A/37/PV.30 General Assembly

9.  General debate I. Mr. MISKINE (Chad) (interpretation from French): This session of the General Assembly of the United Nations is being held at a time of acute international tensions and a world economic crisis of singular gravity. The entire international community is facin~ numerous problems which require from us as government officials a critical analysis conducive to appropriate solutions being sought in the higher interest of international peace and security as well as for the progoerity of our peoples and nations. In order to achieve those noble objectives, it is more than ever essential that the Members of the Organization scrupulously honour the obligations that they have assumed under the Charter. The whole world unan- imously deplores the inability of the United Nations \0 resolve the m;ijor problems of our day, but what we do not denounce enough is the fact that such weakness on the part of the United Nations is the immediate consequence of the lack of political will of each of its Members to behave in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter. This is why our delegation unreservedly supports the highly intel- ligent recommendations made by the Secretary-Gen- eral in his report on the work of the Organization [A/37/l] as regards strengthening its role and espe- cially the action of the Security Council for main- taining international peace and security. 2. By electing Mr. Hollai President of its thirty- seventh session, the General Assembly affirmed its trust in his outstanding qualities as a diplomat and experienced statesman. In so doing it crowned his long career, which has been basica!ly directed to~ar~s international relations. My delegation, confident ID his ability to conduct the work of the thirty-seventh ses- sion of the General Assembly successfully, extends its warm congratulations to him and assures him of its full co-operation in his difficult but exalting responsi- bilities. I should like also to express the esteem and appreciation of my delegation to Mr. Kittani, his predecessor, who accomplished his noble work with courage and dignity in spite of the complexity of the tragic events that have shaken the' world throughout the past year. Lastly, it is an agreeable duty for me to pay a well-deserved tribute to the Secretary-Gen- eral for his tireless and most commendable efforts NEW YORK during the first year of bis term of ~ff"lCC in attempt!ng to find peaceful solutions to the disputes that diVide certain MemberStates. He may be assured ofthe readi- ness of the Government of Chad to help him in his future work for world peace and development. 3. Before briefly expressing my delegation's position on certain important items ofthe agenda ofthe present session, I should like, as the representative ofa country which has been the subject of conversation interna- tionally in recent years because of the long and tragic situation of war that it has experienced, to outline the si~uation now prevailing in Chad. 4. While it is true that peace in Chad was restored only at the cost of great sacrifices, it is equally true that the tragedy endured for almost 20 years by our people was not without cause. War i~ never a matter of fate. In order better to grasp the true dimensions of the peace and security restored by the people of Chad last 7 June, it would be useful for me to outline briefly the internal and external causes of the tragedy experi- enced by my country. 5. The first major people's revolt in Chad after inde- pendence dates back to 1965. It was a genuinely national revolt; directed against an oppressive system imposed from outside. Through that war for national. Hberation, directed by the National Liberation Front, which courageously faced the neo-colonial troops and otherexpeditionary bodies, there were many people of Chad who saw their loved ones fall, their villages burned and their homes plundered. Many were also forced into exile. The regime of the day, which had become anachronistic and dictatorial, supported as it was by ~roops from the former metropolitan coun- try, in 1975 fell victim to its own mistake of at- tempting to impose itself on our people against their will. Thus its own army seized power from it. Un- fortunately, the hopes raised by that coup were soon disappointed. 6. Instead of offering the people of Chad dialogue and reconciliation, the militaryjuntain t~',rn committed the same mistakes and bloodthirsty aciS as the former regime. Defying the six-month cease-fire that had been unilaterally declared by the National Liberation Front, whose Armed Forces of the' North are the patriotic branch, the junta maintained a policy of repression and neo-colonial war. It was only in 1978 that the military regime, undermined by its notorious inability to meet internal and external cttallenges, accepted, for tactical reasons, the historic compromise of the Khartoum agreement. That was the first time since the popular uprisings of 1965 that an agreement frankly set forth the different problems of Chad and proposed comprehensive aa,d lasting solutions. 