A/35/PV.1 General Assembly

Let me begin by saying how deeply honoured 1 feel that the General Assembly has seen fit to endow me with the presidency of its thirty-fifth session. The distinction and trust you have thus accorded me extend weil beyond my person; they are an honour bestowed upon my country and its people. 41. 1shaH endeavour to do my utmost to serve the Assem- bly in the spirit of the Charter and in aecordance with the high example which has been set by those who have pre- ceded me on this l'Ostrum. 42. ln assuming my new office, 1 am privileged to puy homage to my predecessor, Ambassador Salim, for 50 admirably discharging his duties during four sessions of the General Assembly. His outstanding competence and exper- tise arÏd-not least-his rare sense of timing have set a standard which will be hard for me to emulate. 43. Considering the magnitude of the responsibilities of the President, 1 shaH gratefully and confidently rely on the wise and experienced counsel of the Secretary-General, whose judgement 1 have come to value so greatly over the years. 44. 1 shall also count on the co-operation and support of ail delegations and on the assistance and advice particularly of the Vice-Presidents of .the General Assembly and the Chairmen of the Main Committees. 45. This Assembly convenes at a time when the world has entered a difficult decade. Dangers and crises abound. Few, if any, international contlicts lend themselves to easy solu- tions. None of the problems confronting us can be treated in isolation. Therefore, only our common and sustained endeavours will yield results. Here is a challenge to this Assembly; here is a challenge to the politieal will of represen- tatives, Governments and groups. 46. We must ask ourselves at the beginning ofthis session: have we ail really done our best in the past? Have we always exhausted every possible means of achieving mutually acceptable compromises? Have we done everything to reach consensus? Have we not often been hiding behind instruc- tions from capitals instead ofguidingour own Governments towards agreement with negotiating partners here? 47. The need to create a new, more just and balanced international economic order, for example, is much too urgent to permit any substantial further delay. For millions. it could literally mean the difference between life and death. 49. Let us show compassion lor those who still live in wanl and poverty. Let us help them to overcomc their plight. Every day, week or monlh losl may result in tragedy lor addilional hundreds of thousands of hUIl1:1n beings. I lind it appalling Ihal sorne countries in a position to do so, irrespcc- tive of their econamic and social systcms. still have nol reached lhe 0.7 per cent official developrnent assistance goal. Saille have made substantial progress during reeent years; others are still far behind. The untald sulTerings of millions of people will nol be terminated by yel anolher round of well-intentioned but sometimes bland debates in this Assembly. We are calied upon ta act and lo act no\\'. 50. Sorne of the problems on our agenda are so vast, sa cOlllplex and so profound lhat one mighl be ternpted to givc in ta feelings of hclplessncss and despair. So Ict us face them togelher realistieally and wilh determination.undcrstHnding and shared conœrn. 51. The Unitcd Nations has becorne a Illirror of the harsh realities of the world. Our Organization rellects deep politi- cal, economic, national and ideological dirferences. It ref1ects the anguish 01' those who live in povert)' and the desperation or those with no education. those wilhout employment, witholIt food and withollt hope. 52. And yet our peoples relllain dctermined "ta save suceeeding generations l'rom the scourge 01' war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sor- row ta Illankind. and "ta reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth 01' the hlll1lan persan. in lhe cqual rights of men and womcn and of nations large and smalt. and "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising l'rom treaties and other sources of international law cun be maintaincd. Hnd "to prol1lote social progress ancl belterstandards or lile in larger l'rccdom''. 53. Those are word\ l'rom the Prl':nnblc to oLlr Charter. which goes on ta commit ail of LIS "ta practise lolerance und live IOgelher in peace with one anothcr as good ncighbours, and "ta unite our strength to maintain international peace and security. and "ta ensure ... that armed force shaH not be used .... and "ta employ international machinery l'or the promotion of the economic and social advuncel11ent of ail peoples". 54. Those are solemn commitments inta which our peoples and their Governl1lents have entered llpon joining the United Nations. 55. 1. hope that at the close or this thirty-lifth session the General Assembly will be able to take pride in having 56. f trust that at the end or our work we shall rcgistcr further subslantial steps towards an independent, sovcreign Namibia through free and United Nations supervised clec- tians as weil as towards the abolition of ail forllls of racial discrimination, including, in part[cular, the apal'lheidsystem praclised in South Africa. 57. 1 hope that by December we shaH have taken deter- mined action to promote security and disarmament. This should include a reaffirmation of earlier support for the SALT II agreement? as weil as renewed and seriaus efforts to hait the arms race. In particular, 1trust that the Assembly will conlinue to contribute to the policy of détente. In this conl1e.~ion 1appealto Governments la use lhe presence of their Foreign Ministers during our debates here to resull1c direct talks and prepare the ground for rruilful negoliut ions. 58. 1sineerely hope that, with both patience and persever- ance. substantial progress will be made. through global ncgotiations, towards the establishment of a new and more equitable international economic arder. That requires com- passion, imagination, ereativity and, above everything else, the genuine politiea] will of ail conccrned. 1am convinced that the time has now eome for meetings saon at ministeriai or even summitlevelto genemte this polilical will, which is so badly needed. 59. The list or problems on our agenda is tao long ta allow me 10 reJer to every one or lhem. The lHsk is huge, our time Jimitcd. Let us theret'ore devote our energies and e.~perience to achieving our eommon goal. Your President will encleav- our to serve you ta the best or his abilities. l'airly and impartially. 60. ln conclusion. 1wish to idenlify mysell'with a cOlllmit- ment which a reeipient of the Nobel prize, the late Ralph .1. Bunche. made here at lhe United Nations: "1 have a nUll1ber 01' ycry strong biases. 1have a deep- seated bias against hate and intolerancc: 1 have a bias :q.~ainsl rucial~and rcligious bigotry: 1 have bias against \\~ar, li bias ror peace; 1 have a bias which leads me to belie\'C in the essential gomines, of my rellow l11an. which leads me to believe that no problem of human relntions is ever insoluble. 1have a strong bias in favour of the United Nations and its abililY ta maintain a peaceful world."

