A/37/PV.6 General Assembly

9.  General debate i. Mr. ARIAS STELLA (Peru) (interpretation from Spanish): I should like at the outset, Sir, to convey to you the greetings and congratulations of the delega- tion of Peru on your well-deserved election to the presidency of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. Th3s is a recognition of your personal qualities as well as a tribute to Hungary, a counlry which has participated so a(!tively and so significantly in the work of the United Nations. 2. My delegation also wishes to express its appre- ciaLion and to convey its congratulations to Mr. Ismat Kittani, who at a critical time for the international ccmmunity demonstrated his exceptional abilities as an exp;~riencedand skilful diplomat. 3. You will understand, Sir, with what satisfaction we greet Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, the Secretary- General. Peru takes· pride in his election and in the contribution that he is making tf' the cause ofthe inter- national community. 4. Since it took office on 28 July 1980 the consti- tutional Government of Peru has shouldered the difficult task of putting into practice a spirit of demo- cracy in which the effectiveness of a modem Consti- tution, the interplay of the branches of government, respect for human rights and the full enjoyment of freedoms should constitute the best assurance that we shall achieve our ideal of m&king man the supreme end of our social efforts. 5. Two years have elapsed under the present Govern- ment and Peru takes satisfaction in the fact that it is fulfilling its aims. Freedom of expression for all the communications media is now absolute in our country. The elections that took place in 1980 were followed in November 1981 by complementary elections at the municipal level. These indicated increased support for the party led by President Fernando Belaunde Terry, which gained 70 per cent of the votes cast at the national leve:l. 6. The problems of the present-day world are clearly causing seriou~ frustrations in society to which it is reacting in different ways. The gre~t majorities opt for political avenues which, in various ways, seek to find within the legal order appropriate replies to the requirements of collective well-being. Unfortunately, tbere are also those who react to adversity in irrational, blind and irresponsible ways. NEW YORK 7. Despite the resolve and efforts ofour Government to promote justice, well-being and progress within the framework of democl"cttic principles, some minority groups, seeking to use violence to introduce an ilI- defined political, economic and social programme, have resorted to acts which cause irreparable loss of human life and very serious material damage for a developing country. The Peruvian people rejects this criminal activity as shocking to its conscience and damaging to its interests, for what is destroyed is lo~! to all. Our whole country has, therefore, through its representative institutions and the broad range of political parties present in our national Parliament, condemned terrorism and continues to do so. Our Government has taken steps to prev~nt it, in strict observance of human rights. To that end, our Govern- ment will guarantee public peace with the necessary firmness, but without overstepping legal bounds in any respect. Persons involved in criminal offences have been brought before the judiciary the independence of which cannot be questioned for it is the only authority .empowered to decide on the gullt of those involved and to apply the necessary penalties. 8. His Holiness Pope John Paul 11, in his pontifical message of 1980, reminded us that building peace is the task of all men and all nations and that violence is an evil unworthy of man, unacceptable as a solution to our problems, contrary to the truth ofour humanity and, indeed, destructive of what it seeks to defend: the dignity, life and freedom of the human being. But he told us also: "We cannot sincerely condemn recourse to violence unless we engage in a corre- sponding effort to replace it by courageous political initiatives which aim at eliminating threats to peace by attacking the roots of injustice." That is precisery what the Government of Peru is seeking to do at the domestic level. 9. Hence, togetner with the legitimCi.ce exercise of its constitutional responsibilities, the Government is pursuing a set of activities designed to bring about improvement in the depressed economic and social conditions of the paorest areas of our country, those areas in which the largest number of acts of violence have taken piece. This poverty is the result ofcomplex geographical conditions, isolation and the failure for over a eentury to address basic needs. It is being faced through courageous development programmes that will alleviate the difficult situation of the people living in those areas. 10. Peru nas signed all the international agreements on human rights to which it could accede and the principles ofthose agreements are embodied in the new Constitution. Our Government bases its efforts upon those principles in bringing about the full realization of each person and a regime of democracy and social solidarity. The occasional stories reaching the inter- ~s well as zealous defence of its own rights.' 