on anyone item and should be made by representatives from their places. In the in- terests of orderly procedure, I intend to apply that decision strictly.

The day before yesterday the Assembly listened to the representative ofthe Israeli entity exercis~ ing his right of reply [28th meeting], in the course of which he falsified the facts when he spoke about Saudi Arabia and some of the brother Arab countries in con- nexion with the statement of His Royal Highness our Foreign Minister [21st meeting]. Accusing the King- dom of Saudi Arabia or other Arab countries of being the enemies of peace is in itself an act of hostility towards peace. The enemies of peace are those who have attacked and usurped the territory of Palestine- the bands of Zionist immigrants in Palestine who un- leashed a war of aggression against and dispersed the Palestinian people, which is greater in number than the peoples ofmany ofthe friendly countries that are mem- bers of this intemtional Organization. 140. The enemies of peace are those who have re- sorted to arms, which they are still stockpiling, and who have signed an agreement which they call a "peace agreement", while at the same time soliciting destruc- tive, long-range death-dealing weapons. 141. The enemies of peace are those who refuse to recognize the legitimate right ofthe people who own the land which is their homeland. And those enemies of peace know perfectly well that they will know no rest as long as what belongs to the Arabs by right is not re- stored to them. The Israeli entity, which was built from its origins on aggression and injustice and lives on a

My delegation is speak- ing at this late hour because a small number of delega- tions have made false allegations in reference to East Timor during the course of the general debate. 143. In its statement before the Fourth Committee last yearS my delegation categorically refuted such alle- gations, and therefore there is no need to repeat here what we said then. 144. As is well known, the people ofEast Timorfreely and democratically exercised their right to self- determination when they decided on independence through integration with Indonesia on 17 July 1976, a process which was in full conformity with General As- sembly resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV). 145. Prior to this the people ofEast Timor had experi- enced 400 years ofcolonial exploitation, which had left enormous misery and a backwater. In addition, the criminal negligence of the administering colonial Power created an unjust situation and havoc which left East Timor in the throes of anarchy and civil war at the time the colonial Power was departing. The people of the province of East Timor are now living in peace and experiencing development programmes in education, agriculture, health and other areas in unity with the other people of Indonesia. 146. My delegation deems it unfortunate that some delegations persist in ignoring the freely expressed will of the people of East Timor. They continue to make false accusations without fully realizing the facts ofthe situation.

My country was assailed virulently this morning by Cuba, which addressed the Assembly as the spokesman ofthe non-aligned group of nations [31st meeting]. One is bound to note that Cuba follows a very odd form of non-alignment. Indeed, its track record scarcely qualifies it as a non-aligned country at all. As is all too well known, Cuba has over the last two decades put itself, both militarily and politically-

I should like to draw the at- tention ofthe representative ofIsrael to the fact that the tradition of the Assembly with respect to speeches made by Heads ofState has always been that no state- ments in exercise of the right of reply may be made in the General Assembly hall. He may, however, submit his reply in writing.

With all due respect, Mr. President, I had, I thought, made it clear that I was responding to the statement made by the chainnan of the non-aligned group of nations. You, yourself, Sir, introduced the speaker in that capacity, and in the first sentences of his statement he explicitly said that he was ISO. The PRESIDENT: I do not intend to initiate a dialogue with the representative of Israel, particularly since what is really involved is a matter ofcourtesy a1'!d tradition. It is true that the Head of State of Cuba Said he was addressing the Assembly as Chainnan of the Non-Aligned Movement, but it is equally true that he continues to be the Head of State of Cuba and he was received here with all the ceremony accorded a Head of State. So in that context I would personally appeal to the representative of Israel to conform to the tradition of the Assembly.

