A/37/PV.108 General Assembly

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1982 — Session 37, Meeting 108 — New York — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 10 unattributed speechs
▶ This meeting at a glance
25
Speeches
13
Countries
18
Resolutions
Resolutions: A/37/744], 57/60, A/RES/37/118, A/RES/37/120C, A/RES/37/120D, A/RES/37/120E, A/RES/37/120F, A/RES/37/120G, A/RES/37/120H, A/RES/37/120I, A/RES/37/120J, A/RES/37/120K, A/RES/37/122, A/RES/37/123A, A/RES/37/123B, A/RES/37/123C, A/RES/37/123D, A/RES/37/123E
Topics
General statements and positions Israeli–Palestinian conflict UN resolutions and decisions Global economic relations Arab political groupings Security Council deliberations

THIRTY-SEVENTH SESSION
Vote: A/RES/37/118 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (116)
Vote: A/RES/37/120C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/37/120D Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (143)
Vote: A/RES/37/120E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (143)
Vote: A/RES/37/120F Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (121)
Vote: A/RES/37/120G Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (126)
Vote: A/RES/37/120H Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (121)
Vote: A/RES/37/120I Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (106)
Vote: A/RES/37/120J Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (127)
Vote: A/RES/37/120K Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (144)
Vote: A/RES/37/122 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (139)
Vote: A/RES/37/123A Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (87)
Vote: A/RES/37/123B Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (138)
Vote: A/RES/37/123C Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
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Vote: A/RES/37/123D Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (123)
Vote: A/RES/37/123E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (145)
Officilll Records

137.  Implementation of the collective security provisions of the Charter ofthe United Nations far the maintenance of international peace and security 1.. Mr. ERDENECHULUUN (Mongolia). Rappor- teur of the First Committee: I have the Ilonour to present to the General Assembly the reports ofthe First Commit!ee related to international security, under agenda Items 58, 59 and 137. They are contained in documents A/37/742 to 744. The first two items were included in the agenda of this session of the General Assembly in accordance with previous resolutions of the Assembly. while the last item was a new one. These items were discussed at 11 meetings held between 29 November amI 9 December 1982. The combined general debate held on all the items, according to the previous practice of the Committee, has reflected the deep conCf'!m of Member States over current dev~lopments, which are characterized by mounting tension and a dangerous deepening of existing crises in international relations. Similarly, many States expressed their full support for the strengthening of the role of the 'United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly by enhan~!~g its peace-making and peace-keeping capabilIties. 2. ~ith regard to agenda item 58, many speakers considered that the promotion ofgood-neighbourliness represented an important factor, contributing to the development ofco-operation between States in various fields and thus .having a favourable bearing on inter- national relations as a whole. The draft resolution adopted without a vote, provides for further clari: fication of the elements ofgood-neighbourliness-part of a process which, in the view of its sponsors, would finally ~e~d t'? the el~boration, at an appropriate time, of a sUltaole lDternatlonal document on this subject. 3. The debate on agenda item 59 provided a thorough ~nalysis.of the negative phenomena currently eroding lDternatlonal peace and security. The need was NEW YORK expressed for concerted efforts to stop and reverse the dangerous trend in international relations and to create ~n envi.ronrnent cond~cive to the development of lDtern.atlonal co-operation based on the sovereign equalIty of States. During the debate particular impor- tance was attached to the question of strengthening peace and security in different regions of the world. 4. The consideration of item 137 underscored the urgent need for concerted efforts by Member States and the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, towards the prevention of further deterio- ration of the world political situation. The draft resolution adopted on this item, inter alia, requests the Security Council to study the question of the implementation of the collective security provisions Qf the Charter of the United Nations. 5. With these brief remarks, I should like to submit the recommendations of the First Committee to the Assembly for adoption. Pursuallt to rule 66 of the rules of procedure, it was decided not.to discuss the reports of the First Committee. 6. The PRESIDENT: Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of the First Committee have been made clear in th~ Committee and are reflected in the relevant official rec~rds. ~~y I remind members 'that in paragraph 7 of Its deCISion 34/401 the General Assembly decided that when the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting 8. ddegation shou!d, ~s far .as possible, ~xplain its vote only once, that IS, either 10 the Committee or in plenary meeting, u!1less that de!egation' ~ vote in plenary meeting is dlff~rent from Its vote 1!1 the Co)mmittee. May I also remmd members that, 10 accordance with the same decision, explanations of vote should be limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. 7. I now invite the attention of members to the report of the First Committee on agenda item 58 [A/37/742]. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Com- m!ttee _in paragraph 8 of its report. Since the Com.. mlttee adopted that draft resolution without a vote may I take it that the General Assembly wishes to d~ the same"! The drcift resolution was adopted(resolution 37// /7). 8. The PRESIDENT: We turn now to the report of the First Committee on agenda item 59 [A/37/743]. 9. I call upon-the representative of Albania to speak in explanation of vote before the vote.

