A/35/PV.20 General Assembly

This morning the Assembly will first consider the second report of the General Committee concerning the agenda of the current session [A13512501 Add 1]. 2. In paragraph 1(a) of its report, the General Committee recommends the inclusion in the agenda of an additional item entitled "Urgent measures for reducing the danger of war". May I consider that this item is included in the agenda? It was so decided [see para. 5 below].

The General Committee recom- mends in paragraph 1 (b) of its report that this item be allocated to the First Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly decides to allocate it to that Committee? It was so decided [see para. 5 below]. • Resumed from the 3rd meeting. Thursday, 2 October 1980, at 10.50 a.m. NEW YORK 4. The PRESII?ENT: In paragraph 2 (a) of its report the General Committee recommends the inclusion in the agenda of an additional item entitled "International co- operation to avert new flows of refugees". May I consider that this item is included in the agenda? It was so decided [see para. 5 below].

The General Committee further recommends in paragraph 2 (b) of its report that this item ~ allocated to the Special Political Committee. May I take It that the Assembly adopts that recommendation?

The Chairmen of the First Commit- tee and the Special Political Committee willbe informed of the decisions just taken.

The Assembly will now consider the. report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 17(e) which relates to the vacancy which has arisen in the mem- bership of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal as a result of the death of Sir Roger Bentham Stevens. 8.. In paragraph 4 of its report [AI35/495], the Fifth Com- mittee recommends the appointment ofMr. Arnold Wilfred GeofTrey Kean for a term ofoffice beginning on 2 October 1980and ending on 31 December 1980. The Fifth Commit- tee a.dopted the recommendation by acclamation. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

Mr. President, it iswith particular pleasure that I congratulate you on your election as Presi- dent of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. We gr~et you as the repre~ntative of a country which isa good neighbour and close fnend ofours. Your great experience and deep knowledge, combined with your outstanding diplomatic skill and political acumen, augur well for the work of this session of the Assembly. 17. I should like here to refer above all to the situation in the Middle East. The present military conflict between Iran and Iraq constitutes a new element in the crises ofthe region. Austria is following the development of relations between Iran and Iraq with deep concern. The hostilities which are taking place in clear violation of the obligations under the Charter have created a very serious situation which, com- bined with the other conflicts in the region, threatens to assume global proportions. 11. It is also a pleasure for me to welcome two new Members to the Organization. We should like today to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the delegations of Zim- babwe and Saint Vlncent and the Grenadines, and it is our hope that we shall enjoy close co-operation with them. 12. In December, 25 years will have elapsed since Austria was admitted to the United Nations. Austria has success- fully made use of that time to establish, in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, good relations with all coun- tries of the world, irrespective of their economic, social or political systems. In particular, we are, proud to have excel- lent relations with all our neighbours. ' 18. It is Austria's position that, in view of these circum- stances, an effective attempt must be made to settle the conflict by peaceful means and with due respect for interna- tionallaw and without resorting to any further use offorce. Austria therefore welcomesand supports swift action by the Security Council. We, of course, recognize that regional organizations have assumed an increasing responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security and in the mediation and peaceful settlement of regional conflicts. Austria appreciates this development. We deem it necessary, however, to recall that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace lies with the Security Council and that action on the regional levelshould never impede the Security Council from fulfilling its duties. 13. During Austria's 25 years of membership, certain areas have emerged as focal points for our co-operation. These constant elements are the following: unconditional support for human rights, development, disarmament and strengthening of international law. In addition, Austria actively participates in United Nations peace-keeping operations. 14. Austria continues to attach great importance to United Nations peace-keeping efforts and is willing also in the future to contribute to the further development of this most useful instrument. I should like sincerely to thank all the soldiers who today are serving the cause of peace under the United Nations flag. 19. We are deeply concerned, both for humanitarian rea- sons and for reasons of principle, about the fate of the American hostages, who are still being held in Iran despite the intensive efforts of the international community. Although we do not underestimate the difficulties and fundamental changes arising in the wake of a revolution, we must reiter- ate the unconditional position we stated last year in the Security Council. 2 We strongly deplore the taking of hos- tages as a flagrant violation of international law and of the rules of diplomacy, which constitute the very basis of rela- tions between States in all civilizations and cultures. 15. In pursuing its policy of establishing good relations with all our neighbouring countries, Austria, with respect to Italy, has received active assistance from the United Nations. Resolutions 1497 (XV) of 31 October 1960 and 1661 (XVI) of 28 November 1981 on the question of South Tyrol led to negotiations which inl969 resulted in an autonomy agree- ment for South Tyrol. Thus the conditions for friendly relations between two neighbours have been established. In accordance with those resolutions, I should like to report that during the past year further positive steps have been taken to implement the so-called South Tyrol package. However, 20 years have elapsed since the first General Assembly resolution on this question and II years since the Austro-Italian agreement. Nevertheless, essential parts of the package are still unimplemented. We therefore fully understand the impatience of the population of South Tyrol. The Austrian Government is particularly concerned that full equality for the mother tongue of the minority, which is so important to it, has not yet been guaranteed. Prime Minister Cossiga and Foreign Minister Colombo have recently made promising statements on this question. We hope that those statements will be honoured by a new Italian Government, too. That would justify my expecta- tions that the problems which have not yet been settled will be resolved as quickly as possible and in a satisfactory way. 20. We-are aware of the efforts to solve thispromern and we hope that reason, understanding and moderation will prevail on all sides. We make an urgent appeal to the Iranian Parliament to free the hostages, in respect for international law, without any further delay, regardless of the rather intricate situation provoked by the military conflict with Iraq. In this context, I wish to thank the Secretary-General most sincerely for his tireless efforts in the interest of the hostages. 21. The military invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, which was condemned by the overwhelming major- ity of Members of the United Nations, including Austria, at the sixth emergency special session ofthe General Assembly early this year, continues seriously to disrupt the stability of the region and to threaten the policy of detente. 22. As regards the Arab-Israeli conflict, the situation has not improved in any way. Austria isdeeply concerned about 16. Four years ago I had the honour to speak before the General Assembly for the first time and to present Austria's 23. We must note with great concern that all efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of this conflict have thus far been unsuccessful. The most recent steps taken by Israel with respect to Jerusalem and its measures in the occupied territories have further aggravated the situation. Wedeplore and condemn Israel's attempt to annex Jerusalem because this is a flagrant violation of international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. Consequently, it has to be considered as null and void. Jerusalem isa city where the beliefs and aspirations of great spiritual and religious tradi- tions and powers meet, factors which increase the political complexity of the problem, adding emotional and even prophetic aspects. A high degree of political imagination will therefore be needed inorder to work out specificformu- las for solutions, and in this process all the considerations advanced by interested and objective observers will have to be taken into account. 24. In this connection, the criteria proposed by the Holy Sees should be mentioned. In addition to the call for free. access to all holy sites, these criteria include the requirement that the duly acquired traditional rights of the various reli- gious communities in the city be respected and assured. 25. The problems involved are enormous. Therefore it is all the more vital that the greatest possibleefforts be made to use all available opportunities to contribute to a just and peaceful solution. This probJem cannot be solved by force. Israel, too, will have to accept this reality. 26. We also condemn Israel's policy ofestablishing settle- ments in the occupied territories and, in particular, the deportation of the mayors of Hebron and Halhul, freely elected representatives ofPalestinian communities. 27. We call upon theUeneral Assembly to take steps similar to those taken in adopting resolution 34/29 of 16November 1979, concerning the Mayor of Nablus, to ensure that this action, which violates the Geneva Conven- tion relative to the Protection ofCivilian Persons in Time of War, of 12August 1949,and the most basichuman rights, is revoked as soon as possible. 28. The present crises in the Middle East and Afghanistan have overshadowed the tragic events in South-East Asia. Nevertheless, the dimensions of that human tragedy remain staggering. Our position has not changed. Wecondemn Viet Nam's invasion of ~-:ampuchea as well as the violations of human rights by the Pol Pot regime which preceded it. Our prime concern is for the Kampuchean people, with whom 4. IbM.. 9th meeting. 30. During the 1980sone of the most important elements in the development process and in international economic relations will undoubtedly be the availability of adequate energy supplies. The manner in which this problem issolved will test the viability of the world economy. This question places an equally great responsibility on all countries. 31. A long-term solution can be achieved only through a constructive dialogue between producers and consumers, which would best be undertaken within the framework of the United Nations global round of negotiations. 32. The energy crisis presents the international commun- ity, and the world monetary system in particular, with a significant challenge: the international monetary institu- tions must increase their role as catalysts between surplus and deficit countries. 