A/37/PV.26 General Assembly

Mr. President, I wish to add my congratulations to those which have already been expressed on your election to the presidency of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I also wish to express my appreciation to the out- going President, Mr. Kittani. It fell to him to preside over the Assembly at a time when it had to grapple with critical issues that threatened and indeed seriously ruptured international peace and security. Those ses- sions were unquestionably taxing, but as an accom- plished and experienced diplomat he always rose to the occasion. We must take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General. This is the first regular session ofthe General Assembly that commences with Mr. Perez de Cuellar at the head of the OrganizatIon" His first year of office has been a most distressing one in international relations and yet he has been able to rise above last year's crises and to focus in his report on the work ofthe Organization [A/37/J] on the fundamental issues that must be addressed by this world body. 60. In his report he quite rightly identifies the central problem facing the Organization as its capacity to keep tae peace and serve as a forum for negotiations. He pleaded for a conscious recommitment by Govern- ments to the Charter. My country concurs with the Secretary-General's views. I wish to express the hope opini~n, but it is important. 72. I come now to the proposed global negotiations on international econoqlic co-operation for develop- ment. Barbados is keenly concerned about progress towards a new international economic order. It is that concern which leads us to feel a deep sense of 4isap· pointment over the failure of efforts to open global ' ·76. That leads me to express my country's disap- pointment at further evidence of the lack of concern by some countries fOf development initiatives. I refer to the failure of those countries to support the Con- vention on the Law of the Sea. Barbados participated in the !oQg and tortuous negotiations directed towards solvingthe problemofthe managementofthe resources of the sea. We expected that the principle of the common heritage of mankind would be accepted and applied. 77. Consequently, we are saddened by the grudging reluctance with which many of the developed States have recognized the. Convention. We are also distressed by the apparently firm intention of stronger 78. Barbados will therefore co-operate with like- minded nations in the establishment of an effective and efficient International Sea-bed Authority. Such an Authority has the potential of being a vital agency for the management of and equitable participation in the wealth of the oceans. It therefore deserves the active support of all those who recognize the right of technologically disadvantaged countries to have a fair share of the resources of our planet. 79. We also welcome the decision of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea to have the Final Actand Convention signed inlamaica later this year. This is most titting, for although the political centre of gravity has shifted to other areas, the Caribbean is an area of historical importance, having been a trading centre in former centuries. 80. The signing of that multifaceted Convention will have particular significance. On that day we shall "eaffirm and strengther:; our commitment to a more equitable sharing of the riches of the oceans. We shall also be pledging ourselves to preserve and develop their living and non-living resources as part of the patrimony of all peoples. 81. lust as theinternatiooal community has failed to deal successfully with the inequities of the world economy, it has also been unsuccessful with the question of disarmament. We are all aware that the failure of the Assembly at the recent special session to agree on a comprehensive programme for disarm~ ament has caused grave disappointment. The discus- sions were important in so far as they provided an opportunity for all cOl!ntries to focus collectively on· the general disarnuuuefit process and its objectives. I do not wish to reiterate here the horrifying statistics of world expenditure on arms, for, in the words ofthe. report of the Independent Commission on Disarma- ment and Security Issues, under the chairmanship of Olof Palme, now Sweden's' head of Government, "they have assumed a sort ofdeadening familiarity." ,,;2. 82. Effective resolution of the disarmament I~~U;­ depenus primarily on East-West negotiations and on the political action of the super-Powers. However, all countries, large and small, must lend their voices in support of early action. It is in the common interest of all of us to avoid war. Barbados is convinced tb-.1 the level of armaments will not be reduced unless hard negotiations are concluded between the super- Powers and agreement reached on Si mutual and· balanced force reduction. We hope that universal awareness ofthe potentially devastating consequences . of the arms race will encourage efforts to bring about effective and conclusi~~' ~egotiations on this issue.

Mr. President, I should like to begin my speecb by congratulating yOil on behalf of my delegation on your election to the presidency of the thirty-sevfenth session of the General Assembly. We are confident that your vast forman~ein dischargingtheduties ofhis office. Ishould also like to extend my delegation's sincere greetings to the Secretary-General, with the renewed assurances of my Government's support for his dedicated efforts in uphol<iing the objectives of the Organization. 101. We are meeting at a time of increasing tension and anxiety. We are in a situation which demands that serious and urgent steps be taken to prevent any further deterioration in the international climate and to align the norms of international behaviour with the proper human values prescribed in the Charter. The need to strengthen the roIe of the United Nations in maintaining world peace and security is felt at the present stage more strongly than ever before. We should not allow the opportunity of this meeting to pass without effectively renewing our commitments to the objectives of the Organization, and fulfilling the aspirations of our peoples. 102. In his remarkable report to the Assembly, the Secretary-General has very ably diagnosed :he world situation, and my delegation fully agrees with him that our prime objective at this crucial moment should be to renew t~e concept of collective action for peace and security, and to render the United Nations more capable of carrying out its primary function. 103. The United Nations was created fer the purpose ofharmonizing the actions ofnations in :he attainment of common ends and it should effectively remain so with the maximum capacity to safeguard peace and to be a forum for responsible discussions and negotia- tions between n~,~ions. We feel also that the respon- sibility as well as \.~1e authority ofthe Security Council in its function as the primary instrument for main- taining international peace and security should be reconfirmed and further strengthened by all possible means. In this context, my delegation wishes to stress the important commitment of the permanent mem- bers of the Council and their responsibilities to world peace. 