A/38/PV.16 General Assembly

I am indeed gratified to have the opportunity to offer my very cordial greetings to the President of this thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly, the Vice President of Panama, Mr. Jorge Illueca, long identified with this Organization, and through him to the people of his country, linked to mine by a warm and enduring friendship. 2. At this session ofthe Assembly we are witnessing two developments which are of special satisfaction to my delegation: first, the fact that the presidency is held by the worthy representative of a Latin American nation, and secondly, the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis as a new Member of the Organization, after having solemnly declared its independence on 18 September, the date on which my country also commemorates its birth as a sovereign nation. With the addition of Saint Chris- topher and Nevis, to whose delegation we offer our best wishes, the number of countries of our region that are determined to contribute to strengthening the principles and purposes of the Charter of San Francisco is thus increased. 3. As a Latin American and as a Chilean, I am partic- ularly happy to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General for the brilliant and efficient manner in which he has been carrying out his functio~s, including the negotiating efforts to promote peac'~and the achievement of the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. 4. In my capacity as Minister for External Relations of Chile, the most constructive contribution I can make to this world forum, at a time when difficult circumstances confront the international community, is a brief review of the objectives we pursue, the paths we should take and the resources we have for attaining our goals. 5. Almost 40 years have passed since the solemn signing of the Charter at San Francisco, where the decision to preserve future generations from the scourge of war was sealed. Bodies have been created to achieve that aim and efforts have been made to secure true international co-operation to solve the major political, economic, social and cultural problems affecting mankind. 6. At the same time, scientific and technological devel- opment has reached such a point that, together with producing hitherto unknown possibilities, it has piaced in the hands of man weapons capable of destroying the species. It is paradoxical that the very human being who has succeeded in reaching the stars has forged the means which could lead to his annihilation. 7. I believe I am not exaggerating if I point out that the risk to our peoples lies in the inability to live in NEW YORK keeping with the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter. While such great advances have been made in the field of science, we have fallen terribly far behind in the unavoidable task of preserving harmony and avoiding aggression. 8. The existing and potential conflicts number in the dozens, and in many cases the smallest countries are mere actors in the disagreements behind which obscure interests of ideological and economic influence are hidden. The threat of major conflagrations hangs over us as the consequence of decisions in which, in many cases, we were not involved. Power protects the powerful, but the blood that stains the earth with its iniquity is not always that of those who created the disputes. 9. For that reason it is necessary to reiterate that the peaceful settleme'1t of disputes, pledged a thousand and one times in texts, speeches and international agreements, must become the rule. This aim has been thwarted be- cause a real will to accept solutions dictated by law or advocated by fairness does not exist. 10. If the use or threat of the use of force is banished from international practice and a decision to respect the law is taken, we shall have gained a world of peace and harmony which will enable man to fulfIl the aspirations . of progress enshrined in the Charter. 11. We are duty-bound to note with sorrow that, unfor- tunately, the Security Council has been used many times just for effect, which has led to the distancing of its deliberations from the spirit that led to its creation and to making its resolutions simply repetitive, diverting it from its fundamental responsibility ofmaintaining inter- national peace and security in the name of the United Nations, that is to say, the international community. 12. For that reason, it is urgent to examine the question of what formula would allow the ")rganization to follow closely the evolution of certain problems in order to guide them towards peaceful means of preventing and settling disputes in accordance with international law and human rights. Perhaps some form of joint action could be worked out for those unresolved diffeic~(:es which carry the risk of potential confrontation. In this manner there could be timely co-operation in the initial stages with the parties directly concerned, thereby possibly averting confrontation. I cannot help recalling what the represen- tative of Chile said last year in this regard: "Experience should have taught us only too well that there is a limit, at the transgression of which a thousand diabolical ele- ments will band together to blur understanding and lead to the precipice." 1 13. It is true that in some cases such preventive action could lead to frustration, but then experience, lessons and sometimes great endeavours flow from failures. On the other hand, inaction and inactivity have always proved sterile. 