33. I cannot imagine that mankind, which in its long history has solved tremendous problems with the help of human ingenuity, science and technology, must stand pow- erless before a situation which directly affectseach and every one of us. 34. Instead, we believethat a large-scalejoint undertaking by industrial and oil-producing countriescan mobilizesuffi- cient intellectual, technical arid financial resources to deal successfully with the North-South problem in all itsdimen- sions. Austria's ideas for a massive transfer of resources were last put before the General Assembly at its eleventh special session," 35. In view of the unsatisfactory outcome of that special session, I should like to return to a thought first voiced by Willy Brandt and then discussed intensively by President L6pez Portillo of Mexico and Chancellor Kreisky:a summit meeting of statesmen from industrialized and developing countries to mobilize the political willofGovernments, thus promoting mutually acceptable solutions to the North- South problem. This could at the same time give a useful political impetus to the forthcoming round ofglobal negoti- ations. The idea of convening such a meeting next year has won' widespread support. 36. A commission for disarmament and international security, consisting of representatives from the East, West and South and headed by Olof Palme, was recently estab- lished at Vienna. The independent Palme Commission will 37. Our specific efforts to promote peace are based on a deep commitment to human rights. Without peace human rights are not secure; and peace cannot be guaranteed with- out respect for human rights. Therefore, our policy of unconditional commitment to the promotion and protec- tion of human rights remains a corner-stone ofour policy in the United Nations. We are convinced that respect for human rights is an indispensable prerequisite for peace, development, security and the reduction of tensions. 38. The tragic problem of growing flows of refugees all over the world has also to be seen in the context of human rights. I am therefore grateful to my colleague, the Foreign Minister ofthe Federal Republic ofGermany, Mr. Genscher, for drawing the attention of the Assembly to the need to study the background of that problem [see A/35/242]. As a country with a tradition of accepting refugees and granting asylum, Austria supports the initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany and will participate actively in the work of the General Assembly relating to this new agenda item [item J22]. 39. As I stated at the Meeting on Refugees and Displaced Persons in South-East Asia, held at Geneva on 20 and 21 July 1979, it is not the people indistress who are responsible for their situation, but those who have caused it. The respon- sibility therefore lies with those who are still not prepared to respect human rights, despite the Charter, despite the Uni- versal Declaration of Human Rights, despite the two Inter- national Covenants on Human Rights and despite the many resolutions and treaties on human rights. All the people who are forced to seek asylum and to liveas refugees in this world are victims ofviolations ofhuman rights. That holds true for the victims of racial discrimination as well, and for those who are persecuted on political and religious grounds. But it holds true also for the people who are forced to leave their homes because of hunger and distress. When we talk about human rights, we mean political and civil liberties as much as basic social, economic and cultural rights. 40. The problems of the world are so numerous and our agenda is so comprehensive that it is impossible for me to address every point in .this statement. My delegation will present the Austrian position on these questions in detail during this session. Let me just say in brief that we attach very great importance to, interalia, the fate of Lebanon, the talks between the ethnic communities in Cyprus, urgent realization of the United Nations plan for Namibia, the , Independent Commission on International Development lssucs under the Chairmanship 01 Willy Brandt. 41. Although the present world situation does not leave much scope for optimism, I do not want to overlook the positive developments. We wish to mention Zimbabwe in particular. Its peaceful transition to independence and its course towards a multiracial society had raised our hopes that it would have an exemplary effect on our common endeavours to achieve the full independence of Namibia. 42. Non-alignment has become a dynamic force in inter- national relations and a catalyst in solving important inter- national problems. It has contributed to the development of a feeling of responsibility for global issues among States, large and small. We consider non-alignment a stabilizing element in international politics and believe that the non- aligned States have a special role to play in a period of increasing tension. We feel that opportunities for co- operation do exist between non-aligned and neutral coun- tries, both on the global levelofthe United Nations. as wellas regionally, as for instance within the framework of the Conference-on Security and Co-operation in Europe, which was held at Helsinki in 1975. 43. We expect the second review session of that Confer- ence to be held at Madrid, to recall forcefully the obligations undertaken in the Final Act of Helsinki and to lend the process of detente the impetus it so urgently needs in this time of heightening tensions. The events of this year have demonstrated more clearly than ever before that detente has to be universal. It has become truly indivisible. Even ifone wanted to limit it to certain regions, in today's age ofinterde- pendence that would be impossible.. 44. We are all aware that we are living in a time of transition-transition from one historic period to another. In such-a time tensions will inevitably develop between ideas and reality, reason and power, morality and politics. Each and every one of us is acutely aware of those tensions and their repercussions on both our personal and international life. 45. Everywhere in the world today we witness develop- ments aimed at dismantling the established order in many sectors and calling into question recognized values without creating new orders to replace them. The resulting vacuum contributes to the rise of tensions, the solution to which situation is sought through the use of force. The spread of violence in many parts of the world isa consequence of that development, which fills us with growing concern. I am referring here to the increasing terrorism which claims inno- cent victims again and again, as for instance in the brutal and cowardly bombing attacks in Bologna and Munich. 46. We have to be aware of the fact that our youth, in its search for new life-styles and new forms of expression, is also attracted by violence. It is not by defensive attitudes, with the ensuing risk of perpetuating conflicts, that we shall succeed in integrating new forms of social behaviour into 47. In thisconnection, I wishto saya word on theenviron- ment. The excessive exploitation of nature in this century has resultedin damage ofstillunknown consequences. Only over the past decade has it been recognized that measures must be taken to preserve the ecological balance. We must adopt a much more seriousapproach to our environmental problems. We must also try to integrate the concerns of environmentalists into our existingsystems. We must seeto it that these concerns are duly taken into consideration at the national and international levels. This isa responsibility which the Organization must not shirk. 48. The challenge all of us must face, whether we be statesmenor diplomats, scientists or philosophers, isthat of combiningour forces in order to create,step bystep,a more human and more peaceful world order. We have no other choice if we wish mankind to survive. 49. On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Austria's membershipof the United Nations.I wouldlike to renewour.commitment to the world Organization and our profession of loyality to the Organization's goalsand ideals with a quote from Karl Renner, the first President of our second Republic. He said: U A world of organized peace is coming; a world of lasting co-operation; a community of nations rich in blessings-and the Republic-ofAustria will be the most loyal member of this community."

Allow me to extend to you, Mr. President, the warmest congratulations of the delegationof the Revolutionary Peo- ple's Republic ofGuinea on the occasionof yourelection as President of the thirty-fifthsessionoftheGeneralAssembly. Your election is fully justifiedby your qualitiesas a states- man, your knowledge of the special problemsof the devel- oping countries and the attachment of your country, the Federal Republic of Germany, to the policy of detenteand international co-operation. All of thesefactors, weare con- vinced, offer the best guarantee of the success of our work. We should like to assure you of the full co-operationof the Guinean delegation. 51. We also wish to express our deep gratitude to your predecessor, our brother Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim of the United Republic of Tanzania, who has won the admiration of Africa,the third world and the internationalcommunity by the effectiveness he demonstrated in accomplishing the delicatemission entrusted to him at thethirty-fourthsession and the three important special sessions that followed it. 52. We wish to thank him for his remarkable contribu- tions to the establishment of .international relations based on justice and understanding among States. 53. Lastly, may we express to the Secretary-General the entire confidence of the Government of the Revolutionary 55. In my delegation's view, the current problems with which weare concernedtoday appearto forma pressingand organic whole, in which any isolated sectoral measures wouldbe futile. Thus, in Africaand elsewhere, wenotewith a certain amount of satisfaction that peoples subject to colonialistand imperialist exploitation are throwingoff the yoke of domination. 56. The thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly will be marked bythe commemoration of the twentiethanniver- sary of the historicresolution 1514(XV),the Declarationon the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, of whichGuinea is honoured to have been one of the initiators. 57. With the victoryofthe bravepeopleofZimbabweover the retrogradeforcesof colonialism and apartheid, the reali- zation of universality within the Organization, whichisone of its major bases, will cease to be a Utopian dream. It will also beproofof the fact that the progressofhistorytowards the complete liberation of colonized peoples is inexorable. 58. However, we are compelled today to note that in southern Africa the repression by the supporters of apart- heid is implacably continuing against the South African people. Men, children, women and the aged, who are being denied the most basic rights to life and dignity, are dying each day ,s martyrs. 59. This isthe occasion to point to the permanent danger to independent Africa represented by the possession of nuclear weapons by the Fascist Government in Pretoria, which is guilty of such acts before history. 60. In tacklingthe questionofNamibia,werealize that the imperialistPowers,while pretendingto besympatheticto the question of the flouting of human dignityby the supporters of the systemof apartheid, are in factconcernedonly about the dividends that result from the investments made in that country by multinational corporations. The South African presencein Namibia no longer has any justification in law. The international communityshould attempt to rehabilitate itself by making an effective, worthwhile contribution to decolonization in that African territory. 61.' Faced with the heinous crimes perpetrated by the minority Fascist regime of Pretoria,our delegationaddressed an urgent appeal to the entire international community to provide increased material and moral supportto the libera- tion movements in South Africa-to the African National Congress of South Africa. [ANq and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania [PAq, as well as to the South West Africa People's Organization [SWAPOj, whichremainsthe sole and legitimate representative of the Namibian people. 