12. Peru has continued to partidp!ite actively in the processes of regicnal economic co-operation and integration. My Government has supported and resobJtely contributed to the reactivation ofthe Andean Group and to promoting the Latin American Integra- tion Association, as well as in regional consultations and co-operation, within the framework of the Latin American Economic System,. which are institutions to which Peru attaches the greatest importance in the strel1gthening and unity of Latin America as an effective response to the frustlations and unusual economic measures that the region as a whole and some countries in particular have experienced during the recent crisis in the South Atlantic. 13•. Moreover, in order to foster Latin American integration and co-operation, the Latin American region must be organized physically. In this respect, the Bolivarian Highway along the edge of the jungle, an initiative of President Belaiinde Terry, which has received broad support from Latin American and Andean countries, i~ today in an advanced stage of completion. In the same spirit, President Belaunde has rescued the ambitious project of interconnecting the three major watersheds of the South American continent, a project which would make it possible to move large volumes ofgoods, services and passengers in the heart ofour region. My Government is confident t"a~, after the technical meeting on watershed inter- c,onnecticn which took place last year in Lima, we will soon be able to undertake that work. 14.. On the other hand, the project for the creation of a trust fund for the promotion of horizontal tech- nical co-operation with the countries of Central America and the Caribbean, which I presented at the 6th.meeting of the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly, has met with broad support from the coun- tries of that area and from the Admini~~ration of UNDP. We hope that that fund, too, will be established in the ilear future. 1'. Similarly, my couP-try is participating in the qecessary deliberations relating to the inter-American sy·stem. It is our view that it has become imperative RI r~·emphasize the capacity for concerted action among the countries of the region vis-a-vis the only country of the region which has world-wide interest~. This task should not lead. to exclusions of any kind, but·rather to a clearer identification of our interests and a better representation and defence of those interests in continental and world forums. . '. 16. . The number ofcritical situations in the world has incrf;"ased and, paradoxically, none of those that have nQw become traditional has yet been overcome. The worsening of the situation is seriously ~.ffecting the United Nations, and the constantly repeated appeals 17. The basic elements of this situation are an alarming tendency to disregard the obligations of intemationall&w, in particular the obligation to abstain from the resort to aggression or the use or threat of force; polities of strength and the maintenance of spheres of influence or domination; interference in the internal affairs of States; the impossibility of getting the process of disarmament under way, and the frustrations encountered at the second special session of the General A~~embly devoted to disarma- ment; the obstacles that are preventing the establish- ment of a new international economic order; the difficulti~l& experienced in ~oncluding the process of decolonb:ation; policies of apartheid and racial dis- crimination; and the crisis in the United Nations.. 18. The SecretaryuG~neral has submitted his report on the work of the Organization [A/37/l], the impor- tance and scope of which will be recognized by the world public. This report sums up the genuine anxiety of our peoples and shows the need to listen to the voice of reason and morality in the present dramatic circumstances. The Assembly will examine various aspects of the report, debate the proposals it contains and draw from it the new inspiration the Organization needs for the preservation ofpeace and the betterment of mankind and to ensure that it does not fail as the depositary of ideals which are beyond its ability and the will of our Governments to achieve. 19. The meagre results of the action of the Security Council compel us to ask whether the assumption3 upon which tht~ Organization was founded have been overtaken by events. What is required is concerted diplomatic action at the highest level, as proposed by the Secretary-General [ibid., p. 4], nr any other approach which can ensure that the position ofpolitical privilege conferred upon the permanent members of the Security Council will be used for the effective fulfilment of their responsibilities with· regard to international peace and co-operation. Otherwise we shall have to consider amendments to the Charter. 20. We hore that the Secretary-General's firmness in presenting matters to the Assembly as he sees them and not as we would wish to see' them will serve to promote a debate that will renew the Orga- nization, because our peoples are beset by a two-fold anxiety: daily survival in terrible economic and social conditions, and survival as a species in the face of the increasing probability of a nuclear conflict. 