104. It is frightenir~,g io imagine a world with no power at all to deal with situations that endanger international peace. The recent military adventcres in Lebanon and the earlier foreign int~rventions in Afghanistan, Kampuchea and some other countries in Africa and Latin America have indeed alarmed the world community regarding the dangers ofa new inter- nati,ona! anarchy. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that we seriously and sincerely em~,()i1 a process that will free mankind of these fears and anxieties. 105. My delegation feels that we should accelerate our efforts to achieve world disarmament. While we concentra!e on removing the <tanger of a nuclear war, we should continue with renewed determinSltion our efforts to limit the arms race and the production and stockpiling of nuclear weapons as well as of other destructive ",conventional" w(~apons. My delegation will continue: to support the efforts of the world community :in the direction lof total disarmament, including the: safeguarding of outer space, prohibition ill~gal settlements, ignoring and rejecting United ensure the rights of the communities and preserve the Nations resolutions and violating all norms of inter- national and territorial integrity of the country. national behaviour. My Government has joined the 112. My country is concerned also about the stale- world community in its repeated condemnation of the mate in the dialogue between the peoples of North Israeli aggression against Arab territories and atroci- and South Korea for the purpose of their peaceful ties in the occupied territories. reunification. We believe that the international com- 108. The invasion of Lebanon under the cruel pre- munity should continue its support to the Korean text of liquidating the PLO, which symbolizes the people and encourage ihem to continue that process legitimate will of the .Palestinian people, has clearly within the' framework of their own aspirations, free revealed the nature ofIsraeli policies in the area. Israel from outside influence and pressure. In this respect is not only a radical entity that aims to expand at the we should welcome all initiatives calling for the expense of other ~~,les and of their rights, but is resumption of talks between the two sides. also a force that will not hesitate to interfere in the 113. We are deeply concerned that the war between internal affairs ofsovereign States through occupation, Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran continues,to terrorism and even assassination in order to achieve rage despite the repeated appeals by the world com- unjU5tifiable objectives. The world community, in- munity for a cease-fire and for the solution of the cluding States which continue to sympathize with dispute between those two neighbouring countries by Is~ael, should now, in particular after seeing the peaceful means. horrible consequences of its invasion of Lebanon, act 114. Maldives continues to be guided by a policy firmly to stop the arrogance and expansionism of ofnon-alignment and has always endeavoured humbly Israel. to contribute its modest share in order to strengthen 109. Among the central issues of international con- the unity and the charterofthe non-aligned movement, cern remain the questions of Afghanistan and Kampu- in a'~ sincerity for peace, friendship and international chea, two small countries which were subjected to co-operation. foreign invasion. My delegation reiterates its policy 115. Turning to our region and to a question of imme- of endorsing the United Nations resolutions which diate concern to my country, I wish to confirm our condemn foreign intervention and caU for the with- full endorsement of and support for the proposal to drawal of foreign forces from those two countries, transform the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace, l~ot allowing the pp.oples of Afghanistan and Kampuchea oniy because ofourstrongopposition to the presenc~ nf the opportunity to exercise their own rights without foreign military bases and facilities in the Indian Ocean outside influence fJr pressure, including the right of but also because of the awareness of increasing ten- refugees to return to their homes in safety and honour. sion in the region and of the strong possibility of We welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General in their involvement in provoking and escalating con- initi~ting talks with the parties concerned aimed at fliets in the area. finding a political solution to the problems involved. In the same context and within the framework of the 116. The rivalry among the big Powers and their same principles involved, we look at the events in military presence in our own neighbourhood divert Mrica and Latin America in which intervention in 9ur attention to potential dangers and compel us to the internal affairs of countries took place under dif~ exhaust our resources on otherwise unnecessary ferent pretexts in the past few years. My country is security measures, while <:lur limited resources are deeply concerned over this trend of military inter- most vitally needed for the promotion of the welfare vention, which undermines the orderly and peaceful ofour peoples and the development ofour economies. existence of nations. The efforts to implement the Declaration of the Indhlln Ocean as a Zone of Peace must tberefore be renewe:d 110. Among issues of grave concern te> thle Organi- and continued within the framework of the fundla- zation and to the world as a whole is th~ question mental elements of the Declaration. We feel that die of South West Mrica. The continuation Iby South Co:ombo Conference should be held on as early a tiv~s of the ~harter. 123. Mr. CASTILLO-ARRIOLA (Guatemala)(inter- pretat;on from Spanish): On behalf of the Guate- malan delegation, over which I have the honour. to preside, I wish to express to you, Mr. Hollai, con- gratulations on your unanimous election as Presi- dent of tbe GenernI Assembly. Such a high distinc- tion is well-deserved recognition of your human ~d professional qualities and your profound knowledge of the problems being discussed in the Organization. I am convinced that under your able leadership our tasks will attain the very best results. Please rest assured that you may count on the whole-hearted co-operation of the Guatemalan delegation. I also wish to express my delegation's recognition of the work accomplished under the dimction of Mr. Kit- tani as President of the previous session. My dele- gation .greets with special satisfaction the Secret9.ry- G:neral7 Mr. laviter Perez de Cuellar, that illustrious Latin American diplomat, who is indefatigible in his efforts in search of a more effective role for the United Nations in its endeavours to attain inter- national peace, understanding and harmony. Mr. Abulhassan (Kuwait), Vice-President, took the Chair. 124. As regards the national policy of my country, I wish to declare that the present Government of the Republic of Guatemala, which assumed power on 23 March of this year to put an ~nd to a prac- tically untenable situation stemming from corrup~ tron and lack of respect for the will of the people as expressed at the polls, received the immediate assent and approval of ~e entire Guatemalan peo- ple and met with expressions of inteniational accep- tance and satisfaction.. 119. Meanwhile we are convinced t:lat the promotion of measures for collective self-reliance among the developing countries is now more indispensable than ever. In this regard we endorse the outcome of the meeting of the Intergoyemmental Follow- Up and Co-ordination Committee on economic co- operation among developing countries held in August in Manila. 