A/37/PV.74 General Assembly

I should like to propose that the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed today at 12 noon. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the Assembly adopts that proposal. It was so decided. 2. The PRESIDENT: I invite the Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independeace to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Mr. Farouk Adhami of the Syrian Arab Republic, to present the report of the Special Committee. 3. Mr. ADHAMI (Syrian Arab Republic), Rap- porteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation ofthe Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples: I have the honour to present to the 3eneral Assembly the report of the Special Com- mittee covering its work during the year 1982 [A/37/ 23/Rev.l]. The report, which relates, inter alia, to item 18 of the agenda, is submitted in accordance with paragraph 12 of resolution 36/68, by which the General Assembly requested the Special Committee to continue to seek suitable means for the immediate and full implementation of General Assembly resolu- tion 1514 (XV) in all Territories that had not yet attained independence and, in particular, to formulate specific proposals for the elimination of the remaining manifestations of colonialism. 4. An account of the Committee's examination of the situation in individual territories is set out in chapters IX to XXVIII of the present report. An account of the Special Committee's consideration of the other specific items referred to it in the relevant GenerafAssembly resolutions is set out in chapters I to VIII. 5. As in previous years, the programme of work of the Special Committee has been heavy in 1982. Having met between January and August and held both officiaL and unofficial consultations among mem- bers throughout the period, the Committee gave ade- quate consideration to and submitted recoml1.1en- NEW YORK dations on most of the items on its agenda. As regards the remaining items, the Committee decided to trans- mit to the General Assembly information which should facilitate their consideration at the current session. 6. In the course of its work during the year the Spe- cial Committee, bearing in mind in particular the specific request addressed to it by the General As- sembly in resolution 36/68, reviewed the implemen- tation of the Declaration, as well as of the various United Nations resolutions relating to the remaining Territories. On the basis of the review and in the light of developments, the Committee formulated recom- mendations for the application offurther measures by States, by the competent Un}ted Nations organs and by the specialized agencies and other organizations within the United Nations system, with a view to accelerating the pace of decolonization and the politi- cal, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples concerned. 7. During the year the Special Committee con- tinued, in accordance with resolution 36/51, its study of the activities of foreign economic and other interests which are impeding the implementation of the Declaration in Namibia and in all other terri- tories under colonial domination and efforts to elimi- nate colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination in southern Mrica. The Fourth Committee has endorsed the recommendation of the Special Com- mittee on this question [see A/37/624, para. 10], which the Assembly will consider and take action upon at its plenary meeting tomorrow afternoon. 8. In the light of the relevant provisions of resolu- tions 36/62, 36/63 and 36/68, the Committee con- tinued its consideration of the military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration which might be impeding the implementation of the Declaration and adopted a decision on this question [see A/37/23/Rev.l, chap. IV, para. 11]. Further, under the terms of the relevant provisions of resolution 36/52, the Committee also continued its examination of the implementation of the Declaration by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations. 9. As members will have noted from the relevant chapters of the Committee's report now before the Assembly, the Special Committee also devoted con- siderable attention during the year to the decolo- nization of the small Territories, and in that regard it approved a number of concrete recommendations and proposals concerning individual Territories. The importance which the Special Committee attaches to this question was clearly echoed, I might add, in the debate whi.ch the Fourth Committee recently concluded on this aspect of the implementation of the Declaration, as a result of which the Fourth 1227 A/37/PV.74 16. The General Assembly might also wish to renew its appeal to all States, the specialized agencies and other organizations within the United Nations system to comply with the various requests addressed to them by the United Nations in its resolutions on the question of decolonization. 17. As Members are aware, the modified title of the Week of Solidarity, as set out ,in chapter I, para- graph 100, has been brought to the attention of the Gener~l As~em~ly by the C~airman of the· Special CommIttee In hIS letter addressed to the President of the General Assembly [A/37/594]. I hope that this sug- gestion will likewise receive the support of the As- sembly. 18. As Members will have noted from the report of the Special Committee, in pursuance of para- graph .31 of General Assembly decision 34/401 of 29 November 1979, by which the Assembly recom- mended that subsidiary organs reporting to the General Assembly should make every effort to submit draft resolutions in order to facilitate the consideration of the items, the Special Committee decided this year to submit to the Assembly, where possible, draft resolutions or decisions, to assist the work of the Fourth Committee. Taking into account the achieve- ment of the Fourth Committee in that connection, . I can state with confidence that this practice has worked out very well in facilitating the work of the Assembly. 