A/37/PV.64 General Assembly

It would be difficult to over- estimate the loss suffered through the passing of Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, President of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. To give a true account of his lifelong activities is a task best left to historians. With his passing, the world has lost a champion of social justice and progress, a great leader and statesman, a great revolutionary thinker, a devoted fighter for the cause of peace and disarmament, an outstanding man of our time. 2. The peoples of the Soviet Union and the world mourn the death ofthis outstanding politician, who was tied to his people in a thousand ways and who, all through his long and eventful life, served the cause of their material and spiritual well-being. His life was closely connected with the gravest and greatest period of the history of his homeland, the defence of the Soviet Union against foreign invaders. He was closely involved with the reconstruction, with the speedy eco- nomic and cultural development and with the progress of science, which enabled his country to take the first steps in the peaceful use of outer space. 3. He devoted all his energy and his thoughts to the service of his people. Under his leadership and guidance, the Soviet Union has become a decisive factor in international life. In guiding the leading sodalist Power of the Vlorld, he felt responsibility not only for his country and his p~ople, but for the fate of humanity as well. This is what reinforced his energy; this is what enabled him to follow closely all impor- tant events occurring in the world. This he did by giving expression to his sense of realism when he felt that world peace and security and the cause of 'social progress were at stake. 4. His name was inextricably tied to the policy of lasting peace, detente and disarmament in international relations. He maintained and further developed the policy of peaceful coexistence. This policy led in the 19708 to better understanding and strengthened co- operation among nations of different social systems. His activities were inseparable from efforts made to eliminate the danger of war, from international moves aimed at doing away with sources of tension, and from achievements in the acceleration of the process of 6. I express my firm conviction and certitude that the foreign policy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will continue to be guided by his principles, namely, the maintenance of international peace and security, the cause of disarmament, the lessening of international tensions and the furthering of co-opera- tion among all nations. I am also convinced that his country will do everything to uphold the cause of the United Nations, in the service of peace, progress and justice. 7. I now invite represematives to stand and observe one minute of silence in tribute to the memory of Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev.

I now call on the Secretary- General, on the representatives who have asked to speak on behalf of their countries or the group of States they represent, and on the Observer for the Palestine Liberation Organization.

In my capacity as Secretary-General and on my own behalf, I wish to reiterate to the Soviet delegation the heartfelt. condolences I have al- ready conveyed to its Government on the death of Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and General Secretary of the Central Com- mittee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. 10. The Soviet people and the international com- munity have lost a leader who devoted every effort to world detente and to the strengthening ofco-operation among States. His death in these troubled and turbulent times thus deserves to be marked by a new appeal to Member States to renew theircommitment to the objec- tive of peace in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. NEW YORK 24. It was with shock and grief that we learned this morning of the passing of President Leonid Brezhnev, who led his great country for more than 18 years. 25. Born of humble parents in 1906 in the small Ukrainian factory town of Kamenskoye, and after working with his father as a steel-worker as a young man, he managed to study and qualify as an engineer. Leonid Brezhnev became interested in politics and 40. The Argentine Government has already conveyed to the Soviet authorities its condolences and those of my people. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the delegation of Argentina cannot fail to add its own public expression of sorrow at the passing ofPresident Brezhnev. These words are directed in particular to our colleagues in the Soviet delegation to the current ses- sion of the General Assembly, with whom we maintain the best of relations and whose support for Latin American and Argentin~ initiatives in the United Nations deserve our special recognition.