125. The goals of the Government of Guatemala are basically to bring peace to the country, which is now in such a serious stat~ of upheaval, espe- cially in some areas, as a result of actions by sub- versive grou!>s which have sown terror among the population and caused incalculable personal arid material damage to inhabitants, forcing them to abandon their places of origin, disintegrating fmpi- lies, causing suffering, desolation and death. My Government is trying to bring into active produc- tivity and the benefits of progress through .policies, 120. As one of the least developed countries of the third world, Maldives was happy to note the positive responses from many of the developing countries to the recommendations of last year's Paris Conference.3 For our part, we shall try to demonstrate to the donor countries and to our friends all over the world that we are sincere and serious in our efforts to develop our country and to emerge from the bracket of underdevelopment to an appro- priate stage of steady national growth. We sincerely hope that the recommendations of the Paris Con- ference will be followed up effectively, and we look fonvard to the round-table meetings scheduled to take place in the near future in the earnest hope that they will produce positive results. projec~s and development programmes, a great mass of the native population which has lived a forsaken and marginal existence and thus to elimi- nate as much as pos~ible the enormous social dif- ferences that now prevail. It is trying also to reduce the causes of dissatisfaction and frustration in various sectors of'the population, to bring about respect for universally recognized human rights, and obser- 121. In conclusion I should like to reatrlI'lD. my country's faith and trust in the Organization as the 130. Among other general objectives, since the detailed objectives will be established by mutual agreement and depending upon the encouragement provided by the participation of those sectors con- cerned in the development of our nation, we point out the following. 131. First, the Council of State shall legislate on the privileges and exemptions of Guatem~ans, enhnncing and reinforcing in this legal body all that pertains to ftuman rights. These rights must be exam- inerl, publicized, taught and practised and their prin- ciples should serve as the basis for all types oflegisla- tion. The present Government is committed to the inclusion in the fundamental laws of Guatemala of everything that pertains to human rights. ment-oriented~ reformist and nationalistic spirit; tenth, to strengthen national integration, efficiently utilizing the co-operatio~i of other State3 and inter- national organizations, at the same time pointing out certain problems of the State in its foreign rela- tions; eleventh, to improve the standard of living of the people in order to reduce existing differences; twelfth, to restmcture the electoral system so that as a true democratic institution it represents the political participation of the people and so that their wishes are not frustrated; thirteenth, to reorganize the public administration so that government pro- grammes are carried ·out in a dynamic way and to ensure its efficiency and control its regular func- tioning, thereby avoiding administrative anarchy; fourteenth, to restore a constitutional form of gov- ernment for the country within a fixed period of time, so that Guatemalans will know and demand their rights and know their duties and obligations within free democratic institutions. 128. To attain those objectives the Government of the Republic of Guatemala has since coming to power taken steps to cleanse the public adminis- tration, reduce public expendir.li'e through a policy of austerity, promote investm(!r'~s, increase exports of traditional and non-traditional products and to provide immediate help to the villages affected by 132. Secondly, the Council of State shall propose the legal procedures through which political dev- elopment may be guaranteed with the utmost secu- rity and respect for social stability. To this end, basic agreements must be reached to ensure the democratization of the country, thus establishing its own system, efficient and reliable, just and flexi- ble, capable of meeting the problems inherent in our national identity, and a strong State which will be representative, consolidated aJ'd dynamic. 133. Thirdly, the Council of State shall, further- more, draft a provisory law for the purpose ofelecting a Constituent Assembly which will broaden polit- ical life by the authentic representation of all Gua- temalans, promoting participation by the people and consolidation {if the State by encouraging the expression of public opinion and organizing large numbers of people and sncial groups in order to establish a more united society which will empha- size our common interests and ~nsure the enjoy- ment of harmony with freedom among its plural- istic constituents. 134. In view of the frustrations suffered by the Guatemalans, the repeated and successive contra- dictions inherited from previous Governments, the 136. For this reason, the Government of the Repub- lic has encouraged a dialogue between the people and the authoriti~s; and it is hoped that by exam- ple, new attitudes and the implementation of 3. new philosophy of Government, these intrinsic values of our people will be gradually restored, so that to- "gether with material development can also be a change in the ethical and spiritual standards, which will unquestionably enable Guatemala to see its future more clearly, recover its identity as a nation, and shape its own destiny. 137. Our national problems are difficuit, we shall need sacrifice, effort, work and good will on the part of all Guatemalans to see our country through. It is to these noble tasks that we are presently de- voted, tasks that will undoubtedly also require inter- national understanding and co-operation. 138. The stage which Guatemala is presently going through is critical because the structures, resources, values and principles that held good are now being judged and analysed so that we can apply them in future and gain a clear and revised image ofour situa- tion. We are in fact a country where there is a great deal to be done. And so it must be when a people decides to face the responsibility of building its own history. From experience we have learned that if we do not take the making of our own history into our own hands, others will do it for us in their own way, which implies an ominous fate for a people which respects itself: intervention. 139. The historic commitment of the present Gov- ernment of Guatemala is to consolidate the peace and security of the nation; to solve the serious eco- nomic crisis which is affecting Guatemala, as indeed it is atTecting the entire world, because of an eco- nomic recession which in Central America has be- come aggravated by internal causes; to restructure and incorporate large sectors that are representative of the country and which have been unjustly left out in the past and have not participated in the demo- cratic decision-making of the nation, but which 141.