A/34/PV.98 General Assembly
THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION
Statement by the President
15. Elections to fili' vacancies in principal organs: '1': (a) Election of five non-permanent members of the Se- curity Council
The General Assembly will now resume the election ofone non-pennanent member of the Security Council from the group of Latin Ameri- can States for a two-year term beginning on I January 1980.
3. Following the inconclusive ballots held at its 47th, 48th, 50th, 53rd, 83rd, 89th and 90th plenary meetings, held on 26 October, 30 October, 2 November, 29 November and 5 December, the Assembly will now proceed in accordance with rule 94 ofthe rules ofproce- dure to the next ballot, which is the 59th ballot and the first of a series of three unrestricted ballots. In this' umestricted ballot, any member State from the group of Latin American States may be a candidate for election except, of course, Bolivia, which is about to vacate its seat, and Jamaica, which is already a member of the Council. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mlrdovich (Byelonlssian Soviet Socialist Republic) and Mr. C;elik- kol (TIII'key) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
1 propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 4 pm. and resllni!d at 4.IOpm.
The result of the voting is as foHows:
Number ofballot papers: 147 IIlvalid ballots: 0 Number ofvalid ballots: .......•............. 147 Abstentions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 Numb.er ofm~ers voting: " 146 Required maJOrity: , 98 Ntonber ofvotes obtained:
Cuba 88 Colombia , 57 Uruguay , 1
Since the first in this series of unrestricted ballots has proved inconclusive, we shall now proceed to the second unrestricted ballot under the same terms and conditions. The ballot {'apers will now be distributed..
At 'he invitation of the President, Mr. MJ.rdovich (Byeforusswn Soviet Socialist Republic) mul Mr. C;elik- kol (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A vote was t{/ken by secret ballot.
1 propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 4.20 p.m. and re- sumed at 4.25 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballo' papers: 147 Invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 147 Abstentions: 1 Number of members vOling: 146 Required majority: ..........•............. 98 Number of votes obtained: Cuba 86 Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 58 Suriname ,..................... I Uruguay. . .. I
Since the second in this series of unrestricted balJots proved inconclusive, we shall now proceed to the third unrestricted ballot under the same tenus and conditions. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) and Mr. gelik- kol (Turkey) acted as tellers.
I propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 4.35 p.m. and re- sumed at 4.45 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: .. '" 146 Invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 146 Abstentions: 1 Number of members voting: 145 Required majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Cuba 83 Colombia , 58 Suriname 2 Honduras.............................. 1 Uruguay............................... I
Since this third unrestricted ballot has proved inconclusive, in accordance with rule 94 ofthe rules ofprocedure we shall now proceed to the first ofa series ot" three restricted ballots. This balloting is restricted to the two candidates which have obtained the largest number of votes, namely, Cuba and Colom- bia. Any papers containing the names ofother countries will be declared invalid. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) andMr. gelik- kol (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
I propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 4.50 p.m. and re- sumed at 4.55 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: 146 Invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 146 Abstentions: I Number ofmembers voting: 145 Required majority: '" 97 Number of votes obtained: Cuba 85 Colombia , , 60
Since tbe first restricted ballot did not produce a candidate with the required two- thirds majority. the General Assembly will continue the voting and will hold a second restricted ballot. As in the last ballot, the only countries whose names may be included in the ballot papers are Cuba and Colombia. Any papers c<;>ntailJ-ing the names ofotherco~ntrieswill be declared invalid. The ballot papers Will now be distributed.
At thi! invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) and Mr. (:elik- koT (Turkey) afted as tellers.
The meeting was suspended at 5.05 p.m. and re- sumed at 5.10 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: 146 Invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: , 146 Abstentions: 3 Number of members voting: 143 Required majority: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 96 Number of votes obtained: Cuba , 82 Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61
Since the second in this series of restricted ballots proved inconclusive, we shall now proceed to the third restricted ballot under the same terms and conditions. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) andMr. Celik- kol (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
I propose now to suspend the meeting whil"e the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 5.20 p.m. and re- sumed at 5.3(J p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: , , 145 Involid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 145 Abstentions: 3 Number ofmembers voting: 142 Required majority: 95 Number of votes obtained: Cuba 81 Colombia .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 61
As the third restricted ballot has proved inconclusive, in accordance with rule 94 of the rules of procedure we shall now proceed to hold a series of three unrestricted ballots. In this unrestricted ballot any member State from the group of the Latin American States is eligible for election, with the excep- tion ofBolivia and Jamaica. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) andMr. (:e/ik- kol (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
I propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 5.35 p.m. and re- sumed at 5.45 p.m.
"'1um~erdofm.e"!bers voting: 144
Nequb"e ifmaJOrlty:........................ % um er 0 votes obtained: ~upa 82
~o'0!TIbla .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 58 BrazIl 1 El Salvador , . . . . 1 Honduras.............................. 1 Surinanle J
Since no candidate obtained the required majority in the first in this series of unre- stricted. ballots, we shall now proceed to the second unrestncted ballot. As before, in this unrestricted ballot any member State frem the group of Latin Am~ricai~ States may. ~e a candi~ate for election except, of course, BolIvia and Jamaica. The ballot papers will now
be di~tributed. 25. .The P~ES ..DENT: I propose now to suspend the rr eetmg whIle the ballots are being counted.
