A/36/PV.68 General Assembly

As I stand here to speak for the first time. may I Ci:ongratulate you, Mr. President, on the able and effective manner in which you are conduCi:t- ing the affairs of the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session. 9. Once again we have assembled becausr a pa11 of hu- manity is still held in bondage against its will. The United Nations will not cease to press for the rekase of Namibia as long as it is in captivity. The Organization has no other choice. no matter how long this captivity lasts. because it was created to guarantel.~ the freedom of all peoples. The case of Namibia has become a test of the will-power of the United Nations-whether it will coexist with evil or strive rel(:ntlessly for good fo overcome evil. The wor"t thing that could happen is for good men to 11. The Liberian delegation therefore calls upon the friends of and investors in South Africa to help South Africa build confidence in itself so as to enable it to free Namibia. No amount of military hardware will contribute to confidence-building measures. It can only erorle the delicate balance of confidence that is required by both sides. Frastration and dismay on one side and condemna- tion and isolation on the other cannot continue forever. 12. The policies of apartheid and bantustans, extended into Namibia to make puppets of th~ Namibians, will not work. They will not work because they are uncivilised, barbaric and un-African, and there is no place in the Af- rican mentality to accommodate caricatures of justice. 13. The political deceptions played out in Zimbabwe be- fore its independence are too recent to be forgotten, and Namibia will be no different. What is needed is the lay- ing of a solid foundation for the new Namibia that is bound to appear and which everyone living there can call his own native land. South Africa cannot take comfort in the making of this new Namibia while it perpetrates con- stant acts of defiance of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) and illegally occupies Namibia. The peace and se- curity that should be enjoyed in southern Africa must be- gin to take root now, when it is perhaps not yet too late. The friends of South Africa must prove to be friends by extending to it a genuine hand of friendship, leading it from darkness into light. South Africa cannot come out of darkness into light alone; it will take more than its own efforts. It has been a long night of darkness for it, to which it has grown accustomed, and it is now fearful of the daylight. 14. Our meetings here from year to year reaffirm our faith in human justice and fair play ami in the institution of the United Nations as a means to ensure them. These meetings may appear to be a routine activity, but they are necessary and vital to assure the people of Namibia, and all other peoples still oppressed, that the United Nations is committed to" their liberation and remains man's only hope to achieve freedom and to protect the weak from the strong. 16. The United Nations should uphold the principles of democracy and human rights for all Namibians, without discrimination. It must work out a time-frame for the independence of Namibia. Security Council resolution 435 (1978) was the result of intensive, serious and long negotiations and provided the solid basis for the peaceful solution of the Namibian problem. More significantly, that resolution is an international consensus in which South Africa participated. No effort should therefore be spared to prevent the breaking of that consensus, which continues to enjoy the full approval of the United Nations as the only acceptable formula for the liberation of Namibia and which also provides for a secure future for all its inhabitants.

In normal circum- stances this debate would have been considered ill-timed and unnecessary. It would have been passible to persuade us to be patient, to allow the five Western States to re- suscitate their three-year-old initiative and to sell their proposals to the front-line States and the United Nations. But there are no normal circumstances in southern Africa. There is nothing there to justify complacency and content- ment on our part, for Namibia, for so long a tortured and tormented land, remains tortured and tormented. 18. Last year the debate on this vexing question was po~tponed because we did not want the Geneva meeting to be convened in a polluted atmosphere. We have learned a bitter lesson, for little did we realize that we were being taken on a journey of blind faith until we got to Geneva, only to be told that the five Western States' friend was not ready to co-operate in the implementation of resolution 435 (1978). Thus ended the Geneva meeting, as though it had never taken place. Indeed, it was a disaster of cata- strophic proportions. It gave South Africa the oppor- tunity-not wit.ltout encouragement-to find loopholes and weaknesses in the .United Nations plan where none had existed before. 19. No sooner had we left Geneva than we were told that as long as Cuban troops remained in Angola, resolu- tion 435 (1978) would become ever more difficult to im- plement. We were told that constitutional guidelines now had to be agreed upon in advance in order to- ensure that whichever party won the free and fair elections in Namibia would net dominate the drafting of the constitu- tion of an independent Namibia. 20. But, worst of all, the impasse that has characterized the period between the collapse of the Geneva meeting and now has been too costly to the peace and stability of southern Africa. It has encouraged South Africa to em- bark on more and more deadly adventures against its neighbours, particularly Angola. The southern part of that sister State has been turned into a battlefield where inno- cent Namibian refugees and Angolan villagers alike are being massacred by South African troops. 21. We are neither habitual pessimists nor spoilers. We know that the envoys of the five States have recently vis- ited the capitals of the front-line States, and we have . 22. We are once again being asked to keep hoping, even against hope itself. Not that we doubt the influence that the five States have over their friend; not at all. We have always felt and insisted that they have a great deal of clout with South Africa, which, unfortunately, they have seemed unwilling or unable to use with effect. We would be only too happy to know that at long last they have found a formula for getting South Africa to co-operate in good faith. 23. However, I can assure representatives that the front- line States, Nigeria and, indeed, Africa as a whole, always faithful to their principles, will not be found want- ing in their detennination to co-operate with the interna- tional community in our common endeavour to give the Namibian people the opportunity to rebuild their shattered lives in a free, independent and peaceful Namibia. We are ready to listen to constructive suggestions, provided no attempt is made to subvert in any way the United Nations plan as we have always known it. 24. But South Africa must not be allowed to determine the pace at which resolution 435 (1978) will be imple- mented or in what form it should or will be implemented. It must not be allowed to set the rules of conduct for SWAPO and the United Nations in the negotiations. Namibia is a United Nations responsibility. It is the duty and responsibility of the United Nations to ensure that its own plan is implemented without any further unnecessary delays and in a fair and democratic manner. Therefore, any attempts-and there have been many in the past eight months-by South Africa to bantustanize resolution 435 (1978) must be resisted. Any attempt by South Mrica and its internal henchmen to annex the Thrnhalle bantustan constitution to resolution 435 (1978) must be resisted at all costs. 25. If the purpose or objective. of all the sinister manoeuvres that we have seen pursued with so much gusto since the collapse of the Gen~va meeting is intended to enhance the chances of the Democratic 'Ibrn- halle Alliance at the polls, our response is simply that there would be nothing to stop SWAPO's winning free and fair elections in Namibia if the people of that Terri- tory, in the exercise of their freedom of choice, decided to elect SWAPO to be the custodian of their aspirations. This would be so even if the elections were to be held 10 years from now. And so the Democratic Tutnhalle· Alliance must simply face the wrath of the Namibian peo- ple now and hope for the best, for it is no use delaying the inevitable. If the inevitable turns out to be the total electoral annihilation of the Alliance, so be it. In free imd fair elections only democracy wins. 29. Mr. SiLWAL (Nepal): Since 1966, when the United Nations tenninated South Africa's Mandate and assumed direct responsibility for Namibia, the General ASuembly, at its regular and special sessions, and the Security Coun- cil have made considerable efforts to ensure the achieve- ment of independence for Namibia. It is indeed a matter of deep regret that South Africa continues to .occupy the Territory, in open defiance of General Assembly and Se- curity Council resolutions and of world public opinion. My delegation has often reiterated its view thaf the per- sistent refusal by South Africa to abide by the interna- tional consensus on Namibia must be met by a systematic and effective implementation of the provisions contained in the Charter of the United Nations. We are deeply dis- appointed that the Security Council has failed to act in 26. Our fundamental anxiety is that as long as Namibia accordance with the wishes of the overwhelming majority remains a colony of South Africa, so long will southern of Members of the Organization. Indeed, the Council's_ Africa remain an area of perpetual conflict. We have seen failure has put to a critical test the commitment of the that South Africa cannot hang on to Namibia without United Nations to genuine independence for the people of attempting to destroy the Territory's neighbours as punish- Namibia. ,~:=~==~.