7. The implementation of the basic charter that emerged from the Khartoum agre~ment would have 12. As the occupying forces established themselves on our territory, the national and international public realized their real intentions and those of the coali- tion. At the same time, the patriotic struggle con- tinued with a resolve matched only by our love for our homeland and our dedication to the universal values of freedom and dignity. It was in that context that the enemy was to begin the withdrawal of its troops. We then unilaterally and immediately decreed a cease-fire, with no prior conditions. Our desire for peace led us to give unreserved support to the resolu- tions of the Organization of African Unity lOA U] of 11 February 1982 [see AI371/6/, annex]. It was that same iesire for dialogue and peace which governed the rate at which we advanced on the capital. For more than four months we intentionally deiayed taking the capital, in the sole hope of softening the bel- ligerent attitude of our brothers. It was that same desire for peace and dialogue among the Chad people that underlay the successive visits ofComrade Hissein Habre to Gabon and Zaire, after the N'Djamena meeting. 13. Today once again, before the Assembly, we affirm our attachment to the spirit of dialogue, with- out bitterness or ulterior motives. We solemnly invite all ourbrothers, including the former officials, to reflect on the wise words of Comrade Hissein Habre: "Let us bury the recriminations of unwarranted, unjustifiable and sterile hatred; let us exercise re- straint and still our emotions; let us arm ourselves with common sense and reason; let us work for the benefit of the homeland and the people, and let us respond to its hopes of peace and unity, rather than attempt to bind the people to our whims." And we invite them to return to Chad, as many have already done, for the sake ofpeace and reconstruction. 14. Although this oumne has been lengthy, we be- lieve it was necessary in order to provide an a~ctJrate picture of the dynamics of war in whose grip Chad so recently found itself. 15. For the first time since 1978, a single administra- tion effectively controls the 14 sub-divisions of our country. This is also the first time since 1965 that security has prevailed throughout our national ter- ritory. We are gratified to affirm before the Assem- bly that peace and security have been achieved fol- lowing a long patriotic struggle and that they remain our constant objective. ~ountries. We firmly state that Chad will never be a 28. As regards the situation in the Middle East, many base for subversion or aggression against fraternal initiatives have been undertaken by the international neighbouring countries." community, but unfortunately they have not been 21. For several years now constant cont1i~ts have followed up in a promising way because of the· war- mark~d the relations among States Members of the like attitude of the State of Israel. Everyone is con- ::::~t~:~~:~~~:,t~ t~~.:~.~r..:~~ o~o~~, _ vinced iliat the outcome of this conflict, which has ~O. The conflict between Iraq and ~he Islamic Repub- lIc Qf Iran, two n~ighbouring Islamic countries, has already caused considerable losses in human life and material damage. In principle we reject any recourse to violence in solving ~ dispute which might arise be- tween States and this is why my delegation reiterates here its appeal to the two parties for a cease-fire and for a peaceful solution to the problem. Consequently, we support the ongoing initiative within the Organi- zation of the Islamic Conference and other initiatives which might help to bring about peace in that region. 31. .In Asia, the problems of Afghanistan and Kam- puchea continue to be a source of concern to us. The continuation of the situatfons in those two countries and their regiClnal and international effects emphasize the urgent needfor peaceful solutions thatcould restore internal and regional peace. Such solutions necessarily involve the withdrawal of foreign troops, and strict respect for the indepemfence and territorial integrity . of those countries, and a settlement allowing the two peoples to determine their own fate in full sover- eignty. 32. Similarly, regarding Korea, we sUI!;KJrt the prin- Ciple of the peaceful reunification of the two parts of the country, without external interference, and the withdra~al of foreign troops from the Korean penin- sula. 33. Another political question merits comm/~nt-dis­ armament. The second special session of the Gen~ral Assembly on that question, which opened in a spirit C?f ~u1?horia, has s~mewhat dashed the hopes placed ID It, masmuch as Its work has not led to any tan..sible results; however, it has emilitea-not o"iify -Mem6er States, international organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, but also the public to be~me fully aware of-the danger inherent in the pos- sessIon of nuclear and chemical weapons and, con- sequently, of the absolute ne(;essity to freeze them immediately and gradually destroy them. Enormous resources, both human and financial, would thereby be freed and could be devoted to developmen~. 