· In addition to the circumstances just described, we have also had to deal with a national disaster in the southern part of the country, brought about by an atmospheric depression, ~using loss of human life, crops and property. All this has brought a shadow of mourning over Guatemala. I wish to take this opportunity publicly to express, on behalf of the Government of Guatemala, our appreciation for the prompt and effective help we have received from friendly Governments and international organizations. 142. As regards the foreign policy of my country, the Government of Guatemala has since the day it assumed power on 23 March this year, seen the necessity of revitalizing our democratic institutions and restoring the fundamental values of the people and the dignity of the nation, and it has declared its intention of abiding by and complying with the international commitments acquired by Guatemala and maintaining fuU respect for the legal rules gov- erning relations between States, as well as co-oper- ating closely with the organizations that concern themselves at the international level witb human rights and guard and protect their exercise. 143. The Government of Guatemala intends to' strengthen its bonds of friendly relations and co- operation with an countries with which such n~la­ tions already exist and to extend them to all coun- tries which love peace and democracy and which desire such relations, in order to achieve the prin- ciples ofprogress within the international community. 144. Guatemala also wishes to confirm its trust in international organizations and its decision to comply with commitments undertaken in terms of the prin- ciples and the Charter of the Unit~d Nations and thos~ of the charter of the Organization of American States [OAS] and to reaffirm my Government 9s sup- men~s laid. down in its rules and regulations have been met, will be made public by the Commission ~tself and may be read by the entire international community. At the end of their visit the members of the Commission made recommendations to the Government of Guatemala, which are at present under consideration for appropriate implementation. 153. Within the jurisdiction of the United Natim1s, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint a special rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in Guatemala. The Government asked the Secretary-General to propose the name of a can- didate for that post. The person proposed has al- ready been appointed and has been accepted by my Government, and he will be given full co-oper- ation and freedom for the fulfilment of his mission. ... 154. There have also been interviews and conver- sations with the Working Group to examine ques- tions relevant to involuntary or enforced disap- pearances of persons, established by the Commis- sion on Human Right!;, and the information requested concerning cases under consideration by it has been ISO. In the economic field~ Guatemala~ as a devel- oping nation, shares the just aspirations of the third- world countries and, as a member of the Group of 17, we share the concern of poor nations with regard to th~ obvious international injustice-evident at many levels but fundamentally in the areas of inter- national trade and economics. . 151. As regards human rights, the Fundamental Statute of Govemment, which constitues the high- est legal instrument regulating the actions of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala, provides that respect for human rights is one of the basic prin- ciples of its internal organization and of its inter- national relations. The same Fundamental Statute of Government defines human rights and ~laborates on them in its articles, covering basic human rights, civil and political human rights and social, eco- s~-,bmitted. It has been offered our full co-operation for the fulfilment of its mandate. 155. This attitude by the Government of Guate- mala reflects its sincere mtention to improve the human rights situation in the country and to request the assistance of the relevant international organi- zations in order to make human rights in Guate- mala more effective every day. 156. I turn now to the problem of the Malvinas Islands. Following the decision of the Republic of Argentina to reincorporate the Malvinas Islands within its sovereignty, Guatemala confirmed its position in support of that sister nation's legitimate right3 over those islands and endorsed its determi- nation to claim sovereignty over them. My countrY, in public declarations and in statements both in the "Although the great P9wers should be primarily responsible for disarmament, Guatemala believes that it would also be desirable to ban sophisti- cated weapons in Latin America as a way of con- tributing to universal disarmament and of increasing the resources allocated to economic and social development. uThe Treaty of Tlatelolco, to which Guatemala is a party, is a very useful instrument for pre... venting Latin America from being converted t~at they may continue to use terrorism and armed D}any other h~ships. If .all human beings have a struggle as means to win power, at the resulting nght to happmess, matenal progress and intellec- cost of human lives and suffering and hardship for tnal, moral and spiritual advancement, the main the civilian population, as well as the unavoidable tasks of the United Nations must be to streng- use of resources to fight subversion, which could then international co-operation and to create the otherwise be used for works of public benefit and conditions necessary to exercise those fundamental major social intereiit. rights. 167. Guatemala notes with satisfaction that the 173. My delf!gation believes it essential to initiate Third United Nations Conference en the Law of global. negotiations ~ on co-~peration for develop- the Sea, after holding several sessions, has suc- ment m the economic field, smce everybody is aware ~eded in producing the text of a Convention on that it has not been possible to reduce the gap be- the Law of the Sea. My country, like others t sin- tween developed countries and developing nations. cerely regrets that a text which has the subject of On the contrary, the economic and monetary crisis protracted negotiation has not been adopted by has of late merely worsened those adverse effects consensus because some States have reservations on the sensitive economies of developing nations. concerning some of the provisions of the instru- No effective solution has been foand for the prob- ment t basically those concerning the exploitation lems of commodities, international debts balance of sea resources beyond national jurisdiction. of payment.s, protecti~n of the purchasi~g power of developmg countnes, trade and transactions 168. Guatemala urges these nations to show their transfer of technology, increase of actual availabl~ goodwill by making concer.sions in their political ,resources, and access to capital markets. attitudes, so that the Convention on the Law of the Se~ may be strengthened through its implemen- '174. Although Guatemala believes that the United tatlon by all the States Members of the Organiza- Nations is the most appropriate forum for resolving tion. Guatemala voted in favour of the Convention questions affecting the future of all the countries and will sign it when it is open for signature by States. of the world, we admit that the Organization has ~ot always acted with the promptness and effec- 169. As regards Belize, Guatemala reiterates and tlveness needed.to .solv~ the crises threate.ning maintai~s in this As~embly i~s reservations regarding world peace. ThiS Situation occurs because It is the unilateral grantmg of mdependence to Belize difficult to strike an accurate and practical balance by the United Kingdom, ignoring Guatemala's legiti- between human rights, the interests of States and 194. But even as we resolve to banish intervention as an instrument of policy in relations among States, it becomes imperative to strengthen and advance the process of collective security and disarmament. The ~nd special session devoted to disarmament, held here last June, &id not realize the high hopes of our peoples for a world free from the spectre of the catas:rophic uses of the destructive weapons at man's disposal. This happens at a time in which we witness the proliferatiol'l and perfection of a plethora of weapons systems possessing mass destructive capability. 