~~--~._ ~~--,-~ 27. But for us the freedom of our people, their indepen- dence, peace, stability and orderly economic development override everything else. We do not wish to be part of some extra-continental Power's sphere of influence. SWAPO has not been fighting for so long in order to turn Namibia into a puppet of a foreign Power or foreign Powers. It has been fighting for the independence of Namibia, for the freedom of its people, for the peace and stability of southern Africa and for the total liquidation of colonial and racist oppression in that troubled tip of our continent. 28. But the hour is not too late. The five Western States need only to look back and wonder how they, close friends of South Africa, were able, three years ago, to persuade a skeptical United Natiuns and a terribly sus- picious Africa to buy a !,lan for Namibia that had been worked out by a group of capitalist Western countries, some of which are not only fonner co!onial masters but are also heavily involved in the exploitation of Namibian resources, in contravention of the decisions of the United Nations. Nothing can demonstrate good faith and trust on the part of Africa better than the fact that, despite our very serious misgivings and suspicions, we bought the plan. To this very day we remain finnly committed to Security Council resolution 435 (1978) as the only work- able and realistic blueprint for peaceful change in Namibia, thanks to the genius of its original authors, the five Western States. The alternative to this blueprint is, of course, armed struggle to the bitter end, armed struggle which the oppressors of Namibia cannot win, for there is no price ,the people of Namibia under the leadership of SWAPO will not pay for the liberation of their mother- land. 31. South Africa's illegal presence in Namibia poses a grave threat to the peace and security of the neighbouring States and of the whole continent. Nepal condemns the repeated acts of aggression by South Africa against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the front-line States. Its premeditated and unprovoked aggres- sion against Angola is a grave reminder of the threat the racist regime poses to international peace and security. 32. Nepal commends the people of Namibia and its na- tional liberation movement for the remarkable spirit of re- straint and political maturity they have displayed since the adoption of the United Nations plan for Namibia. This spirit provides a remarkable contrast to the growing provocation and equivocation on the part of South Africa. 33. My delegation fully supports the activities of the United Nations Council for Namibia and wished to pay tribute to the Council for the efforts it has been making for the early attainment of the goal of Namibian indepen- dence. 34. My delegation also wishes to avail itself of this op- portunity to express our appreciation to the Secretary General and his Special Representative for the serious efforts they have made towards the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia. 35.. Nepal fully shares the concern of Africa over the situation in Namibia. We reiterate our view that Security Council resolutions 385 (1976) and 435 (1978) constitute the only basis for the achievement of the internationally accepted independence of Namibia. We appeal for the im- plementation of these resolutions without qualification, di- lution or delay. The contact group of five Western coun- tries which was the author of the United Nations plan has undertaken a solemn responsibility to enable the people of Namibia to exercise its right to self-determination by means of free and fair elections. We have been watching with great interest recent developments in this regard. We appeal to these five countries to fulfil their obligations without any further delay, for delay can only aggravate the situation, with incalculable consequences.

On Monday, 14 September 1981, on the eve of the thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly concluded its eighth emergency special session: which was devoted to Namibia. At that session the Gen- eral Assembly, as it has done repeatedly over the years, condemned South Africa's continued illegal occupation of Namibia and demanded that Territory's long-delayed ac- cession to independence. 37. As long as South Africa persists in its illegal oc- cupation, meetings of the General Assembly and Qther United Nations organ~ on Namibia can never be too many 38. For the past three years there has been a concerted effort by the international community to implement Se- curity Council resolution 435 (1978). That resolution con- cerns a plan which offers South Africa an honourable exit from Namibia, with the accession of the Territory to inde- pendence after free and fair elections. If South Africa had co-operated, as was expected, Namibia would have been independent three years ago and would be in our midst as a Member of the United Nations. The sad chapter of South African illegal occupation of the Territory, charac- terized by intransigence and arrogance, would have long been behind us. 39. Since the eighth emergency special session, there have been renewed efforts to break the impasse in the implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). Last month the Western contact group submitted a set of proposals to South Africa, SWAPO. the front-line States and Nigeria and the current Chaimlan of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity. These proposals have been carefully ana- lysed, and our coHective reaction has been conveyed to the contact group. 40. Let me just stress here that there has never been a lack of will on the part of SWAPO, the front-line States and Nigeria or indeed the OAU and the United Nations to do everything possible to facilitate the implementation of resolution 435 (1978). The problem has always been and remains South Africa. For instance, it was South Africa which sabotaged the pre-implementation meeting held at Geneva in January this year. 41. Thus, the following questions become inevitable. Does South Africa now have the political will to move forward on the question of the independence of Namibia? Is South Africa genuinely in favour of a settlement on the basis of resolution 435 (1978)? Is South Africa reconciled to the democratic idea of free and fair elections in Namibia, whether or not it means a victory for SWAPO? 42. Our co-operation is assured as long as there is no attempt to compromise the independence of Namibia. We will accept nothing less than the genuine independence of Namibia in accordance with the letter and spirit of resolu- tion 435 (1978). We will not usurp the right of the Nami- bian people to decide for themselves, through their elected representatives, on vital issues such as a national constitution. We will not be party to and will in fact fight against any attempt to undermine SWAPO. For us, SWAPO remains the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people. 43. The onus must surely be on the corttact group to ensure that South Africa is brought on board and does not again go astray. It should co-operate with the rest of the international community so that Namibia can accede to independence at long last, and not later than 1982, on the basis of the deciskms of the Unitl~d Nations and in partic- ular resolution 435 (1978). By what stretch of the imag- ination can those who profess democracy deny the Nami- bian people this democratic right? The communist bogy that South <\frica and some of its friends have so often 44. Against the background of South Africa's deceptive manoeuvres, it behoves us all in the General Assembly and in other appropriate United Nations organs to remain vigilant on the question of the independence of Namibia. The United Nations should continue to insist on the im- plementation of the plan for the independence of Namibia under resolution 435 (1978). The United Nations cannot remain silent on the situation in Namibia. It should con- tinue to speak out against the attempts by South Africa to undermine SWAPO, the intensified repression of the Namibian people, the massive militarization of Namibia and the repeated South African acts of aggression against independent African States, particularly Angola and my own country, Zambia. 45. Last August the Security Council considered2 South Africa's aggression against Angola. Because of a United States veto, the Council was unable to take even the mini- mal action of condemning the aggression and demanding the withdrawal of South African military forces from Angola. To this day South African troops continue to occupy parts of southern Angola. This is a grave situa- tion, about which the international community cannot remain silent. South African troops must withdraw from Angola. The South African regime must respect the inde- pendence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Angola. 46. I wish, in conclusion, to commend the United Na- tions Council for Namibia for its important work in the cause of freedom and independence for Namibia.