64. In Africa, the question ofWestern Sahara has been the object of important recommendations by the AdHoc Com- mittee of Heads of State of the OAU, called the committee ofwise men, aimed at finding a final solution to that painful conflict. In the view of my delegation, my country being a member of that Committee, it would not be timely for the United Nations to take a decision which might compromise the possible chances ·of success in achieving an acceptable solution. 65. Experience shows that the solution of a problem as complex as that ofWestern Sahara does not necessarily lie in the simple adoption of resolutions or in condemnation but rather in the concrete demonstration of good will and the exercise of loyal co-operation on the part of all the parties concerned and involved. 66. The civil war which continues in Chad is claiming new victims each day, and is creating a truly chaotic situation which is a dangerous threat to that country's unity. In spite of ~he hostilities in Chad and in its capital, N'djamena, Afncan heads of State, among them those ofTogo, Congo, Benin and Guinea, continue to make laudable and constant efforts to bring the parties to agree to a cease-fire with a view to the proper implementation of the Lagos agreement of 21 August 1979 which remains the sole basis for the proper settlement of this problem. 67. Our delegation urges the General Assembly to take note, at the current session, of the fact that the question of Chad, which. remains an African problem and must there- fore find an African solution, should not be the object ofthe adoption ofany decision apart from those on humanitarian aid to be given to that country and to neighbouring coun- tries which suffer from the heavy burden ofthe thousands of refugees and all the consequences that such a situation can entail. 68. The situation ofthe people ofthe Comoros, arbitrarily divided, is also a source of constant concern to the delega- tion of the State-Party ofGuinea, which calls for the return of Mayotte to its motherland. 69. With regard to the situation in the Horn of Africa, in the coastal States of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the existence of foreign military bases and the new tension brought about in the region are a source ofgreat concern to us. 8 See A/34/SS2. annex I. '71. The solution of the Middle East crisis calls for the following: recognition by an States of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to independence and to national sovereignty; the withdrawal by Israel from all occupied Arab territories; the end of repeated aggressions against Lebanon and respect for its territorial integrity, and partici- pation of the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO], the sole legitimate representative ofthe Palestinian people, in all discussions relating to the settlement of the Middle East conflict. 72. These proposals of the international community, which have a just basis, unfortunately come up against the permanent obstinacy and aggressiveness of Israel, 73. It is timely for us at this point to reiterate the appeal to the effect that the international community take decisive measures with a view to bringing about the repeal of the unilateral decision taken by the Knesset proclaimingJerusa- lem the capital of Israel. 74. .We are of the opinion that our world Organization should adopt sanctions against any State which supports or endorses the unilateral and unlawful decision of Israel to make Jerusalem its capital, thus violating the international status of the Holy City, the sanctuary of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. 75. Despite the efforts of the Secretary-General, the situa- tion in Cyprus is still tense as regards relations between the two communities, Greek and the Turkish. . 76. We sincerely hope that the forthcoming peaceful meet- ing between the two communities will be crowned with success and we reaffirm our support for the cause of the Cypriot people, for respect for its territorial integrity and its national independence without foreign interference. 77. The situation prevailing in the Asian continent reveals the existence of hotbeds of military confrontation which threaten to grow larger. 78. Our insistence at this session, as at the thirty-fourth session, .on the restoration of Kampuchea's seat to the Government of Phnom Penh' bears witness to our desire to be realistic. We· think it is contrary to international practice for a Government which does. not exercise authority in its country to continue to represent that country in the Organization. 79. In Afghanistan, peace and stability call for respect for the will ofthe Afghan people freely to decide their destiny without any intervention or foreign interference. 80. Moreover, the Iraqi-Iranian conflict cannot leave the Moslem revolutionary people of Guinea indifferent. The 81. Our delegation supports the steps now being taken by General Zia-ul-Haq ofPakistan, Chairman ofthe Organiza- tion ofthe Islamic Conference, to use his good offices in this fratricidal conflict. 82. As for the situation of the divided Korean nation, in our view it is necessary and urgent as a pre-condition for the peaceful reunification of the country to transform the pres- ent armistice into a durable peace treaty with the withdrawal of the foreign troops stationed in Korea under the United Nations flag. 83. In addition, we reaffirm our full support for the strug- gle for self-determination waged by the people of East Timor under the leadership of FRETILIN.9 84. Latin America, like the Caribbean region, is not spared the attempts at provocation and destabilization being directed by foreign forces against many States in the region. 85. Our delegation remains convinced that foreign inter- vention, interference in the internal affairs of other States, and the permanent occupation of territories by force are undertakings that will always be doomed to failure. All violations of international law are closely linked with the obstinacy of the imperialist Powers in wishing to maintain an obsolete world order. 86. The solution to the question of disarmament has become an imperative need not only because of the astro- nomical sums allocated by the great Powers to the arms race, but because of the threat that those weapons pose to mankind. As has been said so rightly by President Ahmed Sekou Toure "The unbridled race for the acquisition of means of mass destruction only perpetuates inadmissible differences, discriminations and inequalities as regards the conditions of life of peoples and the relations established between States". 87. Our delegation subscribes to the measures advocated at the tenth special session of the General Assembly, devoted to disarmament, and also supports the convening of the World Disarmament Conference. 88. The decade that is ending was for us, a developing country, characterized, from the economic point ofview,by an aggravation of economic and social underdevelopment: inflation, unemployment, an increase in the foreign debt, malnutrition and many other evils, to which we must add the disasters that weigh heavily on the living conditions of our peoples. 89. This bleak picture is the consequence of the present economic order that is chronically unfavourable to the developing countries. It is thus that at the second extraordi- nary session of the Assembly of Heads ofState and Govern- ment of the OAU, which was held at Lagos in April and was "Is this a service rendered us by foreigners? Not at ail. It is always our clients who set the price of what we have to sellto them. It isour suppliers who set the price ofwhat they sell to us. This is a description of poverty, and it is this that leads to the continued impoverishment of our peoples." 90. Indeed, we continue to believethat negotiations on the major questions already identified on the restructuring of the international economic system should be carried out within the central framework of the United Nations and not elsewhere, with the effective participation of all States- small, large and medium-sized. This forum, which would have all necessary powers and competence for deliberation and decision, would have the advantage not only ofallowing for centralized discussions, but also for a coherent co- ordination of.all development programmes in favour of the developing countries. 91. Unfortunately, this legitimate aspiration of the devel- oping countries continues to come up against the lack of political will of the industrialized countries. We note in this connection that the results ofthe eleventh special session of the General Assembly devoted to development questions were rather disappointing. 92. Africa has objectively learnt its lessons from the last two decades. It is a bitter experience. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU, for its part, adopted the Monrovia Declaration," at the sixteenth ordi- nary session, in July 1979, and the Lagos Plan ofAction for the Implementation of the Monrovia Strategy for the Eco- nomic Development ofAfrica, 11at the second extraordinary session in April 1980. 93. The Lagos Plan of Action clearly defines the policies and means of action for development and co-operation as regards our continent. Henceforth, it would be desirable for any aid or assistance to development in Africa.to be placed specifically at the service ofthe implementation ofthe Lagos Plan of Action, which, in fact, contains the programme for the third development decade for Africa. 94. Without turning the Lagos Plan into a panacea and in order to avoid its becoming inoperative, we address a solemn appeal to the industrialized countries to contribute sincerely to its effective implementation. 95. As is the case in other fields, the agriculture sector has not escaped the crisis. Quite to the contrary. The already meagre results, compromised by the drought, have led to an increase in food dependency and the precariousness of the balance of payments. We must draw the attention of the international community to this serious drought, which 97. That is why our delegation is addressing an appeal to the United Nations, the specialized agencies and all those of good will in order that oneof thepilotprojectsofUNEP, the one relating to the Fouta-Djallon massif, be carried out as soon as possible. 98. The world ischaracterizedbyeventswhichoccur pell- mell and whose effects on international relations, especially regarding peace and security, are very often negative. It is we, the developing countries, who suffer the most. In order satisfactorily to resolve those problems in the light of this disturbing situation, we must give greater effectiveness to the means available to the United Nations. 99. While the Charter of the United Nations isessentially part of the historical undertaking of mankind to work towards the establishmentofan eraof true freedom,interna- tional economic justice and the effective preservation of peaceand world security, it is today necessary, more than in the past, to envisage the adaptation of its structures and performance to the expanding framework of international relations. The vitalityofany institutionresides initscapacity for adaptation to the times and to events. 100. Thus, the revision of the Charter, as well as the equitable representation of all the regions of theworld in the decision-making bodies, in particular the SecurityCouncil, become imperatives. 10I. Convinced as we are of the importance of the role assigned to the United Nations for the safeguarding of international peaceand security, mydelegationreiteratesits sincere willingness and readiness to work, together with all States, to improve the climate of disquiet and insecurity whichprevailsin theworld today, thus favouringthe advent of a world of peace, justice and social progress.

