A/38/PV.30 General Assembly

It is a great pleasure for me to address the Assembly at its yearly meeting, this time at its thirty-eighth session. It is our deep hope that the work of this session will be succes..ful so that reason and justice may prevail over selfish and hegemonic designs which today serve only to threaten the existence ofthe human race. My delegation's presencein New York is eloquent proof ofour conviction that within the United Nations we could find the unity of nations, even in diver- sity. We could negotiate together the solution of problems and differences, though with different ~rocedures; we could bring peoples closer together in spite ofgeograph- ical distances, if we were all to resolve to do so. Only in this way, we believe, will we be able to ensure the socio- economic and cultural well-being to which each and every one of the inhabitants of our world aspires. 2. With this outlook, it is a particular pleasure for me tu convey to the representatives gathered here the greet- ings and wishes for success ofObiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, who since his accession to the highest office ofour nation has placed the greatest emphasis on the importance and raison d'etre of the United Nations, particularly now, when dia- logue becomes increasingly difficult because those taking part are speaking at cross purposes and when the use of force becomes incTl2Singlyimminent because of thejux- taposition of interests. 3. Mr. President, I do not wish to enter into the sub- stance of my statement without fust of all saying how delighted my country and my delegation are at your well- deserved election to the presidency of the thirty-eighth session. Although we are aware that because ofthe nature and volume of the items on the agenda and because of the present international situation your task will not be an easy one, we are none the {ess convinced that the ideals of freedom, peace and justice that characterize Panama, your country, and your own skills as a diplomat and statesman are a guarantee of the success of our work. The election of the other members of the General Com- mittee is for us a source of pride and a sign of hope. To each and every one, we address our most sincere con- gratulations. 4. At the same time, we express our sincere appreciation and congratulations to Mr. Imre Hollai of Hungary, as well as to each rllember of the General Committee at the thirty-seventh session, for the efficiency and dynmm"m with which they conducted the work of that session. S. For the Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, which is cele- brating the fifteenth anniversary of its independence today, and for the United Nations and all its Members, the past year, September 1982 to September 1983, has NEW YORK recorded both encouraging and discouraging develop.. ments in the annals of history. 6. One of the favourable developments is that the Gov- ernment of the Republic of Eq'iJatorial Guinea, com- mitted to its objectives and loyal te!' its principles, has put into operation a democratizing machinery, with the estab- lishment, through the unanimous approval of our basic law in a popular referendum, of the three powers- executive, judicial and legislative-that are now governing our country. 7. We know full well, however, that the mere availabil- ity of constitutional instruments and organs does not mean the effective and coherent functioning of those organs, much less the institutionalization of the democ- racy which protects the fundamental rights and freedoms ofthe human being, which should beaimed at the achieve- ment of his full development. Nevertheless, we are con- vinced that the United Nations as a whole and all coun- tries that cherish freedom, justice and peace individually will continue to make their valuable contribution to the attainment of those objectives to which the people of Equatorial Guinea aspires. 8. Please allow me to take this opportunity to express the thanks of Equatorial Guinea for the multisectoraI and multifaceted assistance given thus far by friendly coun- tries ana by the United Nations system in our process of national recovery. At the same time, we hope that the assistance pledged for the economic recovery and devel- opment ofour countrywill be received in the near future, and we also hope that there will be an increase in the list of potential donors and in the contributions themselves. 9. In the context of international co-operation, Equa- torial Guinea supports and encoura.~esthe establishment ofeconomic and technical co-operation among the devel- oping countries in the framework 'of South-South nego- tiations. But this in no way reduces our interest in the resumption and progress ofthe North-SOuth negotiations. It is in this spirit that, in the central African subregion, my Government is currently engaged in negotiations to bring Equatorial Guinea into the Customs and Economic Union ofCentral Africa and the fman.ciat institutions of that subregion. An agreement in principle on membership was reached in the Council of Heads of State of the Union, which met at Yaounde in December 1982. The technical negotiations are now at an advanced stage, and we hope that our fmal admission will take place in the near future. This will be our own modest contribution to the realization of the declaration adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization ofAfrican Unity at its extraordinary session devoted to economic problems which was held at Lagos in 1980. 