It is timely and ap- propriate that the question of Namibia is again being taken up by the Assembly, because, as a matter of daily routine, while we sit and discuss Namibia in this cham- ber, notwithstanding the relaunching of negotiations by the Foreign Ministers of the five Western countries, that is, the contact group, the South African Government, as a sequel to its policy of bad faith, betrayal of the Namibian people and defiance of the will of the international com- munity, is engaged in the execution. of a deliberate and cynical policy of denying the people of Namibia their in- alienable right to self-determination and independence. 48. This deliberate and cynical policy, which is at once both despicable and a challenge to the Organization, in- volves, first of all, the amputation and vivisection of vital areas of Namibian territory with the aim of destroying its territorial integrity, thus making it unviable politically and economically and completely dependent on South Africa. Secondly, while the Pretoria regime has unabashedl)' been accusing this Organization of lack of impartiality, it has been and is at present engaged in a gigantic but none the less fraudulent attempt to deny the Namibian people and their vanguard, SWAPO, of th'e fruits of their victory by ferverishly organizing sham eiections and installing its own henchmen and hand-picked puppets, the alternative mouthpiece of the Pretoria regime, who incessantly bom- bard our missions with offensive and crudely written leaf- lets, as a power base to exclude the legitimate representa- tives of the Namibian people. Thirdly, and in line with this cynical and pernicious policy of the Pretoria racists to 49. The foregoing is the policy which South Africa has planned with respect to Namibia and is executing at this very moment of our consideration of this item here in the Assembly. It is a deliberate and calculated policy de- signed to thwart any move by the Namibian people to- wards genuine independence. It is at once a policy of de- fiance and of playing for time, designed to hoodwink the international community. 50. But it is wishful thinking for the Pretoria regime to believe that it can deny the Namibian people the exercise of their right to self-determination, let alone frustrate, through shameless intrigues, the relentless efforts of the Namibian people and the international community to achieve independence for Namibia. 51. In fact, over 15 years ago, this body pronounced itself unequivocally and terminated irrevocably South Africa's Mandate over Namibia, declaring at the same time that South Africa had failed to carry out that Man- date with regard to the administration of the Territory. In 1976, the Security Council adopted resolution 385 (1976), in which it called for free and fair elections to be held under the supervision and CG~~~rol of the United Nations. In 1978 the Security Council adopted its now famous res- olution 435 (1978), in which it endorsed the United Nations plan calling for a cease-fire in Namibia and the withdrawal of South African troops from the Territory and decided to establish UNTAG to assist the Special Repre- sentative of the Secretary-General to ensure the holding of free and impartial elections, thus leading to the establish- ment of a constituent assembly. 52. Even though South Africa was a party to the nego- tiations which led to the adoption of resolution 435 (1978) and eventually accepted all its terms and condi- tions, when the time came to implement it South Africa claimed that it was premature to do so and accused the United Nations of partiality. 53. Unfortunately, the contact group of Western States, wittingly or unwittingly, would seem to have taken seriously this hypocritical claim by South Africa. The records will show that it is South Africa that has been guilty of duplicity in seeking a solution to the Namibian problem. It is South Africa and not the United Nations that is guilty of the illegal occupation of Namibia. It is South Africa that is executing a policy of amputation and vivisection, leading to the undermining of the indepen- dence and territorial integrity of Namibia. Yes, it is South Africa that has, contrary to Security Council resolution 435 (1978), embatk~d on a two-year strategy; contained in its secret plan, to reach an internal political fait accom- pli by installing its own puppets as a power base to coun- ter and exclude the legitimate representative of the Nami- bian people, SWAPO. It is South Africa that has increased the militarization of the Territory and estab- 54. But, notwithstanding the cynical accusation levelled against the United Nations by the Pretoria regime, the only action the United Nations has deemed appropriate is to recognize SWAPO as the sole authentic representative of the Namibian people. That recognition of SWAPO has been earned, for it is SWAPO that has borne the brunt of expelling the South Africans from their territory. It is SWAPO, not the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, that has sought to induce the South African Government and its forces of occupation militarily, politically and diplo- matically to liberate the Territory. It is SWAPO that has embarked on a nationhood programme for Namibia, send- ing Namibians to schools. and universities and organizing social and' health facilities for thousands of Namibian refugees. 55. The Pretoria Government's accusation of this Organ- ization therefore ought not to have been taken seriously. South Africa's continued illegal occupation of Namibia, on the other hand, should continue to b~ viewed as a matter of grave concern to the Organization, for it not only disregards international legality but constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security in that region. The .neighbouring States of Angola, Botswana and Zambia have become victims of South Africa's armed military aggression launched against their territories from Namibia, under the pretext that they are harbouring SWAPO freedom fighters. 56. As I stated earlier, it is 15 years since the United Nations revoked South Africa's Mandate over Namibia, and during this period numerous organs of the Organiza- tion have called for its evacuation of the Territory. South Africa has refused to implement resolution 435 (1978). The Security Council was therefore called on to impose on it the punitive provisions of Chapter VII of the Char- ter, but South Africa was saved on that occasion by the use of the veto by its friends in the Council. As if encour- aged by such action, in Aug'iJst of this year South Africa launched naked and premeditated anned aggression against Angola. Again sanctions were called for, but this time they were opposed by the Government of the United States, for reasons best known to it but manifestly con- trary to the Charter and against the interest of the suffer- ing Namibian people and the victimized people of Angola. 57. Now another round of negotiations has been embarked upon but with very little hope of their being successful, giv~n the nature of the Pretoria regime and its proclivity for prevarication and evasiveness. While we are prepared to wait, although not beyond the spring of 1982~ for the latest round to set a firm date for Namibian inde- pendence, the Pretoria regime must be left in no doubt that this time around, should it fail to fulfil its responsi- bility for the implementation of resolution 435 (1978) and continue on its path of lawlessness and defiance, action will be substituted for debate and negotiations and the full force of Chapter VII of the Charter will be brought to bear against it. . 59. Belgium would like to see Namibia accede to inde- pendence as soon as possible. Belgium is doing its utmost to play a constructive role in the United Nations Council for Namibia, of which it has the honour of being a mem- ber. In that capacity it has always tried, despite certain reservations, to abide by the principle of consensus that is customary in that body. 60. This year Belgium was unfortunately unable to go along with the consensus in the United Nations Council for Namibia on draft resolutions A and B [see A/36/24, para. 708]. Our attitude was prompted by the content of those texts, in particular their selective and unjustified condemnation of certain Western countries and their inad- missible attacks on the contact group of five Western States. We are firmly convinced that such an approach can only jeopardize the successful outcome of the dia- logue which the contact group has been seeking to con- duct with a view to the peaceful and rapid transition of Namibia to independence.

