A/37/PV.69 General Assembly

I now invite the Assembly to ttlrn its attention to the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 17 (b) [A/37/512]. In paragraph 4 of that report, the Fifth Committee recommends that the General Assembly should appoint the following persons as members of the Committee on Contribu- tions for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1983: Mr. Andrzej Abraszewski, Mr. Nobutoshi Akao, Mr. Mohammed Sadiq AI-Mahdi, Mr. Ramed Arabi El Houderi, Mr. Richard V. Hennes and Mr. Zoran Lazarevic. May I take it that it is the wish of the As- sembly to adopt that recommendation?

I now invite representatives to mm to the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 17 (c) [A/37/513]. In paragraph 4 of that report, the Fifth Committee recommends that the General Assembly should appoint the Set,10r President of the Audit Office of Belgium as a member of the Board of Auditors for a three-year term beginning on 1 July 1983. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to adopt that recommendation? 10. I commend to the General Assembly the various: reports and recommendations of the Fifth Committee which I have had the honour to introduce. Pursuant to rule 66 v/the rules ofprocedure, it was decided not to discuss the reports of the Fifth Com- mittee.

The Assembly will now consider the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 102 [A/37/533]. The Assembly will now take a decision on the recommendation of the Fifth Com- mittee, in paragraph 7 of that report, which consists of a draft resolution that the Committee adopted

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of

The General Assembly will now consider the rei'o~ of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 108, 109, 8 (b) and 12 [A/37/605]. 19. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions A to E recommended by the Fifth Com- mittee in par~.~aph 36 ofits report. Draft resolution A, entitled "Report of the Committee on Conferences", was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do like- wise? Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 37//4 A).

Draft resolution ·B is entitled "Secretariat organization for United Nations special conferences". The Assembly will now vote on that draft resolution. Draft resolution B was adopted by 136 votes to none (resolution 37/14 B).

Draft resolution E js entitled "Electronic equipment in the conference rooms at United Nations Headquarters". It also was adopted by consensus in the Fifth Committee. May I take it that the Assembly adopts draft reRolution E?

We turn now to part I Qf the report of the Fifth CommEttee on agenda itell' 110 [A/371617]. 25. I put to the vote the draft decision recommended by th~ Fifth Committee in paragraph 1J. of its report. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, China, ColQmbia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czecholiiovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Dji- bouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethio,pia, Fiji, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Gre- nada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hon- duras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon~ Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamabiriya, Mada- gascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay~ Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda,' Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Somalia, SriLanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Carneroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia. Against: Belgium, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, F\~deral Republic of, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Abstaining: Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, PapuaNew Guinea, SierraLeone, Singapore, Sweden, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugosla.via.

I call on the representative of Kenya to introduce draft resolution A/37/L.14.