Mr. Baleta ALB Albania #9333
Once again the General Assembly has to take 12. We believe, first, that the super-Powers and the imperialist Powers are not going to take seriously the requests made to them. It is even more certain that if they do pay any attention to this problem it will simply be to speculate in their own interest". It is precisely those States, in particular the two super-Powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, which cause all the danger and threats to peace and security throughout the world. We cannot accept the idea ofasking the major Powers to look after the future security of the world or of entrusting them with the improvement or the proper functioning of the system of collective security, because we are convinced that the imperialist and social-imperialist aggressors will not change their nature of their own free will, or change their policies and objectives just because they are asked in a United Nations resolution to take care of collective security. . 13. I could spend a long time on this very important and complicated subject, but since this is simply an
Vote: A/37/744] Consensus
The President unattributed #9335
The General Assemblv will next turn its attentinn to the report of the First ·Committee on agenda item 137 [A/37/744]. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by th~ Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to do the same?

68.  Israel's decisiQn to build a caaal linking the Mediter- ranean Sea to the Dead Sea: i"eport of the Secretary- General 19. Mr. LOGOGLU (Turkey), Rapporteur of the Special Political Committee: I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration this afternoon three reports of the Special Political Committee. 20. The first report [A/~:?71723] relates to agenda item 65. The Special Political Committee considered 23. Lastly, I present the Committee's report [A1371 724] on agenda item 68. The Committee considered this item at four meetings and heard some 20 statements in the general debate. The draft resolution, which was adopted by a recorded vote, appears in paragraph 10 of the report and is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. Pursuant to rule 66 ofthe rules ofprocedure, it was decided not to discuss the reports of the Special Political Committee.

Vote: 57/60 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (A/37/119).
The President unattributed #9336
I call upon the representative of Albania who wishes to explain his position on the resolution just adopted.
Mr. Baleta ALB Albania #9339
The Albanian delegation did not oppose the adoption without a vote of the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in its report, but our delegation would like to inform the Assembly that it
The President unattributed #9347
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The position of delegations regarding the various recommend~tionsof the Special Political Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. 25. I should like to remind members that in paragraph 7 of its decision 34/401 the General Assembly decided that when the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. 26. I also remind meQ;lbers that, also in accordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote should be limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. 27. The Assembly will now consider the report of the Speci~J Political Committee on agenda item 65 [A1371 723]. The Assembly has to take action on draft resolutions A to K, recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 41 of its report, after which representatives will be given an opportunity to explain their votes. 28. I now put to the Assembly draft resolution A, entitled "Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees 'in the Near East". The Special Political Committee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 37,120 A).
Draft resolution C was adopted by /4/ l'otes to 2 (resolution 371120 C). 31. The PRESIDENT: Draft resolution D is entitled "Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for the Palestine refugees". A recorded vote has been requested;
A recorded vote was taken.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President unattributed #9350
We come now to draft resolution G, entitled hPopulation and refugees displaced since 1967". A recorded vote has been requested" P~den~l Republic of, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,2 Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Zaire. Draft resolution H was adopted by 121 votes to 2, with 24 abstentions (resolution 37/120 H). 36. The PRESIDENT: We come to draftresolution I, entitled ..Special identification cards to all Palestine refugees". The administrative and financial implica- tions of the draft resolution are contained in the report of the Fifth Committee in document A/37/747. A recorded vote has been requested. 44. The P'RESIDENT: We turn now to the report of the Special Political Committee on agenda item 68 50. The damage that the canal will inflict on Jordan is incalculable. This may not appear if one takes the Secretary-General's report [A/37/328 and Corr./] as one's only source. We are aware that this report is
A recorded .'ote was taken.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted(resolution 37/121).