195. It is indeed a sad commentary on the posi~ tion of some m~or Powers that in the face of a clear demonstration of the public throughout the world in favour of disarmament, ,these Powers have not exercised the necessary political judgement to facil- itate agreement -')n the various disarmament issues and the. i>reparation of a comprehensive programme on disarmament. 196. The recen~ horrors which accompanied the ruthless Israeli invasion of Lebanon and senseless slaughter of innocent men, women and children in west Beirut heighten the necessity for a com- prehensive, just and tasting solution to the Middle East situation and the Palestinian question. There has undeniably been a quickening of the conscience of peoples to the urgent need to terminate the Pales- tinian diaspora and to bring about the creation of a homeland for the P-alestinians in Palestine, as envis- aged by early resolutions of the Assembly. 197. Let me repeat the position of Guyana: the a~quisition of teriitory by force cannot be condoned; the Palestinian people, led by their authentic rep- resentative, the PLO, must have their national rights restored; and all States in the region should be ~n­ abled to live in peace ~d security. 198. We must be equally firm in deaHng with the racist entity in Pretoria. The independence of Nami- bia must be acbieved in conformity with Security Council resolution 435 (1978) and there must be no question of further conditionalities. South Africa must be made to vacate Namibia and to do so quickly. At the same time, South Africa mUl)t show full respect fer the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neigh- bouring independent African States. Within South Africa itself, the systems of apartheid and bantus- tanization must be condemned. The members of the international community individually and col- lectively must desist from giving the racists in South Mrica succour ta maintain their oppressive policies. 199. Unhappily, the tragedy of a divided Cyprus remains, despite the fact that the Assembly in its resolution 3212 (XXIX) ~et an adequate framework for the withdrawal of foreign troops and the recon- ciliation of tb~ communities in the territory. Guyana gives every encouragement to the Secretary- General to continue unceasingly in his search for an urgent solution. We also support the proposals thi~ state has culminated in a fuU-:iedged war that took a heavy toll of young lives and Continues to do so. Threats of destabilizati~n 003 armed inter- vention are mad~ in relation to Central Ameri(:a and the Caribbean. Indigenous impulses for change are being violently confronted by a tandem force of local interests and their external supporters. Deliber- ate policies of pressure and iGtimid~tion are imple- mented, policies aiming at ideological ccmformity. Guyana firmly believes that a system CIf peaceful and stable relations in the Latin Am(~rican and t:.'aribbean region must of nece~sity be premi~d OD an end to all types of economic pressures and political interference and on respect for ideological pluralism. The Caribbean must be made a zone of peace. 203. In his statement to the Assembly at the 5th meeting, the Foreign Minister of Venezuela adverted at length to the relations ~tween our two countries. Unfortunately that presentation con- tained egregious distortions; it was contunw:ious, and it bordered on calumny. It was tendentious and selective in its account of history. 204. Last year, in addressing the Assembly my Prime Minister, Mr. Ptolemy A. Reid, laid bare the history of our relations with Venezuela. The nature of those relations has been profoundly affected by a Venezu~lan desire to redraw the boundary be- tween our two countries, a boundary which was settled by Treaty in 1899 and demarcated on the ground between 1901 and 1905. 205. The Foreign Minister of Venezuela stated that Venezuela's claim is based neither on terri- torial ambition nor on covetousness of the wealth of others but on the need to correct an historical wrong perpetrated against it. And this Venezuela asserts as the successor to Spanish colonial impe- rialism. He also asserted that Guyana refuses to understand the need for this cOITef"tion because it wishes to enjoy the fruits of British colonial impe- rialism. 206. Guyana hardly needs to reject these pejorative Venezuelan asseverations. Moreover, our reputa- tion as an anti-imperialist nation is well known. The anti-imperialist policies my country pursues are in accordance with the tenets of the non-aligned movement, of which it is a full member. ~re developing ,as centres of economic activity; and Court of Justice but persistently refused to con- 4\.~re has been an intensification in the evaluation sider our proposal for a judicial settlement. As a of our ~ranium potential. And Venezuela knows this. consequence our two countries are now, in strict accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Agree- ment, required to consider the selection of an appro- priate international organ to choose the means of settlement. 208. With these activities and the potential which exists, can we accept Venezuela's portrayal of the Essequibo as a land without exploitable mineral resources? And are we to understand that its claim to this land, whose people are moreover of a dif- ferent culture, is motivated simply by a desire to redress an his~orical wrong? We are convinced that the Venezuelar1 1erritori~ claim is an unjustified attempt to satiate a thirst for the land and resources f ..' o c..l1ers. 209~ The Venezuelan Foreign Minister also asserted that tbere has been no aggression by Venezuela agaifist Guyana. I cannot permit that statement to go um;hallenged. Indeed it must be categorically rejected. Let 'lhe record speak. 210. Can Venezuela deny that its troops are still in occupation of Guyanese territory that it violently seized in 1966? Can Venezuela honestly-and I stress the word "honestly"--deny that there have been numerous viola~ions of our air and land space by Venezuelan aircraft and armed forces? And what of Venezuela's actions against us in the economic field? Can Venezuela deny that it has been endeav- ouring to dissuade Governments and ot~anizations both in the developed and in the developing world from partit:ipating in Guyana's economic develop- ment, especially in that part of our territory that it claims? Does Venezuela deny that in June last year, as we were prepar·ng for a global conference on new and renewable sources of energy, its Foreign Minister wrote to the President of the World Bank opposing the construction of a hydroelectric facility in the Upper Mazuruni region of Guyana en the political ~round that the proposed dam was to be located in the area claimed by Venezuela and that it was not economically important to Guyana? And can it deny that such action was l~(eil ~ft~r the World Bank had itself assessed the project as being eco- nomically and technically feasible? Is that not eco- nomic aggression? 