This year there have been numerous important meetings and conferences which were specifically convened to deal with the Namibian question, the latest being the eighth emergency special session in September of this year. It was convened because of the failure of the Security Council in April 1981 to adopt a draft resolution on comprehensive and mandatory sanc- tions under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Na- tions. During that series of Security Council meetings, members of the non-aligned movement ~nd other Mem- bers of the United Nations urged the adoption of manda- tory sanctions against South Africa as the necessary step to implement resolution 435 (1978). 62. Unfortunately, the Security Council was unable to act because of the negative votes of three pemlanent members, making impossible any meaningful progress in the effort to achieve independence for Namibia. There- fore, the great majority of Member States considered it imperative to have an emergency special session of the General Assembly. At that session the Assembly adopted resolution ES-8/2, in which it "Demands the immediate commencement of the un- conditional implementation of Security Council resolu- tion 435 (1978) without any prevarication, qualification or modification and not later than December 1981". 63. We are all aware that to this date there has not been any meaningful progress in the implementation of resolu- tion 435 (1978). However, it is important to stress that the continuing efforts to achieve independence for Namibia must conform to the spirit and letter of resolution 435 (1978). Furthermore, any negotiations must be based on the understanding that independence for Namibia can be attained only through the participation of SWAPO, the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people. Furthermore, it is also important to stress that Walvis Bay and the off shore islands of Namibia are an integral and indivisible part of Namibia, as recognized in the relevant United Nations resolutions. 64. On this occasion, I wish to pay a tribute to the Pres- ident of the United Nations Council for Namibia, Mr. 66. We know that the only obstacle facing United Na- tions efforts to achieve the independence of Namibia is the defiant attitude of South Africa. Not only has it not co-operated with the United Nations in the effort to im- plement resolution 435 (1978), but it has also continued LO use Namibian territory to launch attacks against neigh- bouring countries, the latest aggression being against An- gola. It is now 15 years since the United Nations assumed responsibility for Namibia, and three years have elapsed since the adoption of resolution 435 (1978), and still the situation has not changed. If the present situation con- tinues without our doing our lltmost to help our Namibian brothers, are we not demonstrating an unconscionable tol- eration of that odious regime? It should be apparent to all that in the event that South Africa continues to thwart the implementation of resolution 435 (1978), or if it seeks to alter fundamentally the substance of the provisions in the resolution and, furthermore, if it continues to attack the front-line States, the international community will be faced with a great crisis, threatening the region and even international peace and security. 67. If there is to be progress in implementing resolution 435 (1978), South Africa's regime must be made to feel the impact of the resolve of the international community. This requires concrete action to end South Africa's stall- ing tactics, which can only be brought about through the immediate adoption of comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against South Africa. We are convinced that through vigilance, and as more and more Members of the United Nations impose sanctions against South Africa, that regime will be forced to relinquish its control over Namibia, the Namibian people will then enjoy freedom and independence and the world will have made a major stride in the quest for justice, peace and security. It is for this reason that my delegation supports the report of the United Nations Council for Namibia, including its conclu- sions and recommendations to the General Assembly.

The Assembly is indeed considering the question of Namibia in an atmosphere characterized by uncertainty and confu- sion, but not without hope. As the Assembly is well aware, the Western contact group has submitted proposals regarding the implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia. In this connection, the front-line States' Foreign Ministers, SWAPO and minis- ters from Nigeria and Kenya held a meeting at Bar es- Salaam on 17 November this year. In arriving at a joint position on the latest initiatives by the five Western coun- tries, the meeting was guided by the following principles, which will eventually govern the implementation of the United Nations plan. 69. The meeting upheld Security Council resolution 435 (1978) as the basis for Namibian independence under United Nations supervision and control. The Dar es-Sal- aam meeting was concerned and determined to safeguard the right of the Namibians to write the constitution of an 70. While we do agree that none among us here is op- posed to the independence of Namibia or would attempt to legitimize South Africa's occupation of Namibia, we see certain developments as both impeding Namibia's in- dependence and .serving to perpetuate the South African illegal occupation of Namibia. We shall continue to un- derline the primary responsibility of the five Western countries in implementing the United Nations plan. While we do so, we must continue to see that all these initia- tives fall within the orbit of the United Nations, which has the central role in the independence process. 71. While we also agree that certain measures of confi- dence are necessary in any negotiating process, we must guard against attempts to make the confidence-building process an end in itself. It has become evident that dis- proportionate attention has been given to placating South Africa, which has in turn demanded concession after con- cession, instead of redirecting our attention to eventual solutions of the problem. 72. In this connection one cannot fail to commend the resolute determination of SWAPO, the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people, in the prosecution of the liberation struggle. If the people of Namibia have indeed accepted the United Nations as their partner in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, it is because they believe, and rightly so, that by nature the United Nations must be anti-colonialist and anti-apartheid. It is the complementary nature of their purposes which must continue to link SWAPO and the United Nations. 73. It is a fact that the independent Namibia for which we have laboured for so long may not have a future at all if the situation in the area continues to be a state of ten- sion. Consequently, the future of all States in the area will depend on the prevalence of peace and stability. That is why we continue to view with the utmost concern tt destabilization being perpetrated by the racist regime ot South Africa. In full realization of the fact that the future stability of the region will hinge squarely on the indepen- dence and territorial integrity of the African States of the area, all of us must contribute to this process and desist from any temptation to participate in or sustain any ac- tivity that would undermine the independence of Angola or any other African country in the area. In this regard, the General Assembly can do no less than to condemn the apartheid regime of South Africa for its continued acts of aggression against Angola and other front-line States. 74. In the meantime, while we welcome the peaceful avenues to the independence of Namibia, we are aware of the dangers involved. We hope it will not be another time-buying ploy. A year ago we went to Geneva for the pre-implementation meeting. We are all aware of the opti- mism that was expressed by those who were instrumental in the initiative. South Africa was not ready to negotiate, and by all measures of judgement it was guilty of sabo- taging the negotiations. We went to the Security Council, where our hopes were quashed by the triple vetoes. The Assembly met in an emergency special session and reite- 75. In this connection, we should like to pay a deserved tribute to the United Nations Council for Namibia under the able presidency of Mr. Paul Lusaka of Zambia. The role it continues to play in preparing Namibia for eventual accession to independence is commendable, and it should continue to serve as the nerve centre of the Organization's activities regarding the Territory.