34.  The situation in the Middle East: reports of the Secretary-General *

The President unattributed #9354
The General Assembly will now resume its consideration of agenda item 34 in order to proceed to the vote on the draft resolutions relating to that item. Representatives will recall that at the %th plenary meeting, on 8 December, the Assembly concluded its debate on this item. 57. I now call on the representatives who wish to introduce the draft resolutions. 58. Mr. ROA KOURI (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanish): I have the honour, on behalfof the sponsors of the various draft res01utions on the situation in the Middle East, to introduce to the General Assembly for its consideration draft resolutions A/37/L.48 to L.52, which, as on previous occasions, contain the basic principles for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution of the Middle East conflict, principles already established earlier by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. 59. In these texts, the Israeli aggression against the Arab nation is condemned, in the light of General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX), as is also the occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights and the decision of the Government of Israel to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration over that territory. The need for complete and unconditional withdrawal from 65. Afew days ago, the international community met in this Hall to hear the President ofLebanon, Mr. Amin Gemayel [35th meeting], and we heard an authoritative version of the events during a war that has ruined his country. We sympathize with his people, in their tragedy, their suffering, their grief and their despair. What he told us surpasses even the most vivid journalistic imagination. President Gemayel described to us the situation in a country which, at another time in its history, served as a model not only for its region but for the whole world, owing to the resilience of its race, the brilliance of its intelligence, the discipline of its people and the freedom of its institutions, and which, owing to an accident of geography and excessive democratic hospitality, has been turned into the bloodiestand most merciless battlefieldofrecent years. 66. All of us heard the Lebanese leader call for international solidarity to enable his people to live in peace and to undertake the moral and material reconstruction of his country. The draft resolution is designed to bring about the fulfilment of this just "Bearing in mind Security Council resolutions 508 (1982) of 5 June 1982 and 509 (1982) of 6 June 1982,". " 72. Resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982) were adopted unanimously by the Security Council, yet the Israeli aggression and occupation continue unabated in spite of the fact that resolution 509 (1982) calls for Israel to with(lraw immediately and unconditionally from all" Lebanese territory. The reference to these two resolutions in the context of the situation in the Middle East during the consideration of draft resolution A/37/L.53 is an invitation to all countries to spare no effort in supporting the Lebanese Republic in its struggle to regain its freedom, sovereignty, security and unity through the unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Israel, in accordimce with Security Council resolution 509 (1982). ' 73. We would like to recall that all States Members of the Organization are committed to full respect for Article 25 of the United Nations Charter. Resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982) were adopted unanimously, thus reaffirming the commitment of the members of the Security Council to respect the Charter.
Mr. Ulrichsen DNK Denmark on behalf of 10 member States of the #9357
I should like to make a statement on behalf of the 10 member States of the .European Community on the draft resolutions before us. 82. The principles which, in the view of the Ten, provide the basis for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli dispute have been set out in the Venice Declaration, of 13 June 1980,3 and in their subsequent statements on the issue and are, we trust, well known. Most recently, in their statement in Brussels on 20 September 1982, the Ten said that: ••Such a settlement should be based on the principles of security for all States in the region, including Israel's right to exist, justice for all peoples, including the right of self-determination for the Palestinians with all that this implies, and mutual recognition by all the parties involved" [see A/37/473, llllnex]. 83. In their common statement in the debate which took place in the Assembly on this item [95th meeting], the Ten reiterated that their commitment to Israel's right to live in security and peace is fundamental and unwavering, and they equally stressed their commitment to the right of the Palestinian people to selfdetermination, with all that this implies. They also made clear their wish to see the Palestin~an people in a position to pursue their demands by political means and by negotiations. For negotiations to succeed, the Ten believe that the Palestinian people must be able to commit themselves to such negotia~ tions and thus to be represented at them. Consequently, the position of the Ten remains that the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO] must be associated with the negotiations. Pi. It will be clear that the Ten have important reservations on those draft resolutions that address themselves to important aspects of the question of a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli dispute and that are not in accordance with their common position regarding principles for a comprehensive peace settlement. The Ten have repeatedly stressed the need for such resolutions to adopt a balanced approach. The Ten cannot, moreover, accept formulations criticizing a permanent member of the Security Council for exercising its right under the Charter of the United Nations. 85. In the view of the Ten, possibilities for progress towards a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East are better than they have been for a long time, following the latest United States initiative contained in President Reagan's speech of1September 19824 and the statemenf made by the Arab Heads of State and Government on 9 September 1982 at the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference, held at Fez [see A/37/696]. During the:r contacts with the parties to the conflict and in their conclusions at the latest meeting of the European Council on 3 and 4 December 1982, the member States of the European Community have urged the parties to take advantage of the present favourable situation. The Ten have called on Israel to give a constructive response and on the PLO materia~ involved. 88. The Ten support draft resolution A/37/L.51. In this connection, they recall the importance they attach to Security Council n~solution 478 (1980). 89. As regards draft resolution A/37/L.52, the reaction of the Ten to the massacres of Palestinian civilians in Beirut was one of profound shock and revulsion, and the Ten strongly condemn this criminal act. The Ten have reservations about the reference in the draft resolution to the Convention on the Prevention.and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Needless to say, from a juridical point of view, it is .: ,t within the competence of the General Assembiy to decid~~ whether a certain act constitutes an act of genocide according to the Convention. 90. May I finally note that the Ten are all sponsors of draft resolution A/37/L.53.