34. Fortunately, since dialogue between the m~or Powers has not ceased, my delegation remains con- vinced that wisdom wiJl prevail over any negative 36. Development questions are also ofconcern to the Organization and have been since its creation, and the struggle against the inequity of the international economic system is part and parcel of the struggle the inte~ational community must wage. Indeed, here we are ID the middle of tbe Third Un~ted Nations Devel- opment Decade and still uncertain about our future. Th~ problems which the developing countries have to face are increasing even though it is true that no efforts have been spared to find a solution-for exam- ple, the fifth session of UNCTAD, the sixth and seventh ~pecial sessions of the General Assembly, the creation of UNIDO to promote the industrial development of States, and many other init~atives. 37. In spite ofefforts to ensure our development and in spite of the levels of international negotiation, the gap continues to widen between the economies of the d~veloped countries and those ofthe developing coun- tnes. 38. The ills of international economic relations are more structural than cyclical. They include the in- crease~ deficit in the balance of payments of the poor countnes, the continual deterioration in the terms of trade, ever growing inflation, rigid and unfavourable conditions for the transfer of technology, which are compounded by obstacles and limitations imposed on access by developing countries to international finan- cial markets. 39. We must add to those the vicissitudes of nature for some of these countries, such as Chad-land- locked, insular, prone to drought, and so on. To be sure, not everything is so negative, as shown by the adoption in April of the United Nations Convention o~ the Law ofthe Se~.~ But.there is a serious degener- ation of the very SPlnt which should guide the new c~ncept of international economic co-operation. That Widens even further the gap between North and Soutb-a source of political instability the world over. For that reason my delegation recalls that the gradual establishment of a new economic order re- quires, first, the democratization of international relations, which necessitates the overhanling and strengthening of intem'ational institutions. It would be desirable for the developed countries to practise policies compatible with the interests of the devel- oping countries. That means the abandonment, to 41. Certainly, the international community has not been unaware of these difficulties. It has shown its concern for our people since 1979. Thus, the General Assembly has adopted many resolutions on emergency aid and reconstruction assistance; the most recent -resolution 36/210 adopted in 1981-requests the SecretarY-General to organize a pledging conference on assistance to Chad. In that connection, during my stay in New York I have had talks with the represen- tative of the current Chairman of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Govelnment, the Minister for Fo.-eign Affairs of Kenya, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and with the Administrator of UNDP, to whom I have expressed the earnest desire of my country to see that conference take place before the end of this year. We are confident that the Secretary-General will organize this conference in which we hope to see the largest possible partici- pation by lenders and international organizations. To that end, we repeat our appeal to the international community for emergency assistance to Chad and for effective participation by lenders in the conference. 42. Chad seeks only to live in peace and under- standing with all countries that love peace and justice, in particular with its neighbours. It is in this spirit that we wish to refer here to a situation that has been of concern to the people of Chad since 1973, namely, the occupation of a part of our territory by a neighbouring country, which occupation we have constantly condemned. This problem has already been raised in the OAU and the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, and we still hope to see it solved peacefully. As soon as they entered N'Djamena, the Armed Forces of the North and the Council of State got in direct and indirect contact with that neighbouring country, so as to create at the very outset detente between the two coun- tries so that our two peoples might live in a climate of peace. In spite of our readiness for dialogue we are bound to note the silence on the other side; more serious still, there has been glaring interference. 