Fifteen years have elapsed since the General Assembly in resolution 2145 (XXI) terminated South Africa's Mandate over Namibia. Yet the illegal occupation of the Territory by the apartheid regime has none the less continued, and indeed seems to be consolidated and strengthened with each passing day. That assessment of the situation is solidly based both on actual events and on the legal situation. 77. From the point of view of the facts, South Africa has over the last few years considerably consolidated its military grip over the Territory; some 100,000 South Af- rican soldiers are in Namibia, and many military and stra- tegic bases have been established throughout the Territory of Namibia, thus turning it into a stronghold for launch- ing criminal aggression against various independent neighbouring countries, particularly the People's Republic of Angola and Mozambique. The latest act of aggression, committed with unspeakable barbarity against Angola last August, is the clear proof of this. This military grip has been accompanied by an economic grip: South African and foreign capital investment in Namibia has grown con- siderably and there has been a proliferation of multina- tional corporations which shamelessly exploit and plunder the natural resources of the Territory in flagrant violation of Decree No. 1 for the Protection of the Natural Re- sources of Namibia, enacted on 27 September 1974 by the United Nations Council for Namibia.3 78. In the legal sphere, the minority racist regime has by a series of faits accomplis done its utmost to set up a puppet regime, including the Turnhalle clique which, de- spite the great publicity campaign to give it a nationalist veneer and despite the fanfare about it in c~rtain Western capitals, remains none the less only the shadow of its Fas- cist masters. in Pretoria. 79. The same is true of the so-called administrative and legislative institutions created in recent months to give legal substance to the puppet clique. 80. Although this series of faits accomplis convinces no one but the South African racists and their faithful West- ern protectors, they are of greatest concern to us because, together with the military and economic support ac- tivities, they are a powerful negative element, indeed, a very grave obstacle to the accession of Namibia to idde- pendence in keeping with Security Council resolution ~35 (1978). 81. That is why this session, while once again vig- orously condemning South Africa's military and economic activities in Namibia, must also reiterate its firm condem- nation of the criminal efforts being made by South Af- rica, with the support of those in certain Western circles, to impose an internal settlement in Namibia. . ~ade by certain Western agencies according to which an agreement had been reached between the front-line States and the Western contact group, which had been engaging for almost a month in a diplomatic ballet. 83. V/ithout dwelling on the purpose of that announce- ment and the consequences of the relatively positive result that had been falsely announced, my delegation wishes to emphasize that that announcement was not made for- tuitously, and given that we are used to that kind of sur- prise we cannot but be highly sceptical with regard to the psychological effect it was designed to produce and par- ticularly about South Africa's real intention to implement the plan. '84. It is no secret that, having accepted the plan after so much vacillation and delay, the racist regime was doing its utmost to sabotage it by employing all kinds of ma- noeuvres, particularly by making new and unacceptable demands at each phase of the negotiations on giving ef- fect to the plan. Nor is it a secret to anyone that, given this new and shocking position taken by South Africa, the five Western Powers of the contact group, instead of adopting a firm attitude towards the racist regime, as they had been asked to do, while continuing to reaffirm inde- fatigably their devofion to resolution 435 (1978) have themselves started nibbling away at the resolution by con- stantly putting forward new proposals which, despite their carefully applied cosmetics, are designed only to extract new concessions favourable to the apartheid regime. 85. With all these efforts-the outcome of which is to- tally uncertain-by the five Western Powers, it is difficult to avoid the thought that the negotiated solution to the Namibian question to which we are all dedicated"is mov- ing inexorably towards an imposed solution, or at least to one that is tailor-made to suit the five Western Powers and South Africa. 86. It is in order to help to prevent such aJ1 outcome, which would be disastrous for the cause of genuine inde- pendence for Namibia, and because we believe that the exercise of the right to the self-determination and inde- pendence of the Namibian people belongs in the first place to that people as a cwhole, free from constraint or outside interference, that my delegation has become a sponsor of the draft resolutions now before the General Assembly. Massive support for those draft ~solutions, which advocate the full implementation of resoluti~n 435 88. In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm my Government's firm solidarity with and unslJakable support for the Nami- bian people and its vanguard movement, SWAPO, in their just cause, as well as for the front-line States, particularly Angola and Mozambique, which have been the victims of repeated aggression by the racist Pretoria regime. 89. We should also like to pay a tribute to the Secre- tary-General and to the United Nations Council for Namibia, which has been presided over by Mr. Paul Lusaka of Zambia with such far-sighted competence, for having shown such dedication 'to the cause of the indepen- dence of the Namibian people and for having worked so tirelessly in this noble cause, thereby making a major contribution to the liberation struggle of the oppressed peoples of all continents and to the eradication of colo- nialism in all its forms.