10. As I have stressed, this wish of ours to participa~e in regional and subregional efforts for the economic recomtruction of the African continent does not imply any obstruction of or opposition to bilateral and multi- lateral co-operation, which my Government encourages without distinction of political, economic or ideological systems. 25. The historic relations and cultural affInity that bind the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Latin Amer- ican countries justifyour concern at the prevailing situa- tion in Central America. We appeal to all the parties involved in that tragedy, which is costing innocent human lives and considerable material losses, to engage in dia- logue in order to fInd solutions to their differences, with strict respect for the free will of each people in the exer- cise of its right to choose the political and economic sys- tem most in tune with its national interests. 26. It is regrettable that Latin America, which had been identifIed on the international scene as a labourer in the struggle against underdevelopment, is today the target of fratricidal struggles and the scene of political and hege- monic confrontations which merely serve alien interests. It is for this and other reasons that Equatorial Guinea supports and is at one with the initiatives taken by the Contadora Group. That is why we support the other peace initiatives being put forward by the countries of the region, directly or indirectly concerned. All of these efforts are aimed solely at ensuIing the return of peace and stability for the progress of that region. 27. In the Middle East, certain Arab territories have been occupied by Israel for more than a decade now, and the Palestinians remain without a homeland and are scat- tered throughout the world. At the same time, the posi- tions ofthe parties involved in that"complex dispute grow further and further apart. The sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Lebanon are increasingly stifled, while innocent lives are lost and hunger and poverty are the daily lot of that part of the world. 28. We appeal to the Arab and Israeli Governments and to the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO] for peace and reconciliation, to reconsider their antagonistic posi- tions and sit down to negotiate together in order to fInd the most appropriate ways of returning peace, harmoni- ous co-existence and stability to the Arab and Israeli peoples, who are doomed to live for ever in that afflicted region of the Middle East. We hope that third-party coun- tries directly or indirectly involved in the conflict will contribute towards the achievement of that goal. 29. It is regrettable to note that at the very time when the world is waging a war against hunger, illness and poverty-in a word, against underdevelopment-new hotbeds of tension are being created and existing ones are being exacerbated. In this context, in }l region of strategic importance, both politically and economically, there has been loss ofhuman lives and considerable mate- rial damage. I am referring to the conflict between Iran and Iraq, brother countries to which we urgently appeal that they cease hostilities and solve the problem in con- formity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and international law. ~ipre~h::~~1~~i~~fl:~~n~~~~~~ ~~~~~~c~bi: 80. In the Horn of Africa, the tension which was ex- people, which, under the leadership of SWAPO, its sole tremely high and disturbing a few years ago has now been somewhat reduced, and this should make it possible for authentic representative, is exercising its right to self- defence in order to regain its dignity and win its rights the parties involved actively to seek ways and means likely to self-determination and independence. to promote the complete restoration of a climate of peace to that region. In this connection respect for the prin- 74. The front-line countries, particularly Angola, ciples of non-interference in the internal affairs of States, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique, enjoy the same respect for the territorial integrity of States and the peace- E!.IPPOrt from us. South Africa is constantly blackmailing ful settlement of disputes should make possible a com- those countries by the use of brute force through its con- promise solution. stant attacks and acts of sabotage, which have created an atmosphere of unrelieved tensl'on throughout uouthem 81. For some 30 years now the Middle East has been ., a hotbed of tension beset by constant crisis and tragic Africa. events which have as their background the martyrdom 75. Rwanda pays tribute to those countries for the self- imposed on the Palestinian people and the fundamentally sacrifice and determination they have displayed to eI~sure negative and dangerous policy pursued by the State of that legitimate aspirations based on the fundamental prin- Israel against the Arab countries. That State, of which ciples ofthe Charter ofthe United Nations may triumph the least that can be said is that it has not learnt much in this test started by the racist minority regime that rules from its own history, has defied the decisions of the in Pretoria.