43. That was the message that I wished to impart to the Assembly, on behalf of my delegation. As representatives must have noted, owing to the special situation prevailing in our country, we have spoken at some length to state the concerns of our people. Our people has suffered too much from war and should now be entitled to lasting peace and its development with the assistance of friendly countries m1.J~tface, with precarious resources, difficulties which are characterized notably by the persistence of in- flationary pressures, the increasingly marked deterio- ration in terms oftrade and the reduction of resources of institutions whose mission is to ensure financing. SO. For many such countries, the deterioration of the food situation has already gone beyond the point at which they are forced to increase their dependence on imported products to such a degree that they are no longer in a position to make the adjustments neces- !iary to break the spiral of a worsening food shortage. SI. In this context, the countries which can afford to should abandon an exceedingly comfortable and simple attitude ofinward withdrawal and should devote further efforts to ensuring that their official develop- ment assistance reaches the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product set within the framework of the Second United Nations Development Decade. In that connection, the Republic of Rwanda would like to hail the decision already taken by a certain num- ber ofindustrialized countries, which intend to devote 0.15 per cent of their gross national pruduct to assis- t~nce for the least developed countries, of which my country is unfortunately a member. 52. My country at the same time welcomes the fact 57. In this connection, Rwanda is working un- that the target of 0.15 per cent has been approved ceasingly and with all its strength to promote and in the Substantial New Programme of Action for the strengthen its co-operation with otherdevelopingcoun- 1980s for the Least Developed Countries,2 a pro- tries in general and neighbouring countries in particu- gramme which the General Assembly endorsed in lar. With the latter Rwanda is endeavouring to de- resolution 36/194. My delegation ventures to hope that velop relations of friendship and co-operation on the donor countries, as well as all potential prime lenders, bilateral level and also within the framework of the will take adequate steps forthwith so as to ensure the subregional communities. The Rwandese delegation is effective implementation of the Substantial New Pro- convinced that such co-operation, which is fully in gramme of Action. My delegaiion is thinking particu- keeping with the objectives set forth in the Lagos lady of immediate steps making it possible to satisfy Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Man-- the most urgent needs ofthe least developed countries. rovia Strategy for the Economic Development of I should like to refer, by way ofexample, to the provi- Africa4 constit.utes, with regard to the countries con- sion of substantial resources to reduce shortages of cemed, an important contribution to the achievement foodstuffs and energy resources, immediate financial of international economic relations which serve the assistance in the form of the cancellation or ,re- interests of an the parties. We are also convinced scheduling of debts and support for the balance of that we must foster exchanges which could enable payments, and the immediate provision of supple- the third world countries to confront the difficulties mentary financial support, especially for identifica- inherent in the imbalance of the present system, tion of projects, the carrying out of feasibility studies which is reflected in persistent disorder and profound and the detailed preparation of investment projects. structural problems. 53. The hardly encouraging picture of the world 58. It is high time all States understood that all economy shows that the establishment of a new inter- hope of peace and security will be vain as long as national economic order based on justice and equity the world - is ruled by a system which maintains is an urgent and imperative need. In that regard, I need three quarters of mankind in the worst conditions of ' 40 ~ 54. Although the present situation is undoubtedly one of impasse, certain parties like to praise the therapeutic virtues of the free play of market forces, which unfortunately benefit only the powerful and the strong, inasmuch as they do not fall within the frame- work of a real strategy of intemational co-operation and disregard economic interdependence, thus threat- ening to exacerbate the disagreements and disparities among States. 55. The Government of Rwanda is firmly convinced that the development of the third world depends on a fundamental restructuring of international economic relations as a result of reforms designed to put an end to the present system, which tends to keep the poor majority subordinated to the wealthy minority. Interdependence is a crucial element which must con- stantly be borne in mind: it should inspire greater solidarity and complementarity in the organization of the economic relations between the industrialized countries, which possess the technology. and the developing countries, which possess raw materials. To disregard that reality would be to close our eyes deliberately to the facts and risk plunging the inter- national community inextricably into a crisis. 56. Interdependence should not, however, J:Je limited to North-South relations; it should also be an im- portant element in South-South relations, and should be understood to apply particularly to co-operation among developing countries-co-operation which the effective implementation of the Caracas Programme of Action3 would allow to develop and strengthen yet further. 