19. In conclusion, the Special Committee recom- mends that, in approving the programme of work outlined in section S of the report, the General As- sembly should also make adequate financial provisions to cover the activities envisaged by the Committee for 1983. The Committee expresses the hope that the Secretary-General will continue to provide it with all the facilities and personnel necessary for the discharge of its mandate. 20. On behalf of the Special Committee, I commend the report to the General Assembly for its serious consideration. 21. As Rapporteur of the Special Committee, I have had the privilege and honour of working under the guidance of its Chairman, Mr. Frank Abdulah, repre- sentative of Trinidad and Tobago. We have all bene- fited from his outstanding competence and expertise, which have set a standard of which we are proud. We have all been inspired by his devotion and dedi- cation. That is why it is with a sense of deep regret that I have learned that Mr. Abdulah will be leaving us shortly for another post. I take this opportunity to say to Mr. Abdulah that we will all miss him. We extend to him our warmest good wishes for con- tinuous success and good health in time to corite. 24. To some it may seem as if the Committee's work this year lacked some ofthe spectacular qualities of that done at its previous sessions. There were no colonial Territories acceding to independence or meetings away from Headquarters. Nevertheless, the year witnessed some useful achievements, con- cerning which the Committee can deservedly feel satisfaction. 25. It is not my intention to refer at this time to the many positive accomplishments and decisions taken by the Committee during this session. We in the Special Committee, by the very nature of our responsibilities, cannot afford to indulge in an ex.er- cise of self-congratulation, whatever our achieve- ments. Indeed, nothing would please me more than to limit my statement to an account of achievements in the process of decolonization over the past years. It would, however, be wrong of us to over-emphasize that progress, for that could lead to complacency that would be prejudicial to the future. A long struggle still lies ahead before the United Nations will have entirely discharged the obligation placed upon it by the Declaration and the Charter. 26. Aware that ultimate implementation of the Declaration was being increasingly frur ~rated by the serious developments relating to Namibia, the Special Committee has intensified its consideration of the question of Namibia. As the Assembly has, for rea- sons of which we are all aware, scheduled its con- sideration of the question of Namibia for the week beginning 13 December, we will have a further oppor- tunity to examine and expound various important aspects of this critical issue. Accordingly, I shall confine my remarks at this stage to a broad over- view of the general aspects of decolonization under the present item. 27. When I spoke at the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly [72i;d meeting], I stated that the commitment demonstrated by alLconcerned to bringing about a peaceful transition in Namibia and the nego- tiations conducted to secure an intemationally accept- able solution as endorsed in Security Council decisions were to be noted with satisfaction. I expressed the hope that those initiatives would lead to an end to 28. Today, a year later, we are confronted with a further deterioration of the situation. Instead of hope, there is further despair; instead of the p-Dspect of an end to violence, there is an ominous threat of a mas- sive escalation of violence: all this because South Africa has chosen, and is in many ways permitted, to defy the world. 29. As the apartheid regime continues to cling to its illegal occupation of the international Territory of Namibia, the Special Coinmittee has reaffirmed its declared position that, in view of the continued refusal of the South Mrican authorities to comply with the demands of the international community, their persistent use of force to perpetuate their illegal domination of the Territory and their repeated acts of aggression agamst their neighbours, the full and effective application of measures under Chapter VII of the Charter remains the key to the restoration of peace, justice and ireedom to the people of Na- mibia. The Committee thus strongly recommends once again that the Security Council, in the light of the serious threat to international peace and security posed by South Mrica, respond positively to the over- whelming demand of the international community by imposing forthwith comprehensive sanctions against that country. 30. Any further delay in the solution of the problem of Namibia serves only to aggravate the already tragic suffering of the people concerned, adversely affects and hinders friendly relations among States and is detrimental to the cause of peace and stability- in southern Africa. It is particularly regrettable that because of selfish economic considerations, certain States contribute to the continued existence of this problem by taking an active part in exploitation of the Territory. The support given to the racist minority regime by those countries and by individuals and corporations, so consumed by greed and the appeal of easy and colossal profits, hampers the struggle for liberation of the people of Namibia and strengthens their oppressor in its inhuman policies. I should like, therefore, to underscore once again the urgent need for the cessation of an such collaboration with South Africa, if we are to succeed in relieving the suffering people of Namibia from such harsh and repressive racist domination. 