14. We state with conviction that we must not remain unmoved in the face of the clear proliferation of potential or real conflicts. We must never permit a situation such as that in 1945, in which the initiative for and the achieve- ment of international agreement has to emerge from A/38/PV.16 thfs regard, the truce recently achieved in Lebanon has aroused our hopes. 36. Inspired by its pacifist calling and its commitment to the idea of good-neighbourliness, Chile will always support initiatives which seek a fair and lasting solution of the complex and delicate situation in the Middle East. 37. I cannot complete these brief references to interna- tional matters without placing special emphasis on a situation which Chile, as an active member of the United Nations Council for Namibia, views with great concern. I am referring to the persistence in Namibia of a situa- tion which the entire internationai community has con·, demned. In this regard, we wish again to express our completesupport for the negotiations whichthe Secretary- General is conducting in order to fmd a peaceful solution for this problem which will permit the speedy implemen- tation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). 38. I also reiterate our repudiation of the practice of apartheid, an historic anachronism which is an outrage to the conscience of mankind. 39. Similarly, we continue to deplore the unstable situ- ation in the Korean peninsula. The profound significance ofthe division of that nation, as far as Chile is concerned, persuades us to support the inter-Korean negotiations more than ever as the only peaceful formula, free of foreign interference, that can lead to a solution of the problem. 40. Furthermore, we e~ergetically denounce the crim~.. nal attack upon a Korean civilian plane by Soviet war- planes with the consequent unfortunate loss of life, which is mourned not only by the Korean people but also by Members of the Organization. The contempt for and indifference to the international community and inter- national law shown by the Soviet Union cannot but be condemned. 41. I must also reiterate the concern which my country has indicated on other occasions in this forum with regard to the continued nuclear testing which France is carrying out in the South Pacific. Our firm position is based on the inherent dangers to· human life and the flora and fauna of the region. For that reason, we strongly support the signing of a general treaty prohibiting all nuclear tests. 42. Turning to other matters, the issues of outer space, the law of the sea, the Pacific Basin and the Antarctic region are of priority concern to our I':ountry. 43. Chile has actively participated i114 the work being done by the United Nations in the field of outer space, particularly in the search for means of co-operation and in the drafting of juridical instruments regulatin.1! the various activities now taking place in this field. 44. We wish to stress at this time the reception given to the Chilean initiative on the creation of a Latin Ameri- can space agency. Such a body would permit joint exploi- tation of the benefits of space science by the member Treaty~3 and its research activity on that continent and the co-operation offered to other Members of the United Nations have been constant. 50. Chile is an Antarctic country by virtue of legal title, history and geographic continuity. The fact that it is a developing country with limited resources has not pre- vented it from carrying out activities which for more than a century have contributed to linking that continent with the rest of the world, and to the preservation of its unique ecosystem. 51. As a found:;;i ;:;: t~e :\ntarctic Treaty, a Consultative Party and a country Ihat exercises sovereign rights in the ftdltarctic, Chile cannot be in favour of having this subject discuss~d in the United Nations. 52. We view with concern the consequences that might occur if this Organization were to undertake the consid- eration of matters which a."'e the subject of international treaties, open to participation by all States, as is the specific case of the Antarctic Treaty. The twelfth meeting of the Consultative Parties was recently held at Canberra with the active participation of all the adherents. 53. That Treaty, which upholds the principles and purposes of the Charter, has proved to be a unique instrument and an example of international co-operation integrated into the United Nations system and open to all its Members. Those countries wuth Antarctic activi- ties, including the super-Powers, have found themselves obliged to set aside those matters which separate them and to co-operate peacefully in all areas linked to the Antarctic. 54. For countries such as Chile, which, in addition to century-old activity, exercises its sovereignty in that ter- ritory and has its rights protected under article IV of the Treaty, an inadequate consideration of this subject would constitute a violation of Article 2, paragraph 7, of the Charter. 