ln accordlJl1e.:- \.vith the procedure rollowed in the pasto 1shoulu now lih.:- to invite the GL'l1cral Assemblv to consider the positive r.:-eollll1lcndalion by th.:- Seeuritv"Colllll:il for lhe admission 10 l1l.:-mbership in the United" Nalions or Saint Vinccnt amI' thc (irclHldincs ---:r;:-eal\ bet\\'cen the lInilcd Sialcs of Amcric<l anù Ille Union or Slwic\ S(~cüllisl Repuhlics on the Limilil\iol1 or SlrJllcglC Offcnsive Arms. ,igned al Vienn'I on I~ .lune 1979.

The Security Council has recom- mended, as stated in document A/35/107, the admission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to membership in the United Nations. In this connexion, a dran resolution has been submitted in document A/35/L.l and Add.1. May 1 take it that the General Assclllbly accepts the recommenda- tion of the Security Council and adopts the draft resolution by acclamation? The riraft resolution was adupted (resolu/ion 35/1).

1 therefare declarc Saint Vincent and the Grenadin~s admitted to membership in the United Nations.

It gives me greatpleasure to extend-as a first official act in my new capacity as President ofthe thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly-a warm welcome to our new Member State, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Hs accession to this family of nations, which has now increased ta 154 Members, marks a further step in the process towards universality, thus underlining an histori- cal and irreversible evolution. 65. With the admission of Saint Vincent and the Grena- dines, aState has joined our Organization which belongs to a region that takes pride in its ancient civilization and diversity of cultural tradition and which has a great poten- tial for development. The United Nations has become stronger and richer through the accession of this new Member which willjoin in our endeavours to implement the principles embodied in the Charter, to consolidate peace and security and to strengthen co-operation and under- standing between nations. 66. 1 should Iike to congratulate the new Member State, and in particular its Prime Minister and Minister ofFinance, Mr. Robert Milton Cato, and its Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairsand Tourism, Mr. Hudson K. Tannis, on the unanimity with which the application of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for membership has been approved by the international community [A/35/89- 8/13784]. 1 welcome its delegation to the United Nations and assure it of our friendship and co-operation. 67. Several representatives have expressed a desire to speak at this juncture_ 1 cali first on the representative of Brazil, who will speak on behalf of the group of Latin American States. 68. Mr. CORR1!:A DA COSTA (Brazil): 1should like, on behalf of the group of Latin American 'States, to offer our 69. We should like to extend a very warm welcome to the United Nations to the one hundred and fifty-fourth Member of the Organization, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a sister nation of Latin America, which we are certain will enhance the contribution of our geographical region to the work of the United Nations. We in Latin America have always enthusiastically supported the principle of the uni- versality of the United Nations and we are now pTOud to note that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has joined the ranks of the independent nations, bringing the goal of uni- versality c10ser to its final consummation. 70. The delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines may rest assured that it will have the whole-hearted friend- ship and co-operation of its fellow Latin American delegations.