Mr. Ghikas GRC Greece #9364
My delegation would like to explain its vote on draft resolution A/37/L.49. Greece has never failed to condemn consistently and in no uncertain terms the acts of Israel against Arab nations. Our position in this respect, apart from our traditional friendship with the Arab world, is determined by my country's unshakeable attachment to the principles enshrined in Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter of the United Nations and in the Final Act of Helsinki. 6 It is for that reason that my delegation will vote in favQur of that draft resolution. 92. However, my delegation is unable to go along with certain paragraphs of that draft resolution. If separate votes are taken, my delegation will abstain on paragraph 8 and on subparagraphs (c) and (d) of paragraph 13, and will vote against paragraph 14. Thus, my delegation dissociates itself from those paragraphs when voting in favour of the draft resolution.
Mr. Bhatt NPL Nepal #9367
The position of Nepal with respect to the situation in the Middle East has already been made clear in different forums. Nepal is firmly committed to the principle of the inadmissibility.of the acquisition of territory by force. Israeli actions in the Syrian Golan Heights and other territories <"lccupied since 1967 negate the principles embodied i41 Sec."lrity Council resolution 242 (1967) and in the Ger.eva convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,7 as well as other relevant resolutions of the United Nations. Accord- 95. My delegation would have liked reference to be made °to Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which, in our opinion, constitute the only realistic basis for a peaceful settlement of the Middle East dispute. 96. Miss STREDEL (Venezuela) (interpretation from Spanish): In connection with draft resolution A!37/L.49, the delegation of Venezuela is convinced that one of the most important allies of the just Palestinian cause is moderation. My delegation considers that any new text adopted by the A~sembly which departs from that moderation does not effectively contribute to the progress of the efforts to ensure the achievement of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people; including the right to create a sovereign, independent Palegtinian State. For these reasons, my delegation will abstain in the voting on that draft resolution. 97. With regard to draft resolution A/37/L.51, Venezuela would like to state for the record that it was the first country to withdraw its embassy from the Holy City of Jerusalem. That decision was taken one month before the adoptioll of Security Council resolution 478 (1980). 98. On 28 July 1980, at the !vih meeting of the seventh emergency special session, the delegation of Venezuela gave the reasons why its Government acted in this fashion. For these reasons, my delegation will vote in favour of draft resolution A/37/L.51. Similarly, my delegation will vote in favour of draft resolutions A/37/L.50, L.52 and L.53. • 99. Mr. ALBORNOZ (Ecuador) (interpretation from Spanish): The delegation of Ecuador would like to repeat, with regard to the item on the situation in the Middle East, that it completely rejects the use offorce in relations among countries and abides strictly by the principles of non-intervention, the self-determination of peoples and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Ecuador condemns all violations of law in every part of the world and any use of force for the acquisition of territories, and affirms that the use of armed force does not lead to the acquisition of rights. 100. It is on the basis of these principltes that, in all forums of the United Nations, Ecuador has rejected the military occupation by Israel of territories in the Middle East and has insisted on the need to return those territories. In the case of agreements which were freely entered into and which have led to the restitution of some territories, Ecuador cannot oppose 102. With regard to draft resolution A/37/L.49, we must stress most strongly that Ecuador supports the fundap1ental principle that the acquisition ofterritories by force is inadmissible. It also supports what is stated in paragraphs 1 and 2 and considers that territorial occupation is unacceptable, as is the case in the Syrian Golan Heights, where there is alt attempt to give the appearance of legality with unilateral declarations which run counter to the Charter of the United Nations and by an attitude of indifference to resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. This does not contribute to the lessening of tension or to the achievement of peace in an area where everyone desires it. 103. On the other hand, there are certain elements in draft resolution A/37/L.49 which are not acceptable to my delegation. The principle of universality of the United Nations must be maintained in all its forums, in its composition, in the very action of promoting decolonization, which is leading to universality and has been resolutely supported by Latin American countries, among them Ecuador, which (vas one of the countries that drafted and signed the Charter. Therefore, any action or declaration, however preliminary it might appear, for the expulsion or suspension of a Member State would be unacceptable to my delegation, apart from the fact that any measure of this kind would, in the present case, merely create greater difficulties in any process of negotiation and peaceful settlement of th~ situation in the Middle East and the question of Palestine. Similarly, with regard to the measures suggested in paragraph 13 of draft resolution A/37/L.49, my delegation is ofthe view that decisions to establish or not to establish diplomatic, trade and cultural relations are decisions which fall exdusively within the sovereignty of each State and cannot be subject to appeals made by third parties. Therefore, we will be compelled to abstain on that draft resolution. 