55. Thanks to the existence ofthe Antarctic Treaty, that region has been preserved as a zone of peace, free from nuclear weapons, far from the traditionai confrontations between the great Powers and open to the participation COIi~PHlally and increasingly strained by the arms race. The danger of nuclear confrontation is looming larger than ever, as new technology threatens to upset the bal- ance of terror. The international peace and security which the Organization was founded to preserve are undermined by some of its own Members whose actions negate the very principles and purposes of its Charter, while its resolutions have had little effect in restraining the trans- gressors. Perhaps it reflects the desperation of our times that the Organization still holds out the hope and the challenge that mankind can ultimately rise above petty self-interests and vile ambitions. The present precarious state ofthe world does not diminish but rather underlines the value of the Organization and its Charter, wh,ich articulates the desired norms of international behaviour. It is therefore incumbent upon the Member States to help realize its noble aims and objectives and save mank.ind from self-destruction. 70. La.st year the Secretary-General submitted a percep- tive rep'Jrt on the work of the Organization in which he stressed that the central issue facing the United Nations was its capacity to keep peace and to serve as a forum for negotiations. The Secretary-General's report this year [A/38Il) touches on similar themes. \Ve wish also to commend highly his able stewardship ofthe Organization and the many initiatives he has taken on its behalf. 71. The Secretary-General recently undertook a mission to southern Africa in a renewed effort to bring inde- pendence to Namibia on the basis of Security Council ~tion in the Middle East as a whole continues to be volatile and potentially dangerous for international peace and security. My Government reaffirms its basic position regarding the inad~ssibility of the acquisition ofterritory by force and thus calls on Israel to withdraw from the Arab territories which it has occupied since 1967 and to refrain from all measures designed to perpetuate its presence in those territories. My delegation's position on the question of Palestine is to support the attainment by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights, partic- ularly the right to self-determination, free from outside interference or coercion, including the right to national independence and sovereignty and the right to return to their homes and properties. 73. My delegation believes that the plight of the Pales- tinians remains central t9 the Middle East problem and that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East must be based on application of the two agreed elements incor- poratedin SecurityCouncil resolution 242 (1967), namely, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied Arab territories and recognition of the legitimate right ofevery State in the area, including Israel, to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. The Thai delegation strongly urges all parties to eXI"-~1every effort to revitalize the peace process in the region so as to bring about a settlement which would meet justly the legitimate interests and aspirations of all concerned. 74. The invasion of Lebanon in June last year by Israeli forces was condemned by the international community. The Government of Thailand has joined other countries in calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, in accordance with the wish ofthe Government and people of Lebanon as well as the relevant United Nations resolutions. My delegation welcomes the news ofa cease-fire agreement, which indicates the willingness of all the parties concerned to resort to negotiations rather than the use of force in order to resolve their differences. This new development leads us to hope that the with- drawal of all foreign forces will be expeditiously under- taken so that full sovereignty over all its territory may be restored to the Government ofLebanon and its people. 75. The continuing foreign occupation of Afghan- istan has exacted a heavy toll of Afghan patriots and 76. In South-East Asia the continuing tragedy of Kam- puchea poses similarly grave security and humanitarian concern for the international community. For the fifth successive year the Kampuchean people find themselves under the yoke of alien domination and foreign occupa- tion and are being denied their right to self-determination. The Kampuchean people have been uprooted from their homes and large numbers have been forced to seek food, shelter and safety in neighbouring Thailand and along the Thai-Kampucheall border. Approximately 60,000 Kampuchean displaced persons are in camps supervised by the UNHCR in Thailand, waiting for resettlement opportunities in third countries or a chance to return safely to their homes, and over 200,000 more are en- camped along the border, where they are totally depen- dent on humanitarian assistance co-ordinated by the United Nations border relief operation. The massive influx of Kampuchean refugees and displaced persons to Thailand ha:; in turn displaced over 100,000 Thai villagers in the border areas. The Kampuchean refugee encamp- ments, as well as the local population in the border areas, are under constant threat of :.:" Med attack, shelling and bombardment by Vietnamese occupation forces in Kam- puchea. Systematic attacks were conducted by those forces against Kampuchean civilian refugee camps be- tween January and April uf this year in violation of humanitarian principles, resulting in numerous casualties. The attacking forces also razed to the grC'~'d a Red Cross hospital, schools, and lowly shelters wludl have housed tens of thousffilds of refU8i:.'es. Bombardment of those camps by Vietnamese guns has continued sporadically since June of this year, hampering international l'l"lief operations and exacerbating the already tense situation along the border. 