31. At the same time, I should also like tosiress the importance of extending increased international support and assistance to the people of the Territory and their national liberation movement, the South West Africa Pc-~ple's Organization [SWAPO], whose future we have taken into our hands. Should we further hesitate in bringing full and effective force to bear on their oppressors, we shall have betrayed the sacred trust we undertook to enable them to exercise their inalienable right to freedom and inde- pendence. For its part, the Special Committee will not be deterred in its efforts to assfst the people m~ttee was ~lso able this year to dispatch a Visiting Mission to MontserraI, under United Kingdom admin- ~ntend5, with the necessary co-operation of the administering Powers, to continue to dispatch such missions as and when appropriate. 37. Another aspect of the economic development of dependent Territories which has continued to engage the concern of the Special Committee is the part played by fm'eign economic and other interests whish are impeding the implementation of the Decla- ration in those Territories. Emphasis was placed during the year on a study of the impact of transna- tional corporations operating in Namibia, and the Committee concluded that their relentless exploitation of human and material resources had denied the Namibian people the means of effective participation in the economic life and the enjoyment of the re- sources of their country, and that the activities of these multinational compani\~s contributed to the already serious obstacles in the way of the realiza- tion of their aspiration to freedom and independence. I should like ~herefore to address an earnest appeal to those Member States which have not taken all pos- ~'ible measures to ensure the cessation ofsuch activities by the transnational corporations under their juris- diction. 38. Reference should also be made to another category of problems to which the Special Com- mittee has given careful consideration during the year. These relate to Territories which either are the subject of conflicting claims to sovereignty or are of special interest to some Governments by reason of geographical, historical or other circumstances. The primary objective of the United Nations in rela- tion to these Territories remains constant. This objective is the full application of the Declaration, taking into consideration the need to facilitate the peaceful resolution of divergent claims and interests through negotiations, mutual accommodation and good will. 39. During the year under review, the Special Com- mittee also gave intensified consideration and attention to the dissemination of information on decolonization. The Committee has sought the assistance of the Department of Public Information as a means of furthering the aims and purposes of the Declaration and of intensifymg the Organization's efforts in effecting the widest possible dissemination of informa- lion on all aspects of the decolonization process. While many ofthe activities undertaken by the Depart- ment of Public Information through publications, radio and television have been an invaluable element in our efforts to mobilize world public opinion in support of the peoples concerned, the activities under- taken so far are admittedly far from adequate. Ac- cordingly, the Committee has requested the Sec- retary-General to take further concrete measures through all the me~r'\s available to him, inclqding among other things, reinforcing the publicity arms of 56. In recalling the impressive number of countries which havejoined the ranks offree nations in the recent past, I should not wish to convey the impression that all is well or to suggest that we could rest on our laurels. That is som~thing which we cannot in all conscience afford to do. For even while the community of sovereign States has multiplied rapidly in number and the classical form of colonialism slowly becomes consigned to history, new manifestations of colo- nialism rear their ugly heads. Moreover, forces are still at work, particularly in southern Africa and in the Middle East, which attempt to stem, if not reverse, the tide of history. It is indeed ironic and a matter of shame to most of us that today, 16 years after Na- mibiawas declared a direct trust ofthe United Nations, ' that Territory continues to remain under the illegal· and oppressive control of the racist Pretoria regime. It is equally unfortunate that for the brave people of Palestine, the restitution of their homeland and the establishment of an independent State of their own still remains only a dream. Even though the question of Palestine is not officially considered a decoloniza- tion issue by the United Nations, it cannot, we believe, be totally divorced froln the colonial context. 58. As I stated earlier, there can be no doubt that the moving force behind the process of decolonization is m:lll himself. It is the invincibility of the human spirit that is the backbone of every liberation move- ment. Be that as it may, we cannot gainsay the role in this process played by the United Nations since its very inception. Over the years, and particularly since the adoption of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) in 1960 containing the historic Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Coun- tries and Peoples, the United Nations has served to keep decolonization in the focus of international attention and can claim an impressive record in the qcest for decolonization. Particular credit must be given to the Special Committee on decolonization, or the Special Committee of 24, as it is more famil- iarly known, which has striven tirelessly for over two decades to focus attention on territories and peoples still under foreign domination, to safeguat~ and promote the interests of those territories and peo- ples and, ultimately, to see them emerge into free existence. As a member of the Special Committee, India has had occasion to follow its work closely, as well as to work in close co-operation with others on it. We remain firmly committed to the ideals and objectives for which it stands, as well as its decisions. 