I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/37/L.14 on behalf of the sponsors, members of the Organization of African Unity [OAU]. 28, In introducing this draft resolution, Africa wishes to underscore the importance it attaches to the Unit~d Nations and its principles and purposes, and to reaffirm its faith and commitment to the Charter of the United Nations as the best way to maintain inter- national peace and security and .to promote the eco- nomic and social development of nations. 29. Like previous resolutions of the United Nations on co-operat~on between the United Nations and the OAU, in the present draft resolution, the General Assembly takes note of the resolutions, decisions and dechirations udopted by the OAU on the promo- tion of c.u..operation between the two organizations and, further, it noies with satisfaction the continued co-operatio'l between the two bodies. In it, the As- sembly draws the attention of the United Nations to urgent and priority problem:s on the African continent. In this respect, problems such as the special needs of newly independent African States and the adverse effects on African economies of the current interna- tional economic situation are ofserious concern. In the draft resolution, the Assembly recognizes the need for closer co-operation between the OAU and all organs, specialized agencies and other bodies of the United Nations system in efforts to solve these pr"blems. Further, the Assembly addresses itself to many other area~ of s~rious concern to Africa, such as the refugee situation on that continent and the increasing need for international assistance. 30. Other priority is~ues addressed include the deteriorating situation in southern Africa arising from tiu~ continued domination of the peoples of the area by the minority racist regime of South Africa, and the need to provide increased assistance to the people of the area in their struggle against colonialism, racial dic::crimination and apartheid. The Assembly calls for haUre concerted efforts in the international arena to rid southern Africa of these evils. 31. In this context, we expect and request the Sec- retary-General to continue to take the necessary measures, as he has been doing in the past, to strengthen ~o-operation at the political, economic, cultural and administrative levels between the United Nations and the OAU, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, particularly with regard to the provision of assistance to the victims of colonialism and apartheid in southern Africa. 32. In condusion, the draft resolution, as in previous years, reflects positions already adopted in var.\lUS other resolutions of the Assembly. Therefore, it is the hope of the sponsors that the draft resolution will be adopted by the Assembly by acclamation. 38. Clearly, vigilance, sound priorities and a sense of relevance are required to enable the United Nations Secretariat to phase out programmes as they are no longer needed and to eliminate duplication am! waste at the same time as we undertake new efforts. 45'. The member States of the European Com- munity remain firmly convinced that African problems can best be settled by means of Mrican solutions so that Mrican countries may be able freely to de- termine their own future within the framework of tbe OAU and without outside interference. 46. We reaffirm our support for the work of mem- ber countries of the OAU in consolidating their national independence in the economic and political spheres. The Ten wish to co-operate to the fullest 51. The birth of free Africa has been a difficult process. It has been hindered by the United States and other imperialist countries which have interfered in Mrican affairs. Those Powers are openly pursuing colonialist and neo-colonialist policies aimed at sowing dissension and hostility ht~tween the African countries and dividing the OAU in order to bolster the racist regime in the Republic of South Mrica because that regime is not only the guardian of racism but also the striking force of international imperialism, a weapon for aggression against neighbouring African countries and a tool in the struggle against the Mrican national liberation movements. Imperialist circles are trying to involve Africa in a network of military bases in order to use the territory of that continent for the aggres- sive purposes of the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- nization [NATO]. Imperialist forces are also very active on the economic front.. They continue to main- tain African countries in 'bondage by constantly exploiting their natural wealth. 52. We are convinced that the encroachmer..ts on the sovereignty of the countries of Africa can be success- fully rebuffed, provided those countries close their ranks, are united in defending their rights and are able to rely on the solidarity and support of all anti-impe- rialist forces of the present-day world. 53. As far as the Soviet Union is concerned, our position is quite clear and consistent. We are in favour of an African continent. of national independence, peace and good-neighbourliness, of a flourishing African continent. We fully support the c~mplete elimination of the remnants ofcolonialism and racism. 72. Furthermore, we share the abhorrence of apartheid which is expressed throughout the resolu- tion. We have often made it clear, and we will con- tinue to make it clear, that racism in all its manifesta- tions is totally contrary to our most fundamental national values. 73. At this time, I wish to state our other non- financial reservations on this resolution. With regard to the seventh and eighth preambular paragraphs and paragraph 10, which deal with the Lagos Plan of Action, we wish to point out that this Plan was the product of negotiations to which the United States and many other countries were not party. It represents only the views of Mrican States and does not neces- sarily represent the views of the United Nations as a body or the views of its other Member States. Also, we wish to make clear that the reference in the thirteenth preambular paragraph and paragraph 11 to "acts of aggression" can in no sense override the discretion of the Security Council in exercise of its responsibilities under Article 39 of the Charter of the United Nations. 74. Finally, I wish to emphasize our most serious objections to the twelfth preambular paragraph and to paragraph 20 of the resolution. We pointed out at the thirty-sixth session, in our statement on this agenda item, that: " ... it is totally inappropriate for the United Nations or for any of its specialized agencies to channel United Nations funds through liberation movements. The attempt to identify Unit~d Nations specialized agencies with political groups and causes seriously interferes with and undermines the effec- tiveness of those agencies in performing the iloble [eCnnlcal and humanitarian functions for which they were established... To politicize [these agencies] not only endangers their overall effectiveness; but also seriously jeopardizes American support for the United Nations." [See 90th meeting, para. 72.] 75. As is made clear in the report of the Secretary- General on co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU, of which this resolution takes note, United Nations assistance to liberation movements has continued during the past year and appears to have increased. We expect to have more to say about this matter when the Assembly considers the draft resolution on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Coun- tries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and