The long era of colonialism is finally drawing to a close as a result of the successful efforts carried out by the Organization in this field over recent decades. The peoples of a large majority of such colonial territories have happily been able to exercise their right to self-determination and independence. The people of Namibia should have been no exception in this process. However, the rightful aspirations of the Namibian people, as well as of the whole international community supporting that people, have been continually frustrated by the stubborn resistance of South Africa to ending its illegal occupation of that Territory. 91 . .It is not futile to repeat here that 20 years have passed since the adoption of the Declaration on the Grant- ing of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples [resolution 1514 (XV)]. Fifteen years have passed since the General Assembly terminated the Mandate of South Af- rica over Namibia and subsf'quently established the United Nations Cc-uncil for Namibia to exercise the re- sponsibility of the United Nations for that Territory until independence. 92. Since then, the question of Namibia has continu- ously engaged the concern of the international commu- nity. T~le annals of the United Nations are filled with the recor'.:1s of the untiring efforts of the Organization-of the Secretary-General, of the General Assembly and the Se- curity Council, of the United Nations Commissioqer for Namibia, of Member States individually or as a group, and, most significantly, of the United Nations Council for Namibia-to fulfil the pledge made to the people of Namibia. 93. However, the unfortunate fact remains that South Africa is still able to flout the resolutions of the United Nations and to challenge the will of the international community. Its policies of oppression of the Namibian people and exploitation of the Territory's natural re- sources, its apartheid and its aggression against neigh- 94. Either South Africa must realize at once the futility and the danger underlying its stubborn and unlawful prac- tices or it must be pressed to do so without further delay. A strong basis for movement in the right direction exists in the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia, adopted by the Security Council in resolution 435 (1978). However, even that internationally acceptable and conciliatory plan met with intransigence and evasion from South Africa during the pre-implementation meeting held at Geneva in January 1981 under the auspices of the United Nations. There, in spite of the goodwill of all the other parties concerned and acceptance by SWAPO-the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people, as recognized by the General Assembly-of an .immediate cease-fire, South Africa managed to formulate new de- mands for guarantees of the impcirtiality of the United Nations. 95. South Africa's desire to cast doubt on the impar- tiality of the United Nations cannot be justified. On the other hand, if this criticism is directed against the support and protection given by the United Nations to the rights and interests of the people of Namibia, then the absurdity of this criticism is self-evident. There can be no justifi- able excuse for the way South Africa acted at Geneva; it could only have been a deliberate attempt to obstruct and delay the peace process. 96. The failure of the Geneva meeting was followed by inconclusive Security Council meetings. The deep con- cern of the international community in general and of the members of the OAU in particular led to the convening of the eighth emergency special session last September. 97. Despite South Africa's continuing refusal to end its occupation, the intense efforts that we have made so far have not been in vain. Each effort has formed a basis for the next, stronger step. The commitment of the interna- tional community to obtaining the withdrawal of South Africa from Namibia and the exercise by the Namibian people of its right to self-determination has only in- creased. c 98. Every necessary effort must be made with a view to compelling South Africa to implement the United Nations decisions. My Government, for its part, fully abides by all the United Nations resolutions to this effect. Turkey does not maintain any kind of rell:!tions with South Af- rica, whether in the diplomatic and political or the eco- nomic, commercial or military fields. Turkey is pleased to contribute, although in modest terms, to the United Na- tions Trust Fund for South Africa, the United Nations Ed- ucational and Training Programme for Southern Africa and the Trust Fund for Publicity against Apartheid as a sign of its support for this cause. 99. We believe that it is the responsibility of each and every Member State to assist in this process. Particular responsibility in tnis regard lies with the members of the Western contact group, which were instrumental in the formulation of resolution 435 (1978). We are following with interest the recent initiative undertaken by that group in renewing contacts with all the parties concerned. We hope that a consensus can emerge from these contacts

Although we are witnessing the demise of colonial- ism, several regions of the world are still suffering the ignominy of colonial domination, despite the unremitting efforts of their peoples and the international community to put a definitive end to that excrescence of the policy of plunder. 102. This is the case with Namibia, the Territory of South West Africa illegally occupied by the racist South African troops in flagrant violation of the relevant resolu- tions of the United Nations and the will for independence of the Namibian people. 103. In the years that have elapsed since the revoking of the Mandate over that Territory given to South Africa by the League of Nations, the policy of the South African regime, with the support of known Western countries, has been to strengthen its military presence in Namibia, where it. has installed the abominable practice of apartheid and carries out the systematic plunder of the Territory's human and natural resources, while at the same time it expands its role as the man of straw for imperialist interests and acts as a spearhead for those in- terests against independent African countries. 104. We cannot overlook its attempt in 1975 to prevent, through armed aggression planned in connivance with the Government of the United States, the triumph of the revo- lution in Angola, or the fact that after six years, still en- couraged by that Government, it should pursue its efforts to overthrow the legitimate Government of Angola, while promoting counter-revolutionary activities and carrying out military incursions against it by air and land from the illegally occupied territory of Namibia. 105. The independence of Namibia and the consequent expulsion of the South African racists, therefore, are not only political and moral commitments of the United Na- tions-Namibia being a Territory under its direct respon- sibility and falling within the terms of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV)-but also and equally a sine qua non for peace and security in the southern African States, the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of which are constantly threatened by the hegemonist and .expansionist policy of South Africa. 106, There are few today who would dare to question openly the right of the Namibian people to self-determina- tion and independence, but there are still some who are reluctant to recognize as its legitimate representative the organization which has won that right, weapon in hand, after years of heroic struggle and sacrifice-SWAPO. 107. Actually, that reluctance has nothing to do with the existence of other organizations which might lawfully claim such title-those who do claim it, the so-called 108. Those who oppose SWAPO, alleging "democratic scruples" which cOrAvince no one, are the same people wIlo attempted to impose a puppet regime in Zimbabwe at the service of the white racist minority, of apartheid and of their own economic interests. They are also among those who for some years now have been taking the inter- national community from pillar to post in quest of a peaceful solution to the Namibian question, which they evade when it is about to materialize. 109. Once again, much is being said about the "great efforts" the so-called Western contact group is making with the representatives of Pretoria and the front-line States with a view to the implementation of the plan which was elaborated by that group and which the Se- curity Council endorsed in its resolution 435 (1978). 110. However, we all remember how the efforts made by SWAPO, the front-line States and the Secretary-Gen- eral to achieve concrete progress in the talks held at Gen- eva at the beginning of this year with the Pretoria repre- sentatives once again met with rejection by the racists, who throughout the negotiating process initiated by the contact group have simply played for' time to strengthen their hold over Namibia and to pursue their undeclared war against Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and other in- dependent States. 111. The apparent obstinacy of the South African ra- cists-like that of their closest relatives, the Israeli Zio- nists-has but one explanation: the decisive economic, political and military support they receive from their imperialist partners. . 112. How else can we explain the supposed difficulties encountered at every step by the contact group in trying to convince the Government of Mr. Botha? Where does the responsibility lie for that obduracy in the face of the majority will of the peoples of" the world if not with some of those same countries? 113. Without entering now into a discussion of the true motives and intentions of those who act in this manner, we must recall that, in the final analysis, historically, the policy of appeasement has served only to embolden ag- gressors and to stimulate their rapaciousness, not to put an end to their misdeeds. 114. The conduct of the South African racists during the last 15 years tragically confirms this assertion. 115. Be that as it may, repeated delays in the implemen- tation of the so-called United Nations plan for Namibia, of Western concoction, the chronic prevarication of Pre- toria's imperialist partners and the aggressive policy of the racists against the front-line States, as well as their crimes against the Namibian people, call for energetic and reso- lute action by the international cummunity in order to compel them to comply with the de'isions of the Security Council and the Assembly with rrspect to that occupied Territory. 116. The United Nations Council for Namibia, the sole legal Administering Authority of that Territory, the non- aligned movement and the OAU have agreed on the need to increase the economic, political, military and other 118. For its part, Cuba, like many other non-aligned and progressive States, is making its modest contribution to the national liberation movement of Namibia and its staunch. rearguard, the front-line States, and will continue to do so until that people achieves independence in a united and whole Namibia and until the South African racists cease to promote subversion in the independent States of southern Africa and to attack them. 119. My delegation unreservedly supports the position of SWAPO and 01 ,,::0 front-line States in their efforts to achieve a negotiated peaceful solution leading to the inde- pendence of Namibia without restrictions or conditions detrimental to its sovereignty and territorial integrity and without humiliating conditions or neo-colonialist strait- jackets, through the strict implementation, without further delay, of resolution 435 (1978), through free elections held under United Nations supervision and in keeping with the supreme interests of the people of Namibia. 120. We therefore condemn any attempt to bend the legitimate will of the Namibian people, led by its libera- tion movement, SWAPO, with the aim of guaranteeing the spurious interests of South Africa and its imperialist partners in a diminishel;1 or simply neo-colonized Namibia. 121. In this connection, we condemn the collusion of the three Western permanent members of the Security Council with the South African racists, which prevented the majority of members of that world body from adopt- ing the political and economic measures provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter to isolate the terrorist regime of South Africa and compel it to withdraw from Namibia. 122. It bears repetition that Namibia is the direct re- sponsibility of the United Nations until that Territory achieves self-determination and genuine national indepen- dence, and only the United Nations Council for Namibia can exert legal administrative authority over that Territory until then. All measures adopted by the South African occupiers are thus null and void. 123. The Assembly must unequivocally condemn the shameful collaboration of several Western countries and Israel with the racist South African regime in the military, and particularly the nuclear, field, and request all other Governments to refrain from providing it, directly or indi- rectly, with resources and material that would enable it to perfect and enhance its machinery of war. 124. Similarly, we ~[mst reaffirm that Secmity Council resolution 435 (1978) is the only basis for a peaceful set- tlement, and that the Council should adopt all possible measures to achieve its strict and immediate implementa- tion. 127. To the followers of anti-history, those that together with the South African racists have added their names to the annals of ignomipy and oppression, we proclaim the certainty that they will be severely judged for their shameful complicity with the apartheid regime and the certainty of the inevitable victory of the pec,ple of Namibia.