I have the honour to speak on behalfofthe Group ofWestern 46. Mr, MRANI ZENTAR (Morocco) (interpre- tation from Arabic): The Group of Arab States was saddened to learn of the death of Leonid I1yich Brezhnev, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet and General Secretary ofthe Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, who led the .Soviet Union and its people for many years so ably and with such great wisdom and far-sightedness. 47. In expressing its grief at Leonid Brezhnev's death, the Group of Arab States wishes to state that it regards this as a great loss for the Soviet Union and its people and for the entire world. This great leader bore very heavy responsibilities h1 relation to the destiny of his country, and he gave amply of his wisdom by, among other things, sparing the world the horrors of a confrontation between the super-Powers. We are certain that Mr. Brezhnev will go down in history as one of the greatest l~aders of the era and one who made a major contribution to improving rela- tions among peoples in very complicated international circumstances that called for the wisdom, experience and skill that were so characteristic of him. 48. In expressing its griefat this great loss, the Group of Ara.b States recognizes the paramount part played by Leonid Brezhnev in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people to regain its legitimate rights. The Group of Arab States shares the sadness and pain of the people of the Soviet Union and requests the delegations of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian SSR and the Byelorussian SSR to convey its heartfelt condolences to the people of the Soviet Union. We are convinced that a leader will emerge from among the Unio~, the President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev. To- gether with the fraternal Soviet people, the people of the German Democratic Republic mourn the passing of a great statesman of our time, a man who con- tinued the historic work of Vladimir IJyich Lenin. His life was completely devoted to selfless and tire- less creative labour to benefit his own people and country and to serve the cause of the happiness of all people on the earth. 52. Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev won sincere respect in my country as a devoted and close friend who, for the liberation of the German people from fascism, risked what he held most dear-his own life. We shall never forget his personal' contribution to the constant strengthening and development of friendship and co- operation between the German Democratic Republic and the Soviet Union. His visits to my country and numerous personal contacts always left a very deep impression. 53. The name of Leonid Brezhnev will always be intimately linked with efforts to ensure international peace, friendship and co-operation among peoples and States. He had no nobler duty than to do everything possible to preserve p~ace and to save mankind from the tragedy of a new world war and from nuclear annihilation. 54. As a champion ofthis noble cause, he was valued and respected by all those that cherish peace a'S the U::~on I offer the profound sympathy and con- dolences of the Government and people of India.••

The Chairman of the Group of Latin Ameri- can States, the representative of the Republic of Argentina, has _already conveyed the condolences of our group to the delegation of the Soviet Union on the death of comrade Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev. Allow me, however, to add the voice of Cuba on' this sad occasion. 63. With the passing of comrade Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, the Soviet people, the international Com- munist movement and all the progressive and peace- loving peoples have lost one of the most outstanding figures in the world. 64. Born into a working family, himself a worker from adolescence, a militant member of the Com- munist Party from a very early age, a distinguished soldier of the Red Army in the hard and decisive years of the fight against fascism and nazism and a tireless rebuilder ofhis country in the post-war period, he held, because of his achievements, the highest posts in the Soviet Party and State, to the service of which he devoted all his energies in the last 18 years of his life. " 65. Because of his loyalty to the ideas of Marxist- Leninism and proletarian internationalism, his political activities were not limited solely to the struggle for the welfare of the various peoples which 60 years ago founded the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The national liberation movements and the young independent States of Asia, Africa and Latin America had a friend in him, a _comrade ready at all times to give them the assistance and' support they needed. He was the expression of his people and his Party, worthy continuers of the work begun 65 years earlier when the canons of the cruiser Aurora sounded the call for the creation cif a' new world based on the Leninist policy of peace, which he so firmly cham- pioned at the head of his Party and State. 72. The passing of comrade Brezhnev is a grievous loss to the Mongolian people; Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev was a true friend of our people. He always lent a kindly ear to what was said by Mongolia, and he made an invaluable personal contribution to developing and strengthening friendship and comprehensive co- operation between our two fraternal countries, be- tween the Mongolian and Soviet peoples. Our people will always recall what was said by comrade Brezhnev: "For the Soviet people, friendship with the people of Mongoliais a matterofhonourand internationalduty" . 73. My delegation bows its head and pays tribute, with great respect, to the memory of comrade Brez- hnev. His bright image will always remain in the hearts of the Mongolian people.

The delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam learned with deep sorrow of the passing of comrade Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and President of the Presidium 'of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 75. It is extremely difficult to describe in a few words the enormous work done by Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev. The name of comrade Brezhnev, as a worker, soldier and statesman, is inextricably linked with the great achievements of the construction of the communist society in the Soviet Union, the strengthening of relations of friendship' and co- operation among peoples, the struggle of peoples for national independence, the common struggle of the international community for international peace and security, disarmament and detente and the prevention of a nuclear holocaust. In the United Nations, the initiatives of President Brezhnev represent an ines- timable contribution to the realization of the pur- poses and principles of the Charter as a whole and to the cause of decolonization in particular. The voice of President Brezhnev was always raised in support of the just causes of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America fighting against oppression, exploitation and foreign domination and in favour of national liberation and the safe~uarding of the inde- pendence and sovereignty of nations. 76. Comrade, Brezhnev was always a fervent champion of solidarity and co-operation of all kinds between the Soviet Union and Viet Nam. During the years of.hard struggle against wars of aggression and for our national liberation, as well as during the period of post-war national reconstruction, the Viet- namese people always found in comrade Brezhnev a source of encouragement and benefited from his very valuable and effective assistance. 97. Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, who took a personal and active part in the war against Hitler's fascism and in the liberation of Czechoslovakia, was a true friend ofthe Czechoslovak people and enjoyed well-deserved authority and widespread respect in our country. He made a tremendous contribution to strengthening the close ties of friendship and brotherly co-operation between our two countries. In him we have lost someone who devoted all his energy to the cause of strengthening.friendship among all peoples of the earth. All progressive mankind has lost an outstanding figure in the international workers' movement, where his personal contribution is quite properly universally recognized. His approach, as a far-sighted statesman with a very acute sense of responsibility and reality, will occupy an important place in the pages of con- temporary human history. 98. I should like, on behalf of the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the entire Czechoslovak people, and on behalf of the Czecho- slovak delegation at the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly, to express our sincere and deeply felt condolences to the delegations of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Ukrainian Soviet So- cialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and, through them, to the Soviet Government and all our Soviet comrades and friends. 99. The name and memory ofLeonid I1yich Brezhnev will remain for ever in our hearts.

The Algerian delega~ion joins with previous speakers in expressing the profound sorrow with which it learned ofthe death ofLeonid Ilyich Brezhnev, President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.. On this painful occasion, the Algerian delegation conveys its sincere con- dolences and deepest sympathy to the delegation ofthe Soviet Union. 101. The universal tribute that is being paid today to the memory of President Brezhnev bears witness both to the outstanding qualities of the man and to the immensity of his work. The man who has departed from among us, President Brezhnev, was truly an outstanding figure. He was a brave soldier in the Second World War; he'fought nazism and fascism with exemplary heroism. He retained a horror ofwar which explained his actions as a statesman. He \Vas an inspired leader; he was able to impose respect for his country in the international arena while working for 111. As the consistent follower of the Leninist policy of peace, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, throughout his life, and above all since he assumed the leadership of the Party and Soviet State, never ceased to fight for peace, peaceful coexistence, detente and disarma- ment. His many messages and proposals for peace addressed to the United Nations still resound in this Hall. 112. An ardent champion of peace, justice and social progress, Leonid Brezhnev always supporteci the causes of the oppressed peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America in their struggle for national liberation and independence, while devoting his energies at the domestic level to work for scientific and technological progress, as well as the welfare of the Soviet people. 113. It was thanks to the inestimable and effective assistance of the brotherly Soviet people under the enlightened guidance of comrade Brezhnev that the Lao people were able to accomplish their national democratic revolution. The Lao people owe to Leonid Brezhnev and to the great fraternal Soviet people their most profound thanks. My delegation wishes to take the opportunity, on this sad occasion, to convey to the delegation of the Soviet Union, the Byeloruss~an Soviet Socialist Republic and the Ukrainian SovIet Socialist Republic its most sincere condolences.

It is with a feeling of deep grief that we leamed the sad news of the death of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union~ President of the Presidium

It is with profound grief that I extend, on behalf of the Govern- ment and people of the Republic of Suriname, C~>D­ dolences to the Government and people of the Umon of Soviet Socialist Republics on the sudden death of theirgreat leader, Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the C.ommunist Party of the Soviet Union and President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 118. President Rrezhnev led his nation for almost two decades, duririg which he brought pros~erity an? development to his people. In the same penod, PreSJ- dent Brezhnev distinguished himself as a true leader for world peace and detente and helped shape a world !tl which all nations would have a fair chance for development and progress. His policy for co-opera- tion with all nations, especially with the third world, has achieved tangible results and will always be re- membered. 119. President Brezhnev, as the principalleaderofthe East has substantially contributed to the furthering of the pf~ace process, not only between the East and West, but also in other parts of the world. ~e never lost sight of realities, and this distinguished hJm as an outstanding and responsible leader of our con- temporary world. 120. The sudden death ofPresident Brezhney will be felt as a great loss, not only by the people of the Soviet Union, but also by the world. His achieve-