211. There are s~veral international treaties and legal instruments that relate to the border between Guyana and Venezup,la. The most important one is the Arbitral Award of 1899, which all parties, in- ~ eluding Venezue~a, had by 9.n earlier treaty agreed to accept as a "full, final and perfect settlement". Pursuant to that Award, as I stated earlier, the bound- ary was demarcated on the ground and re~:stered in a separate Agreement in 1965. There is also the Geneva Agreement of 1966,8 which has as its pur- pose the solution of the controversy which "has arisen a~ a result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is null and void" . 213. From the inception of the Geneva Agree- ment in 1966 there have been repeated violations of it by Venezuela. I have already alluded to some of them. Notwithstanding those provocations, Guyana remains willing) in keeping with its policy of respect for legally binding treaties and peace and good-neighbourliness, to continue to honour the Geneva Agreement and to fulfil its obligations under it. On Friday last Guyana proposed to Venezuela that ou'" two countries, in fulfilment of that Agree- ment, seek to agree on an appropriate international organ to choose a means of pacific settlement. 214. There are a number of organs of a regional nature, some of which may not be acceptable to Venezuela and others which may not be acceptable to us. However, there are three organs of such a wide int~rnational character tha~ in our op~llion any of them should be acceptable to both parties. These organs are: the International Court of Justice. the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations. 215. We are therefore t1~W suggesting for the con- sideration of the Government of Venezuela recourse to one of those organs. It is Guyana's belief that their international ~haracter recommends them as suitable. We put our confidence in them. We trust that Venezuela would be prepared to do likewise. 216. Let me repeat what my Prime Minister said at the thirty-sixth session of the Assembly: "We have no other wish than that of establishing a regime of peace, harmony and friendship with the people of Venezuela, with whom we share aspirations for a just and satisfying life and with whom we can together make a contribution to our development and that of our region and our continent". [12th meeting, para. 64.] To that goal Guyana remains committed. 217. In the complexities which beset the interna- tional community the non-aligned movement con- tinues to play an influential and beneficial role. As we speak out against intervention and interference, the non-aligned are aware that external efforts to divide and subvert us will continue. But we must. stick resolutely and uncompromisingly to our prin- ciples and our policies. 218. Despite its imperfections, the United Nations system still offers mankind the best hope for a tegime of international relations based on the rule of law. 224. The Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe warmly greet the Secretary-General and all delegations and wish the session success. I should like to take this opportunity to congra- tulate Mr. Hollai on his election to the presidency of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assem- bly. He has my best wishes and those of my dele- gation in the very important responsibility which the Assembly has placed on his shoulders. He can certainly count on my delegation's co-operation with him in his work. May I also join other speaker!) who have paid a thoroughly deserved tribute to Mr. Kittani of Iraq, for the way in which he presided over the thirty-sixth session of the General Assem- bly,o as well as the special sessions. 225. As this is the first opportunity for me to offer my personal congratulations to Mr. Perez de Cu6l1ar, on his election to the highest office in the Organi- zation, I wish to do so now. This :s, of course, in addition to the messages of felicitation and good wishes which the Government of Zimbabwe com- 228. It has already been observed by speakers before me that another serious threat to world peace and security is the production and stockpiling of more sophisticated conventional weapons. Although they know full well the destructive capacities of such inhuman weapons, some of the nations pos- sessing them seem most eager to emp~oy them in the pursuit of so-called national interests and objec- tives, the achievement ofwhich does not seem beyond means that are more acceptable, under civilized international law. In fact, those who possess these dangerous weapons of death and destruction often assume post'Jres and positions which render inef- fectual the mediatory and peace-ke,oping efforts of the United Nations and other international bodies concerned with seeking peaceful solutions to con- flicts. Such has been the common frustration of the Security Council, the OAU, the non-aligned movement and other international and regional organizations. In most conflicts threatening regional or international stability, peace and security, such as, for instance, those in the Middle East, the Per- sian Gulf, the South Atlantic recently, Afghanistan, South·East Asia or southern Africa-to mention some of the current areas of tension and conflict- resolutions and decisions of those organizations are met more with defiance and violation than with compliance. 238. In this regard, let me make Zimbabwe's posi- tion very clear. I am referring here to the politics of linkage and parallelism which have been formu- lated to make the departure of Cuban troops from the People's Republic of Angola a pre-condition of the independence of Namibia. This strategy, which is not related in any way to Security Council 'resolution 435 (1978), and which is the creation of .certain members of the contact group and apartheid South Africa in order to promote and serve their own bilateral interests, is totany unacceptable to Zimbabwe. Dragging' the issue of the Cuban pres- ence in Angola into the Namibian qu~stion is an unwarranted and unacceptable interference in bilat- eral affairs and relations between the sovereign States of· Angola and Cuba, which are Members of the Organization and of the non-aligned movement. 239. With regard to the obnoxious apartheid system in South Africa itself, Zimbabwe's position is well known. We have always said that we should like to see the total dismantling of apartheid and racist minority rule in that part of our region. We demand instead a democratic system of government which sees all the people of that country, regardless of race, religion, language and sex, as equal citizens of their land. We call upon the leaders of the apart- heid regime in Pretoria to negotiato with the legitimate leadership of the oppressed and exploited black majority with a view to wO'iking out ways and means of establishing a system of government guaranteeing every South African freedom and social justice. The recently proposed so-called Presidential Coun- cil giving limited representath:m to South Africans of mixed race and Asians in that country is totally unacceptable to the people of South Africa, who are now solidly behind the armed struggle prose- cuted by their liberation forces. 