•ln this trial ofstrength the morality for which United Nations and paid little heed to the precepts of the freedom fighters are willing to lay down their lives intemation;,J law. Thus Israel obstinately refuses to recog- will fmally usher in a new era-an era of peace and stabil- nize the inalienable rights of the people of Palestine; it ity, which the countries of southern Africe so direly need. has flouted the sovereignty of Lebanon, annexed Arab 76. Still on the subject of Africa, another people is territories and increased the number of its settlements attempting to secure its right to self-determination. I am thereon. Its unavowed design is to exterminate the Pales- referring to the Saharan people, which has been struggling tinian people in a fight to the finish. since November 1975, militarily, politically and diplomat- 82. Israel will not, however, by deploying its heavy war ically, to achieve recognition ofthat right. My delegation machinery replace international morality and ethics by hopes that the parties to the conflict, Morocco and brute force. It will not succeed in repressing the spirit and POLISARIO,2 will waste no time in getting down to indeed the heroismthat have prompted the valiant Pales- negotiations, resolutely and in good faith, in accordance tinian people to struggle for the recognition of their with the recommendations put forward by the Assembly rights, with the support of all countries that cherish peace of Heads of State and Government of the Organization and justice. It is not by intolerable harassment, torture, of African Unity during its nineteenth session, held last expulsion, intimidation, blackmail and every kind of June at Addis Ababa. Deeply wedded as we are to the atrocity or by an arrogant and intransigent attitude that universal principle of the right of all peoples to self- the State of Israel will find peace. Peace is conditional determination, the Rwandese Republic ardently hopes upon recognition of and respect for the fundamental and that this fratricidal conflict will be rapidly settled in that inalienable rights ofthe Palestinian people, in particular spirit, so that peace can be restored to that region and the right to self-determination and the right to a homeland the MaghJ'eb peoples can give a concrete example oftheir in which to establish the governmental structures of their solidarity and their brotherhood inthe struggle for social choice. There can be no peace in the Middle East with- and economic, progress. out a j~st imd comprehensive settlement that takes full flicting~nterpretations, it is necessarily a factor of divi- which recognizes the supremacy of Parliament. Another sion. This is true ofthe crisis which is tearini:; the Middle fundamental objective of the Government is improving East apart and ofthe hotbeds oftension or open conflicts the economic and social welfare of our people in unity, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as the conflicts freedom and love for one another. All our actions on the imposed on peoples which quite legitimately are seeking domestic front, as well as in the international arena, are to promote, safeguard or strength.m their independence. geared to promote, project and vigorously defend these 102. In the light of all those acts of hostility and con- objectives. Our people are resolved to ensure that our tinuing confrontations, international organizations remain present population and future generations enjoy the fruits impotent and paralysed and are unable to guarantee the ofpeace, unity and stability, while respecting the dignity peace and security that the world so sorely needs. What of individual freedom. can be done? Should we sink into despair? No, we must 110. As we gather here today, we cannot help looking not give up or indulge in excessive pessimism. Let us back and taking stock of the Organization's achievements remember that, during its 38 years of existence, the and failures. We are certain that when the balance sheet Organization, through the tireless and concerted efforts is drawn up, the results will be unmistakably on the side of its Member States, has been able to achieve enough of success. to justify continuing along this path which leads to the 111. The central role and objective of the United noble aims which guided its creation. The United Nations Nations is the maintenance of international peace and must continue by its actions to promote confidence and security. Whenever threats