21. Our region has brought to the Assembly the question of the Malvinas Islands. Everybody is aware of our support for the principle of decolonization of the Malvinas Islands and for the claim of the sister Republic of Argentina to sovereignty over that archi- pelago. This is also called for in resolutions of the United Nations and the Organization of American States and in declarations by the movement of non- aligned countries. Faithful to its dedication to peace, Peru has made intense and repeated efforts'to ensure a negotiated solution of the conflict and will continue to support negotiations between Argentina and the tie~ faced by the peoples of the area are compounded by forms of foreign intervention, political polarization and internal and external armed struggle. It is neces- sary for States both within and. outside this region, instead of _trying for ideological reasons to decide how others should organize themselves to try urgently to provide broad support for their development. 23. Peru deepiy regrets the recent deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. We have made clear our rejection of intervention in and military use of the ~erritory of Lebanon t in violation of ~ts indepen- dence and sovereignty, the persistence of policies of force and the commission of genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people. 24. In this world forum, in the name of the Govern- ment and people of Peru, I reiterate our most vigorous condemnation, as already expressed by the Chief Executive of my country, of these acts, which violate the most elementary principles of human coexistence. 25. Recent developments have clearly and painfully shown that the question of Palestine constitutes ehe central factor of the Middle East crisis. It is our view that for reasons of principle, of history and ofjustice, the Palestinian ~ople must exercise the inalienable rights ofan people~as recognized by the Organization. 26. We renew our appeal to ali the parties to the conflict to co-operate in the search for a compre- hensive and definitive political settlement9 taking into account the rights Gf all the peoples of the region, within the framework of the relevant resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly. 27. Th~ stability and well-being of South-East Asia are linked to the problem of Kampuchea. P~ru is a member of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Interna- tional Conference on Kampuchea, and we hope that the bases established by the General Assembly, under the auspices of the Secretary-General, will lead to a negotiated settlement. 28. We support the steps taken by ~he S~cretary­ General with respect to Afghanistan and Cyprus. Only with the political will of the parties will it be possible to achieve just and balanced agreements which, as in the case of Kampuchea, presupposes the withdrawal of foreign troops and self-determination for the peoples involved. 29. Peru hopes that the question of Korea can be resolved by peaceful and negotiated means by the parties. 30. The struggle for independence in Territories that have not yet overcome colonialism continues. Nami- bia must be rescued from the illegal occupation from which it is suffering. Peru, an active member of the Special Committee against Apartheid; condemns and rejects this practice, which is an infringement of human dignity. 31. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seal is the fruit of a long and arduous effort to reconcile the rights and interests of States in different z~].nes of national jurisdktion. My GllVernment is making such an assessment in the light of certain provisions of our Constitution and the laws of our Republic. It will be for the Congress of my country to express its approval or rlisapproval of the Con- vention. Meanwhile we shall follow with close atten- tion the statements made by other Governments, in the hope that the will for justice and international concord will prevail. 32. Peru will continue to defend its rights of sover- eignty and jurisdiction over its adjacent waters and th~ §ea-bed and subsoil thereof to the limit OF 200 miles, for the purposes that have been foreseen since 1947, as part of its maritime territory and without prejudice to freedom of international communication. Furthermore, it will not renounce the defence of the rules established by the Declaration of Principles Governing the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor, and the Subsoil Thereof, beyond the Limits of Natiunal Juris- diction, adopted in J970 [resolution 2749 (XXV)] Those principles have been incorporated in the Convention, according to which the sea·b€d and its rescmrces .outsi~ ~ the limits of national jurisdiction com~titute the common heritage of mankind and can be exp10ited only for the benefit of aH countries, under an interna- tional regime and international machinery. 'We shall regard as iIleg9J any use of the international sea-bed zone by States that have adopted unilateral legislati~i1 or which have subscribed to agreements of reciprocity contrary to the principles of the Convention. We trust that those States will refrain from following a course whose implications would be very grave in the area of international law and in the development offriendly co-operation among countries, as well as in relatiola to policies applicable to other areas of ocean space. 