At the im'itation of the President, Mr. Marclovich (Bye!crussian So' iet Socialist Republic) ar.dMr. 'elik- ko! (Turkey) act 'd as tellers.
A ,:/le was I '1ken by secret ballot.
The meeting was suspended at 5.50 p.m. and re- sumed at 6.05 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number ofballot papers: 144 Invalid ballots: 2 Number of valid ballots: 142 Abstentions: 2 Number ofmembers voting: 140 Required majority: 94 Number of votes obtained: Cuba 79 Colombia .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 58 Brazil 2 Chile , . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 1
Since no candidate obtained the req':lired majority, we shall now proceed to the third unrcstncted ballot on the same terms and conditions. The baiIot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr Mardovich (Bye!orussian Soviet Socialist Republic) andMr. 'elik- ko! (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
I propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 6.15 p.m. and re- sumed at 6.25 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows:
Since the third unrestricted
b~Jlot ~id not .pr~uce a candidate with the required two-thirds maJOnty, the General Assembly will pro- ceed to the first ofthree restricted ballots in accordance with rdle 94 of the rules of procedure. This ballot is restricted to the two candidates which h~ve obtained
~he largest number of votes, namely Cuba uld Colom- bia. Any b~lotpapers c0!ltain~ngthe name ofany other ccuntry wIll be declared mvalld. The banal papers will now be distributed. 31. .The P~ESIDENT: I propose now to suspend the meetmg whIle the ballot papers are being counted. The meeting was suspended at 6.35 p.m. and re- sumed at 6.40 p.m.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Bye!orussian Soviet Socialist Republic) and Mr. (elik- koi (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A ,,"ote was taken by secret ballot.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number ofballot papers: 146 Invalid balltJts: 1 Number of valid ballots: 145 Abstentions: 4 Number ofmembers voting: 141 Required majority: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 94 Number of votes obtained: Cuba 81
Colomb~a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60
As the first restricted ballot has proved inco!lclusiv~,we shall therefore proceed to the second restncted ballot. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Rye!oru!sian Soviet Socialist Republic) and Mr. C;elik- ko! (TurKey) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken cy secret ballot.
The result of the voting is as follows: Number ofballot papers: 141 Invalid ballots: 2 Number of mlid ballots: 139
In view of the inconclusive nature of this second restricted ballot, the General As- sembly will now proceed to a third restricted ballot, the last ballot for this evening. The ballot papers will now be distributed.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mardovich (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) andMr. Celik- kol (Turkey) acted as tellers.
A v9te was taken by secret ballot.
I propose now to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted..
The meeting was suspended at 7.05 p.m. and re- sumed at 7.20 p.m.
The result of the voting is as follows:
Nl~mber Qfballot papers: 147 Invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 147 Abstentions: 1 Number ofmembers voting: 146 Required majority: 98 Number oJ votes obtained: Cuba 82 Colombia 64
The third in this series of re- stricted ballots has proved inconclusive and I therefore feel compelled to bring the following important points to the attention of the Assembly.
40. We have today already had a total of 12 ballots. Added to the previous ballots, we;have thus far held 70 ballots during this session. In view ofthe lateness ofthe
41. On two previous occasions I already emphasized the seriousne~' with which all of us in this Assembly should view thi~ question. It is imperative that the General Assembly dischar&.e its responsibility byelect- ing the fifteenth member of the Security Council prior to our adjournment on 18 December. I therefore ap~al to all the members ofthe General Assembly to exercise wisdom and reflect on this question with a view to enabling the Assembly to discharge its responsibility.
42. In the meantime, as I have already stated on previ- ous occasions, as President of the General Assembly I have a clear and unambiguous responsibility. It is to ensure that the General Assembly scrupulously abides by its rules ofprocedure in proceeding with the election of the members ofthe Security Council. Accordingly, I
int/~nd on every appropriate occasion, when conditions so allow, to take up the voting for the election of the remaining non-permanent member of the Security Council.
43. Members \\ ill realize that since the Assembly is scheduled to conclude its session one week from today, there is great pressure on us. Consequently, in view of our programme of work, the next balloting will take place on Thursday afternoon, 13 December, and will proceed, ifnecessary, throughout the weekend until we arrive at a decision.
44. I realize that delegations are quite exhausted. So am I. Yet, unless someone can come up with a better way of trying to discharge our responsibilities, I do hope that members will understand and appreciate that the only way-I repeat, the only way-the President of the General Assembly can proceed is by adhering to rule 94 of the rules of procedure, which, inter alia, stipulates thata series ofrestricted ballots followed by a series of unrestricted ballots, and so on, shall be held until all the places have been filled.
The meeting rose at 7.30 p.m.