A/38/PV.33 General Assembly

The people and Government of Costa Rica welcome the accession of a new State, Saint Chris- topher and Nevis, to independent life and to the United Nations. We were pleased to be present at the solemn celebration of its independence. We extend to its people and Government our wishes for prosperity in freedom and a national life full of accomplishment and constant development. 2. International co-operation is an essential element in achieving the principles embodied in the San Francisco Charter in the sphere of human rights. In pursuance of those principles, the United Nations has adopted, among other instruments, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocol, thus upholding the principle that the human being is the subject matter of international law. 3. A great deal has been done in this field. Regrettably, none the less, there still remain victims of discrimination by reason of colour, race, sex, religion or national origin. Millions of people, particularly in the third world, live in conditions of poverty unworthy of the human being. Regrettably also, the numbers of refugees increase ~.use of persecution for ideologicalreasons, foreign occupation and forced displacement caused by military conflict. 4. I should like to take this opportunity to express thanks on behalf ofthe Government and people of Costa Rica to UNHCR and the Intergovernmental Committee for Migration for the attention given to the great problem of refugees in my country. We have registered 11,464 refugees thus far-one third ofthe total number-but the flow of refugees in the past months, particularly that of Nicaraguan refugees, has increased rapidly. In March this year 45 refugees per week entered our country, and in October the average rate is 175 per week. This is a tre- mendous burden to Ccsta Rica, and we hope for inter- national co-operation to resolve the conflict. 5. So much violence, injustice and poverty illustrate the vast task we must carry out in the human rights field in order to make them a reality for everyone. States' com- pliance with the principles and legal instruments protect- ing those values is an indispensable factor in that urgent endeavour, which is intrinsically related to peace, but we must rely on other machinery as well to make the work of the United Nations more effective and expeditious. Eighteen years ago Costa Rica, understanding that·need, proposed the establishment of a United Nations high commissioner for human rights. That initiative has had many ups and downs, but the need for it is felt NEW YORK increasingly. It is not the rust time in the United Nations that a good idea takes a long time to yield fruit. 6. We hope that at the next session of the Commission on Human Rights, of which Costa Rica is a member, the resolution recommending the creation of a high com- missioner's office will be adopted. The proposal is not intended to be a panacea for the ills afflicting the world in the field of human rights, but the high commissioner could be an important factor in improving the situation and going beyond rhetoric. We urge all delegations to give careful attention to that initiative, which has been given serious study by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. That Sub- Commission has helped to dispel doubts concerning the mandate of the high commissioner, whose work would provide the United Nations with another tool in the struggle which has already given it so much prestige. 7. One serious danger to peace is what was so eloquently described by President Betancur as "this insidious dis- guise of barbarity which is terrorism", whose most recent manifestation was the Rangoon tragedy, where a group of high government officials from the Republic ofKorea were killed, where an attempt was made on the life of its President and where the Socialist Rer" 'Jlic of the Union of Burma was plunged into mourning. The United Nations must wage an intense struggle against that dan- gerous scourge of modern man. S. There is a need to reactivate the process of peace through national reconciliation in Central America, Cyprus, Korea and Chad. This is true ofLebanon as well, where such reconciliation requires the withdrawal of foreign troops. It is as urgent there as in Afghanistan and Kampuchea. There is also an urgent need for peace for the noble Palestinian people. I reiterate here what I stated last year: Costa Rica is confident that we are not far from the day when that long-suffering people can at last live at peace with its neighbours in a territory where it can assert its national identity. 9. Another terrible scourge is that of racism, which is so odiously manifested in South Africa. The international community must redouble its efforts to convince that country that its behaviour violates the fundamental values of mankind today. The tension caused by the conflict in South Africa is also a threat to world peace. 