77. The plight of the Kampuchean refugees and dis- placed persons, as well as that of the affected Thai vil- lagers in the border areas, rightly continues to be a matter of serious concern to the international community. It may be recalled in particular that the General Assembly, in resolution 35/6, cai'j for stationing a United Nations observer team on the Thai side ofthe border, in conjunc- tion with the establishment of safe areas under United Nations supervision in western Kampu;:hea for the dis- placed Kampuchean civilians who w~shed to return to their homeland. Once again the Commission on Human 81. Viet Nam's present intransigence and intentions constitute destabilizing factors in South-East Asia and continue to hinder constructiv~ dialogue and co-operation among the countries of the region. The situation in Kam- puchea continues to be a direct threat to the peace and p~aceful settlement of the conflict which takes into ac- count the legitimate interests of all concerned. My dele- gation earnestly calls upon Viet Nam as a Member of the Organization to forgo the recourse to arms and to begin .the process of negotiations that will lead to a peaceful and comprehensive political settlement of the Kampu- chean problem in the interests of regional as well as international peace and security. 84. In an effort to create the necessar~1atmosphere for negotiations, I proposed in April of this year that Viet Nam withdraw its forces 30 kilometres from the Thai- Kampuchean border. That proposal was endorsed by the other foreign ministers of the member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations [ASEAN] [see A/38/302] as a n~cessary confidence-building measure. It was also intended as a measure to relieve tension and, in particular, the danger to Kampuchean civilian refugees along the border. Regrettably, the Vietnamese respoQse has been negative and renewed bombardment of refugee encampments along the border has since occurred. 85. Since Viet Nam has announced partial withdrawals of its troops, it should agree to withdraw those troops from the Thai border, an action that would be more verifiable as it will take place in a clearly defined geo- graphical area. It is further proposed that a cease-fire be observed in the areas where withdrawals have taken place, which should then be constituted as safe areas for uprooted Kampuchean civilians under the auspices of UNHCR. In addition, a United Nations peace-keeping force or observer group could be introduced to supervise the withdrawals and to keep the peace along the border. International economic assistance would then be envis- aged as a means to help rebuild the livelihood of the uprooted Kampucheans in those areas. , \. . 86. The people of Kampuchea have suffered mexorably from the ravages of war and the military occupation of their country. The ASEAN foreign ministers have there- fore envisaged the eventual convening of an international conference for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Kampuchea after the withdrawal of all foreign forces, as part of a comprehensive settlement of the Kampuchean problem. 87. Despite a five-year campaign of suppression and intimidation, the Kampuchean nationalist resistance against the Vietnamese occupation forces is growing in strength. TheCoalition Government of Democratic Kam- puchea, under the presidency of Prince Norodom Siha- nouk, has rallied the Kampuchean people to the struggle for national liberation and independence and has gained wide international support and recognition. The broad- based Coalition Government under Prince Sihanouk is a positive step towards a comprehensive political settle- ment and national reconciliation in Kampuchea. 88. My delegation would like to express its deep appre- ciation to the Chairman of the AdHoc Committee of the Intel11ational Conference on Kampuchea, Mr. Massamba Sarre-of Senegal, as well as to the other members of the Ad Hoc Committee, for their continuing efforts to find c;,~t%~::::~~~::~:::::~:::::~::::~:::~~§~~'&liIil'i1_il!iI!ii'i.!J.~ participatiOl~of the Palestinian people through its sole and legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO). 128. This approach has recently"been endorsed in the texts adopted at the International Conference on the Question of Palestine held at Geneva,8 which affirmed the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the establishment of security and peace. These texts appeal to the international community to end military, economic and political aid to Israel in order to prevent its continued aggression. 12~. As in past years, the General Assembly has before it this year for consideration and for the adoption of po~;itionsand resolutions a long list of problems involving Zionist aggression and crime. 130. We hope the international community will demon- strate its objectivity and its determination to require each Member State to enforce its resolutions or suffer the sanctions stipulated in the Charter. 131. We demand of the great Powers, to which the Zionist entity owes its creation and continued existence- and we demand of the United States of America in par- ticular, which bestows upon Israel considerable means of power and a great portion of its means oflivelihood- that they take action to deter Israel, since the danger has now grown to an extent that poses a threat to the security and stability not only of the region~ but of the world at large. 