61. We hope that the Convention will enter into force as soon as possible and that it will serve as a model for the management and sharing of the wealth of our planet for the benefit of all mankind in general and of the poorest in particular. With this in mind, my delegation hopes that the delegations that so far have not, for various reasons, been able to support the Convention on the Law of the Sea will reconsider their position and join the majority, so that the objec- tives which in this sphere are common to all Member States may be achieved. 62. With the same optimism, we hope to see sub- stantial and noteworthy progress made in the sphere of international trade, which for several years has j)een the object of important negotiations within UNCTAD. The graduai fall in the prices of raw materials and the inexorable increase in the prices of finished products make the economic situation of the developing coun- tries increasingly catastrophic, for the deficits and the gaps to be filled compel them to contract more and more crushing debts and thus to become insolvent, which jeopardizes their future not only socially and economically but also politically. 63. I shall not engage in the futile exercise ofenumer- ating all the problems confronting the developing countries in general and the least developed and the land-locked countries in particular. I will sitnply draw the attention of the Assembly once more to the fact that all the defects of the world economy are at present affecting even more seriously this category 67. Some references to problems of our times and a rapid overview show that overt conflicts and areas of tension which bring to bear grave threats to inter- national peace and security are very much with us. Some are due to anachronistic colonialism or to the hateful and cynical policy ofapartheid. All are linked to flagrant violations of the Charter and norms estab- lished by international law. 68. In Africa, above and beyond socio-economic problems, one ofthe major concerns remains the situa- tion prevailing in the southern part of that continent and the sufferings, sacrifices and tragedies imposed on the Namibian people and on black South Africans struggling for recognition of their most basic rights. 69. As regards Namibia, which is still illegally oc- cupied and administered by the minority racist Pre- toria regime, the many actions undertaken by the United Nations to lead that Territory to indePen- dence-a matter for which the United Nations bears responsibility-have thus far come up against the intransigence, hesitation and dilatory manreuvres of South Africa, which arrogantly defies the interna- tional community. How can we fail to deplore the procrastination and the attempts to torpecJo the United Nations plan for Namibia, when every day the Namibian people thirst for independence, for which it will continue to pay a heavy price, through the sufferings offreedom fighters who go as far as making the supreme sacrifice to emancipate their homeland? 70. The Government of Rwanda, which has had the privilege and signal honour of taking part in the dele- gation sent by the OAU to the Western countries members of the contact group on Namibia, bitterly regrets that this year is likely to end without the date on which the Namibian people is to ~c;:hieve self- determination and independence being firmly set. In this connection my delegation would like to reaffirm the conviction of the Government of Rwanda that ~ry rights of peoples, will in no way affect the just- issue is the need to apply the universal principle of ness of the cause of the Namibian people. It will at the right of peoples to self-determination. It is in that the most delay matters; it will not at all undermine spirit that, since 1976, it has recognized the Sahraoni the heroism of that people. Arab Democratic Republic. 7S. I should also like to express the Rwandese 81. Reference to the principles which inspire and Government's solidarity with the front-line States of underlie international ethics and politics requires southern Mrica and more specifICally the People's that the African countries, which have always shown Republic of Angola and Mozambique, which are con- their support for peoples struggling for recognition of stantly victims of the. bloody, barbarous aggressions their right to self-determination, bury their disputes on and acts of sabotage in which the racist minority Western Sahara in order to preserve their vital unity regime of South Africa ~akes pleasure. in the OAU, without denying the principles they have 76. In South Mrica itself the proponents of apart- freely subscribed to or sacrificing either the interests lIeid-the iniquitous, hateful and inhuman policy they or the rights of the Sahraoui people. have established as a system of Government, thus 82. Other fratricidal conflicts which play their part enshrining racism and racial segregation as State in the proliferation of areas of tension continue in policy-are attempting to maintain domination without Africa, where they seriously threaten peace, security regard for morality and right. So it is-and this is qnly and stability in the regions and areas concerned and one of many examples-that they install the majority could encourage outside interference. of the population in so-called independent bantustans and have recourse to ignoble practices such as assas- 83. With full respect for the sovereignty of other sination, kidnapping, tortureand imprisonmentagainst States, the position of Rwanda with regard to these nationalists. conflicts and tensions, which constitute grave obsta- cles to development, is to put its trust in the wisdom ofthe parties involved and hope that the spirit ofcon- ciliation will prevail over hatred and that recourse to compromise solutions will help to preserve peace, security and stability in Mrica, with strict respect for 77. This regime, which has been abhorred by the great majority of Member States, furthermore stub- bornly defies the international community by terror- izing all of southern Africa through armed invasions, 87. The diaspora imposed on the valiant Palestinian people will not give the slightest legitimacy to acts designed to stifle its legitimate aspirations, any more than the policy of terror and fait accompli of the Israeli Government will deflect the international com- munity from its duty to promote, everywhere and in all circumstances, peace and justice, which are the foundations of the Charter. 88. Above and beyond the Israeli-Arab conflict, the state of war which persists between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite the many attempts at mediation, also continues to be a cause of deep concern in that already explosive region and for the 93. As regards divided nations, Rwanda supports the right ofpeoples directly concerned in this problem to seek ways and means to rediscover their unity. They should exercise this right peacefully, free from any interference or outside pressure. 94. It is with this in view tbat the Rwandese Repub- lic remains firmly convinced that the Korean nation cannot achieve its reunification unless 'all foreign troops withdraw from that area. 95. The Rwandese Government also considers that current relations between the two German States are a reflection of the spirit of detente which under- lies their relations. The co-operation established between those two States should attenuate at least to some degree the effects of division and gradually create a political climate which will not exclude the idea ofa free and peaceful reunification ofthe German nation. 96. Our concern in the face of an increase of areas of tension and the persistence of conflicts should not lead us to forget that the greatest danger to interna- tional peace and security is the unbridled arms race nati~nal community for results which will consol- being a liberator. After events in Afghanistan, Kam- idate and enhance its prestige. pucta~a and Lebanon, who would dare to speak ofinter- national morality? For those of us not having double 102. Mr. KAFANDO (Upper Volta) (interpretation standards, those acts of aggression are ail equally from French): The thirty-seventh session of the reprehensible. General Assembly is taking place at a particularly crucial time in international life, characteri:ud basi- 10.'8. Thus, we see the Hebrew State, not content cally by a series of grave crises: political crises that with occupying Arab lands, now interfering in Leban- endanger international peace and security, social ese affairs. In this respect we condemn the principle crises stemming from unchecked population growth, offait accompli. This is why my country fully sup' economic crises unprecedented since the establish- ports the Security Council resolution which demands ment of the Bretton Woods system, crises in interna- the establishment and maintenance of a multinational tional str.uctures and institutions. force whose primary mission would be to guarantee the security of Palestinians and to consolidate the 103. Hence we see before us the United Nations, integrity and independence of Lebanon. The mas- with its imposing structures and prestige, facing the sacres ofShatila and Sabra can in no way wipe out the greatest difficulty in ensuring that international law inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Israel, and moi"ality are respected. We see the Organization above all, should know this. Israel should know displaying its impotence in the tragedy taking place in that as regards the struggle for the right to life and the Middle East. Never before, in the discharge of freedOM more often than not everything follows the its responsibilities, has the United Nations been so well-known biological phenomenon oforganic.n:gener- convinced of the futility of its decisions-witness its at«m. In other words, the Palestinians who died for resolutions being trampled underfoot by certain freedom and justice will rise again from their ashes. 113. As regards the events in Chad, every Mrican country had its own opinion, and positions were often 121. In spite of those disappointing results, we con- sider it necessary, within the framewon'{ of the World Disarmament Campaign, to continue to .nobilize world public opinion in favour of peace. L.:2. The future of the world economy ?rouses deep concern in my country. The present crisis, because of ~ts multifaceted nature, spares no country, whether of North or South, industrialized or developing. In- flation and unemployment have sounded the alarm everywhere. The elements of a crisis similar to that of the 1930s are again present and, as if this were enough te) overcome it, r;ertain econofiiiz Powers have taken Qrotectionist measures, which have had the imnlediate effect of producing disorder in interna- tional economic trade. In the long term it is to be feared that those same measures may lead to social and poli€~-cal upheaval, with unforeseeable results. 