Mr. President, the excellent relations which unite our two countries, the Federal Republic ofGermany and the Repub- licof Senegal, are the reason for our pleasure in seeingyou assume the lofty post of President of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. I should like to congratulate you on behalf of my country and Government. 103. I should also like to take this opportunity to pay a well-deserved tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Salim of the United Republic of Tanzania. The competence,intelligence and wisdomhedemonstrated throughout the manysessions which were held during the year under his presidency did particular honour to the African continent. 104. I should like also to discharge another duty, that of expressing gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt 105. My delegation also welcomes the membership of a newState in the Organization,Saint Vincent and the Grena- dines. My Government would liketo assure that State of its entire willingness to co-operate with it. 106. This is another opportunity for Senegal to welcome the presenceof Zimbabwe,a multiracialState, in our midst. The birth of that State is a victory for the people of Zim- babwe, but also for the United Nations as well. Accordingly this historic event should provide an example in the resolu- tion of the difficult problems of southern Africa which continue to be of concern to us. 107. A year ago, from this veryrostrum, I voicedthegreat hopes of the international community in a perturbed and uncertain world." The past year has been rich in events. Poverty has continually beset the great majority of the populations of the world, those of the countries of the third world. Even the rich countries were not spared the disrup- tive phenomena: political instability, unemployment, infla- tion, recession and sometimes even stagnation. 108. Pockets of tension have been created hereand there, seriously threatening international peace and security. 109. These, in sum, are the fears that wefeel in the face of the succession and exacerbationofall kindsof imbalancesto which the community of men has been ' and more subjected. 110. That is why we would draw the attention of the international community to the important responsibility incumbent upon us to establishthe conditions necessary for the full attainment of economic,socialand cultural rightsof man and peoples,as an essential meansof ensuring to each individualthe effective enjoymentofcivil and political rights and fundamental freedomsso that an era of peace, happi- ness and solidarity can be ushered into the world. Ill. Considerable efforts are made along these lines each year, notwithstandingall kindsof obstaclesand constraints, notwithstanding ideological confrontations and struggles for influence, because in the final analysis the salvation of humanity, as weunderstand it, is in the hands of the nations we represent in the Assembly. 112. My country, Senegal, has alwaysattached particular importance to the establishment among these nations of a climate of peace and a network of abiding solidarity, with- /.2 See OfficialRecords ofthe General Assembly, Thirty-fourth Session, Plenary Meeting», 18th meeting. pants. 115-118. /1 Ibid..• paras. 84-149. 114. Thus, three and a half yearsafter the adoption of the settlement plan which was to conduct Namibia to independ- ence, the South African Government, through manoeuvres, the motives and aims of which are obvious, is trying to promote the establishment of institutions and bodiesdesigned to lead to an "internal" settlement,as ifthe edifyingexample ofZimbabwe had not provided a lesson for those who want to turn their backs on history. liS. It is not enough for it to proclaim its willingness to implement the settlement plan of the United Nations, and to demand at the same time the impartiality of neighbouring States, suggesting the creation of a demilitarized zone between them, because at the same time the South African Government is continuing its raids against those States, in particular against the fraternal people of Angola, under the pretext of the right of hot pursuit from Namibia, which has been illegally occupied. 116. Senegalconsiders that the settlement planconstitutes the only valid and viableapproach to findinga finalsolution to the question of Namibia. In this respect,the independence of Zimbabwe is once again of very particular importance. President Leopold Sedar Senghor said of this: "This independence proved to the international com- munity that the African peoples were rebellingagainst bondage. It showed that the law of the minority cannot be imposed indefinitely on a people determined to re- cover its freedom. Finally, it showed that peoples retain deep in their ancestral memory a capacity for resistance which foils the calculations of the most able politicians." 117. That is why there is no doubt that the present manoeuvres by South Africa will never break down the determination of SWAPO, under the guidance of our brother Sam Nujoma, to conduct its people to independence. 118. It is fitting to pay a tribute once more to the Secretary-General for the efforts that he tirelessly exerts with a view to the implementation of the United Nations settlement plan. 119. South Africa, in its letter dated 29 August 1980,14 questioned the impartiality of the Secretary-General, attri- buting to him the responsibility for the delay in the imple- mentaion of the plan. Obviously these accusations are diversionary tacticsofthe typeSouth Africahasaccustomed us to. Has it not once again shown its inclination to hold up the implementation of the settlement plan of the United Nations, by deciding to organize elections in Namibia next month to choose authorities at the second administrative 121. The acts committed by South Africain Namibia look strangely like those incessantly perpetrated by the Israeli Government in the occupied Arab territories and in Jerusa- lem.The countries in thecontact group, for their part, which have made an effort and taken initiativeswhich no one can deny, should activelysupport the Secretary-General in this decisive phase of the evolution of the Namibian question. Accordingly, the Assemblyshould reaffirmits resolve to put an end to the shady doings of the South African Govern- ment in Namibia. 122. The Security Council, in drawing up the settlement plan, omitted or ignored the United Nations Council for Namibia, which the General Assemblyrecognizedas having full responsibility for administering Namibia. That gap should be filled. The implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) remains the basis of an acceptable solution of this problem. 123. The policy of apartheid and racial discrimination of the South African Government is for my country another cause of disquiet. It has givenriseto the general condemna- tion of the international community. In addition, the segre- gation to which the black population of South Africa has fallen victim because it isbased on racial and cultural preju- dice is a deep-seated insult to the conscience of mankind. 124. When weunderscore the right of the people of South Africa to exercise their right to self-determination, we are not invoking any racial or ethnic considerations. The law of the majority should prevail within a multiracial society, mobilized, as in Zimbabwe, to ensure its happiness in solid- arity and unity. 125. Senegal, which has never stinted its support to the liberation movements, ANC and PAC, considersthat there will neverbepeaceinthisworld as longas the racist minority continues to deny the majority its fundamental rightto a life of dignity and freedom. Together weshall pursue our com- mon effort along these lines. 126. In regard to Western Sahara, at the seventeenthordi- nary sessionof the Assemblyof Heads ofState and Govern- ment of the OAU, held at Freetown last July, my country advocated the establishment of a dynamic African com- promise among all parties to the conflict in order to put an end to it, in the obvious interest of all peoples of that particular region and the African continent in general. 127. The Ad Hoc Committee of the OAU, after the meet- ing held in September 1980 in Freetown, submitted a new proposal in theobvious interestofourentirecontinent. That is why my country considers that the OAU should continue to study the case without hindrance of any kind and pro- tected from any initiative that might compromise the pres- ent position, which gives cause for some optimism. 129. If we mention the question of Chad briefly, it is to emphasize the fact that it is time for us to act together in the spirit of the resolutions.and recommendations of the OAU to assist the fraternal people ofChad-without any desire to interfere in its internal aftairs-to find a way out of the tragic situation from which it has been suffering for six months without any immediate hope of an end to that heart-rending conflict. 130. The Lagos agreement, signed by the 11 parties to the conflict in August 1979, seemed to open the way to peace and national reconstruction for the people of Chad. If the present situation continues, it will be opportune to imple- ment the recommendation of the OAU, to call, in specified conditions, on United Nations forces, composed solely of African blue berets, to ensure the return of peace to that country and the implementation of the provisions of the Lagos agreement. The need for that action, which was envisaged at the seventeenth ordinary session of the Assem- bly of the OAU,seems more urgent than ever today. 131. In concluding my remarks on Africa, I should likeon behalfofmy country to make an appeal to the international community. In our continent we have recently seen a trans- position of the su uggles for influence and hegemony which formerly rent Asia asunder to ideological or economic bases. 132. The international community should concern itself increasingly with respect of the right of peoples to self- determination, to decide freelyon theirdevelopment and the ways that are most likely to lead them to that development, bearing in mind their own history, culture and fundamental characteristics. Thus any attempt to destabilize Africa, through zones or countries, on the basis ofdifferent political or ideological options, whether those attempts stem from African countries or non-African countries, should be vehe- mently condemned, and the States responsible should be denounced. 133. It is at this price and this price alone that our conti- nent will be able, given itsdiversity and the complementarity of its potential and riches, to secure its own development, in security, so that we can contribute to international peace and security. 134. The problem of the Middle East is one of the most serious problems confronting our present-day world. My Government therefore remains convinced that only a just and comprehensive solution of that problem can bring about lasting peace in the region, and the final solution of that question resides essentially in the exercise, by the frater- nal people of Palestine, ofall its inalienable rights, including its right to establish an independent sovereign State in its own homeland. 136. As we said at this rostrum during the seventh emer- gency special session's on Palestine, convened on the initia- tive of Senegal and certain other members of the Assembly, the Palestinian people is a major people, and if any settle- ment of the question of Palestine is to be viable it must of necessity be reached with the full participation Of that peo- ple through its legitimate, sole and authentic representative, the PLO, under the guidance of its Chairman, Mr. Yasser Arafat. 137. Today, the implementation of that right isdemanded by more than 100countries. It would be unrealistic and dangerous to reduce the right of the Palestinian people to create a sovereign State in Palestine to a mere right to administrative autonomy, without any real content, without any true significance. That solution has been irrevocably rejected by the principal parties concerned, in particular the Palestinians themselves. 138. My delegation considers, therefore, that it is urgent that negotiations be undertaken to settle the Palestinian matter in conformity with the principles contained in the relevant resolutions ofthe Security Council and the General Assembly. But, and we cannot repeat this too often, the PLO must of necessity be associated in all phases of those negotiations and at all levels. 139. At the seventh emergency special session, on the question of Palestine, almost all the members ofthe interna- tional community expressed their conviction that the partic- ipation of the Palestinian people' was fundamental and essential in all efforts to establish a just settlement of the Middle East conflict. 140. The problem of the Middle East, as we know, is a complex and delicate one. But Israel must understand that it cannot indefinitely deny on the pretext of preserving the security ofthe Zionist State the fact of Palestine, the Palesti- nians' right to self-determination, their right to existence and an independent State in Palestine or, finally, their right of return to their homeland. 141. The establishment of Jewish settlements in the Arab territories must stop, as must the successiveviolations ofthe fourth Geneva Convention and th- 'Tniversal Declaration of Human Rights. 