132. The problem of Lebanon today is the result of continued and recurring Zionist aggression. Israel's ag- gression and invasion of Lebanon under the eyes of the international community has stirred up internal conflicts nourished by ~srael, thus crUtting further complications. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in co-operation with ex~ertise before the eyes of the world, with the aim of thr\~ateningthe security of small States and terrorizing them. Each ofthem ties its fate to the other. Each of them is doomed to failure unless it recognizes reality and foHows the path of justice. 1A8. We reiterate our condemnation of the racial poli- cies of South Africa and its evil alliance with the Zionist ek1tity in Palestine. We demand of the countries of the wo:'."1d that they take the position that corresponds with the:ir international responsibilities and the principles which form the basis of the Charter of the United Na- tions. We also support the right of the Namibian people to independence. 149. The General Assembly, at its second special session devoted to disarmament, conven~d last year, emphasized the dangers faced by mankind because of the problem of armaments. The non-nuclear States expressed the desiie to protect themselves against the use and threat of us~ of nuclear weapons, to prevent the testing of nuclear weapons, to ensure the cessation of the manufacture of chemical weapons and the destruction of arsenals ofsuch weapons, and to establish zones of peace and nuclear- free zones in the Middle East, Africa. South-East Asia and other regions of the world. 150. We see how, nevertheless, the Zionist entity in Israel persists in the use of internationally banned weapons. The world has recently seen tens of thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese, most of them children, women and the elderly, falling victim to cluster and concussion bombs used by Israel during its aggressive invasion of Lebanon. 151. The United Nations could solve the problem of ending the arming of Israel, South Africa and other countries with weapons of mass destruction, particularly as this falls outside the realm of the extremely complex issues of international disarmament. 152. In the last few years the world has faced an eco- nomic situation characterized by continued economic recession, a deterioration in the terms of international trade, increased rates of unemployment even in the indus- trialized countries, a sharp fluctuation in the balance of foreign trade and payments, the increased recurrence of protectionism in the industrialized countries, and the adoption by these countries of a bilateral approach to solve their international economic problems. Naturally, the impact of these conditions on developing countries has been extremely serious and this has impeded their developmental efforts. 153. These developments proved the nature and impor- tance of interdependence and illustrated the fact that no country can live in isolation from the rest of the world or shield itself from the economic problems confronting the world. They also showed the impossibility of any country or group of countries undertaking alone respon- sibility for resolving world economic problems. They have consequently confirmed the necessity and priority of

Mr. President, your accession to the impor- tant post of President of the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly offers the Algerian delegation and me personally the opportunity to express to you with great pleasure our sincere and warm congratulations. Your experience as a statesman and your highly valued qualities guarantee that this session will proceed, I am sure, in a calm and orderly atmosphere and that it will live up to expectations. 166. Your predecessor, Mr. Imre Hollai, deserved well of the United Nations. He worked lucidly and resolutely in a very difficult international period to affirm still further the role of the Organization and to defend its values and make its voice heard. 167. I should also like to pay a tribute to the Secretary- General. He is a man of conviction and courage, and the international community offers him its appreciation, gratitude and support for his efforts and initiative. 168. Lastly, I should like to welcome among us the delegation of St. Christopher and Nevis. 169. International relations are going through one of the most critical periods in history. Neither constant repetition of this fact nor the appeal to the community of nationb that regularly follows can alter the essential point, namely, that the state of international relations is serious. It is, in fact, extremely disturbing. A crisis with deep and lasting manifestations is darkening the world horizon. Increasing dangers are threatening the future of the human race with insecurity and even making that future uncertain. That situation threatens universal peace and-,developll!ent. Is i~ inte!ligen,ce that is missing? Do we have a feebng of resIgnatIOn? Have we lost our power ~ofty values that have contributed to the establishment of improved relations between nations. And yet the United Nations is weakened in that very aspect which is the whole essence and force of its reason for existing, namely the prevalence ofdialogue over confrontation and the desire to establish a new system of international relations bringing the human race together in an under- taking that is greater than itself. Its primary functions of preserving peace and security and guiding international co-operation for development are, unfortunately, repent- edly set aside. 