104. With regard to draft resolutions A/37/L.50 to L.S3, 'we will vote in favour of them because of the principles upheld by our country in the field ofinternational relations and the well-known respect of my country for human rights. I should like to say that Ecuador, which, along with the other Andean countries, is among the sponsors of draft resolution A/37/L.53, supports the request of the Lebanese Government for the withdrawal of all non-Lebanese troops and forces, the deployment of which is not authorized by that Government. We hope that if this is done the martyrdom of the Lebanese people will come to an end and that this will lead t() the establishment of peace in that region of the Middle East. 105. The PRESIDENT: I would remind delegates that, at the request of the sponsors, wc have agreed to defer action on draft resolution A/37/48 and that 110. My delegation must therefore vote against draft resolution A/37/L.49 because, inter alia, of paragraphs 8, 12 and 13, and we shall also abstain on draft resolution A/37/L.52, despite our condemnation of the massacres which were perpetrated. We shaH vote in favour of draft resolutions A/37/L.50, L.51 and L.53 to emphasize our support of that last draft resolution which concerns the situation in Lebanon and of which we are a co-sponsor.
Mr. Carr JAM Jamaica #9373
The problem of the Middle East, which is probably one of the most complex the Organization has had to confront, is today as threatening to the peace and security of that important region and of the world as it was over three decades ago. alln~x], 16 June [A/37/324, annex] and 7 August 1982 [A/37/387, annex], the Foreign Ministers of the States members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations [A SEAN] strongly condemned the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, which violated the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon and caused great loss of life and destruction of property. By its acts, Israel has contravened the principles enshrined in the Charter and disregarded the decisions of the Security Council. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers called for the immediate implementation ofthe relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. 118. The Government of Singapore believes that a just, peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the situation in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the participation on an equal footing of all the parties to the conflict, including the PLO. We support the establishment of a Palestine homeland in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip and cannot accept the annexation by Israel of territories occupied by force. In this context, my delegation reaffirms its conviction that there is an overriding necessity for the total and unconditional withdrawal by Israel from all the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967. 119. The Government ofSingapore fully supports the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, particularly resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which established the fundamental basis for a durable, stable and lasting peace in the Middle East. One element in 120. In the light of these considerations, my delegation will vote in favour of draft resolutions A/37/L.50 to L.53. Vie will abstain on draft resolution A/37/L.49. We will consider draft resolution A/37/L.48 when it is presented to the Assembly in revised form. 121. With regard to paragraph 2 of resolution A/37/ L.52, my delegation regrets the use of the term "an act of genocide" as we feel that the determination of an act of genocide shoulrl be made by the appropriate legal bodies, in accordance with articie VIII of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.8 In the Convention, the term "genocide" is used to mean acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.. My delegation regrets the tendency in the Assembly to engage in the use of loose and casual language when referring to issues with a precise legal definition.
Mr. Portugal Rodriguez PER Peru #9376
The delegation ofPeru wO't.!ld like to explain its vote on draft resolution A/37/L,49. We shall abstain in the vote on that text because we consider that it contains ideas and recommendations which) far from contributing to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the problem of the Middle East, would be damaging to the efforts being made to deal with this situation within the framework of the United Nations and in accordance with the relevant decisions already taken by the Security Council and the General Assembly. 123. We do not believe that the adoption of the measures proposed in draft resolution A/37/L.49 would be the best way to get the process towards peace in the region under way. On the contrary, it would create the danger of prejudicing even more the principles and norms of international law and offurther reduciilg the efficiency of the Organization. 124. Regarding draft resolutions A/37/L.50 to L.53 -ofthe last ofwhich we are aco-sponsor-my delegation will vote in favour of these. 125. Finally, the Peruvian delegation would like to reserve its right to explain its position on draft resolution A/37/L.48 when the new drafting is before the Assembly.