At the beginning of this session, Sir, the Gni- [lean delegation, through its Foreign Minister, warmly congratulated you on your election to the presidency of the Assembly [24th meeting]. My Foreign Minister also indicated the great value we attach to the relations of co- operation and friendship that exist between your country, the Republic of Iraq, and ours, the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea, and I now reiterate those sentiments. 129. We should like to take this opportunity to welcome the admission of Antigua and Barbuda as the one hundred fifty-seventh Member of the Organization and to assure its representatives of the full co-operation of the delega- tion of Guinea. 130. The debate on the question of Namibia is taking place at a particularly serious time in view of the stub- born refusal by the Pretoria regime to comply with Gen- eral Assembly and Security· Council resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its illegal administration from Namibia. 131. It is now 15 years since the General Assembly adopted resolution 2145 (XXI), revoking South Africa's Mandate over Namibia and declaring illegal that country's presence in the Territory, which was placed thenceforth under the responsibility of the United Nations. Since that time that responsibility has been assumed, under General Assembly resolution 2248 (S-V), by the United Nations Council {or Namibia, which is presided over with compe- tence and dedication by our brother, Mr. Paul Lusaka of Zambia. 132. Fully aware nf the interests of the Namibian peo- ple, SWAPO consistently showed a constructive attitude throughout the long period of negotiations and co-oper- ated fully in the implementation of Security Council reso- lution 435 (1978). 133. As for South Africa, the international community has been greatly disappointed by its defiant attitude throughout the negotiations on the question. 134. The bad faith, arrogance and perfidy of Pretoria are a permanent challenge to the determination of the United Nation~ to reach a negotiated settlement of the Namibian questi~n through the immediate and uncondi- tional implementation of resolution 435 (1978). 135. The continuing illegal occupation of Namibia by South Africa, together with its persistent refusal to recog- nize the im~lienable and imprescriptible right of the Nami- 137. By deliberately blocking the negotiations South Africa's one aim has been to perpetuate its illegal pres- enee in Namibia, which it is using to perpetrate repeated acts of aggression against the territorial integrity and sov- ereignty of neighbouring African States, particularly the People's Republic of Angola. 138. How can we account for the insolent stubbornness and continued arrogance of the apartheid regime (if South Africa other than in tenns of the political, economic and military support it has been receiving from certain West- ern Powers? Is the United Nations really incapable of making South Africa and its allies respect the decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly'? Can the United Nations continue to accept the deliberate violation of its decisions by racist South Africa? 139. The Namibian people did not ask to be entrusted to South Africa. It was the League of Nations which, by a simple vote, decided on the fate of our Namibian broth- ers. Therefore the responsib~Jity for this situation lies with the United Nations. the successor to the League of Na- tions. 140. In our opinion, the major obstacle to Namibia's ac- cession to independence lies in the continuing plunder of the natural resources of the Territory by South Africa. in collusion with the foreign economic interests of other countries. some of which bear special responsibility in the Organization for the maintenance and protection of inter- national peace and security. . 141. How else can we account for the attitude of certain Western countries, members of the contact group, which have done their utmost to protect at all costs the selfish interests of the white racist minority in southern Africa, to the detriment of the freedom and the dignity of the N~mibian people? I 142. What explanation can be offered for the triple veto by three Permanent members of the Security Council against the adoption of resolutions on comprehensive mandatory sanctions against the racist regime of South Africa under Chapter VII of the Charter? j," -," .;. ~43. Africa has not been deceived. It is ftilly aware of the weight of the economic and strategic .interests which stand in the way of the legitimate aspirations of the Nami- bian people and their inalienable right to independence. 144. However, the abundance of lessons from the his- tory of the liberation struggle of peoples strengthens our belief that neither barbarous acts of aggression nor delay- ing tactics on the part of certain Powers will succeed in weakening the detennination of the Namibian people' to recover their independence and affirm their own identity. 146. The obstinacy of the Pretoria regime leaves the in- ternational community no choice but to impose the com- prehensive mandatory sanctions provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter. 147. In conclusion. I wish to reaffinn the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea upholds its complete soli- darity with and support for SWAPO, the only legitimate representative of the people of Namibia, in its just na- tion~l liberation struggle.