183. The United Nations system. with its universality an.d its ideal of democracy in handling common. problems and in decision-making, must remain the major frame- work for our thinking and action. It must remain the holy, inviolate sanctuary for the fundamental principles on which international society is built and for the aims of peace and progress that it has set itself. Paramount among these is to ensure that all peoples have full centrol of their own destinies. That is indeed the primary role and the first duty of the United Nations. 184. In the Middle East there is a crystallization of the mast serious challenge to the fundamental principles of the United Nations: denial of the rights of the Palestinian people, systematic recourse to a policy of force, and attacks on the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab States. 185. It is absolutely essential for the Drilted Nations to defuse this challenge and to imPOSl? the obligation to abide by the law. This means promoting a just and lasting settlement, including as its central element implementa- tion of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian , people and the fulfIlment of its historic aspiration to an independent State. The recent International Conference on the Question of Palestine invited the United Nations to do exactly that. The United NatioIls must respond and thus live up to the expectations which the international community thus expressed, 186. The only possible solution ofthe Middle East crisis is a comprehensive settlement. The recognized failure of piecemeal approaches requires that the only path to peace must finally be taken, namely, a solution divorced from the facile temptation merely to give legal colour to the existing balance of relations of force, a solution which holds aloof from the play of circumstance. The partici- pation of the PLO, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, is essential in developing this solution. 187. There is little need for me to say once again that the United Nations has an obligation to the Palestinian people and has a duty to promote an oV"Jrall settlement with proper regard for the security of the Arab States which have suffered aggression, particularly Syria, and ensuring for Lebanon respect for its national unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty. In this connection, it is to be hoped that the recent cease-fire in Lebanon will finally open up the path towards the national consensus which is the only path that can lead to reconciliation in that country and to its reconstruction in concord and harmony. 206. It is to such a dialogue that an appeal for common prosperity was made at the Seventh Conference of Heads ofState or Government of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. This appeal expresses the conviction that it is imperative t(1' !::hange international relations in an orderly way and in CCiicert. At the same time, it shows the urgent need to act. This appeal suggests methods and sets out a framework for action. Beginning with a lucid evaluation and imbued with a sense of responsibility, the initiative for restructuring the global negotiations shows a sincere consideration for the concerns of our partners. Because it goes beyond the peripheral problems of organi7-ation and procedure, this restructuring allows for discussion and pragmatic decision-making as the negotiating process progresses. It is our hope that the same openmindedness that prompts us will find an echo in the reply we expect from our partners. 207. Need we say also that the scope of the crisis and its fearful effects on the economies of the ever-growing number of developif'1 countries call for the adoption of urgent measures in areas of critical interest for those countrie.s? 208. Need we also mention in such a vital area as fi- nance and currency that action is called for? An interna- tional conference that would respect the principle of universality must, through.dialogue, endeavour to under- take reform that will be a valid response to the needs of growth and development. 209. A clear and far-sighted stock-taking that acknow- ledges that the sixth session of the United Nations con- ference on Trade and Development did not live up to its promise leads us to the problem of restructuring the world economy. The problem is still there. This means that 1he General Assembly has an even greater responsibility at this session for organizing a discussion that will be faith- ful to the dimensions of the proposals ...Ji the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. 210. In this pessimistic climate, there is a glimmer of hope, however. Co-operation among developing coun- tries is being organized and intensified. Since a promising start has been made, it is important not to let it wither. South-South co-operation must become ever more com- plete and close, resolutely making use ofevery possibility offered our countries. 211. In a world facing an uncertain future and prey to doubt when faced with the immensity and overwhelming weight of problems, a new outlook had to emerge. By defining the true causes of that inability to shape the future of mankind and setting forth the conditions for overcoming them, the Non-Aligned Movement will have made its contribution to reviving the ideal of the United Nations. eight1~ session ofthe General Assembly. His long-standing association with the United Nations and his sterling contributions to its deliberations make him a fit person to guide our discussions. I hope that his tenure of office will see solutions to some of the problems that fa.ce the Organization. 