MT. Presi- dent, first 1 offer you my warmest congratulations on your accession to the presidency of the General Assembly. It is a great pleasure to have a personal friend as weil as the representative of a country so c10sely Iinked with mine in that important post. 72. By the same token, my warmest thanks and congratu- lations go to Ambassador Salim ofTanzania, another good friend and colleague from a country with very close ties with the United Kingdom. We have admired him, respected him and, indeed, sympathized with him thraughout a year which must at times have seemed to him ta be without end. 73. Six months ago 1had the pleasure oftaking part in the Security Council proceedings8 that led to the unanimous recommendation that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines should be admitted to membership in the United Nations. This is an equally happy occasion. We welcome Saint Vin- cent as the one hundred and fifty-fourth Member of our Organization. 74. My delegation takes special pleasure in greeting Saint Vincent as the thirty-eighth of our Commonwealth partners to come to New York to assume United Nations member- ship_ The United Kingdt?m and Saint Vincent and the Gren- adines have a long history of friendship going back to the early seventeenth century. In the second half of this century it was wholly appropriate that the nature ofthat relationship should change with the times. At the end ofthe 19608 Saint Vincent took a long step towards independence by becom- ing an Associated State. That left only the conduct of its foreign affairs and defence policy in our hands as adminis- tering Power. Then, exactly 10 years later. its people decided that it should become a fully independent State within the Commonwealth. A conference on the Saint Vincent consti- tution wa.'i held in London from 18 to 21 September 1978. develapi~lg.-ncw rorms of partnçrship ta complement our long-standing tics or friendship and co-operation. 76. 1 should like to extend the warmest possible welcOllle ta ML Milton Cato, the Prime Minister ofSaint Vincent and the Grenadines, who has come to New York for this occa- sion with his Minister l'or Externnl AlTairs, Ml'. Hudson Tannis, whom we met in Febrllary. ML Cato's Governmcnt has quickly earncd the respect of the international commll- nity since steering Saint Vincent to independence. We much look rorward to sceing his represcntativcs taking part in ollr deliberations here. 77. 1 do not have ta emphasize the impact that island States have made at the United Nations. The size or a country's economy or its population have rarcly bccn the determining factor in its infiuence on United Nations an'airs. We arc sure thut Saint Vincent will be a valuable Member of the United Nations ramily and that the internationul COlll- munity will benelit rrom its membership. 78. Saint Vincent has a long and lively ùemocratic tradi- tion which 1 am sure will equip its l'epresentatives weil l'or the tasks which lie ahead ofusall in New York. 1wish every good fortune to our old friends in Saint Vincent l'or the future Ilappiness and prosperity or their beautiruJ country. 79, The PRESIDENT: 1 now cali upon Ihe repl'esentative of Sierra Leone. who will speak on bel1alf or the group or African States. 80. MI'. GELAGA-KlNG (Sierra Leone): Ml'. President, allow Ille on belullr al' the African group 01' States ut the United Nations to eongratulate you on yom unanimous election to the pl'esidcncy of the thirty-firth regular session of the General Asselllbly. We have no doubt that, with l'our profound experience you will carry oui l'our duties successfully. RL We wish also to take this opportllnity or etJngrat ulat- ing our denr rriend and brother, Alllbassador Salim A. Salim or the United Republic 01' Tanzania, on the excellent way in which he condueted the alrairs of the General Assel11- bly. Wc ail remember quite weil the inderatigable way in which he condueted our work. und the fuct that he brought this year's work to <1 sLlccessfu\ conclusion givcs cause l'orjoy to ail or LIS who come l'rom Arrica. 82. As tht: CUITent ChuÎrmun of the group or African States at tile United Nations. [ have great pleasure in wel- coming Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as the one hundred and fifty-fourth Member of the United Nations. 83. The Arricun group or States always has a reeling 01' triull1ph and satisfaction whennewly indt:pendent StatL's me <ldl11itled to this world b(ldy, We reel victorious and juhilanl nol Llnly bec<luse wc ourseh·t:s <Ire. L'ol11panttively sI1L'<lh;iIH.' newlyi"dt:pendent. bu!. il fOrliori, becH.use sLieh aUl1llssion i1i 84. In line with this,lllY country, Sierra Leont:, wus one or the sponsors of draft resolution A/35/L.l, admitting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ta the United Nations, We congratulate the ncwest Member and wish il wdl. The Al'ri- can group of States is eonvinced that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is n peace-Joving State wllich has aceepteù the obligations L'ontained in the United Nations Churter, amI we have every confidence in its ability and willingncss to carry out those oblig<ltions. 85. Finally, our congwtulations must also go to the erst- whilc <ldministering Power, the United Kingùol1l. Indced, having reg<lrd to the l'act that the ties between Ihis newly independent Member and the United Kingdol1l go b:1Ck as l'al' as the seventeenth eentury. we ean understand it il' the changc in stutus or the rormer is uccompanied by sOl11e emotion on the part or either Stute, 86. Be that as il may, this is ajoyoLls occasion for us ail. Wc are sure thal. in accordance with the principle or the sover· ~ign equality 01' all States embodied in the Unill:d Nations Charter, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will plllY an active role in I.he deliberations or this Organization. 87. 