59. In referring to the Special ('ommittee, I should be remiss if I were not to add a word of tribute to its Chairman, Mr. Frank Abdulah of Trinidad and Tobago. It is with sadness that we have learned of Mr. Abdulah's impending departure from New York to take up his new assignment in London. He has guided the deliberations of the Special Committee with scrupulous fairness and quiet competence. He has amply demonstrated his deep personal dedication to the cause of decolonization. We have been the richer for his presence and for the benefit of his wise counsel. We shall be sorry to see him go, but we should like him to know that he will carry with him our best wishes for the future. 60. While we are paying tribute, I should also take a moment to salute another individual who, by dint of his dedication to the cause of decolonization and his hard labours in that direction, merits our praise.. Issoufou Djermakoye, Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Poiitical Affairs, Trusteeship and Decolonization, retires from active service at the end of next month. To him, too, we extend our best wishes. 71. The success of the national liberation movement in recent decades and the efforts of the international community to ensure the implementation of the Declaration are extremely impressive. But colo- nialism and racism have not been finally eliminated. The problem of the complete elimination of the remaining vestiges of colonialism and racism in the 73. In southern Africa the racist regime of South Africa, in spite of numerous United Nations resolu- tions, continues its illegal occupation of Namibia, rapaciously exploiting the mineral and human re- sources of that Territory, and attempts to stifle the national .liberation movement of the people of Na- mibia, under the leadership of its sole legitimate rep- resentative, SWAPO. It is attempting to resolve the problem of Namibia on a neo-colonialist basis. South Mrica's continuing occupation of Namibia is a direct result of the complicity with the South African racists of the Western Powers who are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], primarily the United States. 74. The policy and practice of apartheid, as carried out by the South African racists, are particularly alarming and a source of special concern to the States Members of the United Nations. That bastion of colonialism and racism in the southern part of the Mrican continent is a constant source of tension and conflict. In South Africa the indigenous Afrkan popu- lation is subject, on its own native soil, to numerous racial restrictions, cruel exploitation, terror and repression. 75. Thanks to the political, economic and military assistance it receives from a numberofWestern States, primarily the United States and other NATO coun- tries, as well as from their transnational monopolies, the racist regime in Pretoria continues to pursue its inhuman policy of apartheid. Using the illegally occupied Territory of Namibia, the South African racist regime perpetrates acts of aggression against neighbouring independent African States, par- ticularly Angola, and, relying on broad and com- prehensive support from the NATO countries, it is stepping up its military and nuclear potential, which poses a constant threat to peace and security in southern Africa and throughout the world. 76. The situation in which the South African racists simply disregard the decisions of the United Nations must be brought to an end. In this connection we support the demands of the African countries that it is essential for the Security Council to enact compre- hensive mandatory sanctions against the Pretoria regime in accordance with Chapter VII of the Charter of the UiJited Nations. It is essential for all States to comply with the embargo established by the Security Council, on the supply of weapons to South Africa, and to put an end to their co-operation with South Mrica in the political, economic and military, in- cluding the nuclear, fields. The Security Council should take steps to prevent access by South Africa to the possession of nuclear weapons. 80. The United Nations demands that the colonial Powers put an end to this military activity, which is against the principles of the Charter and the Declara- tion, and that they immediately and unreservedly do away with their bases and military posts in colo- nial Territories and refrain from setting up any new military bases or establishments. However, these requirements of the United Nations have not been fulfilled. 81. The United States has recently hastily carried out a plan which it had long been hatching to annex Micronesia and has turned that Territory into a mili- tary and strategic bastion for Washington in the western part of the Pacific. The -lawless actions of the United States in dismembering that Territory ~nd imposing upon parts of it neo-colonialist forms of dependence, and the militarization of the Territory, have created a serious threat to the security of peoples, not only in Micronesia but also in the countries of Asia and Oceania adjacent to that part of the world. 82. The question of the fate of Micronesia is an inseperably integral part of the overall problem of decolonization and ensuring that colonial countries and peoples genuinely enjoy their right to self-determina- tion and independence. Itshould therefore remain wit~­ in the focus of United Nations attention until the Micronesian peoples exercise this right in full. This problem cannot be, nor should it be, arbitrarily and unilaterally resolved by the United States in._ cir- cumvention of the Security Council and in violation 86. The main prerequisite for a successful struggle against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, and a reliable guarantee of the victory of the national liberation cause, is at the present time unity of action and militant solidarity among the peoples of Mrica. Asia and Latin America, the peoples of the socialist countries and, indeed, democratic forces throughout the world. 