10. One other manifestation of institutionalized racism and continuing colonialism is the illegal behaviour of South Africa in Namibia. Costa Rica had the honour of hosting the first regional symposium organized by the United Nations concerning that situation. On that occa- sion, the President of Costa Rica, Luis Alberto Monge, reaffirmed our determination to contribute, within the United Nations framework, to efforts to bring about the self-determination of Namibia and affirmed that uno force, interest or consideration alien to the legitimate will of the Namibian people to establish the Government of its choice should be allowed to weaken the pressure of the international community on the Republic of South Africa to comply with the United Nations resolutions on ' the problem of Namibia." int~rnationaleconomic system. We should not make the mistake of thinking that a few nations can by themselves bring about lasting well-being. 15. The heavy burden ofindebtedness of the third world nations endangers the health and the future ofthe world economy. Several developing countries, including Costa Rica, have shown an unprecedented sense of responsi- bility in imposing upon themselves austerity programmes which in many cases endanger their political and social balance. For example, Costa Rica has managed to control inflation. At the beginning of 1982 the inflation rate was 85 per cent per annum, and it has now been reduced to 17 per cent per annum. It has acted similarly to tackle the phenomenon ofcurrency devaluation. Our exchange rate in 1982 was 64 colones to the dollar, and today it is 44 to the dollar. All this has been done at a high social cost which has tested the strength of our democratic institutions. This has taken place, and is taking place, during critical times, when the contraction of interna- tional trade, the marked deterioration in the prices of primary commodities and the ruinous terms of trade all work against us and the sacrifices that have been accepted by our people. Today, when the poor nations give daily proof of their good will and sense of responsibility, North ther~ will be, as is already the case in Costa Rica, political arid'legal mechanisms capable of dealing with the social pose that does not represent a quest for tranquillity. Dieg"J Garcfa, separated from Mauritius at the same time, remains today a military base in our Indian Ocean. 57. How much ground has been covered since the 19605, and fortunately for Aldabra, respect for nature has tri- . umphed, Peace reigns and freedom shines forth. nuclear wars. It is in the shadow of that danger that a wide-ranging race is continuing also in the field of con- ventional weapons, the m;~; of which in many local or regional wars increasingly threatens world peace and the independence of a large number of countries. 102. It is therefore essential that the United Nations should not only consider the nature and consequences of the arms rac~ but also and above all promote the adoption of concrete measlues for putting an end to it. Here we have in mind the conclusion between the two super- Powers of agreements on strategic nuclear weapons and on the missiles in Europe. We are also referring to the need for treaties on the complete prohibition of nuclear tests Md the prohibition of chemical weapons. Lastly, we have in mind the need to embark on global negoti- ations on nuclear and c~nventionaldisarmameli.L issues. The preparation and aciuption by the General Assembly ofa programme ofdisarmament would be an appreciable contribution to that end. 103. Cameroon, for its part, will continue to support all initiatives aimed at -opening disarmament negotiations. Here we recall that only determined and united action by all members ofthe international communitycan ensure progress in this field. Such action requires strengthening the role of the United Nations. That is the sense and the spirit of the New Delhi Message adopted at the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non- Aligned Countries [see A/38/132 and Corr.l and 2], which Cmneroon frilly supports. 104. It is self-evident that at the present time the fIrst step towards peace must be the relaxation of international tension. Cameroon has always stressed that. Detente must be general; it must cover every region in the world and all forms of international activity. Such a process pre- supposes the renunciation of threats, ofthe use of force, of interVention and interference, an end to all forms of aggression, withdrawal from occupied territories and the final elimination of ~olonialismand racism. These are all goals ofthe Org~tion.They are also questions on which we must now, more than before, take a clear stand and define the framework for our action. It is now more than ever before an imperative, since we know that in 1983 no significant progress has been achieved in solving the different crises which have been affecting the world for years, even decades. Today, no region of the world enjoys complete security Chid peace. The policy of force, interfere[,-:-~, pressures and overt aggression are the rea- son. Bloc rivalry and interference considerably delay settlement ofthese crises by peaceful means with respect for the rights and interests of the peoples and countries directly concerned. 105. This is the case in Africa, on which history has imposed many hardships. At a time when the OAU is making patient efforts to root out the terrible evils of colonialism, racism and their surrogates, Africa today is exposed to threats of division and to ever-growing external pressure. This is a deep-rooted and, dangerous i 09. Cameroon is also concerned at the situation in southern Africa, where, because of South Africa, apart- heidand the colonization of Namibia still constitute two sources of violence, two causes of humiliation for the African people and two major challenges to the interna- tional community. . 