With your pennission, Mr. President, I should like to proceed. As is all too well known, Cuba has over the last two decades put itself, both militarily and politically, at the complete disposal of one particular super-Power. Its troops have ever been ready to act as proxies for Soviet expansionism and neo-colonialism in all comers-

I am sorry to have to inter- rupt the representative of Israel, but I am advised that the tradition to which I have referred has been respected-namely, that the right of reply cannot be exercised in the Assembly hall in respect ofa statement made by a Head ofState. I do not think that it would be fair to depart from the tradition in this particular case. I think that the right thing to do would be for the rep- resentative of Israel to proceed in the manner I have suggested. This would not be making an exception with regard to the Head of State of Cuba; the tradition has been respected whenever a Head ofState ~as appeare,d before this Assembly. If we start departmg from thiS tradition in respect of one Head of State, then we shall be creating a precedent that will not be in the interest of the dignity ofthe Assembly. Sometimes Heads ofState who speak before this Assembly say things that are not totally acceptable to one or another delegation. Sti~l, the tradition has been maintained that no statements In exercise ofthe right ofreply may be made in the Assem- bly hall and, frankly, I intend to adhere strictly to that tradition, unless the Assembly should decide otherwise.

In view of your statement, Mr. President, I should like to confine myself with regard to Cuba to one partiCUlarly insulting statement made about my country and my people which calls for a response-

The representative of Israel must know that since 1 assumed the presidency of this Assembly I haVe tried to act in as fair a manner as possible. He must know that I have extended that courtesy to every delegation, including his own. But I cannot allow a tradition that has been maintained by this Assembly throughout the years to be departed from in this case. If, therefore, the representative of Israel wishes to challenge the manner in which I am proceed- ing, I shall have to ask the Assembly to take a decision.

I am not challenging your ruling, Mr. President, but I should like to proceed with my reply without addressing myself to Cuba.

Thank );'ou, M~. Presiden,t. Since Cuba merely gIves expressIOn to Its master s voice- 158. The PR.ESIDENT: It seems to ~e t,hat the rep- resentative oflsrael wants to exercise hiS nght of reply regardless ofwhat I ha.ve said. I t~ink that.the Assembly agrees with me that In the particular .clrcum~tanc~s, that is completely out of order and not 10 keepmg WIth the established tradition. 159. Since I know that the representative of Israel is particularly fond ofmaintaining traditions and adhering to the rules of procedure, and since I ~ish our p~~eed­ ings to be orderly, I do not want to be 10 the pOSitIOn of having to refuse to calion him. 160. I shall now calion the representative of Israel, but if he continues to refer to the statement by the Head of State of Cuba, I shall not call on him again.

Mr. President, in deference to your ruling, I should like to address myseIfand reply to the statement made by the Soviet Foreign Minister [7th meeting]. 162.' The Soviet Foreign Minister referred to ques- tions of human rights and fundamental ~reedoms. It!s surely too much for him to expect that thiS Assembly IS unaware ofthe appalling Soviet record on human rights and that it will be taken in by the representative of the Gulag Archipelago. For example, iflife in his country is as idyllic as the Soviet representative would have us believe, I wonder ifhe could explain why in the last two months alone three leading stars from the Bolshoi Bal- let and two Soviet international skating stars have found it necessary to seek asylum beyond Soviet shores. 163. Over the past year, the Soviet Union has in- tensified its incitement against the Jewish people which is disseminated day in and day out in the Soviet press and radio. 1 shall not burden this Assembly with the odious material against my people that is given such wide currency in the Soviet Union today. 1 shall only remark that, just as the notorious anti-Semitic fabrica- tion known as the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" was put together at the end ofthe last century in Tsarist Russia, so today the Soviet authorities continue to re- gurgitate in the same obscene tradition base lies and slanders against Jews and the Jewish State. 164. Let me tum briefly to the new Soviet proposed item, entitled "Inadmissibility of the policy of hegemonism in international relations" which was pre- sented by the Soviet Foreign Minister in his address to the General Assembly on 25 September 1979. Mr. Gromyko said: "The time has come for all States Members of the United Nations to take an unambiguous position with regard to hegemonism-to condemn it and to block any claims to hegemony in world affairs." [7th meet- ing, para. 189.] 166. The Soviet Permanent Representative, introduc- ing the new Soviet item in the General Committee, defined hegemonism as "the desire of certain States to dominate other States and other peoples" .9, Howev~r, as Mr. Gromyko rightly declared, there can be no ambi- guity in this matter. There can be no double standards either. 167. Is not the presence of Soviet combat forces in both hemispheres "a claim to hegemony in world af- fairs" ? Direct Soviet military involvementthrough prox- ies in Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya is incontrovertible. The Soviet Union has only recently doubled its combat capability in the Kurile islands of Japan. Soviet military advisers are actively assisting Viet Nam's push for regional hegemonism in South-East Asia. And to cap it all, the Soviet Union is actively assisting Cuba to build up that country's forces so that it can conduct wars by proxy on behalfof the Soviet Union in more than 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East. AIl this presumably is not ·'hegemonism" according to Soviet standards. 168. This, then, is the true face of the super-Power which would lecture Israel, a small and independent country, which I have the privilege to represent, on such subjects as occupation, expansionism, terrorism and militarism.