87. In December ofthis year the people ofour Soviet country will celebrate the sixtieth anniversal'"y of the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This glorious jubilee is convincing proof of the signal success of the Leninist national policy of the Com- munist Party of the Soviet Union and the brotherly friendship of all nations and nationalities in our 88. The Soviet Union has constantly supported the struggle of the peoples of Africa for their national liberation and against imperialism, colonialism, racism and apartheid. We shall continue to lend support to the just struggle of the peoples of Namibia, under the leadership of their sole authentic representative, SWAPO, to achieve freedom and to settle the Na- mibi~n problem immediately in full conformity with the decisions of the United Nations. The Soviet Union regards interaction in the world arena with the liber- ated countries of Africa as an important factor in contemporary international relations. We shall con- sistently pursue a policy of developing co-operation with the liberated countries and of strengthening our alliance with the national liberation movements. In view of our fundamental position, therefore, the Soviet Union has given and will continue to give comprehensive assistance and support to peoples still in colonial servitude in their struggle for freedom and independence, until the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples is fully implemented.

For many years now the issue of the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples has been inscribed on our agenda. Full attention and serious conc~rn have been devoted to this very important issu by the Organization, at various levels and in different forms. The remarkable contribution of the United Nations to the attainment of independence by the peoples of many colonial Territories has yielded positive results. Since the General Assembly's adop- tion of the Declaration, more than 70 million people have attained independence and nearly 60 new States have become Members of the Organization, many of them from the Mrican continent. Last year we had the opportunity to welcome to the Assembly the representatives of Vanuatu, Belize and Antigua and Barbuda, countries which 3.fter many years attained their independence and became full Members of the United Nations. 90. However, the final purpose has not J,'et been achieved. Colonialism and racist oppression persist in various parts of our trou:'led world. What was for many centuries the most brutal lQrm of exploitation has left its remnants in southern Africa, Namibia, 95. Notwithstanding the retreat of colonialism in other parts of the world, it has continued to exist in the most abhorrent form in southern Africa and par- ticularly in Namibia. The decolonization process that has been established in different parts of our universe remains overshadowed by the tragic situation in Namibia, where the racist Pretoria regime persists in its efforts to maintain its rule over the illegally occupied Territory of Namibia and preserves its deplorable system of racial discrimination, segrega- tion and violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 96. We in Cyprus, as victims of the same evils of segregation and violation of human rights practised by the forces of invasion and occupation, fully under- stand the plight of the oppressed people of Namibia. As the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Spyros Kyprianou, has stated many times from this rostrum, the Cyprus Government will continue its consistent support for the just struggle of the Na- mibian people, under the leadership of their national liberation movement, SWAPO, until the total libera- tion and independence of Namibia as a whole are achieved. As the President has said: 97. South Africa's persistent contempt ,for the United Nations is not unprecedented. In the Middle East we are experiencing the same policy of coloniza- tion-illegal occupation of Arab lands, genocide of the Palestinian people, usurpation of their natural re- sources, the changing ofthe centuries-old demographic structure of the region, escalation of violence, estab- lishment of settlements in the occupied Arab lands and creation of artificial borders. The inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to dignity and free- dom must be recognized; and their legitimate and sovereign right to self-determination and the establish- ment of their own independent State must be safe- guarded. 93. The following year, by its resolution 1654 (XVij, the General Assembly established the Special Com- mittee on the Situation with regard to the Implemen- tation of the Declaration on the Granting of Inde- pendence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. This Committee was requested by the Assembly to examine the appHcation of the Declaration and to make sug- gestions and recommendations on the progress and extentofits implementation. Throughout the years new tasks have been assigned to the Speciai Committee, which has been requested to continue to seek suitable means for the immediate and full implementation ofresolution 1514 (XV) and, ir. particular, to formulate specific proposals for the elimination of the remnants of colonialism. 