110. From the moral st9.ndpoint~ we can never repeat too often that apartheid remains a most repulsive and condemnable philosophy because it is the only example of an institutionalized policy of racial discrimination. An exclusively white minority Government has arrogated to itself all political power and 80 per cent of the wealth of the country, thanks to an extraordinary arsenal of evil laws and a most barbaric form of repression. South Africa, therefore, is the only country in the world where 85 per cent of the population is officially deprived of all political and economic rights and even the most basic human rights. 111. This situation is untenable. Untenable also are the deceptive reforms promised or -implemented by South Africa, because they are designed to keep the black population, which is in the overwhelming majority, on the fringes ofsociety. That is why Cameroon, a member of th~oAU Co-ordinating Committee for the Liberation it~ borders, Namibia represents the last line of defence before the winds of freedom sweep away that bastion of apartheid. 113. How long will the international community be deceived by the delays and subterfuges of apartheid, dictated by a total rejection of the values of civilization that constitute the pride of our day? 114. Cameroon, for its part, remains devoted to Secu- rity Council resolutions 385 (1976) and 435 (1978), which define the only acceptable framework for the indepen- dence of Namibia. Any policy aimed at creating a link, a parallel or reciprocity between the application of those resolutions and the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola is inadmissible aud constitutes unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign State. The self-determination and independence of Namibia are inalienable rights of the Namibian people, recognized and solemnly affirmed by the General Assembly three decades ago. Their exercise and their observance should be neither delayed nor compromised by considerations that relate solely to the hegemonic struggle of the super-Powers. US. A member of the United Nations Council for Namibia, Cameroon will continue to support in every way the heroic struggle of the Namibian people for genuine independence under the leadership of SWAPO, its sole legitimate representative. '-_ 116. We appeal to the Powers friendly to Pretoria to compel it, while there is still time, to heed the voice of wisdom and of reason. Any policy based on racial injus- tice and supported by violence and repression can only lead to tragedy and endanger the peace and security of all society. We direct our appeal in particular to all those people who know the high cost of freedom because they themselves made the greatest and most noble sacrifices for it. 117. But given the political short-sigh1edness and the bad faith that characterizes the white minority in Pretoria, the Security Council, in order to make its decisions respected, should resort to the collective measures given it by the Charter, including the provisions under Chap- ter VII. 118. The Middle East region continues to be the most dangerous hotbed of crisis in the world. This situation results from the expansionist policy of Israel, which for many years now has been endangering the freedom and sovereignty of neighbourng countries and brutally deny- ing the elementary national and human rights of the Palestinian people. The occupation of a large part of Lebanon, the genocide perpetrated against the Palestin- ians, the annexation of the Golan Heights and-Jerusalem and the preparations for the appropriation of the West Bank and Gaza confirm that the deliberately intransigent orientation of Israeli policy remains unchanged. l~turn of the refugees. We welcome all the constructive efforts undertaken in that direction, and we particularly appreciate the good offices of the Secretary-General. 129. We deplore the recent destruction of the Korean Air Lines civilian aircraft. This not only has cast a pall over the already tense relations between the blocs but has also caused the death of hundreds of innocent persons. We wish once again to express here our deep sympathy to the bereaved families and ~o the Korean people. 130. The aggravation and perpetuation of these situ- ations that we have just mentioned result, let us not forget, in the appearance ofthat new category ofpersons forced to wander through the world without shelter, without a homeland and without possessions-that is, refugees. There are at present about 10 million in.the world, more than half of them in Africa. This flow of refugees creates problems for the host countries, which for the most part are developing countries already con- cerned with problems of their own survival. 131. We hope that the SecondInternational Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa, to be held in 1984, will conduct a precise evaluation ofthe results ofthe first conference, provide increased resources to alleviate the plight ofthese refugees and give new impetus to the search for ways and means to find a long-term solution to this problem. 