123. Anothr-r feature of the present situation which is equally disturbing to my counh'y is the ob' ious slowing down of the humanist movement towards international co-operation which had led to the creation of a number of bodies within the United Nations system designed to foster the development fIf the least-favour.;:d countries. 124. As proof of that I would cite the enormous dif- 130. The Upper Volta, a land-locked country and ficolties now facead by UNDP, whose capacity to inter- one which is geographically disadvantaged and clas- vene in the sphere of international development has sifted amon~ the least-developed countries, wel- fallen in 1982 below what it was 10 years ago. For corned with great satisfaction the adoption of the the countries that benefit from that assistance this United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seal situation will most certainly lead to the elimination on 30 April 1982. The decisive adoption of that in- of many project~ whuse economic and social im~act strument constitutes, in our view, a striking victory is clear. of an international community in search of its iden- tity, an important step towards a more just and lasting 125. The concern that I have just shared with the balance in inter-State economic relations. Is that not Assembly is not confined, unfortunately, to UNDP: an example, if example be needed 7 of the value of it extends also, I am afraid, to such specialized agen- dialogue? des and bodies as UNICEF, FAO, WHO, UNEP. 131. I should Ii~e on behalf of my country to take and others. It is as though in recent years the interest this opportunity to appeal to the States that for dif- that led to the creation of such bodies ha'~ waned; it ferent reasons were unable to adopt the Convention is as though the suffering, ~'Overty and penury of on the Law of the Sea to review their position. On a millions of human beings prey to hunger, thirs: and Convention of such importance, consensus would the most diverse and cruel ills no longer awakened make it possible for us to mark one more milestone !he conscience of men of good' will. ' on the path towards peace and -detente. 126. It is therefore not surprising that this world.. 132. Before concluding, I should like to restate my wide economic reccssi'ln., whether we call it inflation, country's full confidence and faith in the United an energy crisis or det.erioration in the terms of trade, Nations and in its noble mission, which is that of which paralyses the growth of the most prosperous, bringing about an era of peace and progress for the powerful economies ~hould be destroying the devel- well-being of mankkd. The Upper VoIla has atten- opment efforts of the third-world countries, and, tively followed all the efforts made in that direction more specifically, 'the least developed among them. during the past year, whether it be the World As- In Arpca, and more particularly in the Sahelian coun- sembly on Aging, a matter which is increasingly of ~~~~~_.. :I'--~-·-:·=··"~:::·~=:··:::OC·:::'.~~:::=~!:~1'"!'.~_::-·~:'"}r",~~..:."":'..-::.1~;L:!::~HgEI ~ 137. The past year~ more than any other, seems to have been a year of disillusion. Solutions to funda- mental questions basic to the balance of the world which were 8t one time within our reach crumbled because ofthe resurgence ofwarlike activism and last- minute intransigence. 138. That is why the eyes of the world, a world which legitimately expects from us just and lasting solutions for its stability, its security, its economic, social and cultural progress, are fIXed particularly upon the thirty-seventh session of the General As- sembly. 139. Because we know that Mr. Hollai is an experi- enced diplomat with a long and full career; because he has dedicated part of that career to defending, in this very Organization,. the fundamental objectives of the Charter, the Republic of Mali, a friend of his country, the People's Republic of Hungary, places great hopes in his well-deserved election which will, we are. convinced, contribute to enrichingour common action in maintaining peace, respect for the sovereign ~. B~~ 1St. What took place in Lebanon disturbs and frightens us, because there is no greater incitement to crime than the apathy of those who, under the dangerous illusion that only the neighbour's house is ' burning, accept the inadmissible role of hearing and seeing no evil. In international relations, indifference is the most serious complicity, because it makes it possible for evil to progress and worsen. 152. The Zionist aggression in Lebanon is the con- sequence of the unpunished acts of Israel which therefore continues to defy the international com- munity every day-as though the odious aggression ~vhich contain a plan to settle the crisis.