to this objective and obstruc- hope in the future of the world, to strengthen interde- tions to its realization have arisen, the General Assembly pendence, complementarity, co-operation, dialogue and has always exerted maximum pressure in favour ofpeace, trust among peoples. tranquillity and mutual understanding. It is Kenya's sin- 103. It is in this spirit that the Rwandese Republic, at cere hope that the ballots cast in the Assembly will con- this great annual gathering of international diplomacy, tinue to feflect the general will ofthe international com- intends to participate actively in the work of the present munity to maintain peace and security for all nations, as ~:~===,~~f~~=:~:.:::::~====:: IS°vinhgAfPe<?PI,: thelfwOhrldvil?verd' iinhnclUding some whif' ·tes in ~~:i~~~~~f~:~aadt::Sg:edti°it:=nas~::':ase~Oea~y out nca Itse ,t e e an uman system 0 apart- heidcontinues to flourish, embracing as it does the total to co-operate in implementing a peaceful transition to denial of political rights to the majority. Opposition to ~ndepell~~ce~or ~am~~a.Pl!f hope~ have been rudel~ apartheid is met with brutal force against defenceless rustrat y out nca S lDtranslgence. Instead 0 people, including children. It is a system which violates moving towards the implementation of the United all the universal principles of human dignity on which Nations plan for the independence ofNamibia, the regime the United Nations itself is based, yet all our efforts to has now resorted to an intensified war against neighbour- have stronger action taken against South Africa continue ing States, particularlyAngola, Moambique and Lesotho. to meet crippling resista:lce. We have adopted countless 122. A State or group of States has brought up aniss resolutions in the Assembly condemning the system. We simply to complicate negotiations for the independence have held many' international gatherings which have of Namibia. We must not confuse the issue ofNamibia's exposed and equally condemned the evil system practised independence with the territorial integrity of Angola. We :~::::::O<::ben:=::,::=:~~,====~;::l=.~. . . nology-lrrdeveloping countries. We believe that science and technology are crucial vehicles for the implementa- tion of the International Development Strategy and for lJi~Myresponsible offiCl:.'~~. o,y-ti.,;h we are certain you wiU, as did Mr. Hollai last year, do useful work. A man of thought, but also a man of action, in the course of a long ~r.!d rich political career in the service.>f your country, Panama, in tht\ United Nations and in other international bodies, you ha,,~ acquired the competence and experience necessary for gu1ding our work. Mr. Koroma (Sierra Leone), Vice-President, took the Chair. 164. Above and be:ycn~ your undeniable and univer- sally recognized qualities as an eminent statesman, we also see in you the worthy representative of that heroic land, Latin America, whose will has never faltered and where freedom, peace and progress have always found a powerful echo. Throughou~ the ages, as history shows, generations of men and women have fought with faith and courage on your continent for the triumph of those ideals which constitute the raison d'etre of the United Nations and the backdrop for its action. In the tom and anguished world in which we live today, the General Assembly, by electing you, could make no wiiser choice to advance the cause of peace, freedom and progress. 165. We live in a world torn, anguished, deeply con- cerned and desperately in search of peace, freedom and progress. This is the same painful and bitter assessment that we made last year at the thirty-seventh session~ and unfortunately we must make it again this year. In fact, observers are unanimous in cOIiSidering the present inter- national situation to be no better than it was last year and even seriously and dangerously worse. 166. East-West relations are more tense than ever. The arms race, which has known no respite, has now reached a fearsome threshold. A report on world military and 181. Responsibility for the failure ofour efforts is well known. All the covert or overt alliances, all the complicity and the tolel ance which encourage South Africa in its negative attitude, are also well known. They make it pos- sible for South Africa steadfastly to flout and d~fy the United Nations and give it the extra energy it needs when- ever internal pressure endangers the existence of the pro- ponents of apartheid. . 182. In these circumstances, how can we not share the concern of the International Conference in Support of the Struggle of the Namibian People for Independence, held in Paris in April 1983, over the fact that thus far, the Security Council has been unable to fulfil its respon- sibilities regarding the maintenance ofinternational peace and security, because of the opposition of a permanent member? Yet it appears obvious that the sanctions envisaged under Chapter VII of the Charter, effectively and universally applied, are the only available means to compel South Africa to comply with the decisions of the United Nations. 