132. In speaking of the suffering endured by peoples of Africa, Asia, Palestine and Lebanon and the heroic struggle they are waging, we cannot but make an urgent appeal to the international community. For all these peoples expect the United Nations to demonstrate active solidarity with them, mobilizing the Organization's con- siderable means and influence. They expect the United Nations to contribute to the restoration, once freedom has been regained, of a just and lasting peace in all these regions. 133. Peace and security do not allow for the transfer to our countries ofconflicts stemming from the confron- tation between the big Powers. Still less can peace and security accommodate the greed and the designs, clearly apparent today, of which our countries are the targets and which awaken the memories of an era that we had thought long past. 134. The peace to which mankind aspires cannot exist if its benefits are not extended to all the peoples of the world; it requires respect for the independence of every country and the free expression by every people of its national will. 135. To be maintained, peace requires active and bal- anced co-operation within the framework of a renewed and more democratic system of international relations; it requires the creation of an international atmosphere favourable to equal economic and social development for all. That is the essence ofthis new international economic order which must be established without delay. 136. How can we not regret that our developed partners stilI do not want to hear us and persist in believing that through a series of corrective measures they will be able to overcome the present crisis, wp.ich, we must recall, is a structural one. It stems from the inadequacy of post- 137. Despite the emergency measures taken here and there, the international economic situation remains disquieting. 138. No decisive breakthrough is expected before 1985 in the States members ofthe Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Moreover, according to forecasts of some specialized agencies, including IMF, the Western countries as a whole will not this year reach the 3 per cent growth rate which is considered the thresh- old for any viable economic recovery. 139. The manifestations of the crisis, which are the present massive unemployment, affecting millions of persons, trade confrontations and endemic inflation, remain serious in themselves. 140. The situation in the developing countries, where absolute poverty is the daily lot of millions of persons, deteriorates day by day because of those countries' grow- ing indebtedness, the continuing deterioration in terms of trade and the protectionist measures that exhaust their export earnings. For many of them the basic question today is not one of being better off, but rather one of simple survival. Recent reports of the World Bank and IMF are particularly enlightening in this connection. It is therefore easy to understand our disappointment at the level of official development assistance and the insignif- icant results of major international conferences in this connection. 141. We are deeply concerned at the depletion of the resources of multilateral organizations that work for development. Although we are pleased by the recent increase in IMF quotas and the broadening of general loan agreements, our anxiety persists. Apart from the fact that measures must be ratified in order to be effective, which takes a long time-the example of the Common Fund for Commodities is enlightening in this respect- the agencies of the United Nations system are in a critical financial situation. Some of them are now moving from recession to depression. This is the case in particular with UNDP, whose resources have decreased by 50 per cent. All of this endangers the realization of many projects, especially in Africa. 142. The failure of the sixth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development also attests to the dangerous deterioration of the spirit of international co-operation. Of course, it did manage to adopt a few resolutions in favour ofthe Common Fund, as well as some measures concerning the conclusion of agreements on certain commodities and some interna- tional arrangements to stabilize prices. This was only a reaffirmation of an existing consensus. On the other hand, the Conference did not reach agreement on sub- stantive problems, in particular the causes ofthe present crisis and ways of overcoming it. 143. For the same selfish reasons, the new United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea, the result of more than 10 years oflaborious negotiations, is now the object of manoeuvres aimed at obstructing its imple- mentation. Certain developed countries are no longer concealj.qg their bitter disappointment at the lack of co- opera~i6n and solidarity which has become evident within atL;~is project, the opening of which is unfortunately blocked by the unjustified hesitation of a tiny minority of rich countries which are excessively attached to the present archaic economic system, and this endangers international peace and security. This project appears more than ever to be the most appropriate framework, because the approach to a global challenge to the inter- national community must be global. 