1 want tn take this opportunity also ol'welcollling to the United Nations the Prime Minister. the Minister l'or Extl:rnal All'airs and the entire delcgation or Saint Vincent <111(j the Grenadines. RR. The PRESIDENT: The nexl speakl:l' on illY list is th~ representative or Banglauesh. who will speak on behalf or the Asian grtlU p or States. R9, Mr. KAISER (Bangladesh): Ml'. President. on hL'hall' or the Asian group or Simes, 1cxlend tl1 you our warmesl eongrat ltlations on you l' assulll ption or the high Ol1ïCl' or 1he President orthe thirty-Iirth session orthe General Asscl1lbly, CnllllllÎltetf as you are 10 the purposes and prineipks ol'lhe United Nalions, your e1ection to the presidency ni' this altgust body is a litting tribute 10 your pt:rson1l1 qualities a~ un outstanùing diplomut and a man of peace and wi"dolll, and III your great country t'or thL' erreetive l'Ole that it has played inlhe United Nations elier since it beeurne n Mel1lber 01' the world body. 90. On ,behalr of the Asian group or States. wc pil~ !lUI' "'armesl trihltte 10 the President 01' tlle prL'\'ious SL'S.'lnn !lI' the General Assembly, Mr. Salim Ailmed Salim.tIlL' Perm,l- nent Repn:selltative nI' non-aligned Tanzania. ;\ L'lllllllr~ which wc respect. lt was under his wise guidancL' and k;llkr- ship that sOllle mOl11entmls decisions oli'ar-reachin!! sig.nllï- e:lnCt: round aL'L't:ptant:e. President S,i1illl dit! us pnllid ;II\LI brnught une",' dedication to t\1L' rurpOSL'S and prillll11k, enshrined in the Charter or Ihe Uniled Nations Inr uni, L'rsai peace und lhL' prn~ress nI' nwnkilld. 91. lt is \Vith:\ ~real SL'nsL' ,li ~atisf;\etillil lhat IlL' L'\lL,ld OUI' heaniest J.\reetilll.!s tnSuinl VincL'nl and lhL' Ciren,ldine, on its admission ln the United Nations as ilS one hUlldred 92. Speaking on bdlalf of the Asian group of States, 1 should like to emphasize that wc in Asia have becn in the vanguard of action to remove the remnants of colonialism and in support of the right to sell'-determination. In pursuit of the goal of universality, Asia has been among the tirst to extend lirm support to any State seeking admission to mem- bership of the United Nations, irrespective ofits size, ideol- ogy or political, economic or social conditions. Saint Vincent. 1 am sure, will l'rom the first day of its admission contribute effectively and meaningfully to the deliberations of this Assembly on the matters of universal importance. 93. The Asian group of States also takes this opportunÏ!y to warmly congratulate the administering Power. the United Kingdolll, on this joyous and happy occasion. 94. May 1again, on behalf of the Asian group of States, convey our heartfelt congratulations ta the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadincs antl our best wishcs for the continucd prospcrity, pcncc and IHlppi- ness of its people.

The next speaker is the represen- tative of Norway, who will speak on hehalf of the group of Western European and other States. 96. MI'. ÂLGÂRD (Norway): MI'. President, the members of the group which has unanimously nominated YOll 1'01' the high omce of President of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly will certainly offer their individual warm congratulations at the appropriate time. Permit me now however. as a colleague and an old l'riend, to extend to you my most heartJelt personal congratulations. 97. ln my capacity liS Chairman of the group of Western European and other States, it is (\ great pleasurc to cxtcnd 11 warm welcomc to Saint Vinccnl and the Grenadines in lhe United Nations. 98. Jt is always a most important occasion whcn ncw Members join our Organization. The group of SlHtcs for whieh 1am speaking welcomed the application l'or I11cmber- ship by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Today we should like to express our satisfaction that Saint Vincent and thc Grcnadines has declared itself ready to accept and L1ndcr- takc the obligations in the Charter of the United Nations. 99. Although Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will be one of the smaller Members ofour world Organization, 1am conJident that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will l'ullv discharge ail responsibilities connected with mel1lbership a'f the United Nations. 1am furthermore convinced that, as the one hundred and lifty-fourth Mcmber or the Unitcd Nations, it will make a valuablc contribution to our activities. 100. On behalf of the group of Western European and other States, 1 taki. this opportunity to congratulate the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grena- IDI. The PRESIDENT: The next speaker is the represcn- tative of Bulgaria, who will address the Assembly on behalf of the group of Eastern European States. 102. MI'. TSVETKOV (Bulgaria) (interpretation Jrom French): MI'. President, may 1at the outset, on behalf of the delegations of the Eastern European States, extend to you our most cordial congratulations on your election to the high office of President of the General Assembly and wish you complete success in the discharge of your important mission. 103. J am certain that when the head of my delegation, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of 8ulgaria, addresses this Assembly next week, it will be his pleasure ta express to you the sentiments of the Bulgarian deJegation, as weil as our fullest appreciation to your emi- nent predecessor. 104. As Chairman, during the month of September, ofthe group of Eastern European States, 1 have the honour and the great pleasure of warmly welcoming the representativcs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the admission of their country to the United Nations. At the same time, l should like to express ta them our most cordial wishes for the prosperity, well-being and happiness of their people and country. J05. The entry into the United Nations family of a new Member is in itself a felicitous political event, because il represents yet another victory of the world Organization in implementing the Declaration on the Granting of lndepen- dence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly [resolution 1514 (XJ1]. 