Mr. Abdulah TTO Trinidad and Tobago #9377
We shall abstain in the voting on draft resolution A/37/ L.49 because, in our view, it raises fundamental questions of interpretation which have not been the subject of definition within the Organization. However, although it is obliged to abstain, my delegation wishes to make clear that it is in agreement with the general thrust of the draft resolution, particularly in so far as it relates to the necessity of the withdrawal by Israel from occupied Arab territories and affirms that the Geneva Convention7 and the Hague Convention9 relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war apply to territory occupied by Israel since 1967. We shall vote in favour of the other draft resolutions which are before the Assembly today.
Mr. Blum ISR Israel #9379
I believe I am addressing myself to the situation in the Middle East. The genocidal acts perpetrated by the Iraqi regime in Ad Dujayl relate to the situation in the Middle East.
The President unattributed #9380
I call upon the representative of Iraq on a point of order.
Mr. Al-Zahawi IRQ Iraq #9384
We are not debating the situation in the Middle East: we are engaged in explanations of vote. I should like to draw the attention of the representative of the Zionist entity to the fact that we are not discussing the situation in the Middle East now; the debate is over. The situation in the Middle East, as everyone knows, concerns basacally the question of Palestine and the Israeli acts of aggression against the Palestinian people and the Arab countries in general. This is the question of the Middle East. This is how it was listed on the agenda of the Security Council and this is how it is listed on the agenda of the General Assembly. 138. In my ~l.atement of 8 December, I also referred to the extraordinary activities of Libya, which continues to intervene in the internal affairs of all unfortunate enough to attract its attention, thus subjecting them. to continued brutality, repression and terrorism. 139. We must also note with rc[;ret that in this debate, ostensibly devoted to the situation in the Middle East, the Assembly has again ignored a horrendous act of the minority regime of Damascus. Syria's contribution as a member of the Commission on Human Rights was the massacre, last February, of thousands of its own citizens in what was t!le centre of the town of Hama. That dramatic event overshadowed many others over the past year, but it will go unstigmatized owing to overriding parliamentary considerations in the Assembly. With regard to draft resolution A/37/ L.49, may I remind the Assembly that for many years the Golan Heights served as a launching pad for Syrian aggression against Israel. 140. The attempts to vilify Israel as a non-pea.:eloving State are surely grotesque in the light of the well-known sacrifices Israel has already made for peace. Instead of calling for negotiation and conciliation, the draft resolution calls on States to refrain from supplying Israel, the intended victim of repeated Arab aggression, with the necessary means ofdefence, and seeks to isolate Israel so that Arab aggressors may be emboldened to continue their warfare across Israel's borders and to assault Israel in the Assembly. The draft resolution not only ignores Syria's adamant refusal to recognize Israel, to negotiate with Israel and, ultimately, even to attempt to make peace with Israel, but also ignores every hostile act committed by Syria in the last few years to subvert any movement towards a peaceful' settlement of the Arab-Israel conflict. As such, draft resolution A/37/L.49 is a distortion of truth and reality and should be rejected. 141. Draft resolution A/37/L.50 bears no relation to reality either. In truth, the so-called Palestim~ Research Centre engaged not only in the production of anti- Israel horror propaganda but also in the collection of diverse operational intelligence datafor use by terrorist groups against Israel and against Jewish civilian targets in Israel and throughout the world. It is difficult to see how the personal files of high-ranking Israeli officers, as well as lists ofgas stations, bridges, and water and electricity installations in Israel, can be considered as objets d'art or as the cultural heritage of the Palestinian people. I am authorized by my Government to state that, in due course, genuine f~eedom and peace ~nprecedented in the history of the City, a freedom which guarantees access and right of worship to the adherents of all faiths. As in the past, so in the future, Israel wili continue steadfastly to further the peace and well-being of our capital and its people, as well as the preservation of the special place that Jerusalem holds in the hearts of people of diverse faiths around the globe. 143. My Government's condemilation of the massacre perpetrated in Beirut last September is common ~nowledge and has been given appropriate expression m our statements both in the Security Council and in the General Assembly. Our position will be duly reflected in our vote on paragraph 1 of draft resolution Aj37/L.52. At the same time, we shall join all those States that oppose paragraph 2 of the same draft r~solution because of the bose, irresponsible and inaccurate terminology used with regard to certain well-defined legal concepts. Such reckless manipulatiOH of those concepts is bound to compromise the credibility of the United Nations. 144. Finally, I shouid like to say a few words about draft resolution A/37/L.53. As is well known, Israel fully supports the complete restoration of Lebanese SL -ereignty and territorial integrity, and the restoration of the lawful authority of the Government of Lebanon throughout the length and breadth of that country. it is therefore essential that all non-Lebanese elements without exception, remove themselves from Lebanes~ soil and that th~ Lebanese people be enabled to take their destiny into their own hands. Since the main provisions of draft resolution A/37/L.53 reflect these basic tenets of Israel's position, we shall join in support of the draft resolution, it being clearly understood that nothing contained in that draft-resolution can be interpreted as affecting Israel's right to demand that any future arrangements in Lebanon permanently and reliably preclude hostile action against Israel and its citizens from Lebanese soil. 145. Israel will vote against document A/37/L.59, which is not only irrelevant but has also been overtaken by events. 146. We reserve. our right to e.xplain in due course our vote on draft resolution A/37/L.48.