240. The Government and the people of Zimbahwe support the struggle for liberation, equality and social justice being waged by the liberation movements in South Africa. We strongly condemn the con- tinued incarceration of Comrade Nelson Mandela and other legitimate leaders vf the people of South Africa by th~ racist Pretoria regime. This and the numerous political murders committed by the racist rulers against the opponents of the iniquitous system are also violations of human rights. We appeal to the international community to continue and even to intensify its material, moral, diplomatic and poli- tical support to the struggling people of South Africa in their commendable efforts to free themselves from the apartheid yoke. 241. In its desperate efforts to frustrate the liber- ation process in Namibia and the dismantling of the apartheid system within its borders, the oppres- sive regime is busy waging destabilizing campaigns against the neighbouring independent and sovereign States of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Economic blackmail, bullying and sabotage, political propaganda and subversion, and open military aggression and mercenarism are the common tactics employed by apartheid in its campaign of regional destabiIization. As the Assem- bly is well aware, the regime's forces have been occupying part of Angola's territory for a year now and there is sufficient evidence that more incur- sions are being planned. 242. The abortive coup d'etat against the legitimate Government of the Republic of Seychelles earlier this year by Pretoria) mercenaries and criminals is also part of this campai.gn of destabilization. So also is the recruiting, training, equipping and supporting of dissident groups in some of the neighbouring independent States for the purpose of resisting legi- timate Governments there. the~r just struggle for self-determination in accor- dance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV). Because the Government of the Republic of Zim- babwe is totally convinced of the justness of L~e Sahraoui people's cause, Zimbabwe has recognized the Sahraoui Arab Democratic Republic as an inde- pendent and sovereign State. We believe that the resolution adopted by the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its eighteenth session, held at Nairobi in 1981, providing for the signing ofa cease-fire between Morocco and the POLISARIO and for the holding of a referendum to be admin- istered by a neutral force offers the best prospects for settling the question of Western Sahara. 245. Zimbabwe views with deep concern efforts by certain members of the OAU, apparently with outside encouragement, to polarize and therefore paralyse the OAU. 246. The past few months have witnessed a tragic deterioration in the situation in the Middle East region, as has been horribly exemplified by Zionist Israel's invasion and occupation of Lebanon and the massacring of thousands of innocent Palestinian refugees in the Sabra and Shatila camps on 16 and 17 September. The civilized international com- munity was deeply outraged, shocked and revolted by this genocidal act and crime against humanity, whose sadism can only be compared to the crimes committed by the Nazis, ironically enough against Jewish people, during the Second World War. Surely the world cannot behave as jf the thousands of de- fenceless men, women and children in thfl two camps were killed by a natural- disaster. The barbaric slaughter was planned and carried out by the Zionist Government. That Government and its sup~rters who, if they had wanted to do so, could have pre- vented the massacres, should be held responsible for this crime against humanity and appropriately pun:.. ished by the international community. 247. We have time and again emphasized that no solution of the Middle East question will be accept- able unless it recognizes the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to national self-determinati~~·~ and to the establishment of a Palestinian State under the leadership of the PLO. 248. It is our view that the Palestinians and their Lebanese brothers and sisters richly deserv't to·'OO d~cision-making process and the enha'lcement of their ability to have a significant impact on the democ- ratization of the international monetary system. 262. The problem of energy is closely linked to that of our economic development. Our countries have serious difficulties in meeting their oil require- ments, and the oil bills of non-oil-exporting de- veloping countries have reached unprecedented proportions. This is, however, an area where the developed countries and the oil-exporting, newly industrializing countries can play a crucial role in aIleviating the general paralysis now crippling oil- importing developing countries. We do appreciate the efforts made by some members of the Organiza- tion ofPetroleum Exporting Countries to try to resolve this acute problem. What we would appreciate even more is greater co-operation in the exploration of energy resources, especially in the area of new and renewable sources of energy. 263. Another area of concern to us is that of global food supplies. The eradication of hunger and mal- nutrition is, and should bet a coIlective international effort. The establishment of a world food security system and an internationally co-ordinated system of nationally held food reserves would go a long way towards ameliorating current world food shortages and would also guarantee surpluses for our expanding populations. 264. It is quite obvious that most countries cannot escape the malignant consequences of the world eco- nomic crisis. Indeed, some countries are faced with stagnation and outright zero growth rates. There is therefore the need to intensify economic co-opera- tion and collective self-reliance among States, par- ticularly among the developing countries. The new international economic order will, however, remain illusory unless the developing countries prove that they are willing to be assertive and determined to play an effective role in international economic rela- tions. 265. Finally, may I congratulate and thank the Secretary-General for his frank, objective and honest report on the work of the United Nationst to which I have already had occasion to refer in my statement. The delegation of Zimbabwe agrees entirely with every aspect of the report and strongly endorses the references to the need to examine more critically the peace-keeping and peace-making roles of the United Nations, especially the Security COl"neil. The Sec- retary-General's report is both a welcome inspiration