15 See OfficialRecords ofthe General Assembly, Seventh Emergency SpecialSession, Plenary Meetings, 6th meeting, 143. Fortunately, the countrieswhich had theirembassies inJerusalem decided to withdrawthem following the adop- tion of that resolution bythe Security Council. It istimefor all States in the international community, particularly the big Powers, to adopt a clearstanceon thisquestion,assum- ing their full responsibility to secure immediate and uncon- ditional withdrawalfromall occupied Arab and Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem. 144. It has now been established that the decision of the Israeli Government to annex Jerusalem and to make it the capital of a HebrewState wasa seriousviolationof interna- tionallaw and an aaditional reasonfor the worsening ofthe conflictin the MiddleEast. Thereare 2 billion Moslems and Christians throughout the world who are affected by this decision and who will never accept any illegal, unilateral modification of the status of the HolyCityof Jerusalem. In this connection, my country, a memberofthe Islamic Con- ference, takes thisopportunity to reaffirm itssupport for the resolutions adopted by the United Nations and for the actions envisaged by the AI Qods Committee, over which His Majesty Hassan 11, King of Morocco, presides. 145. It isalong the same lines that weview UnitedNations peace-keeping operations. Faithful to its commitment to contribute to the maintenance of peace throughout the world, Senegal has always supported the establishment by the United Nations of peace-keeping forces as'a practical means fordefusingregional conflicts. Accordingly, wehave beenparticipatingin peace-keeping operations,thusassum- ing our share of the role incumbent on the international community in this field. 146. ButSenegal cannot acceptacts bytheIsraeli Govern- ment which indisputably undermine the credibility of our Organization. We remain particularly concerned by the harassment of UNIFIL bythede/acto forces aidedbyIsrael. Those forces have hampered the deployment of lJNIFIL and continue to interfere with its activities. The situation thus created hasbeen considerably worsened bythe infiltra- tion, in UNIFIL sectors, ofarmedelements which havebeen provoking incidents frequently resulting in the loss of human life. 147. It is appropriate to reaffirm our solidarity with the fraternal peopleof Lebanon, which, at the priceof repeated sacrifices, has conveyed to the worldthe image ofa courage- ous people determined tc face itsdestiny, weapons in hand. That is why Senegal is devoted to Lebanon's integrity and sovereignty and deploresthe attacks and acts of aggression to which it isconstantlysubjected by troops of Israel and its allies. 148. In order to facilitate the mission of United Nations troops, Senegal isproposingtheestablishment ofa system of guaranteesand immunities for troops placed at the disposal 150. RegardingCyprus, it is regrettableto note that, des- pite good will on both sides, the intercommunal talks, so ardently encouraged, have not led to an agreement that would preserve the interests of the Cypriot communities, Greek and Turkish. Senegal hopes, consequently, that the negotiations which have been advocated between the two communities will yield a just and peaceful solution preserv- ing the unity and sovereignty of Cyprus and its choice of non-alignment. 151. In Asia, the situation in Kampuchea threatens the peace and stability of the region. We must say, there is no such thingas goodor bad foreign intervention. The Kampu- chean people must exercise its right to complete independ- ence, without foreign occupation or intervention. 152. The war now being organized and maintained in Kampuchea must stop so that an end can be put to the various attacks upon the liberties of the Kampuchean peo- ple and the sufferings imposedon it.The legal Government of Kampuchea, represented here by Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ieng Sary, must con- tinueto enjoy the support of the international community, inaccordancewiththeprinciplesestablished bythe Charter. 153. The situation in Afghanistan is of concern to the Organization ingeneral, and to the Islamicworldinparticu- lar. It was the subjectofthe sixthemergency special session ofthe General Assembly, inJanuary 1980; it wasalsotaken up at the IslamicConferenceat its last two sessions heldat Islamabad. 154. At the thirty-fifth session the GeneralAssembly must discuss the matter again, because the question has once more beenincludedintheagenda[item J/6] at therequestof 32countries,including Senegal itself. Indeed,webelieve that not only can no just and lasting solution be found to the Afghancrisis as longas foreign troops remainin that coun- try but also that the prolongation of such occupation is a direct and grave threat to peace and security in the whole region, including, in particular,the neighbouring countries. 155. It isimperative that our deliberations on thisquestion at the present session yield decisions that will promote a return to peace and tranquillity in an independent and non-aligned Afghanistan. Such a settlement, moveover, could yield a just and lastingpeace throughout the region. 156. Our policy is based essentially on non-alignment- non-alignment which, notwithstanding differing political and social systems, is,withouta doubt, a fruitful elementin international relations. Therefore, we continue to strive to uphold the purposesof the movement, basedon thedemoc- ratizationof internationalrelationsand the independence of its members vis-A-vis all military blocsand the transcending of those blocs for the security of all States and for peace, without any "natural" alliances with any bloc or Power. Those are the principles that our country defended and 158. It is acknowledged today, by large and small coun- tries alike, that pockets ofcrisislead to violencein the world and that the stockpiling of weapons can at any timegiverise to a local explosion that could assume cataclysmic dimen- sions. That iswhy mycountry remains deeply concerned by the question ofdisarmament and thearms ra~e. The c~:>ncern which every people has over the problem of Itssecunty and its very survival is so great that maintaining peace among peoples must remain for us an abiding priority. 159. Was not the United Nations created precisely to pre- serve succeeding generations from the scourge of war? Because the existence in the world of nuclear stockpiles entails the threat of nuclear conflagration, the most urgent task humanity must face today is that of dismantling the hierarchical international order that supports the present military system, replacing it bya securitysystem based upon peaceful coexistence,but also on practical acceptance of the sovereign equality of all nations. 160. The present proliferation of nuclear know-how may have allayed some concern through a balance of terror, but impulsive or irrational behaviour, in the presence of sudden serious tension, could at any time trigger a nuclear war. 161. Senegal had occasion to hail the initiative which led to the tenth special session of the General Assembly. devoted to disarmament. We must note. however, that the resultant Programme of Action for nuclear disarmament. [see resolution S-JO/1j, which proceeded from the concern to stem the nuclear arms race and to undertake reductions leading to the elimination of existingstockpiles. is, unfortu- nately, far from having made any progress in its implemen- tation, despite the consensus it had enjoyed here. 162. Moreover, the draft comprehensive treaty banning nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons testing has yet to be completed. We deplore that fact, even though, since the tenth special session, in 1978, the United States and the Soviet Union have signed the SALT 11 agreement." 163. It will be recalled that Senegal, at all international conferences on disarmament, had clearly advocated the reduction of arms expenditures and the allocation of 5 per cent of their current volume to development assistance. Ih Held at Havana from 3 lO 9.September 1979. I" Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. signed at Vienna on 18June 1979. 165. Basicas solution of political problems is,the solution of economic problems remains no less essential for the attainment of peace. 166. The Government of Senegal, faithful to its staunch position on the defenceand promotion of human rights, has always emphasized, and will continue to stress the idea that economic, social and cultural rights are inseparable from civil and political rights. Both seek the same goals and proceed from the same basis and have recourse to similar protection methods. But civil and political rights demand, furthermore, combined effortsofall membersof the interna- tional community. 167. In that respect. Senegal emphasized in the Commis- sion on Human Rights the concept of the "right to development"18-namely, the acknowledged right of all peoples and individuals to satisfy their needs in accordance with their aspirations, to the fullest extent consistent with the equitable enjoyment of the goods and services produced by the community. 168. Indisputably, development is a particularly binding imperative. In this connection the division of the world between rich and poor countries is one of the most serious concerns of our time.However,safeguarding peacedoes not depend merely on development; it also depends on respect for human rights by all Governments. 169. Unlike most other rights having to do with the human person, the right to development is first and foremost a collective right. As the President of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Leopold Sedar Senghor, is wont to stress, "Man is the beginning and end of development". Senegal has under- stood that well. Indeed, it has since the earliest years of its independence striven to implement a policyofdevelopment adapted to its national realities by stressing respect for human rights. 170. While it is certain that human rights are one of the main elements of development and that their violation can- not be justified by the demands of development, it is also obvious that there cannot be a neweconomic order without a new world cultural order. 171. The cultural dimension of develpmentcannot in these conditions be dissociatedfrom itseconomicdimension. The third world countries would do well to appreciate more clearly the interaction betweencultural and economicobjec- tives to the extent that the cultural prejudicesto which they arc subject are a destructive obstacle to the elimination of unfair trading practices in international economic relations. Consequently, the new cultural order should be based on recognition of our differences and the acceptance of our -I-X· Se·~OiJ7(:ial Records of the Economic and Social Council. 19S0. Supplement No. 3. para. 132.> 173. Accordingly, Senegal took the initiative in proposing a charter for the creation of an African commission on human rights and the rights of peoples. 174. The OAU has already endorsed that idea and has held several meetings on the subject. Such a regional com- mission could be envisaged for othercontinentsas well, thus enabling the future United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to rely on those regional structures on the same basis as the Economic and Social Council relies on the regional commissions. 175. To revert to economic development, the eleventh special session of the General Assembly certainly did not achieve the results hoped for, but it had the advantage of raising the problem of development in all its multiple aspects. We hope that the consensus reached at that ses- sion" will provide a basis for the future global negotiations which are to take place at the beginning of nextyear, which will .also mark the launching of the Third United Nations Development Decade. 176. To that end, the political will shown throughout that session should be increased by all States in a spirit ofinterde- pendence and solidarity which will ensure the early advent ofgenuine international co-operation in the best interests of all mankind. Mankind is entitled to live in peace. To that end, the nations represented. here must once more take a close look at the principles of the Charter, by which we are bound, and scrupulously apply them. 177. Ifever-more-numerous regional conflicts are monop- olizing the attention of the United Nations and the Security Council, it is because those principles, coupled with the rules of good-neighbourliness, are, unfortunately, not always respected. Here my delegation wishes to stress the impor- tance of the role of the regional organizations in the search for the peaceful settlement of disputes which pit one State against another. 178. Indeed, regional organizations, where they exist. should act as buffers in order to help in resolving disputes between States of the same region, as the OAU has done on several occasions, thus allowing the United Nations to devote more effort to the serious problems ofeconomic and social development and disarmament. 179. For its part Senegal is applying those principles, in particular with regard to all its neighbours; with which it enjoys the best possible relations. It is true that our political 19 See Offlcia! Record... of the General Assembly. Eleventh Special Session, Annexes, agenda item 7. document A/S-11/2S. para. 16. 180. We continue to believe in the. United Nations and its mission as the custodian of peace and the guarantor of international security, and we take this opportunity ofassur- ing the United Nations of our abiding and unswerving support in its quest for a more just and united world based on trust, tolerance and understanding among all peoples.