Section D of chapter III of the report of the Economic and Social Council [A/37/ 3], which was allocated to the plenary Assembly, refers to an International Year of Peace and an International Day of Peace. In connection with that section, the General Assembly has before it a draft resolution entitled "International Year of Peace" [A/37/L.24 and Add./]. 80. I call on the representative of Costa Rica, who will introduce th~ draft resolution. 81. . Mr. ZUMBADO JIMENEZ (Costa Rica) (inter- pretation from Spanish): At its thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly decided by consensus to ask the Economic and Social Council to declare an Inter- national Year of Peace [resolution 36/67]. The Coun- cil, 8t its spring session this year, also by consensus, adopted resolution 1982/15 in which it recommended that the General Assembly solemnly proclaim the year 1986 Intemational Year of Peace. 82. Experience shows that one of the main objec- tives setforth in the Charterofthe United Nations-the maintenance of peace-has been one of the most elusive. We must recognize that, very much to our regret, peace continues to be a goal instead of an achievement. We must intensify our efforts to lay the foundations for the eventual attainment of that goal. 83. Our delegation, like the other delegations spon- soring draft resolution A/37/L.24 and Add.l, believe's that in ensorsing the recommendation ofthe EconomiC and Social Council establishing a specific period of time for the international community to focus its attention on peace, the General Assembly would be giv!ng l~fe to the spiri~ of the Chart~r, whi~h inspires and guides the work of the Organization. We would thus contribute to bringing about the necessary con- ditions for deep and continuous thought about the prevailing conditions that impede efforts in favour repr~sentatives who wish to explain their positions. 88. Miss PUHEK (United States of America): My delegation joined in the consensus on draft resolution A/37/L.24 and Add.l, because of our profound com- mitment to world peace and our hope that the Inter- national Year of Peace will contribute to that end. 89. We have every expectation that, in preparing the draft programme and budget for that Year, the Secretary-General will ensure that the financial requirements conform to the guidelines laid down by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1980/67,--especiaHy paragraph 13 of the annex- concerning international years and anniversaries. The need for fiscal responsibility in this, as in all other areas, cannot be over-emphasized by my Government. 90. Mr. MATHEWSON (United Kingdom): My delegation was pleased to join in the consensus on draft resolution A/37/L.24 and Add.l, which we have just adopted. 91. In our statement in the Economic and Social Council in April of this year,4 my delegation fully' explained its commitment to the oQjective of the proposal contained in the resolution that we have just adopted-namely, the mobilization of international opinion in the cause of peace. As we said then, there is no more important or urgent task for the interna- tional community. 92. There is, however, another aspect to that reso- lution upon which my delegation feels obliged to comment. As the resolution acknowledges, the procedure for international years was laid down by the Economic and Social Council. Those guidelines were adopted without a vote by the Council and were endorsed by the General Assembly [decision 351424]. As my delegation had occasion to repeat in the Third Committee, we believe that resolutions of the Eco- nomic and Social Council, especially when adopted by consensus, should be applied. It is clear that this proposal for an International Year of Peace in 1986 does not meet all the guidelines of the Council on such years. 93. Our support for the resolution is on the under- standing that it should be a unique exception to the guidelines of the Council. Furthermore, my delegation believes that the International Year of Peace should involve no additional expenditure from the "regular budget of the United Nations. This aspect would, NOTES 1 The delegationsofBangladesh,Boliviaand Ugandasubsequently informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour of the draft resolution. 2 The delegations of Bangladesh and Uganda subsequently informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour of the draft decision. 3 The delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic subsequently informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against the amendment.