106. Furthermore, this event is ail the more significant since it coincides with the twentieth anniversary ofthe adop- tion by the General Assembly of that historie Declaration, which has played and continues to play an extremely impor- tant role in abolishing the colonial yoke and promoting access to freedom and independence for ail colonial coun- tries and peoples, as weil as in the evolution of the world in general. No one can doubt that the proclamation of national independence by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an expression of the historical changes that have occurred in the contemporary world and is yet ncw proof of the will of peoples to put an end to the last vestiges of the colonial system, as weil as to ail the practices of exploitation, pres- sure, racial discrimination and injustice which accompany il. 107. The countries of Eastern Europe, which have from the outset worked tirelessly for the full realization of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, are desirous of establishing close and friendly co-operation with the delegation of Saint Vin- cent and the Grenadines for the altainment of the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Mr. PrLosiclcnl. permit me ta convcy to vou on behalr of the Arab group of Stales our sinccrL' ~ongratllialinns on your unanimous election to the prl~i· denc)' of this thirty-Iifth sessÎon or the General Assembly. 110. The he'lds nI' delegations of'our countries will soon be able 10 ollcr their cnngratulations \0 ynu in an appropriate fashion 011 behulr 01" our Govcrnments. Howevcr. wc shnuld like tn express our pleasure and 10 say tbat l'our Inng c,\perience in internlltit)nal alTairs and your skill inconduct- in,!,! proceedings in tbis Organization make us conlidenl that vou will contlucl Ihe procccdings or this session in sllch a ~l'aY as to cnsure the Sl1ccess to which this Organinltion aspires. III. Wc arc also sure that YOU will devole vour elTorts 10 Ihe implemenWlion of the objectives and principles or Ihe Charter or Ihis inlernational Organil.3tion. Wc should like Il) assure YDU l1ere that the Arub gmup orSlatcs is rcady to coooperate with ynu in the attainment or thcse objectiws. Il::!. Your eountry. the Federal Republi<: or Germany, plays a very important and positive role in relations wilh Ihe wllI'ld's countries in gcncml. and with the Arab countries in rarticular. Wc ha"e no doubt Ib'll this role will promote the SllCCCSS or this sl'Ssinn and will succeed in strengthening the links or solidarity and co-operation among the various countrÎLos. J l3. r take Ihis opportllnily aiS() to greet. on behalf or'lhe Arab group of States. Ihe 5tate or Saint Vincenl and the Grcnadines on ilS admission to the international rumBy. We shollid also like 10 repeat that wc are read)' 10 co-operate in ail Iiclds with thal Statc. The admission or an increasing nlllllber or independent States which have fought againsl Cl1lonialism and nlcism will no doubt strengthen L11e role or thc United Nat ions in Ihl;' service or the causes orjusticeand international peace. 114. In conclusion. 1 should Iike lU hail the tireless and inlense efrorts and Ihe encrg,elie .letions undcrtakcn by)'our predecessor. Mr. Salim Ahmcd Salim. to ensme the succcss tIr the wor" nI' the 1hi rIv-l'ourt h sL~si()n as weil as of the seventh ernergency special session and the elcvenlh special session. J 15. The PRESt DENT: t cali next on the representativc of Saint Lucia. who will speak as the Chairman of the West Indies Associated SlatL'S. Il6. Mr. AUGUSTE (Sain! Lucia): Mf. Pn.osident, may [ Lake this Iïrsl occasion to congratulate you on your election as PrL'Sident or thc thirty·fifth session orlhe General Assem- bl)'. r <lm certain that }rou will occupY the chair with the dlaracterislic ability and expericnce that you have displayed o\'er many yeurs in this and other ronuns. l17. One year ago rny country was atlmittcd anll acclaimed as the youngest Mcmber Stute of this allgllst body. Toduy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines assumes this ] l8. On behalf or my country in its eapacÎty as Chairman or the Committee of Foreign Ministers or the Caribbean Communily [CAR/COM) and alsa. more especially, as Chairman orthe West lndics Associated Stales, constillHing bOl h the Windward and Leeward groups ofislands. 1extcnZI a very special welcome. The Windward group is the fore- runner of the small island Caribbe.tn Stales in <lchieving indcpendence and United Nations membership, and wc are looking forw'ard to Ihe earliest materialization of a similar slatus and aehievement l'or the Leeward group of islands. 119. Like our sis1er isla nd States in the Pacifie and lndîan Oceans. we add a new and important dimension to the social. economic and politicnl thrust 01" lhe thirc1 world. There arc now sorne 24 island Member States and more arc 10 follow. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the Ialest addition. This is an important consideralion that the Uniled Nations musl accommodate in its calculations and projet:o tions and ta which it must giveadequaleand full signilicance in ilS deliberations. 120. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. in common \\Iilh ail our other sister States. represents a unique and peculiar manifestation of the nation State. But its problems <lrc no less demanding and its demands no less perlinent than is rc:corded in the general third wnrld movement lo elicit u rcasonablc and morc acceptable slandnrd of living for our pcoples. Size in area or population does nol warrant any apology within this ('orum. The Suite cxisls and the interna- tional community must at eyery juncture live with. contend with and embody it. mindful of the exc\usi ve system or co-operalion and c()-ordinalion that is harboured therein. 121. Saint Vincent and the Grenadinl."S.like oursclvcs and small island Stales thal came before us. is expectcd to live up 10 the same obligations and rcsponsibilitics that arc applica- ble to larger Slates. [t is expected ta reprcscnt its inlerests and objcctives in this rorum and tn play an ellective and effectuai l'Ole in the preservation and maintenancc of pellce. Tbere is no doubl that. likc its sis1er Stales, Saint Vineenl and the Grenadines will have Ihe oppartllnity 10 rullil its role. whatcver the priee; for it is a burden thal il agrccd to accept and whose existence it acknowlcdged must e.