In viewofthelatehourand the fact that no point has been raised that deserves a reply, I do not intend to exercise my right of reply at this meeting.

As we have now come to the close ofthe general debateofthe thirty-fourth session, I wish to take note with deep satisfaction of the manifest importance attached to the debate by the membership of this Organization. Indeed, as members will agree, this is self-evident, both in terms of the number of participant~atotal of 143, by far the largest number in the ~eneral debate in the annals of our Organization- and In terms of the importance oftheir statements. We have thus heard important addresses from 13 Heads of State or Government and 13 Vice-Presidents or Deputy Prime Ministers, as well as 102 Ministers for Foreign Affairs and a number ofCabinet Ministers. The Assem- 9 Ibid., Thirty-fourth Session, General Committee, 3rd meeting, para. 4, and ibid.. General Committee, Sessional Fascicle, corrigendum. 171. Of the Heads of State, some addressed the As- seml>ly on behalf of their own countries, others did so on behalfof very large groups ofthe membership. This was so in the case of the President of Liberia, Mr. William Tolbert, who addressed the Assembly in the earlier part of our session in his capacity also as the current Chairman of the OAU [lOth meeting], and the President ofCuba, Mr. Fidel Castro Ruz, who address- ed our Assembly this morning in his capacity as the current Chainnan of the Conference of Non-Aligned Countries [31st meeting]. 172. Without detracting from the equally important debates ofprevious Assembly sessions, I am convinced that the presence among us of such a large number of eminent statesmen and world leaders clearly dem- onstrates their deep concern at the ever-growing di- mension and magnitude of the complex problems con- fronting the nations of the world. At the same time, it represents the trust and the confidence which these leaders place in the United Nations as the forum of universality, through which will emerge a consensus of the consciences of mankind and through which peace, justice and human dignity for all-without any excep- tions whatsoever-will one day become a reality. As eminently stated by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in his address: " ...in view of its universal character, the United Nations will never cease to be the forum, the high tri!mne, from whj~1t all Illan's problems are appraised in truth and justice." [See 17th meeting, parii.- 19.] 173. All participants in the general debate have under- scored the pressing need for the expanded role which the United Nations can and should playas an irreplace- able instrument for peace, justice and international co- operation. I am now more confident than ever, given the necessary commitment and the determination on the part of all the Member States, that this Assembly will be able to translate into positive action a number of important suggestions and recommendations made dur- in$ the debate with a view to finding solutions to many a cntical and complex issue confronting the world com- munity. I should like to pay a particular tribute to those who took part in the general debate for their construc- tive remarks on the various items which, I am certain, will engage the serious attention ofall the members. My observation, based on my own past experience within the Organization, is that this has been one of the most exciting, exhilarating and certainly constructive gen- eral debates. 174. At the risk perhaps of being premature, I should also like to thank all members warmly at this stage for the exemplary co-operation they have so far rendered to me and other presiding officers in the conduct ofthe debate, by faithfully complying with the mode of or- ganization of our work, agreed at the outset of the session. The fact that despite the unprecedented number ofparticipants, the debate has concluded with- out deviating from the established schedule speaks for itself. I wish to express my confident hope that the excellent practice thus established and the manifest spirit ofco-operation and goodwill will continue to pre- vail throughout our work during the remainder of the session.