217. I also want to pa.y a tribute to the outgoing Presi- dent for the able way in which he conducted the.. affairs of the last session. 213. Barbados welcomes Saint Christopher and Nevis as the 158th Member of the Organiv.tion. Our long historical and cultural association makes Barbados con- fident that Saint Chrlstopher and Nevis will contribute significantly to the work of the Organization. 219. This year, the Secretary-General in his report on the work of the Organization [A/38/1] returned to the theme of the apparent ineffectiveness of the United Na- tions in controlling conflict and working out solutions. He quite rightly alluded to the weakening of the com- mitment of Memb~r States to co-operate within the framework of the United Nations in dealing with threats to international peace and security. There are too many local wars around the globe and too many are manifes- tations ofEt~Jt-Westconflict. The Charter envisaged the abandonment of war as a solution to problems, yet since 1945 millions have died as a result of war. Despite the Charter's reaffirmation of faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, much human suffering has resulted from failure to ob- serve those rights. Nor has the world, in the years since 1945, succeeded in promoting the social progress and better standards of life to the extent contemplated in the Charter. 220. The Assembly, the Security Council and the other United Nations institutions have the power to influence international behaviour. We have the power collectively to legitimize those actions we favour and to frown upon those deeds of which we disapprove. But we have, in the words of the Secretary-General, "to develop an effective common approach to potential threats to international peace and security". 221. This would provide at least the moral sanction that would persuade contending States to accept the Organi- ~. .~ibia. Barbados is deeply concerned that the contact 8 "up has not yet been able to find a viable solution to the Namibian problem. The contact group has not suc- cessfully defended the indictment that it has helped to prolong the illegal occupation of Namibia by South Africa. 234. In this connection Barbados very strongly supports the reservations, doubts and anxieties expressed by SWAPO, which has time and again called the attention of the world to the economic plundering of the resources of Namibia. It has cried out against the indignities in- flicted on its people and indeed the daily physical danger in which its brothers and sisters are forced to live in their own country. All these horrifying conditions stem directly from the fact that South Africa is allowed to defy the decisions of the United Nations. The question of Namibia is nothing more or less than a question of decolonization. As such it is the direct legal, moral and particularly political responsibility of this Organization. 235. Barbados reiterates its endorsement of the Paris Declaration on Namibia and the Prcgr8Il1me of Action adopted at the Conference at Paris in April. 10 We sup- port the call for the immediate implementation of the United Nations plan approved in Security Council reso- lution 435 (1978). The Security Council must take appro- priate action to ensure compliance with its resolutions, and the ending of the destabilization of the front-line States. 236. Another manifestation of the phenomenon of forcible intervention in the affairs and territory ofweaker States is the repeated attacks by South Africa on the front-line States. Since I last had the honour ofaddressing the Assembly, Mozambique, Angola and Lesotho have been na:grantly attacked by South Africa. This sort of intimidation must not be allowed to continue. in~.apableof bringing economic activities into a state of bcUance. We see markets closed to willing entrants because of every type of protectionist barrier. In such circum- stances there is small wonder that the confidence of many in the present system is dashed. Our task is to rebuild confidence by substituting another system that will work and live up to the rightful expectations of all peoples to economic progress and development. 248. The Barbados delegation is deeply concerned at the persistent crisis in the wodd economic situation. The continuing recession in the industrialized countries has put severe strains on export-oriented econo';l1ies such as that of Barbados. It has put the integration movement in the Caribbean Community to a tough test for survival. This year's meetings of the Contracting Parties of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development have proved disappointing in their failure to arrive at satis- factory solutions to the trade, industrial, developmental 1973 with respect to the Bretton Woods system has not addre!Jsed fundamental problems. There must be a re- structuring of economic relationships so that developing countries have a greater say in recommending remedies. 