Under its resolution ES-8/2, adopted by an overwhelming majority during the eighth emergency special session last September. the General Assembly renewed its request to the Security Council to impose comprehensive mandatory sanctions ag;llinst the South African regime, pursuant to Chapter ""U of the Charter. It did so in view of the continued illegal occupa- tion of that international Territory by the Pretoria racist minority, its bloody oppression of the Namibian people, its acts of aggression against the neighbouring indepen- dent States, and the terror, instability and dangerous ten- sion it maintains in the region, thereby seriously threaten- ing international peace and security. ' 149. In that connection, and while recommending the rapid. unconditional and full implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) the Assembly at its emer- gency special session requested;. in addition, all Member States to sever their diplomatic, consular and trade rela- tions with South Africa. 150. The United Republic of Cameroon. whose position on the question of Namibia is well known and has been repeatedly reaffirmed here and elsewhere, supported those enforcement measures, the purpose of which was to lead South Africa to co-operate with the United Nations in its search for a peaceful settlement of the Namibian question. During that same emergency session, the Westem contact group launched appeals for moderation and assured us that it would continue to endeavour to persuade South Af- rica to agree as soon as possible to the implementation of the United Nations settlement plan endorsed in resolution 435 (1978). 151. Moreover, our Minister for Foreign Affairs ex- pressed our gratification at that development in his state- ment in the general debate at the beginning of the current session. He said: " . . . while we welcome the recent declaration ef five members of the Western contact group reaffirming their detennination to continue their efforts to reach a prom'": and peaceful solution of the Namibian problem, we hupe that these initiatives will not in any sense overshadow the role of the United Nations, the sole legal authority in Namibia. or deny the Namibian peo- 153. In addition, the history of decolonization has shown that peaceful coexistence between nationals and foreign minorities in the former colonial territories gener- ally derives from a spirit of mutual respect and mutual confidence and solidarity in the same concerns and inter- ests. Fonnal constitutional guarantees, however solemn they may be, have rarely created such a climate, es- pecially when they have been imposed from outside for the benefit of minorities. 154. However, it those constitutional guarantees are the last price to be paid by Namibia for accession to true independence, then it would be desirable not to reject them a priori. 155. Cameroon has always considered the quest:on of Namibia to be a problem of decolonization and illegal oc- cupation. In this context, any proposed solution should be squarely within the context of General Assembly resolu- tion 1514· (XV). 156. At this decisive stage in the struggle waged by the brave people of the international Territory, 15 years after the General Assembly terminated South African colonial power over the Territory and created the United Nations Council for Namibia-headed today with great skill and dedication by my friend Mr. Paul Lusaka of Zambia- after so many untiring efforts by the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, to promote the implementation of the settlement plan so pa- tiently drawn up and solemnly approved by all the parties cOilcerned, as well as by the Security Council, we are in duty bound to contim\e to mobilize public opinion and the international community to increase their pressure on South Africa in order to compel ii to co-operate resolutely with the United Nations. 163. Since then the question of Namibia has been de- bated in these forums so frequently and with such little apparent success as to lead some to a feeling, ef cynicism about the effil~acy of the United Nations in dealing with this question. The continuous reiteration by the interna- tional community and the repetition of the fact that the only politica~ solution for Namibia is one based on the effective termination of South Africa's illegal occupation, including withdrawal of its armed forces, and on the free and unfettered exercise by all Namibian people of their right to self-determination and independence in accoro' ance with Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and Security Council resolutions 385 (1976) and 435 (1978), have not brought Namibia any closer to independence. . 157. Any initiative that departed from this course·would launch us on another hazardous adventure with the racist 164. Security Council resolution 435 (1978) held out an regime of South Africa, whose bad faith and arrogance all-too-brief promise of freedom for Namibia, only for it continue to affect the credibility of the Organization. to be frustrated by SQuth Africa's intransigence and pre- varication. The story of the pre-implementation talks ear- 158. Thus, we address a pressing appeal to the five lier this year is too weH known to need repetition by me. members of the contact group and to all those who hold South Africa continues to drag its feet by talking of decisive trump cards by reason of the weight of their strengthening confidencc~ when in fact the only confidence many interests in South Africa. We appeal to them, aware that has been eroded is in the bona fides of the South of their special responsibilities in the search for a negoti- African regime itself. That regime not only persists in de- ~ a: ~olutlonto_me~:ibl~_q=tiO .c,n_.__a._n"<d__~._o._r t_h._e__<.ma_..i"n_..-_. _.<_ _n..y,in_g__.~th._e__.pe.o__P.__Ie .O._f_~N_"_a_m_ib_.i_a~~th._e~<_ir.~~n._a._Ii,._e_n_"a..~b__Ie_.._~n._'g.._h..-..t;c.ct,o_.__ _ 159. In this connection resolution ES-8/2 provides us with the appropriate framework for collectiveal1d indi- vidual action for the liberation of the Namibian people. 160. As a member of the United Nations Council for Namibia and of the Co-ordinating Committee for the Lib- eration of Africa of the OAU, Cameroon supports the Namibian people's aspirations to and struggle for self- determination and independence under the aegis of SWAPO and within the context of a united Namibia, including Walvis Bay. It further strongly supports all the measures advocated by the Assembly to speed up imple- mentation of resolution 435 (1978). It rejects any uni- lateral soluti"n and challenges the puppet authorities which South Africa seeks to impose on the Namibian people. Now more than ever Cameroon will continue to strengthen all the decisions that it took long ago to con- tribute to the isolation of South Africa, which are: to establish no relations of any kind whatsoever with the rac- ist South African regime; to exclude from Cameroonian territory any ship, boat or aircraft of that country, whether coming from or going to it; and to train refugee Namibian students. 161. In that spirit we support all the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the UniteJ Nations Council for Namibia, in the drafting of which my delegation took part in the Council. Those decisions, adopted and applied resolutely by our respective States, will have a twofold effect: they will act as a catalyst for the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia and for the dismantling of apartheid. Let us hope that the Assembly will remember that.

More than IS years have passed since the General Assembly, by its resolution 2145 (XXI), terminated the Mandate of South Africa over Namibia, declaring South Africa's presence in the Terri- tory illegal and clearly placing Namibia under the direct responsibility of the United Nations. 165. South Africa does not appear to have given up its efforts to bring about a sham independence in Namibia by creating a puppet regime. The United Nations needs to be particularly vigilant to ensure that the only viable and just plan for Namibian independence, that endorsed in Se- curity Council resolution!) 385 (1976) and 435 (1978), is not sidetr~rked. 166. The insidiou~ efforts by South Africa to undennine and discredit SWAPO is ~art of the regime's over-all design to suppress all genuine national sentiment in Namibia. SWAPO, the sole authentic representative of the Namibian people, aware of its own strength in the Terri- tory as well as of the recognition and support it receives from the international community, has expressed readiness to participate in the United Nations plan, in accordance with the Security Council resolutions to which I have referred. 167. The international community, particularly those States which initiated the United Nations pIaI' and which more than any others hMc the diplomatic and other means to pressure South Africa to live up to its assurances, has a 169. The very credibility of the United Nations and the peaceful negotiating process it offers are under threat. The question of Namibia will inevitably disappear from the agenda of the General Assembly, but let us all hasten that process. Nares I Legal Cons~qu~nus for Stales of the Continued P"'~s~nce of SQuth Africa in Namibia (South West Africa) notwithstanding Security Council .solution 276 (/970). Advisory Opinion. I.C.J. Reports 197/. p. 16. : Sec Official R~cords of the Security Council. Thirt.v-si:cth Year. 2296th to 2300th meetings. l Official R~cords of the General Assembly. Thirty-fifth Session. Sup- p/~~nt No. 24. annex 11.