The representative of Kenya, as Chairman of the Group of African States, and the representative of Morocco, as Chairman of the Group of Arab States, have already expressed the con~, dolences of the two regional groups to which my country belongs. In spite of that, I hope the Assembly will permit me, in my personal capacity and on behalf ofthe people ofthe Libyan Arab Jamahir\ya, to express our sympathy. 123. We have learned with great sadness of the passing of President Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the CentraI Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and President of tbe Pre- sidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. On behalf of my delegation, I wish to convey our sincerest con- dolences to the delegation of the Soviet Union and those of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and to the Government and the people of the Soviet Union. 124.. The Soviet Union and the whole world have lost a distinguished hero and an outstanding states- man who devoted himself to the cause of world peace and the independence of peoples and placed his life at the service of his own people. His death represents a great loss not only to the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries, but also to the whole world and all peoples that love peace and freedom. 125. My country, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, a socialist and people's country, maintains relations of friendship and co-operation with the Soviet Union. The leader of our Revolution, Colonel Qaddafi, was linked with President Brezhnev by ties of personal friendship. During President Brezhnev's teriure, ties of friendship were established between our two countries based on respect and friendship as well as for the mutual benefit of our two peoples. 126. At this time, when we share in the sorrow of the Soviet Union, we are profoundly saddened. We are convinced that the policy of the Soviet Union, which opposes imperialism and supports the freedom of peoples, will continue to follow the same course laid down by President Leonid Brezhnev-that of peace, justice and international detente. 127. I had the honour to me~t the late President Brezhnev during Colonel Qaddafi's visit to the Soviet Union. When I was in the Soviet Union as a special envoy, I got to know President Brezhnev well and saw him at close quarters. I was able to admire his total dedication to peace, detente and independence throughout the world. His passing is a great loss for the United Nations and the international community as a whole. 128. I would ask the Soviet delegation to convey our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of President Brezhnev and to the Government and the people of the Soviet Union. 136. However, I wish to add the sentiments of my delegation on behalf of the Government and the people of Nigeria. On this sad occasion of the death of President Brezhnev, I wish to convey, on behalf of the Nigerian delegation to the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly, sincere and heartfelt con- do!~nces to the Government and the people of the Soviet Union. 137. President Brezhnev was a vigorous and staunch supporter of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and of all forms of racial discrimination the world over. To our oppressed brothers and sisters in southern Africa, President Brezhnev was a true comrade-in-arms in their fight against colonialism and for self-determination and independence. It is an acknowledged fact that the successful armed liberation 139. Mr.. ZARIF (Afghanistan): The world has learned with deep sorrow of the sad demise ~,'" a very outstanding leader, Leonid llyich Brezhnev, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. 140. The representative of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, in his capacity as Chairman ofthe Group of Asian States, has spoken on behalf of that Group td, express our condolences. However, the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan would like to add its own voice on this very sad occa- sIon. 141. President Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, a staunch fighter for the cause of peace and detente, devoted his entire life to the service of the great land of the Soviets and in support of all just causes of the peo- ples of the world. Under his wise and consistent leadership, the Soviet people achieved steady and remarkable successes in the field of socio-economic development of their country. As a responsible and' courageous leader, he guided the struggle of the people of the Soviet Union in defending peace in the world and promoting disarmament and co-operation. As initiator of the major' peace plans and proposals, he greatly· contributed to the reduction of tension in international relations and the strengthening of the security of small nations. 142. The people of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan have lost a great friend and a loyal comrade. They share in the grief of the Soviet people and are determined to maintain and strengthen further the bonds of friendship and fraternity which characterized the relations between our two nations during the tenure of office of President Leofiid Brezhnev. " 143. On behalf of the people and Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and its delega- tion to the thirty-seventh session, we express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Permanent .Missions of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic to the United Nations,"to their delegations to the thirty-seventh ses- sion and to the Government and people of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. ne~d -to make progress towards. disarmament. The peace programmes adopted.at previous congresses of the Communist Party ofthe Soviet Union beareloquent witness to that. o 146. We Hungarians are particularly saddened at the death of comrade Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, because that eminent Soviet statesman was always a great friend of the Hungarian people. He made a number of trips to Hungary, which were always characterized by his particular interest in the tasks of socialist construction within Hungarian society. He followed with unflagging attention the results of that difficult work. The large-scale co-operation th~t grew between our two countries and the high-level meetings between Soviet and Hungarian leaders were always impor- tant occasions, very beneficial and useful for the exchange of ideas and experiences and for strength- ening the links of friendship between our two peoples of socialist States. 147. We have in our memory the image of Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev as he was: a fRr-sighted politician, the leader of a powerful peace-loving State, and one who appreciated and understood the particular prob- lems involved in the complex work of building a new society. 1~~8. Once again, I should like to express to the Soviet delegation, as well as to the delegations of the Ukrai- nian SSR and the Byelorussian SSR, and through them to all the peoples of the Soviet Union, our profound feelings of condolence and solidarity.