18';. In solidarity with the Namibian people and with the oppressed populations of South Africa and the front- line States, Niger deeply deplores the delaying tactics which characterize the search for a solution to the prob- lem of that region. Niger repudiates any link between the independence of Namibia and situations relating to the sovt~iI'eigntyofother States. We favour true independence for Namibia, based on Security Council resolution 435 (1978), and consequently call for determined action by the international community to put an end to the occu- pation of Namibia and to the policy of apartheid, both of which it has unanimously condemned. \~,~ , Closer to the borders of my country, in Chad, which for over 15 years has been torn asunder by a fratricidal war, a dangerous situation has developed recently, which was referred, without much effect, to the Security Council. As a neighbour of Chad, wc feel a 190. I wish to reaffirm Niger's support for the valiant Palestinian people and the PLO, which is its sole and legitimate representative. I also reaffirm our support for the Arab countries and peoples of the region in their struggle to regain their territories which are illega occupied by Israel. 191. We continue to believe that a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement ofthe question of the Middle East and PaleStine necessarily involves the total withdraw by Israel from Arab territories occupied 'dnce 1967, including Jerusalem; recognition ofthe right ofthe Pales- tinian people to self-determination and its right to the establishment of an independent and sovereign State on the soil ofits homeland, in Palestine, under the leadership a~ceptance ofrelations from which our concerns and our priorities are excluded. 242. The picture is a gloomy one, but the magnitude of the task does not discourage us. Quite the contrary, it arouses and strengthens our determination always to struggle for a better world where there is a place for justice and solidarity. That is the price of international peace and security. United and determined, we shall overcome. 243. Mr. dos SANTOS (Mozambique): It is both an honour and a privilege for me, on behalf of the people and the Government ofthe People's Republic ofMozam- bique, to address the Assembly under the presidency of Mr. Illueca. Under his leadership, I am sure the thirty- eighth session will be crowned with success. To his pre- decessor, Mr. Imre Hollai, I wish to express myappre- ciation for the efforts he exerted during his term of office in a period characterized by cold-war hysteria and tension. 244. I take this opportunity io hail the Secretary- General for his indefatigable efforts in the search for a climate of mutual understanding between peoples and countries. His attachment to the lofty ideals enshrined in the Chm.ter of the United Nations reassures us of a better future for the Organization, which has just wel- comed a new Member. May I add my voice to those of previous speakers in welcoming Saint Christopher and Nevis. I sincerely hope that in the near future other territories, such as Namibia and New Caledonia, will attain their independence and take their rightful place in the council of nations. 245. The international situation is characterized by the increasing aggressiveness of imperialism, which is lead- ing to a multitude of local conflicts in many places on our planet, to an arms race and to a widening of the gap between developed and developing countries. 246. I am addressing the .\ssembly five mont~s ah~tehr the Fourth Congress of the FRELIMO Party, w lC made a thorough review of the international situation and concluded with great concern that: "Imperialist circles have reintroduced on the inter- national SCt~ne the climate of the cold war, while at the sam~ time 'they promote the arms race at an unpre- cedented sc;ale, increase the areas and sectors of tell.- sion and conflict, resort to intervention and overt military aggression and make use of pressure and eco- nomic blackmail." In its analysis, the highest organ of our Party observed that the situation obtaining in the world was the result of the actions of imperialist forces strenuously trying to resoluti~n 181 (1963), in paragraph 1 of which the Council: "Strongly deprecates the policies of South Africa in its perpetuation of racial discrimination as being inconsistent with the principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations and contrary to its obligations as a Member of the United Nations." 252. Those two resolutions were adopted without a single negative vote, and only two members abstained, !lamely, France and the United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Northern Ireland. That was, I repeat, in 1960 and 1963, well before the independence of Mozambique, Angola and Zim·~abwe. It is therefore gratifying to note that the international community, through the Security Council, had the foresight to take that position. 