146. There is not and will never be any security based on exploitation and the impoverishment of the third world. Development is and will remain the key to peace. That is why we renew here our appeal, the appeal of the non-aligned countries for collective action for world prosperity. Will this appeal at least be heard? We venture to hope that it will. We hope this most sincerely, because the tragic situation now prevailing, the present crisis, demands this. 147. Our support for world-wide co-operation cannot conceal our deep conviction that the task of development is in the last analysis a matter for the national will and our own efforts. Thus Mr. Paul Biya has said: "Our common task is to persist with ever-increasing determination in our national development effort; to develop a strategy that will make it possible to bring about social change; to modernize our structures and make them factors in increasingly self-reliant, endog- enous and balanced develoment." 148. But our internal dynamics, our efforts to achieve ethical develonment and to make the best and most rational use ofour resources will not be enough, we well know, if an unfavourable international environment systematically nullifies what we have worked so hard to achieve. 149. Having described from this rostrum its vision of international relations, Cameroon has tried to make its own contribution to the search for suitable means of guaranteeing peace and security, which are so gravely threatened, by recourse not to weapons but to co-oper- ation. Could there be any more appropriate forum in which to do this than that of the United Nations, which was established precisely to safeguard these ideals and to strengthen co-operation among nation:i in order to guarantee for all an equal chance ofachieving well-being? 150. In the face of the persistence of colonialism, the increase in hotbeds of tension, the growing inequality among nations and the erosion ofthe spirit of co-opera- tion, there is a great temptation today to question the capacity of the United Nations to fulfIl its essential mis- sion. Indeed, its Secretariat shows signs that its means of action are insufficient. 154. By committing ourselves to that process we shall be restoring credibilityto the United Nations, enhancing its prestige and meeting the three-fold challenge that we face: to be worthy ofthe architects ofthis Organization, who, learning from the sufferings ofthe wars ofthe past, dreamed of harmony and peace; to meet the expectations of present generations for a better life; and to respond to the aspirations of the poor to freedom, progress and well-being, to their urgent appeal for greater justice. 155. Only in this way, as stated by Mr. Paul Biya, will the United Nations "remain not only an enlightening and stimulating moral authority, but also a force for the benefit uf the harmony, development and betterment necessary for peace, liberty and progress in a difficult world, an instrument for the solution of such major international problems as those of disarmament, the situation in the Middle East, southern Africa, the resump- tion of the North-South dialogue, the just distribution of the riches of our world".

Twenty years ago, Africa rose above the emotion and tensions inherent in post-independence periods to present itself united to the rest ef the world and thus to bring to the international community a message1 the thrust of which was as potent as thai of the Charter of the United Nations. 157. In this twentieth anniversary year since the creation of that great African assembly, !be OAU, it is quite natural that at the opening of the thirty-eighth session of thibSli~sefmblaliy.therust wo!ds ofthe spokesman ofthe Repu c 0 M should be m salute to this message of responsibility, this message ofthe unity of hearts and wills in the service of peace, at this time of extreme tension in the world. 158. This state of the world makes the peoples of the United Nations live in anxiety about the futur~. The ::~r;v:=~ ::d:~;~t~~~:n,t~=:~~:t~: spoken in turn from this rostrum and who, in their wis- dom, have preached their love for peace and indicated the best ways to give the world confidence again. 159. The dominant features ofthe present international crises they have dwelt on, far from having moderated ::: ::: "J 162. In our work ofseeking viable solutions for distress- ing intemational problems, we welcome as an exceptional stroke offortune for the international communitythe fact that the work of the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly is being guided by a statesman of the calibre of Mr. Jorge Illueca. This sign ofinternational approval is a tribute to the continuing action of his country, Pan- ama, in working for peace. It is also a tribute to the efforts he personally has made throughout an outstanding career devote1 to the defence of the lofty principles of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the noble ideals of the Charter. Miss Dever(Belgium), Vice-President, took the Chair. 163. The heavy burden that an exceptional destiny has led him to assume will be made lighter by the fact that the Secretariat is guided by that other diplomat whose competence has been recognized by all, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, citizen of a country neighbouring his which, like Panama, is a friend of my own country. After scarcely two years in office, the Secretary-General, thanks to his calm determination and his high-mindedness, has conferred fresh dynamism on the administration of the United Nations. We salute the courage and tenacity he has shown in calling upon the United Nations to be receptive'to fresh ideas which can lead us finally to build this world where all nations, without exception, will redouble their concerted efforts to bring about a society of peace, built by peoples all of whom are free from all forms of domination, a society of progress built on the just satisfaction of the common aspirations of peoples and nations to well-being, freedom and security, and thus to peace. 