33. The results of the second spedal session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament are dis~ couraging. Not only was there no progress with respect" to what had been agreed at the first special session on disarmament, but the consensus of 1978 itself has apparently been challenged. . 34. It is indispensable that all countries of the inter-' national community, particularly the nuclear Powers, participate in a n~w effm1 to move forward in the complex problem of disarmament. For its part; Peru will continue to exert efforts, both internationally and regionally, to eiTect limitation of arm~ expenditures and to protect Latin America and other regions of the developing world from the nuclear threat, in the con..' viction that the goal of disarmament wiJI be reached only by approaches that take due account of the interests of all parties. 35. We are witnessing a day-by-day deterioration of the opportunities for diplomatic negotiation and political agreement. In view of this, the movement af non-aligned countries clearly has a role to play. Its objectives and its reason for existence as an inde- pendent factor in international relations have become tri~~ized and df..lvel()ping alike, both a burden and a disturbed. fhrea! r~ot only to fiheir economic progress but to the 45. Peru wishes to reaffirm the great importance of very stahility of the international financial system. South-Solaih co-operation for the developing countries 37. Things cannot be allowed to remain as they are and unreservedly supports the implementation of the much longer. Tilt: international economic crisis is the Programme of Action adopted at the High-Level result of grave .,iifficulties of a political and social Conference on Economic Co-operation among order faIC'ing the .lntemational community. The sense Developing Countries in May 1981 at Caracas.2 In this of urgency among aJI peoples of the world today is ~ontext, we support the immediate convening of a accompanied by a deep frustration at the lack of meeting to establish a generalized system of prefer- understa.:nding and inability Governments have ences am9ng the developing countries as a practical demonstrated il1l finding common approaches to and effective means of promoting our economic links. alleviating the tragic situation facing them. 46. Next year the Republics of America will celebr~te :38. We must prevent despair from setting in, and we the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the must remove tension in order to facilitate th~ solution Liberator, Simon Boli;,ar, the founder of nations} a of grav~ problems that directly affect international man of his time and of o~~r time. We hope that his pa~ce find security. A supreme effort on the part of spirit of freedom and justice will preside over the all members ofthe international community is required endeavours of Governments today and we pay a to find a minimum consensus that will enable them well-deserved tribute t.o his memory and to his work. to reactivate the world economy, at the same time taking care to prevent the return of inflation. 47. This thirty-seventh session of the General As- sembly is taking place in particularly difficult circum- 39. We therefore consider it to be appropriate to stances. It has been many years since we have seen agree on an emergency world economic plan, in which an economic crisis such as that of t~day, in which all States and international organizations would communication among States is so charged with participate without discrimination or self-exclusion. anxiety and discouragement is so prevalent among To that effect, my Government will put forward at our peoples. ...lis session of the General Assembly, a proposal for the ammediate adoption of such '- pkm, in order to 48. Our country has demonstrated its dedication to give impetus to the recovery of the world economy. peace, defence of the principles of law and interna- tional conciliation, which we do not wish to abandon. 40. At the same time, we must continue our efforts We believe that the only way in which the urgent for the construction of a new international economic problems of mankind can be faced and overcome is order. "re must emphasize that the launching ofglobal through negotiation, and we reaffirm our faith in the negotiations is an imperative need for the international United Nations as the highest forum of the peoples. community as a whole, in order to rebuild, from the For all these reasons, we declare that Peru will spare ground up, the imba~anced system of international no effort to ensure that this session will be qualitatively economic relati\lns. different from others-more effective and more 41. My Government recognizes the position assumed committed to the goals of reconciliation and harmony, by the developed countries at the Versailles Econo'mic peace, freedom, law and justice. Summit in June, and is prepared to co-a;erate 49. Mr. STRAY (Norway): At the outset, Sir, I wish closely with the rest of the countries of the Group ~f to congratulate you on your election to the high office 77, in