Mr. President, I should like first of all to extend to you warm congratulations on your election to the presidency of the thirty-fifth session of this Assembly of nations and express the best wishes of the Government and people of the Republic of Cyprus for a successful outcome of our deliberations under your enlight- ened guidance. Your unanimous election to this high office not only reflects the confidence of the international com- munity in your personal diplomatic acumen but also consti- tutes recognition of the role of your country, with which we maintain friendly relations in world affairs. 182. 1should like also to express the well-deserved admira- tion which your predecessor, Ambassador Salim of the United Republic of Tanzania, earned by his outstanding performance during the thirty-fourth and the sixth and seventh emergency special sessions and the eleventh special session of the General Assembly. 183. We wish also to commend for his work and achieve- ments that indefatigable fighter for the cause of interna- tional peace, security and justice, Mr. Waldheim, who soldiers on despite adverse conditions and inadequate machinery for the implementation ofthe resolutions and the attainment of the objectives of the Organization. 184. It is with joy that We welcome the Republic of Zim- babweto our midst and the admission to membership of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We assure those new Members ofour close co-operation in the years to come. The attainment of independence by new nations bolsters our hope that the world is moving in the right direction, towards the dignity of man. The case ofZimbabwe signals the encou- raging message that, after all, reason is powerful enough to prevail. 185. The thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly has begun against the background of emergency and special sessions and of a deteriorating international situation fraught with political and economic tensions and deepening crises. The agenda of this session is loaded with issues of major importance which must be viewed with the necessary will and determination if we are to promote solutions to the problems plaguing humanity and safeguard international peace and security and legal. order. 186. The past year has seen a weakening of relations between the great Powers and also of the process ofdetente. Furthermore. the frenzied escalation of the arms race and the violations of international law and the code of conduct among States do not augur well for the thirty-fifth anniver- sary of the United Nations. 188. Within this context, the Secretary-General poses the question of whether the concept of international peace and security as outlined in the Charter is still a valid and feasible aim to strive for and, if it is, how to proceed to make the United Nations machinery effective. No doubt the response to the question should be in the affirmative; and. ofcourse, implementation of United Nations resolutions could deci- sively improve the grim.outlook of today. In this regard, the proposal made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus for the holding ofa special session of the General Assembly on this issue may be recalled. 189. Peace-keeping and peace-making can also decisively contribute towards the effectiveness of the United Nations and the entrenchment of international peace and security. It is by now accepted that while peace-keeping is in itself very significant, it should be followed by, or combined with, peace-making. Otherwise, it becomes an end in itself and contributes to the perpetuation of a problem rather than to its solution. It acts like a sedative and soothes the pain without curing the disease. In this connection, I consider it my duty to reiterate our appreciation and gratitude to UNFICYP for its commendable task of keeping the peace. It is 'our sincere wish and objective that its praiseworthy services will be necessary for the shortest possible period. 190. Obviously, international peace and security cannot be attained through an unrestrained arms race. The foster- ing of confidence among States, leading to a restriction of armaments and to detente, isa sine qUQnon. The relationship between disarmament and international security, as indeed between disarmament and development, forms the basis of current efforts for the achievement of a more peaceful and balanced international order. Moreover, genuine and last- ing peace can only be based on the effective implementation of the provisions of the Charter. 191. The cardinal issue in this field is nuclear disarma- ment, in the direction of which we have regrettably made only marginal progress, What we witness at present is a deplorable escalation of strategic competition and other actions which nullify the contents, and frustrate the objec- tives, of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 192. As far as my country is concerned, I would recall the proposal made by President Kyprianou for the complete disarmament and demilitarization ofthe Republic ofCyprus. 193. Within the general framework of efforts for the pro- motion of detente, co-operation among States and interna- tional security, of outstanding importance is the second review session of the Conference on Security and Co- 195. Parallel to that, and of equal importance, are the efforts for the establishment of the new international eco- nomic order. It is by now acknowledged that no nation or group of nations can safely prosper in isolation, while others live in poverty, need and deprivation. There is no moral foundation whatsoever to support a world society of haves and have-nots. However, we note with regret that the elev- enth special session of the General Assembly failed to make adequate progress towards a just and equitable economic order. While voicing our disappointment, we express the earnest hope that the necessary political will may be forth- coming in the near future so that the iniquitous world economic system will be gradually replaced by a new order and a more balanced distribution ofwealth ,financial means and potentialities. We should start building on the limited progress achieved by the special session, such as the consen- sus on the text for the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade [see A/35/464]. It is our hope that it will prove possible to advance towards an agreement on the global round of negotiations along the lines set out by the Group of 77,19 which represents the concerns of the majority of the' world community. 196. Another issue of major concern to the developing countries is the creation ofa new information and communi- cations order, which has been rightly defined as forming an integral part of the wider issues concerning a more just and equitable world order. The United Nations itself, and in particular UNESCO, has a leading role to play in this regard and Cyprus will continue to render steady support to this end. 197. Another area of particular concern to the whole world and one in which progress has recently been achieved is the law ofthe sea, the economic and political ramifications of which reach far beyond the three fifths of the earth's surface which is covered by the oceans. It is our hope and trust that during the coming year the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea will succeed in resolving the outstanding issues and that it willplace before the world the text of a convention which will fairly distribute the wealth of what has been defined as the common heritage of mankind. 198. While we review international problems, particular attention is due to the problem of the Middle East and Palestine, which was the subject of the seventh emergency special session of the General Assembly. Let me state at the outset that, in our view, there can be no comprehensive peace in the Middle East without a just and viable solution of the problem of Palestine, which lies at the core! of this grave international problem. Cyprus has consistently sup- 199. We deplore the dispersal and displacement of the Palestinian people and the dispossession of their properties, as well as the ongoing creation oifaits accomplis in the occupied Arab lands, such as the establishment of settle- ments and the recent unacceptable action purporting to affect the status of Jerusalem. The occupying authorities must cease their practices and must withdraw speedily and unconditionally from all Arab territories occupied since 1967. Furthermore, belligerency must come to an end and the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independ- ence of every State in the area must be recognized and respected; and so should the right to recognized boundaries. It is our view that the solution of the problem can emerge only from concerted efforts exerted within the framework of and in compliance with resolutions adopted by the Assem- bly and the Security Council, and not through partial agreements. 200. The situation in Lebanon, a neighbouring country with which my own maintains close relations, is a source of concern to us. It is our hope that the problems which at present divide its people will soon be solvedand that Leban- on's sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity will be main- tained and respected. 20I. At this point I would voice concern and anxiety over the open hostilities between two neighbouring countries, namely Iran and Iraq, and express the fervent hope that those hostilities will soon end and that the parties will solve their differences through peaceful means. 202. We also maintain that the problems in South-East Asia and in other areas of the world should be solved in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, in such a way as to preserve the inde- pendence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of everyState and on the basis of the wishes of every people concerned. 203. It isour hope and trust that the Sahraoui people will soon enjoy the fruits of unhindered national. independence throughout the exercise of their right to self-determination. My country calls for the implementation .of the United Nations resolutions on Western Sahara without further delay and we voice support for the initiatives of the OAU towards the solution of this problem. 204. Indeed, this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the landmark General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), whereby the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was proclaimed. The United Nations can take justifiable pride in the historic achievements over the 20 years which have since elapsed, in the course of which a chorus of nations emerged from colonial rule to independence. 205. After so many years ofdebate there appears today to be unanimity in declared positions, although unfortunately 206. Cyprus acknowledges the special responsibility ofthe United Nations for Namibia and the role of the United Nations Council for Namibia, of which my country is a member, to administer the Territory until its independence. We deplore the constant efforts by the South African Government to impede the implementation of Security Council resolutions 385 (1976) and 435 (1978) and of the United Nations plan for a peaceful settlement ofthis impor- tant question. We condemn any and all unilateral actions by South Africa in violation ofany plan, especiallythose which undermine the unity and territorial integrity of Namibia, such as the attempts to detach Walvis Bay from the rest of the Territory in violation ofSecurity Council resolution 432 (1978). We are also concerned with the possible threat to international peace and security which the prolongation of this problem, coupled with repeated acts of aggression against Angola and Zambia, entails. 207. We take an equally strong stand with reference to the eradication of the evil of apartheid, an anachronism which has rightly been defined as State terrorism and a violation in totoof human rights and values. On that issueas wellwejoin in calling for concerted international action for the imple- mentation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, which can lead to the extinction of this evil. 208. The promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all is an ongoing process, and their universal application should be of global concern. Continuing viola- tions of human rights should be dealt with effectively and the discrepancy between declarations and realities, as wellas selectivity in the approach to human rights violations, should be eliminated. 