The United Republic ot" Tanzania has received with deep grief the Rad news of the passing of President Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, General Secretary of the .Central .Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. My Government has already expressed, both in Oar es Salaam and in Moscow, its deep sorro~ and that of the people of Tanzania on this irreparable loss. 150. The representative of Kenya, Chairman of the Group of African States, has already spoken on behalf of African delegations. However, allow me on behalf of my delegation to express our heartfelt condolences to the delegation of the Soviet Union, now with us in the General Assembly ~ 154. During his leadership, the Soviet. Union was instrumental in ushering in at the intemationallevel the policy of detente. This policy, which redeemed the world from the darkness of the cold war, has con- tinued to offer a viable framework within which peacefui relations among the nations of t~e world, and especially the nuciearPowers, can be consolidated. Detente, as a policy of partnership in the consolida- tion of peace in the world, has over the years been the only protection against the resurgence of the politics of cold war and possible world disaster. President Brezhnev will therefore be remembered for the role he played in the strengthening of that policy. 155. In referring to the role President Brezhnev played in the search for and maintenance of peace --indeed, the avoidance of a possible world disaster- I can do no better than use the words of my President in his message of condolence to the Government and people of the Soviet Union. He said: •.When history comes to be written by our descendants, much credit will go to comrade Brezhnev for the avoidance of that disaster. The Peace Prize he was awarded in 1973 was an expres- sion of appreciation and also an expression of the longing for peace 'which gripped peoples every- where." 156. At the bilateral level, my country t the .,United Republic of Tanzania, has, since President Brezhnev peopl~ of the Soviet Union. My delegation wishes to join with all the other delegations in expressing profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the delegations ofthe Byelonissian SovietSocialist Repub- lic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Re'publics. beca~e relations of deep friendship and co-operation tions for many years until they reached the dis- in many fields, to the mutual benefit to our peoples. tinguished stage they are at now. 178. We extend our sincere condolences to the dele- "People struggling for freedom and a world gation of the Soviet Union, and through it to the governed by justice will mourn the loss of comrade people and Government of the Soviet Union and to the Brezhnev, a faithful friend and a strong rT\ilitant, 188. Quite recently, in fact in September of this year, during the visit of the Secretary-General to Moscow, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev spoke of the impor- tant role of the United Nations and of the urgent need to intensify the efforts to achieve its principal goal, the elimination of the threat of war. He pointed out that mankind faced as never before the urgent need to put an end to the arms race and to proceed to measures of real disarmament. Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev emphasized that the Soviet Union supports th~ United Nations in its efforts towards strength- ening peace and international security and developing co-operation among States, pursuant to the Charter of the United Nations. 189. The message issued today by the Central Com- mittee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Council of Min- isters of the Soviet Union to the Communist Party and the Soviet people reads as follows: . "The domestic and foreign policy of the Com- munist Party of the Soviet Union formulated under the guidance of Leonid fIyich Brezhnev will be pursued in future with consistency and with firm- ness. The unswerving will of the Soviet people is for peace. It is not the preparation for war, dooming peoples to a senseless squandering of material and intellectual resources, but the strengthening of peace which is the key to the future. This noble idea permeates the Peace Programme for the 1980s, and all foreign policy activities of the Party and of the Soviet State. The policy of peace reflects the deep.,. seated and vital interests of mankind, therefore in it lies the future." The meeting rose at 6.25 p.m.