Several representatives wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply. Before calling on them, I would remind them that, in accord- ance with General Assembly decision 34/401, state- ments in exercise of the right of reply should be limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delega- tions from their seats. 267. Mr. L6PEZ DEL AMO (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanishj: The reply of the- United State$ rep- resentative last Friday [24th meeting], which did not respond to what was said here by the Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs, calls for some clarification that will serve to improve his knowledge of my country. 268. Cuba is one of the 25 founding members of the non-aligned movement and has taken part actively in its work in the 21 years of its existence. Cuba has held the chairmanship of the movement for the last three years by unanimous decision of the members. As to what Cuba has done in that capacity, the Min- isterial Meeting of the Co-ordinating Bureau of Non- Aligned Countries, held four months ago in Havana, said the following: uThe Bureau expressed its appreciation for the dedication, efficacy and strict adherence to the prin- ciples of non-alignment with which Cuba, in its capacity as Chairman of the Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government, held in Havana in September 1979, has been co-ordinating the work of the Bureau and the Movement." [See A/37/333, annex, para. 9.] 269. Further, we stress that the imperialist Govern- ment ofthe United States has no right to decide which State is or is not non-aligned. The representative of the United States, a country which achieved inde- pendence with the decisive assistanceofFrench troops led by LafayeUe, described as mercenaries the inter- nationalist Cuban combatants in Angola. The Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, said the following about Cuban military assistance to the people of Angola: "The Conference congratulated the Government and people of Angola on their heroic and victorious struggle against the South African racist invaders and their allies, and commended the Republic of Cuba and the other States which assisted the peo- ple of Angola in frustrating the expansionist and colonialist strategy of the racist regime of South Africa and its a1lies."9 270. What really bothers the imperialist Government of the United States is that the front-line States, in rejecting the Washington-Pretoria blackmail linking the independence ofNamibia to the presence ofCuban fighters in Angola, a matter which can be the sover- eign decision ofthe Governments of Angola and Cuba alone. 271. The Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegations of Non-Aligned Countrie~ 272. Certainly we are afloat ona sea of difficulties, as the United States representative said. All the de- veloping countries, and even some developed ones, are on that same "sea". There is a deep crisis in the world economy, brought about by the obsolete impe- rialist economic order, which persists in trying to steer mankind through an arms race to a nuclear holo- caust and rejects responsible dialogue that would lead to a new,justand equitable international economic order, to co-operation among peoples, in a world of peace and development. 273. In addition, for the last 23 years the United States, in violation of the principles of tbe Charter, has been applying a total economic embargo against my country and seeking by every means possible to hamper our foreign trade. Despite that brutal aggres- sion and military and other attacks by the United States on our people, Cuba has overcome the difficul- ties and has successfully undertaken its development. In Cuba there are no unemployed; no one goes hungry; education and health services are free to all; every- one has an insured old age; everyone is cared for. We do not have luxuries, nor do we need them; but we do have dignity for every Cuban. 274. The economy of the United States, despite the fact that it is based on the plundering of the wealth ofother peoples, is in a state of'l'ecession and inflation. Under tbe Administration of the new occupant of the White House, who is almost always on holiday and, according to him, near heaven, the people of the United States are getting nearer to hell. Unemploy- ment is over 10 ~r cent; welfare benefits are being cut; taxes are on the increase; and the people are bearing the overwhelming burden of the heaviest military budget in the history of the United States. In this country there are 25 million illiterates, and in New York City alone there are at least 35,000 people homeless, sleeping in the streets, abandoned to their fate amidst the wealth of the few. Here the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and the Government offers no other way out of their difficulties than war.

I wish to speak in exercise of my delegation's right of reply to the statement made by the representative of the United States on the f~vening of 7 October 1982 [22nd meeting]. He objected to the facts set out in my country's state- ment in the General Assembly on 6 October[19th meet- ing], during the general debate. He described it as propaganda against the United States·-but he did not adduce any proof. We would have preferred not to speak, but we consider it essential to reveal the fol- lowing facts in order to refute the United States allega- tions and to confirm the truth of the facts in our state- ment. The whole world is well aware of the policy of ,the United States, particularly' under the present . Administration, which is a confrontational policy. The aim is to place armed bases everywhere and to send United States fleets to seas and countries thou- sands of miles away in order to impose United States domination over the peoples of the world and to engage in economic pressure and blockades against those peoples-including the Libyan people-that refuse to follow its lead. In this context we should like to set out the following facts, only as examples. 275. It is incredible to hear human rights discussed by those who most frequently violate them. We must remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were burned to death in a war whose outcome had already been decided, with atomic bombs used solely in a show of power in a world monopolized by these same human- rights violators. Against the people of Viet Nam. they used the same amount of explosives as were used during the entire Second World War. 276. The United States supports the racist apartheid regime, is the strategically ofthe Zionistregime, denies the people of Palestine their inalienable rights, has brought to and kept in power the worst tyrannies on the American continent, and is the main stanchion of international mercenarism and aggression. :78. It is no secret to anyone that Cuba is a socialist country based on and guided by the noble ideas of Marxism-Leninism or that we aspire one day to achieving a communist society. We are proud of it. It is for that that we work, struggle and live, in order to put an end to a class society, divided into haves and have-nots, rich and poor, and in order to end the pre-history of humanity. 279. We also believe in the international working class movement. Hence more than 30,000 doctors, teachers, engineers and technicians from Cuba lend their assistance to more than 30 non-aligned coun- tries, and 16,000 young people from those countries study in Cuba. For that reason, we also help other developing countries with their defence. We exploit no one; we do not grow rich from the fruit ofthe labour ofother peoples. But we are indeed capable of sharing our modest resources with tdose who need them. We are not, Mr. Representative of the United States, the self-seeking, rapacious empire that you depict, but a small country that has known how to stand erect in defence of its freedom, independence and dignity, paying whatever the price may be. 1 "Common Security: a programme for disannament". See A/CN.IO/38, p. 71. Sec also A/CN.IO/Sl. J Report of the United Nations Conference on the Least De,'el- opedCountries. Paris, 1-14September 1981 (United Nations publica- tion, Sales No. E.82.1.8), 6 Adopted by the High-Level Conference on Economic Co- operation among Developing Countries. See A/36/333 and Corr.l. NOTES 9 A/31/197, annex I. para 44.