209. It is true that we have come a long way in the field of human rights since the establishment of the Organization. Thus we have seen the idealistic declarations and the princi- ples embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights acquire binding force through the International Cov- enant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civiland Political Rights [resolu- tion 2200 A (XXI)]. The Human Rights Committee is des- tined to serve precisely the purpose of seeing to their application. Similarly, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, established under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [resolution 2106 A(XX)], actsasawatchdog, considering the measures taken by the contracting parties to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. I should also mention the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid[resolution 3068 (XXVI/I)], which has its own machinery. 210. The Commission on Human Rights takes a more pragmatic approach, with the appointment of special ra.p- porteurs on human rights and the establishment of working groups such as the one on missing and disappeared persons. 212. The non-aligned movement, to which we belong, today has an enhanced role in world affairs. An impressive array of95 nations and two thirds ofthe world's population give it its influential stature. Cyprus will remain dedicated to the movement and to its principles. 213. As the twentieth century crosses the threshold of the last 20-year span of an eventful life, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, which yesterday celebrated the twen- tieth anniversary of its independence, presents before the Assembly for the seventh consecutive year its problem; the problem is the same, with the same setting and the same protagonists. This year, however, the tone isdifferent. A ray ofhope brightens the scenery: the intercommunal talks have got under way. 214. Although more than six years have elapsed since the tragic events of 1974,Cyprus isstillstriving for itsindepend- ence, sovereignty. unity and territorial integrity. The plight of all the people of Cyprus still persists in all its manifesta- tions: the misery of the refugees is rampant all over the country, and the untold suffering of the relatives of missing persons calls for a solution of this purely humanitarian problem. 215. Since 1974, when the Cyprus problem in its present form was first discussed in the General Assembly and the Security Council, a host of other major international issues have piled up. Veteran diplomats confess that the vibrations from the international political turbulence art: felt at the United Nations more strongly and menacingly for peace than ever before. 216. In the maelstrom ofworld events the Cyprus problem has a position of its own. It is the problem of a small country, but the stakes are high. Cyprus lies where three continents meet. The area just outside its periphery isdotted with some of the biggest names in international affairs: Palestine, the problem of the Middle East, the Suez Canal, Middle Eastern oil, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], Greco-Turkish relations, bloc confrontations. Tremors in the vicinity might be as harmful as if they occurred in a porcelain shop. 217. The United Nations has adopted a number of resolu- tions relevant to the question ofCyprus. Their contents have been the subject of long deliberations amongst Member States. Those resolutions, together with the high-levelagree- ments of 197720 and 1979,21 constitute the basic material which will be used by the two interlocutors in the Cyprus talks in their quest for a solution to the problem. Another valuable factor will be the climate of good will and under- standing which has prevailed since the inception of the talks. In any type of negotiation, good willand understanding are the underlying elements of success. 20 See Offlcia! Records of' the Security Council, Thirty-third Year, Supplement/or April. May and June 1978, document S/12723. annex. 21 Ibid.• Thirty-/ourth Year. Supplement/or April. May andJune 1979, document S/13369, paras. 39 and SI. 219. The resumption of the talks was achieved after many months of untlagging efforts and as a result of the resolute- ness of the Secretary-General and his collaborators and their dedication to the cause of peace. Their task has not ended with the resumption of the talks; it has just begun. They have to travel an uphill road, together with the nego- tiating parties, The tenacity, the wide experience and the consummate ability of the Secretary-General to grapple with delicate international issues will prove tremendously helpful when the parties come to grips with the problem. 220. The basic infrastructural elements of the federal republic which will emerge from the negotiating table if the talks succeed are set out in the aforementioned high-level agreements and in United Nations resolutions. If there is adherence to the principles enshrined in those agreements and resolutions, if moderation, fairness of mind and objec- tivity persist throughout the negotiations, and if good will and patience prevail not only when things appear to be easy but at difficult moments as well, then we may look forward to a political miracle in addition to the economic miracle for which Cyprus was given the accolade of economic experts. Political miracles, however, like economic miracles, differ from ordinary miracles in that there is nothing miraculous about them. They are the product of hard and painstaking efforts and of a pragmatic and wise approach to facts. 22L The failure of the Cyprus talks will signify a failure of the whole people ofCyprus-Greek and Turkish; there will be no winners. It will further signify failure and setback in the cause of world peace. 222. We shall therefore try as hard as reason permits, not only for Cyprus and its people, but equally for peace and justice, which are so much cherished but at the same time so strikingly missing from today's world.

I am happy to present to you, Sir, the warm greet- ings ofthe Lebanese delegation on your election as President of the current session of the General Assembly. Your high personal qualities, your wisdom and your vast experience in international affairs will guarantee the efficient administra- tion of our work with knowledge and competence. 224. I also wish to praise the work so ably undertaken by your predecessor, the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Salim Ahrned Salirn, during his term as President of the thirty-fourth session of the Assembly. 226. One year ago, from this rostrum, I presented to the conscience of the world, in the name of Lebanon, the tragedy of a people and homeland and the painful dimen- sions of long-enduring adversities." I set forth the many causes and the regional and international practices which made of Lebanon a main victim in the game of nations. With outcries of suffering and rancour, enduring our wounds, we voiced the aspirations and hopes of a people and its yearning for a real and just peace so long awaited. I need not reiterate what I explained at length last year, and yet it remains equally valid today. 227. One whole year has passed, replete with weighty events in various parts ofthe world-events that have stirred up international conflict and increased the vehemence of competition, exposing the course of international detente to dangerous pitfalls and almost wrecking the hopes ofattain- ing stability, tranquillity and prosperity. 228. Lebanon has paid and continues to pay, in innocent blood and heavy destruction of its assets and institutions, a heavy toll that is far beyond its capacity for problems towards whose creation it has not contributed and for injus- tices of which it has always been innocent. This allows Lebanon to address itselfto the world community, to speak out frankly to its bretheren and friends and to voice its opinions and demands at this precise time. 229. The prolongation of the Middle East crisis over so many years and its aggravation from day to day threatens not only the peace and security of the regionand the welfare of its people, but the peace and security of the world. 230. Everybody is aware of the importance which the Middle East region represents, with its distinctive strategic location, its abundant human potential and its vital natural resources and heritage, for stability, prosperity and well- being in its immediate environment in particular and in the world in general. 231. This persistent depletion of human potential in our region and of its resources, which is caused by the chronic Arab-Israeli contlict and the increasing violence and distur- bances to which this conflict has led, has an adverse effecton . the peoples of the world at a time when political and eco- nomic dependence is increasing among the world's different regions and peoples. 232. Despite successive disappointments we remain con- vinced that peace in the Middle East is inevitable. It will be achieved if good intentions prevail and efforts are made to bring it about on sound andjust bases. In this regard, wefeel obliged to assert our convictions. 233. A properclimate for a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisisshould first be ensured. This climate presupposes a minimum level of international detente so as to reduce the intensity of the repercussions of the struggle for influence in 22See OfficialRecords ofthe General A.fSembly, Thirty-fourth Session, PlenaryMeetings, 26th meeting, paras. 3-67. . 234. The problem is further aggravated when separate attempts are accompanied by ideas offragmentary solutions that ignore questions intrinsic to the Arab-Israeli conflict and disregard legitimate rights which are recognized by pri~cipl~s of int~rnationallawand justice and endorsed by various international resolutions, or seek to provide com- pensation for the possessors of these rights at the expense of the future and interests of others. ~35. A long-range view and a true understanding of facts Imply that the desired peace in the Middle East will have to be a c?~prehensive peace which recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to the establish- ment of a State on their land, otherwise there will be no peace under any circumstances. 236. The Palestine question has always been the core ofthe Arab-Israeli conflict and of the Middle East crisis. Any final solution to this crisis must include a just solution of the Palestine question on the basis of the participation of the Palestinian people in the peace process through its legiti- mate representatives. This is a fact which will inevitably impose itself sooner or later, and any delay in accepting it tends to increase the number of victims and senselessly spread destruction and also endanger peace in the region and the world. 237. A peaceful solution of the Middle East crisis must be brought about in conformity with sound bases and princi- ples, foremost among which isthe principle ofthe inadmissi- bility of acquisition of land by force and the consequent ~ecessity of Israel's withdrawal from all occupied territories, mcluding Jerusalem. 238. Instead, we see today, as in the past, Israel's con- tinued policy offlouting and violating the resolutions of the United Nations, while totally disregarding the will of the international community and the principles of international law. This policy was lately capped by Israel's measures to annex Arab Jerusalem and to declare it to be its capital, thereby provoking the entire international community and causing serious repercussions. 239. This unfortunate situation leads to violenceand com- plications whose consequences no one can foresee. We noticed .recently that the majority of the countries of the international community, especially some European coun- tries, are becoming increasingly aware of the gravity of the situation. We believethat if these countries move as a group in the right direction, and adopt bold attitudes, they will definitely generate a current that will greatly affect world opinion. 240. The heads of State and Government and the Minis- ters f?r F?reign Affairs ofthe European Communityat their meeting ID June 1980 at Venice, and at their meeting in September at Brussels, favoured Lebanon with a praise- 241. The fact is that il\ the Middle East besides the Palesti- nian question, and to a'Iarge extent because of it, there is today a Lebanese question which is becoming more com- plex and which requires responsible attitudes and effective treatment. 