251. Barbados joined this Organization seventeen years ago and has since carried out all its obligations under the Charter. States like Barbados cannot rely on military might to assist their independence and sovereignty. They do not have that might. Such States must place their security in the unity of nations I:md attachment to prin- ciples. Barbados has a vest-;',j interest in maintaining a peaceful environment in the Caribbean region, in the hemisphere, in the world. Whatever economic or social progress countries such as ours have made over the years can very easily be destroyed. For us, therefore, peace and security are no less important than economic progress and social development. The United Nations provides the possibility for continuing commitment to these principles. Barbados will play its part in ensuring that such commit- ment is not allowed to weaken. For the first time, there- fore, Barbados is offering its candidature for a seat on the Security Council. This candidature is a further demonstration of our faith in the United Nations. We are convinc~d that our nation has a contribution to make to the counsels of that body. We pledge our service in the efforts to enhance the effectiveness of this important institution. 252. Finally, it is pertinent to ask and to reflect on why we are here. Why have so many world leaders traversed so many thousands of miles to attend this session of the General Assembly? Is it not because they have an abiding faith in mankind? 253. In the inspiration of the moment, a famous poet exclaimed, "What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties!" Yet with all this vast potential the human race is still groping for self- fulfilment. Stunted by illiteracy, drained by hunger, warped by racism and bigotry, torn and bleeding through war, benumbed by drugs and fantasy, mankind looks longingly for lasting peace and security. 254. What we have achieved to date has been the col- lective contribution of us all. History mocks that nation or culture which claims that it alone is responsible for present progress. We have all paid our dues. History also mocks those nations which worship technologjcal power. It was technology, made sinister by science perVerted, that tb~ to this matter. That is not a difficult task, given the absurdity ofthe Israeli argument. This and 0'b'X confident knowledge that no one in this Hall takes this proposition seriously would have made it unnecessary for my dek'ga- tion to address itself to this point were it not for the fact that apparently the Israeli representative operates on the premise that repeating a falsehood often enough some- how pays off. It is this apprehension that has prompted me to make this statement in exercise of my right of reply. 260. I stated last year, and repeat now for the benefit of Mr. Blum, that the establishment of Israel resulted in the dismemberment of Palestine and the dispersal of the Palestine Arab people from their ancestral homeland. We should like to remind the representative of Israel that before Israel came into being in 1948 Jordan had existed as a distant political entity and was an independent and sovereign State. At the same time, the Palestinian people were living in their homeland in Palestine. Even when, in 1947, the United l'j'ations voted to partition Palestine into two States-an Arab one and a Jewish one-the partition plan was very clear and specific regarding the territorial application of that plan and the exact location of the two proposed States in Palestine proper, that is, west of the River Jordan. 261. Israel argued in the past, when it suited its purpose to do so, that Jordan was an illegal occupant ofthe West Bank. Alternately, Israel has argued, when it has suited different Israeli purposes, that Jordan is in fact Palestine. If that is so, how can Jordan be in occupation of a part of itself? Even inverted logic is not without its contra- dictions. The contradiction is the more striking given the fact that the representative of Israel who spoke on this theme today is cne and the same representative who in the Security Council usec! the following words on 2 Au- gust 1983: 11 "The violation of the }nternational bou~d­ aries of Palestine by the Arab armies". Thus, Palestme 262. My aim in drawing attention to the fallacies and inconsistencies iii the Israeli statement is not solely to expose these fallacies and inconsistencies; rather. it is to draw attention to the sad fact that the Israeli representa- tive betrays a total lack of a genuine desire for a just and durable peace that takes into consideration the national rights and &Spirations of the Palestinian people in their homeland in Palestine. which of necessity re(uires. as a first step. the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the territories that have remained under its occu- pation since 1967. It is this mentality that is the real obstacle to the achievement of a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East. The meeting rose at 7 p.m. 5Adopted at the High Level Conference on Economic Co-operation among Developing Countries held at Caraca:s from 13 to 19 May 1981. 6Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925. . 7Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, ProductIon and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, signed on 10 April 1972. 8Report ofthe International Conference on the Question ofPales- tine, Geneva, 29August-?September 1983 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.83.1.21), chap. I. 9Proceedings ofthe United Nations Conference on Trade andDevel- opment, Sixth Session, vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.83.II.D.6), annex VI. 10Report ofthe International Conference in Support ofthe Struggle of the Namibian People for Independence, Paris, 25-29 April 1983 (AlCONF.I20/13), part three. I I See Offical Records ofthe Security Council, Thirty-eighth Year, 246lst meeting.