94. I take this opportunity to express my Govern- ment's appreciation for the constructive work carried out by the Special Committee in its search for ways and means for the complete elimination of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. The Government ofCyprus has consistently supported and will continue to support the struggle for the abolition of the re- I 98. In an era when the struggle to eliminate colo- nization and racism has entered its final stage, there are places where a new form of colonization has appeared. My country, an ex-colonial country which attained its independence, became a victim, a few years later, of this new manifestation of coloniza- tion. To be more precise, I will merely cite a few quotations, out of the many that exist, from Turkish publications. The following is from the Turkish news- paper Aydinlik of 27 August 1979: HIt would not be an exaggeration if I were to state that the problem of Namibia would have teen solved long ago had the United Nations, and in particular the Security Council, acted with more determina- tion again3t the racist and oppressive regime of South Africa. We find no justification for the seeming reluctance of the Security Council to proceed without further delay with the imposition of the comprehensive sanctions provided under the Charter, particularly mandatory sanctions, against this menacing regime." Ihings. At the moment, this number exceeds 50,000 It is evident that such a large number of settlers will open the way to major changes in the demographic structure of Cyprus." 99. The settlers even created a "political party" hi the occupied areas. Its leader, a settler and former colonel of the Turkish Army, Ismail Tezer, openly declared at a press conference on 22 December 1978-and this was published in the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Halkin Sesi-that the aims of his "party" were "to achieve the partition of Cyprus and its annexation to Turkey". On 17 August 1981 Mr. Tezer stated in the Turkish-Cypriot magazine Olay that the settlers came to Cyprus with the approval of Turkey and that they were presented as an "agricultural force". Furthermore, he admitted that almost aU of them became citizens of the so-called Turkish- Cypriot State and that '~their purpose was to stay forever in Cyprus". The Turkish-Cypriots reacted strongly to this unprecedented influx of settlers from Anatolia, and many articles were written about this in· the Turkish press. The Turkish-Cypriot leader and former Vice-President of the Republic, Mr. Kii9iik, wrote in an article in his newspaper Halkin Sesi on 24 May 1978 that these settlers''turned this paradise island into hell". 100. With regard to the situation in Western Sahara, my Government strongly believes that urgent measures must be taken without further delay to enable the Sahraoui people to exercise the right to self-determi- nation and independence. Unfortunately, despite the numerous General Assembly resolutions which set the framework and the basis for the solution of the problem, the Sahraoui people have not yet achieved their noble aspirations and sovereign rights. My delegation firmly supports the people of Western Sahara with regard to the attainment of their inalien- able rights and calls for the full implementation of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations on the problem. 101. My delegation fully endorses the view that every nation waging a just struggle to throw off the colonial yoke must enjoy assistance from the United Nations and its Member States. There should be no further delay in the implementation of the resolutions of the Organization, for lack of attention or the appear- ance of scepticism will inevitably lead to the deteriora- tion of the situation and the encouragement of colo- nial countries to maintain their rigid and odious policy. 102. My delegation also wishes to stress the sig- nificance of the rendering by the specialized agencies and international institutions, as a matter of urgency, of all possible moral and material assistance to the colonial peoples struggling for" their liberation from colonial rule. Furthermore, the Member States of the Organization must apply measures with a view to accelerating the pace of the political, social and educational advancement of the peoples concerned. The General Assembly has from the beginning en- couraged Member States to offer scholarships and has established an educational and training programme 105. The struggle for the definitive elimination of colonialism has now entered its concluding phase of eradicating the last remnants of that system, and it has thus become even keener. The coming yeat:s will undoubtedly test the capability of the Organiza- tion to fulfil the task entrusted to it under the Declara- tion on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The situation brooks no delay. Let us not allow even greater ill to befall the peo- ples of South Africa, Namibia and so many other Territories. An indication of the intentions of the racists never to withdraw from those Territories is the fact that they have so far succeeded in seriously impairing implementation of the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. The effective measures envisagedin the Charter are needed to compel these regimes to put an end to their colo- nial rule. It is upon this basis that the solution of this problem can be achieved. 