242. The Middle East crisis is at the origin of Lebanon's crisis, because the roots of the Lebanese crisis lie in the inequity which accompanied the creation of the State of Israel at the expense of the people of Palestine, in Israel's policy of expansion, and also in the imbalance the Palestine question and the displacement of Palestinians and their armed resistance have caused in the region as a whole and especially in our country, thus affecting the sensitiveinternal equilibrium which characterizes its life. This occurred in particular as a result of Israeli aggression and ofclashes and excessestaking place on Lebanon's territory, not to mention the various forms of interference in our internal affairs. 243. Moreover, the Lebanese question took on interna- tional dimensions when Lebanon became the only setting in which the conflicting Powers in the region-Israeli, Arab and international-were fighting, and became the military arena of both Israel and the Palestinian resistance. While Israel aims its blows against Lebanon on some pretext or other, the Palestine resistance carries out its revolutionary activity in such a way that Lebanon alone endures the consequences of action and reaction, even though the con- flict essentially concerns the entire Arab community and the world community cannot remain aloof. 244. Whatcomplicates the situation further is the struggle for influence conducted by the two super-Powers by proxy and the outbreak of Arab disputes in Lebanon through the Lebanese and residents of Lebanon. 1 his has led to the violation ofour frontiers and the security ofour country as a result of Israeli aggression.and to irregular practices within Lebanese territory. The sanctity of our territory has been breached and the ability of the State to exercise its authority has been thwarted, especially as it applies to safeguarding sovereignty and security. That state of affairs has contrib- uted to widening the gap between the various internal fac- tions in Lebanon and even to further aggravating their differences. 245. It grieves us to say that some States are watching with indifference what is befalling Lebanon-which may become the scapegoat of a crisis that has reached alarming propor- tions owing to the violation of legal and ethical principles in international relations-in the expectation that this crisis can be solved at Lebanon's expense. 246. We do not hesitate for a moment to assert that peace and security in Lebanon are vital to the peace and stability of our region and that a reinvigorated Lebanon, with its dis- 248. In this connection, J cannot but quote what the Presi- dent of Lebanon said at the beginning of this year: "Is it conceivable to say to this people, 'Your hour has not yet arrived. Wait until visibilityisclear in the region, and probably outside the region too'? What wrong has Lebanon done to the region or to the world, to man and to his rights? If Lebanon has so far endured much more than it can stand, does that mean that it should be asked to allow itself to collapse completely under the load? Is this country condemned-is it permissible to condemn it-to have all the problems of its brethern and friends, not to mention its enemies, solved at its expense?" 249. It is reasonable that the Lebanese should feel that responsibility for rescuing their country and for restoring peace and stability to it liesprimarily with them-the people and leaders. In spite ofthe dreadful events that have befallen it during its long affliction, this people has often proved its unswerving attachment to its fundamental values, its home- land and its devotion to the constituents of its unity, free- dom and independence. 250. Without exaggeration and without boasting, I say that I know ofno country in the world that could suffer what Lebanon has suffered in the course of the past fiveyears and yet maintain the fundamentals of homeland and statehood. What our citizens possess in awareness and potential, together with the continued endeavour of the Government in circumstances difficult to visualize,has made it possible to preserve the principles of legality and unity, the identity of Lebanon and its democratic and liberal system, and its openness towards the world. This is no small matter. 25I. Since the beginning external factors have permeated the Lebanese crisis, giving it grave dimensions and putting appropriate. solutions out of the reach of the Lebanese alone. In order for the Lebanese to solve their problems and rescue their homeland, external interference should cease, regional and international currents ofstruggle for influence on the Lebanese scene should recede and aggression on Lebanon's territory and against its national sovereignty should cease. 252. These external factors of the Lebanese crisis have aroused the concern of some sister and friendly States and made us resort on more than one occasion and for one reason or another to the Arab community as well as to the Security Council with the aim offinding effectivesolutions. 253. Several resolutions have been adopted proclaiming the necessityofsafeguarding Lebanon's unity, its independ- 254. During the past few months Israel has not stopped launching devastating raids on southern Lebanon. In these acts ofaggression Israel has been usingsophisticated Ameri- can weapons, thus violating with impunity agreements that prohibit the use of those weapons for such purposes. The United States of America must reconcile its principles with its practices and take the necessary measures to impose respect for the agreements under which the weapons are provided, thus putting into practical terms its concern for Lebanon's independence and safety of its territory. 255. Southern Lebanon, this unfortunate district so dear to the Lebanese, which continues to suffer from repeated aggression and contradictions that result on its soilfrom the disruptions that often accompany Palestinian resistance action, appreciates the effort -undertaken by the United Nations through the SecurityCouncil to deal with its prob- lems, even though that effort has not been so fruitful as we and the Assembly would have wished it to .be. 256. If Lebanon and the people of its southern region are at present helpless and unable to check this tragedy, they hold, more than at any time in the past, to their powers and their right to tell the world that they do not and will not agree to any measure or policy emanating from whatever source that has as its aim interference with their land and their sacred right to it. Their true patriotism and sincere commitment to the Palestinian cause carry with them the categorical rejection of any occupation or threat or black- mail that touches on their land or their rights. 257. In spite of the circumstances which limit its scope of action, the Lebanese Government can proclaim a position that is dictated by national duty and agreed on by all the Lebanese people, namely, that no one can derive from occupation or from resort to violence any right vis-a-vis Lebanon or its territory orany right to exercisetutelage over any part of Lebanon or its people. 258. While it is southern Lebanon which reveals these truths to us, they apply equally to Lebanon as a whole. 259. During the past year weurgently sought full imple- mentation of the resolutions of the Security Council, and asked that UNIFIL be enabled to carry out its mandate to ensure Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese terri- tory and help the Lebanese authorities to restore their sover- eignty over all of southern Lebanon, and over all parties operating in it, up to the internationally recognized borders. We also wanted the Mixed Armistice Commission to resume its functions as provided for in Security Council resolutions. 261. The peace-keeping mission which the Security Coun- cil has set up and still supervises has been a positive step in spite of the obstacles to its fulfilment. The Secretary- General refers in his report on the work ofthe Organization to the important role of this Force [seeA/35/1. sect.II/J, despite the difficulties it faces, which are well known to the Assembly. The Lebanese Government has more than once expressed the extreme importance it attaches to the presence of UNIFIL, its earnest desire fully to co-operate with this Force, and the necessityofensuring the full implementation of the Security Council resolutions. '262. Consequently we earnestly call upon the Security Council to safeguard its authority and credibility by taking whatever measures are needed to enable UNIFIL to carry out its mandate in southern Lebanon and put an end to the cruel Israeli aggression against the region. 263. We rely in this respect on the assistance ofthe major Powers and on the true co-operation ofsister Arab States, in conformity with the dictates of real fraternal links and common interests, and we appeal to all States which believe in the Charter. 264. The Palestinian resistance is invited today, more than ever before, to provide proof of its desire to respect its commitments and demonstrate awareness and a spirit of responsibility with regard to its temporary presence in Lebanon, to exert every effort to reach a sincere understand- ing with Lebanon, to avoid anything that may harm its relations with the Lebanese authorities and citizens, and finally to guard against taking the slippery path it has not always succeeded in avoiding. It well knows how much Lebanon can endure without being destroyed. 265. Lebanon, its Government and people, have consist- ently supported the rightful cause of the Palestinians since the Palestine question first arose. Lebanon has offered to that cause sacrifices which exceed many times those offered by others who are in a much better position to do so. Lebanon has proclaimed and reiterated its keen concern to avoid the emergence of a contradiction between the Pales- tine cause, to which we are committed, and the Lebanese cause, on which the life of the citizens, the future of the homeland and the security of its territory, are dependent. Lebanon expects to receive understanding and a favourable response, especially from those directly concerned, in order to be able to persevere in this course and fulfilits well-known mission, which it freely chose without any kind ofconstraint. 266. Before concluding, I cannot but refer toa most serious matter concerning suspect plans being hatched to settle Palestinians in Lebanon, when in fact the Palestinians demand their right to their own land. 267. By what right and according to what justice do some intend to redress one inequity by a greater injustice, to solve the rightful problem of a people at the expense of another 268. We confirm what the President of Lebanon has announced on more than one occasion. We unequivocally reject any plan for settlement and any move to bring it about, directly or indirectly. We shall resist settlement under any guise and at any stage and we shall resist it with all our power, which springs from our belief in our sacred right to our homeland, a right that no one shares with us. 271. When, as a young State, we participated in the found- ing. ofthe United Nations, we were convinced, like scores of States that later on joined this great community, that the Organization would provide an adequate framework guar- anteeing peace, justice and security in the world, and that its lofty tenets and the provisions of its Charter would put an end to the law of the jungle and the arbitrariness of force in international relations. 269. Lebanon's territory is not an abandoned land, and it is not a commodity to be bartered in international transac- tions. Our people have been deeply rooted in this land for hundreds of years, and succeeding generations have pre- served and will continue to preserve every inch of Lebanese soil. 272. In spite of the wrongs, the tragedies, the failures, the weaknesses and the indifference we have witnessed, we remain convinced that there isstill time for the Organization to dispel the prevailing frustration and fulfil mankind's hopes in the United Nations. 270. A homeland cannot be built on the ruins of another homeland. Whoever indulges in this line of thought is not only. an enemy of Lebanon and of its cause, but also an