The President unattributed #9386
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/37/L.49 and Add.I. A recorded vote has been requested~
A recorded vote was taken.
A recorded l'ote was taken..
The President unattributed #9389
\Ve shall now vote on paragraph 2 of draft resolution A/37/L.52 and Add.I. A rec:orded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Aus~ria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana,. Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mal- dives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Spain, Abstaining: Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.
A recorded l'ote was taken.
The draft resolution as a whole was adopted by /23 votes to none, with 22 abstentions (resolution 37/123 D).
The President unattributed #9390
We now come to draft resolution A/37/L.53 and Add.1 and the amendment to it in document A/37/L.59. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, I shall first put to the vote the amendment contained in document A/37/L.59. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President unattributed #9393
I now call on those delegations that wish to explain their vote. I once again remind representatives that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made from their seats.
Mr. Nisibori JPN Japan #9396
Japan has repeatedly stated that it strongly condemns and will never condone the measures taken by Israel in the occupied territory of the Golan Heights, such as its effective annexation. However, Japan was obliged to vote against draft resolution A/37/LA9 because it contains several paragraphs that are incompatible with some of the fundamental beliefs of my Government. I refer in particular to my Government's belief that the United Nations must be a universal Organization; that any. and all conflict§ must be resolved peacefully, through negotiations; and that the isolation of a particular 168. Nev.:~rtheless, the delegation of Argentina abstained in the voting because it believes, as it did in regard to the recent crisis in the area of the Malvinas Islands, when the Republic ofArgentina was the object 173. The Soviet Union regards it as a matter ofurgent necessity to ensure the territorial integrity, sovereignty, unity and political independence of Lebanon. It is precisely for that reason that the Soviet Union firmly condemns Israel's aggression in Lebanon and Israel's occupation ofa considerable portion of Lebanese territory-an occupation which continues to this very day and undermines the observance of all these principles. 174. The foundations for a settlementofthe Lebanese situation are set out in resolutions adopted unanimously by the Security Council-namely, resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982), which have frequently been supported by the General Assembly. These contain a demand for the immediate cessation of all military activities within Lebanon and for an unconditionaland I stress the worc.1 "unconditional"-withdrawal of Israel forces from the entire Lebanese territory. As regards the virtually unanimous vote by the General Assemblyfor the amendment introduced by the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic [A/37/L.59], and now included in the final text of the resolution, it is a due reminder to the aggressor. The vote on that amendment, however, indicates something else as well-that is, that the position of the United States is drawing closer and closer to the position of Israel. Originally, in the Security Council, the United States formally voted in favour of resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982); subsequently, however, the United States started to block the implementation of those resolutions of the Security Council. The vote cast today by the United States on the amendment by the Syrian Arab Republic marks a qualitatively new stage in the evolution of the American position. That vote iridicates that the United States is now publicly refusing to support Security Council resolutions 508 (1982) anc;l 509 (1982). That vote cast by the United States should,
Mr. Tl'llore (Mali),' Vic:e-Presidell1, took the Chair.