106. Mr. ADAMOVICH (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) (interpretation from Russian): More than two decades have elapsed since the General Assembly, on the initiative of the Soviet Union, adopted the historic Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Now, as a result of the unflagging and selfless national liberation struggle waged by peoples with the support of alJ progressive forces, and primarily the socialist countries, the political map ofthe world shows dozens of new sovereign States, half of which are on the 113. The major petroleum companies, such as S.hell, British Petroleum, Mobil, Caltex and Total, provide a constant flow of petroleum to South Africa. In so doing, they are looking after their own interests. According to facts published in the magazine South in November of this year, those corporations make tremendous profits from that business, amounting to $4 billion a year. 114. Of particular concern to the international com- munity is the policy of the present United States Administration towards the southern part of Africa and its efforts actively to develop extremely close relations with the South African regime. In the final communique of the Ministerial Meeting of the Co- ordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Countries in Havana this summer the Ministers for Foreign Affairs "vehemently condemned the United States Govern- ment for its declared friendship and alliance with the Pretoria regime and for violating the arms embargo imposed on South Africa by Security Council resolu- tion 418 (1977). The Ministers demanded an imme- diate end to all collaboration with the racist regime of South Africa, in view of the danger which such collaboration represents to regional and international peace." [A/37!333, annex, sect. A, para. 57.1 They also: "strongly condemned those Western countries which collaborate with the illegal Pretoria regime in order to protect the status quo which guarantees their continued plunder of Namibia's natural re- sources and enslavement and exploitation of" the African masses." [Ibid., para. 50.] .~_o!~,!ate a puppet neo-colonialist regime in Namibia. the United Nations, has indulged in a policy of dis- 116. The same purposes are served by efforts to membering Micronesia and virtually swallowing it connect the question of a settlement in Namibia with piecemeal. The populations of certain island Territo- matters totally irrelevant to it: in particular, the ries have had a virtually neo-colonialist status which presence in Angola, upon the request of that country's is dependent upon the United States, imposed 'upon Government, of Cuban troops, which are rendering them under the guise of "co-operation" or "free assistance to that country in a spiritofinternationalism. association" with the administering Power. 117. The delegation of the Byelorussian SSR be- 122. In this connection, the delegation of the Byelo- lieves that racist Pretoria must be induced to put an russian SSR would like to emphasize once again end to its criminal policies and to pay heed to the that the solution of the problem of the future of resolutions of the United Nations and the opinion of Micronesia is part and parcel of the ol!erall problem the international community. To that end the Security ofdecolonization and the granting ofindependence and Council should immediately impose against racist self-determination to colonial countries and peoples. South Africa comprehensive and mandatory sanctions Any modification in the status of Micronesia as a in accordance with Chapter VII of'the Charter of Trust Territory can, according to the Charter of the fhe United Nations. United Nations, be carried out only on the decision of 118. The Byelorussian SSR has always favoured and the Security Council. Any unilateral action on the continues to favour the enjoyment by the peoples of part of the administering Power with respect either to South Africa of their inalienable rights to indepen- the entire Trust Territory or to its individual integral dence and self-determination. It also favours the parts is unlawful and can have no legal force. It is immediate and unconditional withdrawal of South a matter of urgent necessity for the United Nations African troops from the Territory of Namibia, in- and its relevant organs to take the steps laid down in eluding Walvis Bay and the coastal islands, with the Charter in order to thwart the efforts of the United complete authority in Namibia being transferred to States to convert Micronesia into its own colonial pos- SWAPO, the sole and legitimate representative of session. The unimpeded enjoyment by the people of the Namibian people. It favours, too, the elimination Micronesia of their legitimate right to genuine freedom of the shameful system of apartheid from South and independence must be guaranteed. Africa. 123. In conclusion, may we once again confirm that 119. The final purposes of the Declaration have the Byelorussian SSR has always supported and will not yet been achieved, This is particularly true in continue to support the struggle of peoples for the regard to certain so-called small Territories which are immediate and complete elimination of the vestiges of located in the expanses of the Pacific, Indian and colonialism. The Byelorussian SSR is a sponsor of Atlantic Oceans and in the Caribbean. The ongoing draft resolution A/37/L.32, which has been introduced colonial exploitation of those small Territories by for the consideration of the present session of the imperialist monopolies and the fact that -they are used General Assembly. The inalienable right of colonial by the administering Powers in order to provide mili- peoples to self-determination and independence tary bases for themselves are the main obstacles in should be guaranteed, in accordance with the Charter, the way of the achievement by the populations of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to those Territories of independence and self-determi- Colonial Countries and Peoples and other relevant nation and the implementation of the purposes of the resolutions of the United Nations on decolonization. Declaration. 120. The military bases held by imperialist Powers in Guam, Puerto Rico, Diego Garcia, Bermuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Micronesia and in other colonial and dependent Territories, and the military activities of those Powers, however much c::ertain Western representatives here may try. to gild the lily, are diametrically opposed to the vital in- NOTE 1 See A/AC.I09/PV.1205.