the definition of a consensus that would permit of President of the General Assembly. the earliest possible beginning of global negotiations. In view cl the urgency of the present circumstances, 50. During the last few years we have witnessed a my Government expresses the hope that at this session serious deterioration in the international political the General Assembly will adopt a resolution stipu- climate. The tensions between East and ..West are lating the beginning of global negotiations. particularly serious sinc~ the East-West relationship ag~nda and condemnations rather than for seeking realistic and constructive solutions to the problems before us. Member States ought to consider whether this is compatible with our desire to develop the United Nations into an instrumentfor the settlement of disputes and the maintenance of international peace and security. 56. In his report the Secretary-General draws our attention to the same problem by stating that public debate, which often can become rhetorical and con- frontational, is in itself not enough and cannot be a substitute for serious negotiations. He has also put forward a number of proposals on how we should tackle the problems now facing the Organization. I would in particular mention the following proposals. 57. The Secretary-General proposes, as an important first step, a conscious recommitment by Governments to the Charter. In response to this I hereby reaffirm Norway's commitment. 58. The Secretary-General asks us to reconstruct the concept of collective action for pea~e and security within the framework of the Charter. The Norwegian Government agrees with him and we are prepared to co-ope:rate with him in investigating ways and means of achieving this urgent goal. &9. My Government intends to maintain an active role in the work for a new international economic order. We regard the concept of a new international economic order as an effort, through intemational . negotiations, to achieve a combined strategy to foster just and equitable economic relations between rich and poor countries. We see this as a matter of developing mechanisms for co-operation which will enable the international economic system tofunction in the best possible way to the mutual advantage of all parties, and in particular to the benefit of developing countries. 90. If the present situation regarding the North- South dialogue is allowed to persist, it may not only have a negative impact on the relations between the developed and developing countries, but also further aggravate the stress on the international economy. The Norwegian Gov~rnment still thinks that the planned round of global negotiations represents a comprehensive and integrated approach to the North- South problems, and it still hopes that agreement can be reached so that this round can be launched during this session of the Assembly. We also intend to take a very active part in the preparations·for the ministerial meeting ofGATI in November and for the sixth session of UNCTAD to be held next year at Beigrade. The commitment of Norway to the goals of international development co-operation will·also .6e evident from the decision of my Government to main- tain its official development assistance at the level'of 1 per cent of its gross national product in the: years to come in spite of the economic problems which are facing my country also. ' 91. - Mr. MacEACHEN. (Canada): Mr. ·Presiden.t: may I first associate myself with the congratulatioqs extended to you on your election as President of the General Assembly. . 92. I am very pleased to have the honour once again of addressing the General Assembly after an interval mini~teriallevel in November. We regard this session as a significant test of our collective determination to manag~ an interdependent system. 105. Intense preoccupation with domestic economic concerns also confounds our attempts to persevere with development assistance programmes. What should be our response to the inescapability of shrinking resources? How do we face the difficulties in generating increased development assistance flows? 106. We should all-national donors and mu~tilateral agencies alike-rationalize deployment of available resources for maximum possible effect. The best results can be obtained from this process of com- pulsory selectivity only if donors focus on areas of special national expertise and resources. Canada has chosen to concentrate its efforts in three particular areas which draw upon considerable national experience. These are the food and agricultural area, energy, specifically petroleum exploration, and human resources. Mr. Abuthassan (Kuwait), Vice-Presidell1, took the Chair. 107. Another response to shrinking resources should be to make full and timely use of every opportunity for en~anced co·-operation. In this connection, I am disappointed with the lack of progress made on global 108. Economic problems are all the more vexing and potentially dangerous because t~ey are bound up with serious political instability. Political instability pro- duces consequences extending far beyond the imme- diate region in which conflict has ero}Jted. In a shrinking world local vulnerabilities and tragedies become the common concern of us all.