Mr. Baleta ALB Albania #9399
The Albanian delegation voted in favour of draft resolutions A/37/L.49. L.50/Rev.l. L.5t and L.52, which have just been adopted. These votes in favour are in conformity with the well-known position of our country in support of the just struggle of the Arab peoples against the imperialistZionist aggression. 180. The Socialist People's Republic of Albania also firmly supports the restoration and preservation of and complete respect for the independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. To achieve that, we believe an end must be put without delay to Israel's military occupation and aggression against Lebanon. The Zionist occupation troops must withdraw immediately from Lebanon, and there must 186. For these reasons, we regard as a positive aspect the fact that draft resolution A/37/L.49 takes up the basic principle that the occupation of territory by force is inadmissible. However, the delegation of Chile abstained in the voting on that draft resolution 192. On draft resolution A/37/L.49, my delegation, while it voted in favour, is not completely clear about the legal implications of the eighth preambular paragraph and of paragraph 12, and therefore reserves its position in this regard. Further, my delegation is in principle against negative references to third parties, such as .those contained in paragraph 8. Turkey does not associate itself with the condemnation contained in this paragraph and does not consider its presence useful or helpful. 193. The delegation of Turkey voted in favour of draft resolution A/37/L.52 on the large-scale massacre of Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. 194. At the present time, my delegation is not certain whether the General .Assembly, given the information available to it, is in a position to make an exact determination about the nature of those events and whether the General Assembly is competent to describe them precisely in a legal sense. However, we cast an affirmative vote on the draft resolution as 195. The delegation of Turkey voted today in favour of all the draft resolutions under agenda item 34. This reflects the long-standing position of my Government and its clearly established policy in favour of a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict and the question of Palestine. 196. The Government of Turkey win continue to evaluate these new resolutions, as it has done with past resolutions on the same subject-matter in accordance with the general principles and objectives of its foreign policy and, particularly, in the context of its Middle East policy as expressed in statements, official acts and positions of the Government of Turkey.
Mr. Kergin CAN Canada #9402
My delegation does not wish to take up the time of the Assembly in rehearsing the wen-known Canadian position on the major issues that have been raised in the dl"'dft resolutionsjust voted uPon. I wish, however, to make one brief remark concerning the separate vote called for on paragraph 2 of draft resolution A/37/L.52. Canada has condemned the massacres at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, both here at the United Nations and in declarations made by the Government of Canada. What happened there is abhorrent to an civilized peoples. However, the term Ugenocide" cannot, in our view, be applied to this particular inhuman act. We also question whether the General Assembly has the competence to make such a determination.
Mr. Gavci MLT Malta #9405
My delegation voted in favour of the general political thrust of the draft resolutions before the Assembly, as it did on similar resolutions in the past. 199. We wish, however, to explain that our affirmative vote does not necessarily imply full agreement with each and every provision in the draft resolutions, nor does it imply that the legal issues that may arise from the provisions of the draft resolutions can be decided by the General Assembly.
Mr. Amega TGO Togo [French] #9412
Togo voted in favour of draft resolution A/371L.49. Howeve'r, we would have abstained on paragraph 8 had a separate vote been requested. In fact, the vote of a State-and that is what is in question-is a sovereign act, and it is not up to us to pass judgement on the way a State votes. 201. Having said that, however, I should'like to add that Togo has always been in favour of taking more energetic measures against Israel, under Chapter VII of the Charter, in the form of sanctions against that country for its actions as regards the international community and, particularly. as regards the Palestinian people. particul~rly political decisions, in certain Western European countries and in North America especially. 205, This racist entity derives its living mainly from the money obtained by immoral methods from certain countries in Western Europe and North America, and it expends that money in subversion and on terrorist and expansionist settlements, to the detriment of neighbouring Arab countries, and in attempts to achieve its colonialist objectives. As far as repression is concerned, I think the Zionist entity is the last that should speak about this problem, because its practices against the real inhabitants of Palestine are common knowledge. The pursuits, evictions, assassinations, collective sanctions, destruction of houses, usurpation of land and water, and violation of human The meetb~g j'ose (it 6.25 p.m. " NOTES 1 The delegations of Peru and Sri Lanka subsequently informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour of the. draft'resolution. ' 2 The delegation of Samoa subsequently informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour of the draft resolution. 4 See Weekly Compilatioil of Presidential DO(.'1I11lellts (Wash~· ington, Government Printing Office, 1982), vol. 18, l'lo. 35, p. 1081. S Records of tM' Gc'lIeml ·COl~rerence. Fourth' Ertmordillary Session. Proceedings. vol. 3. twelfth plenary meethlg, . . 6 Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, signed at Helsinki on I August 1975. 7 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, p. 287. 8/hid., vol. 78, p. 277. 9 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague Convell/iolls alld Declarations of 1899 (tllll 1907 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1915), p. 100. 10 The delegation of Vanuatu subsequently informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour of the draft resolution.
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