253. Today, however ~ there are some of us who like to consider the Nazi-fascist regime of apartheid as an ally. An ally against whom? Against the peoples of Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Botswana who are struggllilg for their freedom an4 dignity and for their fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter? Is it against .Lesotho and Seychelles, which are constantly attacked by '~alling for the independence of Namibia? Or is it against the group of independent and sovereign countries in southern Africa whose only crime is daring to show, at the doorstep of South Africa, the last bastion of racism in Africa, examples of societies without racial discrim- ination, where black and white are simply free men and women, citizens of free and sovereign countries? 254. South African regular armed forces occupy the southern part of the territory of the People's Republic of Angola, South African bombers attack the capital of the People's Republic of Mozambique, South African aircraft and ships carry out military operations and supply armed bandits who maim and murder our defenceless civilians and destroy our economic and social infra- structures. Arm.ed gangs in the service of Pretoria raid Botswana and the Kingdom of Lesotho. The apartheid regime undertakes acts ofdestabilization against Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Swaziland. 255. Who threatens whom? Which ofthem should have its security guaranteed-the apartheid regime which is the aggressor, the warmonger and the expansionist, or the sovereign countries attacked by a powerful military machine encouraged and strengthened by ever larger fmancial, economic and military investments? 256. According to some sources, foreign investments in South Africa at the end of 1982 totalled more than $32 billion-three times more than just a few years ago. Is that the way one intends to pressure South Africa into behaving in conformity with the principles and objectives of the United Nations? Recently, Africa and indeed the international community were profoundly shocked at the news that the apartheid regime had been awarded $50 mil- lion to promote its nuclear development. 257. The more numerous the acts of aggression and dest~\bilization and occupation that South Africa per- petrates against sovereign States Members of the United Nations, the more investments, technological support and markets are offered to it. The more one invests in the South African regime, the more weapons are needed for its survival and the more weapons and military assistance are granted it to continue acts of aggression and perpe- trate genocide, not only against the black people ofSouth Africa but also against other peoples of the region. Is that the purpose of the "C(Mstructive engagement" that has been proposed to the States of southern Africa? 258. The People's Republic of Mozambique and other front-line States, conscious of their international respon- sibility, have endeavoured to preserve peace in our region. We have spared no effort to avoid a conflict of uncon- trollable proportions in southern Africa. 259. During the-war for independence in Zimbabwe the front-line States showed how anxious we were to avoid the escalation of tension in our region. In spite of the acts of military aggression and destruction perpetrated by the Smith regime, we offered our good offices to accek!fate the process ofindependence for Zimbabwe. In the same spirit, the front-line States agreed to participate in the diplomatic exercise that led to the formulation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Nami- bia, approved by the Security Council in its resolu- tion 435 (1978). In the course of this whole process, SWAPOAUld the·front-line States made concessions in the n~e'Ofpeace and in order to accelerate the process ofindependence for Namibia. Trusting in the good faith 293. I also note in passing the remarks of the repre- sentative ofMongolia. The paternity of these remarks is quite clear from their extensive reference to the Soviet Union. I would like to observe simply that the United States is not engaged in a crusade against socialism or any particular economic and social system. Many nations, some ofthem socialist, share our concern about the threat to international stability presented by the massive Soviet The meeting rose at 7.25 p.m. NOTES SProceedings ofthe UnitedNations Conference on Trade andDevel- opment, Sixth Session. vol. I, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.83.II.D.6), annex VI. 6Report of the United Nations Conference on Science and Tech- nologyfor Development, Vienna, 20-31 August 1979 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.79.1.21 and corrigenda), chap. VII. 7Report ofthe United Nations Conference on New and Renewable SourcesofEnergy, Nairobi, 10-21 August1981 (United Nadons publica- tion, Sales No. E.8I.1.24) Chap. I, sect. A. 8Adapted at the High Level Conference on Economic Co-operation among Developing Countries, held at Caracas from 13 to 19 May 1981. 9Frente de Liberta~o de M~bique. lOFrente Revolucion4ria de Timor Leste Independente.