164. Mr. Illueca's predecessor, Mr. Imre Hollai of the Hungarian People's Republic, worked throughout the thirty-seventh session with his customary ability for the triumph of the Organization's ideals and principles. We renew our heartfelt congratulations to that citizen of a country which is friendly with mine. 165. The aim of the United Nations is to achieve uni- versality. One glimmer of hope is that this dream of universality of the drafters of the Charter is·inexorably becoming a reality. Thus the thirty-eighth session ofthe General Assembly has had the pleasure of welcoming into its midst Saint Christopher and Nevis. On behalf of the people of Mali and its leaders, it is an honour for me to . , 182. Respect for the universal principles that underlie the basic right of peoples to self-determination must be seen by every Member State as a sacred duty. It is a duty fulfilled by my country, Mali, when it recognized and reaffmned the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination by means of an open and properly organized general referendum, which is the only way of resolving the serious crisis resulting from incom- plete decolonization. Only the speedy conclusion of this process can help establish a just and definitive peace in that subregion of Africa, whose peoples, including my own, have through the ages been mutually enriched by their experiences, their culture and their philosophy of life. The question of Western Sahara must in no way impair the harmonious sharing ofthis common heritage. 183. The differences on this question, as is knOWD, have caused a serious crisis within the OAU. The African heads ofState-although I shall not detail the manyindividual and collective initiatives that have been taken-have laid a solid foundation for a settlement of the question of Western Sahara. Indeed, at Addis Ababa, at its nine- teenth session, the Assembly of Heads ofState and Gov- ernment of the Organization of African Unity adopted a settlement plan [see A/38/312) which calls for the co- operation of the United Nations. 184. Notwithstanding the difficulties that have now arisen concerning the implementation of that important and decisive resolution adopted at Addis Ababa, we pin our hopes on the actions and initiatives under way to fmd an African solution for the problem of the self-determi- nation of the people of Western Sahara. 185. Several years of warfare in the Western Sahara have shown that the solution to the question does not lie in military confrontation. History also teaches us that there has not been a single conflict or war that has not ended at the negotiating table. That is the price of peace in Western Sahara, a price that the parties to the con- flict, POLISARI02 and the Kingdom of Morocco, must pal' with honour and dignity. 186. It is because of its awareness of the interdepend- ence of all peopies, particularly those living in the same area ofcivilization, that the people ofMali has made and will continue to make good-neighbourliness a cardinal principle of its African })I?licy. As has been repeatedly stated from this r~:;trum, Mali intends to consolidate that principle, which we see as the only way to guarantee the individual existence of all States. 187. That is why Mali continues to participate in the patient building ofregional bodies which are demonstrat- ing their mission of peace, sofidarity, co-operation and friendship among brother peoples naturally united by a common history. 234. On the economic front, the Thirion report, pre- pared,..by a Sottth-African-appointed commission, reveals that Namibia has suffered serious decline in the past few Liberi'!~ion Army, the harassment of Lesotho nationals at border crossings, the impounding ofgoods consigned to Lesotho. Those are acts of economic and political sabotage. Lesotho is not alone in this, for the repeated military raids into Mozambique and Angola and, what is more, the permanent occupation of southern Angola by the South Afric.::~l Army, support by South Africa for dissidents in those countries and in Zimbabwe, the sabo- taging of costly infrastructure, fuel tanks, aeroplanes, railways and locomotives, the curtailment of trade agree- ments, and so on, all confirm the fact of South Africa's policy of economic and political destabilization in the region. We look to the United Nations and particularly to the Western Powers to express the same indignation and the same moral outrage about the situation in south- ern Africa as they do about the situations in Afghanistan and Kampuchea. 