~ist. when il electcd lo seck indcpendencc and 10 be accepled inlo the ranks or tllis esleemcd galhcring. 122. The onlysalvalion for a smatl island Slale is 10 be pnrt oran entilY whme major objective is to preserve pence in thi~ world. Il is only the communily of intcrests that will repre- sent and maintain the bascfrom whiê:h the peoplesofa smaH island Slatc l'an hope ta achieve their goals and objectives. E\'Cry Input ta that cause. directly or indircctly. is a slep in the proper direclion. 123. ln welcoming Sainl Vincent and the Grenadines. wc arc proud to aeknowlec.ige that tbe end or the Windward Islands conslilutionnl and international l'ndeavour has arrived. We note. en passant, thal the beginning of the 125. To the State of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and to its Prime Minister, may 1suggest that their vision be never blurred by the untimeliness of events, and that they pursue their people's path, encouraged and fortified by the Shakespearian metaphor "Ripeness is ail".

1nowcall on the representativeof the United States, who will speak as the representative orthe host country. 127. MI'. McHENRY (United States of America): Sir, on behalf of the United States, the host country, 1 wish to express our warmest congratulations on your election ta the presidency of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assem- bly of the United Nations. You have, MI'. President, the disadvantage and the challenge of following Ambassador Salim of the United Republic ofTanzania in the office ofthe presidency. We are, however, conlïdent that you will meet the challenge sa ably put before you and us by Ambassador Salim-a challenge, 1might add, that you have ably demon- strated your ability to meet in the pas!. 128. As Permanent Representative of the hast country, 1 take pleasure in welcoming Saint Vincent and the Grena- dines as the one hundred and fifty-fourth Member of the United Nations. The people of the United States extend congratulations to the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as they join our efforts to establish international peace, justice and prosperity. 129. In February 01' this year, when the Security Council considered Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' application for membership in the United Nations, the United States representative expressed confidence that the people and Government of the newly indcpendent nation would sup- port the basic principles ol"the United Nations Charter. We expect that these principles will guide Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as it assumes an active l'ole in international affairs, both within the Caribbean region and in the United Nations. 130. The United States looks forward to a continuation of the friendly relations that we have enjoyed with Saint Vin- cent and the Grenadines. We have in the past provided them with economic and development assistance through multi- lateral agencies, and we maintain a Peace Corps programme there. The United States was also pleased to \end assistance to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last yeur in the wake of the tragic volcanic eruption. 13 J. Wc wish tD assure the representatives of Saint Vin- cl.:'nt and the Gn:nadines of the full cD-operation. or the United States in our future endeavours. We extend ta them ollr warm greetings and best wishes on this happy occasion. 133. MI'. CATO (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines): MI'. President, on behalf of the Government and people of the nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, my delcgation would like to extend to you persona'lIy and to the country you represent our very sincere congratulations on your appointment to the very high office you now hold in this august body. 134. We have observed with great interest the record of your country over the last three decades in bringing about the tremendous reconstruction which has placed you in the forefront oftaday's developed countries. We knowonlytoo weil that the progress ofyour country has been made possi- ble not only by whatever natural resources you may have at your disposaI but principally by the hard work and dedica- tion of YoU!' peopl'e; and it is in this respect that my own country can gather encouragement and have hope for its own future in spite of its own extremely limited resources. 135. 1 should Iike, if 1 may, to express my delegation's thanks to ail those countries represented here today who have made our presence and our membership possible; and in this respect 1speak for those Vincentians in this country who have given my delegation encouragement during our periods of difficulty. Some of them have found it possible ta be here to lend us further moral support. We know that there arc thousands of citizens in our own home today who have great expectations; and 1 trust that with God's help they wHI 'have no reason to regret the democratic mandate which they placed in our hands when, on the fifth day of December last, they renewed and extended the authority of the Saint Vincent Labour Party to manage the affairs ofour small island State. 136. The application ol'Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to become a Member ofthe United Nations, having received unanimous approval in our own House of Assembly, was dispatched ta the Secretal'y-General on 8 January 1980 and came up for consideration before the Security Council on 19 February 1980. 137. 1should like to express my thanks to ail the members of the Security Council for giving such ready and easy passage to the resolution and for the very kind sentiments and good wishes which were then expressed by delegations in recommending my country's membership to this distin- guished Assembly. 138. 1should particularly iike ta relèr to the contributions made by the representatives ofSaint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, who requested to be invited to participate in the Security Council's discussion of the application and who also expressed very complimentary and encouraging words about my country. Our particular countries are bound not only by ties of geography, situated as we arc practically within a stone's throw of each other in the same Caribbean 139. 1t was most titting and appropriate that our sponsor should have becn the United Kingdom. We were under their tutelage for sorne 300 ycars and should we demonstrate any evidence of unpreparedness for our ncw l'ole, then the part played by our erstwhile colonial masters mighl very prap- erly be brought inta question. 140. As we have been reminded, the association between the United Kingdom and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has been a long one, dating back to the early seventeenth ccntury. We have travelled together over storl11Y and peri- lous waters; we have had our long periads of dispute and controversy and we have progressed along the constitu- tional road, sometimes impatiently and sometimes without any obvious signs of benefit to our long-suffcring and rrus- trated people who were so anxious to attain a reasonable standard of living under conditions over which they had no contraI. 141. Happily, time, which has been said ta be the heaJer of ail ills, marched on; and on 27 October 1969 we entered into an Association with the United Kingdom under the terms of which we were to manage ail our internai affairs, whiJe the United Kingdom Government continued to rctain responsi- bility for our external affairs and defence. 142. In the course of the negotiations which resulted in that Association it was made clcar that this was only an interim measure leading ta full independcncc for our State. At the final conl'erence-Constitutionul Conference, heId in London l'rom 23 to 27 June: 1969-1 spoke on behalr or Lhe Government or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and announced that my Govcrnment and the people ofour State were l'ully commilted ta indepcndence, as weil as the politi- cal and economic intcgratian of ail the Cmibbean peoples, and that, ifthis dream should praye illusol'Y, then we would procecd together with any or those States that were so disposcd and, in any event, would seek to proceed to independence. 143. In the circumstances whieh cnsued We were ùestincd ta becomc a member of the Curibbean Free Trade Associa- tion and later the East Caribbean Common Market, cco- nomie groupings which were aimed at helping us withstand sorne of the pressures of the international and multinational economic systems. Even within tbis grouping, the Eust Caribbean ComlUan Market was established to give furtller protection ta sorne of what have becol11e known as the less devclopcd eountries. At the present time, thc East Carib- bean cauntries WOl'k for regional co-operation llnder (he LII11bre Ila or the Couneil of Ministers of the West Indics Assoeiate States, embracing the indcpendelll States as weil as some Stutes which are still in association with the United Kingdol11 Government and one State which for the til11c being has elected ta remain a British colony. Wc still horc that in this manner we will givc strength tn the kss devcloped countries. 145. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was put through severe tests during the year 1979, shortly afterwe had settled the timc-tabJe for our maye to independence. In April of that year we were reminded in no uncertain manner that we lived at the foot of a volcano, for La Soufrière madc its presence felt by a series of cruptions which compelled us to embark on an instantaneous evacuation programme involv- ing some 20,000 people, cornpletely disrupting the lives of our entire population of sOl11e JI 0,000 and bringing the economic progress which we had been making ta a tempo- rary standstilI. 146. We had hardly c1eared the dcbris and rcnewed our lorward march when we got the al"termath of hurricane "David", which reminded us of our vulnerability l'rom the sea as weil as l'rom the [and, when rough seas and heavy winds practically dcstroyed two villages and did considera- ble damage to our roads and vegetable crops. [47. It was during this pcriod that our faith in humanity was strengthened. Our friends l'allied round us l'rom ail quarters. We received immediate assistance to help us with rehabilitation l'rom a number of countries, agencies, groups and individuals, in the forefront ofwhich was this Organiza- tion, in which we have today attained formai membership. 148. It was in these circul11stanees that our people demon- strated their spirit nI' detcrmination to work together as a united people, and so we praceeded with our rehabilitation prognllllme and diù not alter ourschedu le for proc.eeding t? independence. The morale of Dur people was 11Igh, thelr dedicatioll was unquestionable. and our economy once again began to gather momentum. Many representati~es here C8n beur testimony to the spirit ofdetermÎnation whlch was in evidcnce during our indepcnclence cclcbratioll, by which lime We had restored conditions to normalcy. 149. Within a periocl of two mllnths we invitcd the electo- rate to rcnew our mandate if'thev sO wishcd, and the Labour Party of Saint Vinccnt and thc Grenadines was rcturned ta ollïe'e Il\' an overwhell1ling l1lajority, ar gencra! cleetions which t~)ok place on 5 December 1979. 151. The question now is where do we go l'rom here? How do we fulfil our obligations to the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and live up ta their expectations? How do we perform our obligations ta the United Nations and carry out the pledges wc have made to identify with the international cammunity? My Government has made a dec- laration to the United Nations Secretary-General that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines considers itsclf bound by the treaties formally entered into on its behalr for a limited periad during which the texts of the treaties will be studied and a final decision reached whether to accept each treaty or ta terminate il. Several countries have adopted this method of acceptance of treaty rights and obligations on the attain- ment of independence. 152. My Government has given deliberate consideration ta our awn foreign policy and to diplomatie representation, and my delegation will be making our main statement on foreign policy in the course of this session. There are, how- ever, certain brief matters of concern to us which 1 should likc ta stress at this stage and at this particular point in time. 153. We shall endeavour ta main tain the contacts which wc have cstablished over the years with our traditional friends, and wc look forward to their co-operation in ail malters pertaining to our external affairs. Wc shall, of course, maintain our friendly relations with other Carib- bean nations and strengthen existing tics wit h other call1l- tries where it is in our interest to do so. We intend to remain members of, and actively participate in, the several regional institutions to which wc now bclong. 154. At the last meeting ofthe West Indian States Associa- tion Council of Ministers, it was agreed to establish an Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the abject being to achievc the fullest possible co-ordination offoreign poli- cies within the respective competences of member States, ta seck ta adopt, as far as possible, eommon positions on ail international issues and to establish and maintain joint mis- sions and representations in pursuit of thdr intern;ltional relations with other States and international organizations. The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines feels that security and peace in the world is ofparamount impor- tance and should not involve one nation arming itself against another or imposing its superior force on another nation. 155. We subscribe to the principle that ail nations should work logether in a spirit of good neighbourliness based on l11utual respect for each othcr's equality, irrespective of nllrnerical strength, size or tïnancial resourct.'S. 157. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines adheres to the principles enunciated and enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. 158. Wc condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist policics practised in South Africa and e1sewhere and endorse the Declaration on race and racial prejudice adopted on 27 November 1978 by the General Conference ofUNESCO'l at its twentieth session on 27 Novem ber 1978. 159. Wc shall give our complete support to the people of Namibia in their strugglc for freedom l'rom a de/iant and oppressive régime and will support to the t'ullesl exlent possible the efforts being made ta bring about free and nIir elections under the supervision of the United Nations lead- ing to independence for that country at the earliest possible time. 160. Wc shall give full 5UPPOrt ta the efforts being made ta bring about and ensure the complete independence ofBclize and wc shall continue ta observe the procedures which are being adopted ta bring about a just settlement in that dispute. 161. It is quite c1ear ta my delegation that the many lauda- bic resalutions which have bccn adopted by this Assembly l'rom time to time can never be implemented unless the major POWers and the developed countries, notwithstanding their own domestie problems, are prepared to l1lake sub- stantial sacrifices in arder to correct the imbalancc betwccn the rich and the pOOl' countries of the world. 162. The small island States of the Caribbean have identi- fied two major constraints on the econornic development or our countries. First there is the lack ofadequale tinance and it had been hoped that the establishment ofeertain financial institutions within the region wOllld have provided a solu- tion. Indeed, the Caribbean Development Bank has pro- vided a partial but often frustrating ~olution. It is nol unusual for a project to take up ta two years l'rom the filing of an application to approval and disbursement. lllis is not usually due ta any cumbersome or bureaucratic proce- dures on the part of the Bank, but occurs because the donor eOllntries will only provide funds lor specifie purposes and on specifie terms and conditions of tbeir own ehaosing. which the Bank itself describes as being unneeessarily restrictive. • United Nations Educulionul, Scientific and Cuilurai OrganizHtlon. Records of the General Conference. Twenlil'lh Session. vol. 1. Resolu- lions. p. 61. 164. In some cases, the procurement regulatiol1s applica- ble to the disbursement offunds by the Bank arc so stringent and complex that the Bank itself has described them as a nightmare. 165. The second constraint to which 1refer is related to th~ lack of technology within the small States, Immigration restrictions and lack of training facilities make it extremely difficult for small island States to provide the trained labour force needed by underdeveJoped countri~s ifthey are la find a niche in this very competitive world, whether it be in agriculture or in industry. 166. We would weicome a reviewoftheir position on these matters by the countries donors to the Caribbean Develop- ment Bank as weil as to other financial institutions, 167. My delegation would not likc to give the impression that we are setting out cap in hand, so to speak, seeking aid wherever we can get il. 168. We fïrmly bclicve that, given the opportunity, our people can learn the skills necessal'Y to develop our country. 169. We recognize that even as independent countries we continue to live in a state of interdependence. 170. We seek the opportunity to make our contribution to the efforts being made by the United Nations to implement its Charter. We believe that the United Nations will be an effective instrument only when nations put the interests of the international community before their own, and that Ihere is a compdling duty for ail countries, including our own, to subordinate our national interests to global policies ta ken in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. 171. We firmly believe that these principles should form the corner-stone of the structllre which we shall co-operate in building as we proudly take our place as the one hundred fifty-fourth Member of this family of nations. 1 pledge to you, Mr. President, the co-operation of the new State and Mcmber, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The meeting rose at 5.25 p.m,