242. The problems of the Republic of Chad in central Africa are not new. Chad has been the scene of political turmoil and civil strife spanning two decades. Solutions and resolutions to halt the conflict have had only a tem- porary effect, and interim arrangements pending the election of a Government have not held for very long. Towns have been razed and whatever infrastructure there might have been largely destroyed. N'Djamena, the cap- ital, bears bullet scars as evidence ofthe battles that have raged there in the past and is a sad reminder of what may yet happen again, for it is clear that, with outside Powers ranged behind one or another of the different Chad parties, military victories will continue to be transient phenomena and peace will remain an elusive objectiv~. 243. Incentives should be offered to the various political groups to create a viable peace, not to carry on an unwin- nable war. To assist Chad, the international community should call for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of foreign forces and should stop the shipment of arms to the war- ring parties. Simultaneously, the political groups in Chad should be given moral, political, and economic encour- agement to negotiate a settlement and a Government that can develop the country in the interests of all. 244. The question of Western Sahara continues to occupy a sensitive place in the politics of Africa. In his message to the General Assembly [27th meeting], the current Chairman of the OAU, the head of State of Socialist Ethiopia, gave an account of his efforts in search of a solution to a problem which threatens the unity of the continental organization. Botswana supports those efforts without reservation and urges the parties con- cerned to implement without further delay the decision of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, taken at its eight- eenth session, at Nairobi in 1981, to allow the peo- ple of Western Sahara to settle the conflict through a referendum. i troops occupying Chad. 303. The people ot Chad, like its leaders, on several occasions has said that it is a peaceful people. We only aspire to peace and to social and economic well-being,. so that we may devote our efforts to the rational exploi- tation of all our material and human resources. We have no ambitions against any other people. We seek to have trusting relations of brotherhood, good neighbourliness and mutually beneficial co-operation with all countries of the world, particularly with our neighbours. 304. Mr. GAUCI (Malta): I listened very carefully to the statement in exercise ofthe right of reply made today by the representative of the United Kingdom, in response to the genuine and vital concerns for Malta's development needs raised in this forum by my Minister last week. Unfortunately, I did not detect anything new to encour- age us to expect a more forthcoming attitude by the British Government. Nevertheless, we shall continue to strive to obtain not a right of reply but the right reply from the British Government in the coming months. 305. I would only say that the relevant facts and figures have been ~:esented to the British Government, and they have been the subject of independent verification. We only f\wait favourable understanding. The friendship of almost two centuries between our two peoples deserves no less. 306. Mr. ANDINO-SALAZAR (El Salvador) (interpre- tation/rom Spanish): At the 32nd meeting the represent- ative of Grenada referred to the situation in El Salvador in terms which my delegation categorically rejects. The representative of Grenada tried in vain to produce polit- ical recipes to impress his audience. He used obsolete formulas that have been rejected and rendered out of date byewmts. 307. 9- ~ince that representative does not believe in elec- tions as a rational political method, he thinks that arrangements can be made behind the back of the people, as iLdeed is done by the dictatorial clique of the Grenada regime. It would be better if the Grenada delegation spared us its insults and devoted its energies to getting . its country out of the present state of political servitude. 308. Mr. AL-ATASSI (Syrian Arab Republic) (inter- pretation from Arabic): At the 32nd meeting we heatd a statement in exercise of the right of reply from the ·United States representative. Our attention was attracted by his expression of regret at the criticism that the repre- ·sentative of Syria had levelled against the Marines in Lebanon operating within the framework of the multi- national force there. 309. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic wishes to repeat to the General Assembly, and particularly to the Bl itish and American delegations, the part of the ·statentent made by the Foreign Minister of Syria to the Assembly which concerned the United States Marines. We do so in order to reaffirm the point of view of the Syrian Arab Republic regarding the role of the United States Marines: ' NOTES 1OfficialRecords ofthe Security Council. Thirty-eighth Year. Sup- plementforOctober. November andDecember 1983, document 8/16041. 2Frente Popular para la Liberaci6n de 8aguia eI-Hamra y de Rio de Oro. 3R_port ofthe International Conference on the Question ofPales- tine. Geneva. 29August-7September 1983 (United Nations publication, 8ales No. E.83.I.21), chap. I. 4SaIes No. E.83.II.C.1. 5OfficialRecordsofthe Security Council. Thirty-eighth Year. Sup- plement for July. August and September 1983, document 8/15943, para. 24. 6Report ofthe United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. Paris. 1-14September1981 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.82.1.8), part one, sect. A. 7Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente.