A/38/PV.64 General Assembly

I should like to propose that the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed today at 5 p.m. It was so decided. 2. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): I now call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, who will introduce draft resolution A/38/L.17. 3. Mr. YAQUB-KHAN (pakistan): This is the fifth time that the General Assembly has taken up consideration of the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. The Soviet military intervention which began in December 1979 with the induction of troops into Afghanistan-troops now num- bering over l00,OOO-persists to thID day. Throughout this period, in keeping with their proud traditions of freedom and independence, the valiant Afghan people have con- tinued, with fierce determination, their resistance to the occupation of their country and against a regime which was installed and is being sustained by alien forces. A direct consequence of the foreign military intervention has been the massive exodu& of Afghan refugees who, driven by persecution, have been fcrced to seek shelter in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. 4. The foreign military intervention in Afghanistan constitutes a flagrant violation ofthe principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and of the norms ofconduct governing inter-State relations. This violation poses a threat to peace and stability not only in the region but throughout the world, and its cDntinuation is fraught with the most dangerous consequences. S. There have been attempts in some quarters to dismiss the resistance of the Afghan poople as a counter-revolu- tionary phenomenon, encouraged and sponsored from outside. But the stark reality of ruthless suppression and heroic resistance, of the bombing of villages and the flight ofinnocent men, women and children from their homes, has persisted for four long years and has been witnessed and recorded by impartial observers throughout the world. 6. These accounts clearly illustrate the magnitude and intensity of the Afghan resistance and its indigenous character. It is spread across the entire length and breadth . ofthe country, including the provinces along the northern borders of Afghanistan. The conflict is taking a heavy toll of innocent Afghan lives every week. According to some estimates, since that fateful day in December 1979 when Soviet forces entered Afghanistan, nearly 130,000 Afghans have perished and more than a quarter of the population has fled the country. Monday, 21 November 1983, at 11.10 a.m. NEW YORK 7. Apart from the suffering it has brought to the Afghan people, the foreign military intervention has had a serious impact on the international political situation. The Afghanistan crisis has dealt a severe blow to the concept of detente, and has been one of the principal causes of deterioration in the international climate. It continues to be a stumbling-block in the wayofimprove- ment of relations between the East and the West and between the Soviet Union and China. By undermining the security environment of a highly sensitive region, it has contributed to the heightening of global tensions. It has also set a dangerous precedent for the future. 8. Recognizing these realities and conscious of the grave consequences, me United Nations, the Movement ofNon- Aligned Countries and the Organization of the Islamic Conference have all expressed deep concern over the foreign military intervention and have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and for respect for the"sovereignty, independence, terri- torial integrity and non-aligned status of that country. The verdict of the international community is firm and clear. The crisis in Afghanistan is the direct result of foreign armed intervention and its solution lies in the termination of that intervention. 9. In calling for a just and comprehensive settlement of the Afghanistan crisis, the General Assembly, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the Organi- zation of the Islamk Conference have emphasized the following basic prindples: the immediate and total with- dlawal of the foreign troops from Afghanistan; preser- '¥atiou of the sovereignty, territonal integrity, political independence and non-aligned character of Afghanistan; the right of the Afghan people to determine its own form of govemm~ntand to choose its economic. political and social system free from outside intervention, subversion, coercion or ct')nstraint of any kind whatsoever; and the creation of th~ necessary conditions that would enable the Afghan refuge~to return voluntarily to their homes in safety and honour. 10. In spite ofthe support ofthe overwhelming majority ofthe membership of the United Nations, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the resolutions and decisions enun- dating the above-mentioned principles have not been implemented. Nevertheless, the search for a political settlement has continued through the initiative and efforts of the Secretary-General. 11. Here I wish to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General for his patient and determined pursuit ofa just settlement ofthe problem. His important report [A/38/449] assesses the progress made in the diplomatic process initiated by him and indicates how he intends to proceed in the future. We also wish to record our appreciation of the untiring efforts of Mr. Diego Cordovez, the personal representa- tive of the Secretary-General. As a result of his visits to the area and the indirect negotiations conducted by him in Geneva, there has been substantial progr.ess in deline- ating the elements and the structure of a comprehensive settlement. 59. We are in favour of a political settlement of the Afghan issue. But any programme for political settlement must accord with the basic principles of the relevant United Nations resolutions and guarantee the implemen- tation of those resolutions. Moreover, it should reflect the opinions of the Afghan people engaged in the fight- ing. The Afghan issue is in essence a question of armed intervention in and military occupation of a weak third- world country by a super-Power. Therefore, the key to its solution lies in the complete and unconditional with- drawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan. 60. The Government of Pakistan has made unremitting efforts in seeking a political solution to the Afghan prob- lem. We appreciate very much the just position of Paki- stan in adhering to the basic principles of the United Nations resolutions and calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops from that country. In addition, the people and Government of Pakistan have done their utmost to provide 3 million Afghan refugees with proper resettle- ment and relief. This humanitarian spirit of theirs has won appreciation and admiration from the international community and public opinion. 61. This year, in order to seek an early settlement of the Afghan issue, Pakistan has, together with other coun- tries, proposed draft resolution A/38/L.17. This draft resolution gives expression to the common desire of the majority of countries and peoples in the world and reaf- firms the basic principles of the four previous relevant United Nations resolutions. The Chinese delegation is in favour of this draft resolution and calls on all Member States to give it support.

On 27 April of this year, the Afghan people celebrated the fifth anniversary of the victorY of the national democratic revolution, which opened their way to social and economic equality and the development of education, science and culture. The April 1978 revolution in Afghanistan was made necessary because of the vital need of Afghan society, which had for long been languishing under the yokl;: of a feudal, bureaucratic regime. 63. The revolution in Afghanistan did not create any threat to anyone-not even to the neighbouring countries and peoples. All the strength and eriergy of the Afghan people were directed by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan to ,tackling domestic problems and tasks within their country, something that was long overdue. incre~ed by the reception at the White House and in Congress in February of this year of the leaders of the counter-revolutionary bands, the declaration of so-called Afghanistan Day by the present Administration and the decision by the United States Senate to increase military and fmancial assistance to the Afghan counter-revolution. 74. According to information published in the pless, in the five years since the April 1978 revolution in Afghan- istan, the United States has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on sustaining the Afghan counter-revolution, while its NATO allies, the Federal Republic ofGermany and the United Kingdom, h~ve spent OM 60 million and $ 18 million, respectively. In 1983, the United States appropriated $105 million for these purposes. The rebels were supplied with mortars, grenade launchers, recoilless weapons and anti-aircraft missiles. Iftheylack anything, then-according to Mario Vorman, whose remarks were published in the journal for professional assassins, Soldier 0/Fortune-it is simply plastic masks to hide their faces during terrorist operations, timing mechanisms in order to plant explosives, chemical weapons, particularly gas pistols, and silencers for small arms to deaden the sound of the shots. 75. The peoples ofAsia, Africa and Latin America are thoroughly familiar with the modus operandi of the so- called protectors of freedom. In Kabul, a trial was held ofmembers ofa band caught red-handed in their crimes. One of the bandits testified in court: "When we were trained in the camp near the city of Peshawar, it was made quite clear to us that we should burn down schools, destroy mosques and kill mullahs, and that all these acts should be performed in such a way as to ensure that suspicion fell on the Government forces." 76. The Minister for Foreign Affairs ofthe Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, Shah Mohammad Dost, in his statement to the General Assembly on 6 October, quoted some alarming figures on the results of the counter- revolutionary banditry. He said that, since April 1978, the bandits had destroyed 50 per cent of all schools and hospitals, 75 per cent of all communication lines and a number of hydroelectric and thermal power installations ofthe country. Their total cost to the economy was some 24 billion afghanis, amcunting to halfofthe total devel- opment investment made in the 20 years prior to the revolution. The Foreign Minister concluded: "As is obvious, armed interference aimed at the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan from the territory of Pakistan is the r~()t cause of the problem around Afghanistan. It is therefore the cessation ofthat inter- ference which should constitute the main purpose of the negotiations." [21st meeting, para. 117.] 77. The delegation of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic believes that a political settlement of the situa- tion prevailing around Afghanistan is possible and can be achieved on the basis ofa complete cessation ofarmed or any other intervention in the internal affairs of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, and a guarantee ofthe non-recurrence ofsuch intervention, which was and remains the main reason for the deteriorating situation in the region. There is an excellent basis for such a set- tlement-the proposals put forward by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan on 15 May 19802 and 24 August 1981.3

I now call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Co- operation and External Trade of the Islamic Federal RepUblic of the Comoros, who will introduce draft reso- lution A/38/L.19. 82. Mr. Said Kafe MADI SOILIHI (Comoros) (inter- pretation from French): On 12 October, when I spoke before this Assembly [29th meeting), I reserved my right to speak in greater detail on the question of the Comorian island of Mayotte, which is the subject of our discussion today. 83. For eight years now, the United Nations has remained constantly seized of this question, which, as the Assembly knows, resulted from an injustice and, at the same time, constitutes a flagrant violation of public inter- national law and is in contradiction with the fundamental interests and the sovereigntyofthe Islamic Federal Repub- lic of the Comoros. 84. I shall therefore endeavour today to outline once again the origins of the issue, for the sole purpose of enlightening the Assembly during this debate and of making it possible for membets better to grasp all the elements of the problem, some of which are indeed not unfamiliar to them. "Condemns and considers null and void the referen- dums of 8 February and 11 April 1976 organized in the Comorian island of Mayotte by the Government of France, and rejects: "(a) Any other form of referendum or consultation which may hereafter be organized on Comorian territory in Mayotte by France;". 103. Like the United Nations, most major, interna- tional or regional organizations that have regularly dis- cussed this issue have unfailingly, and on good grounds, expressed their condemnation. Hence, the Seventh Con- ference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi from 7 to 12 March 1983, reaffll'D1ed, in its Political Declaration, the.undeniable sovereignty ofthe Islamic Federal Republic of the Como- ros over the island of Mayotte. It stated: "With regard to the Comorian island of Mayottep which is still under French occupation, the Heads of State or Government reaffll'D1ed that it is an integral part of the sovereign territory of the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros. They also expressed their active solidarity with the people of Comoros in their legitimate efforts to recover that island and preserve the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Comoros. The Heads of State or Government reaf- firmed their support for the overall results of the refer- endum carried out on 22 December 1974 in the entire territory of Comoros and rejected all proposals for a new referendum in Mayotte". [A/381l32 and CO".] and 2, annex, sect. I, para. 72.] What' we-all of our islands alike-want to build is the well-being of our country, which is the well-being of our people. It is this to which we aspire and it is this which must unite us. 121. In this difficult but vital test of our young nation, the people and Government of the Comoros, aware of their rights and ofthe justice of their claims, will continue to struggle until their just cause triumphs. 122. This year again, they would greatly appreciate the faithful and unanimous support of the United Nations for the draft resolution being considered today, which we have the honour to submit to the General Assembly for its approval. It is our earnest hope that all members will be able to vote in favour of it. 123. Mr. AL-ASFOOR (Oman) (interpretation from Arabic): In conformity with the policies of the Sultanate of Oman, which are based on respect for the independ- ence, unity, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, my delegation is participating in the debate on the question of the Comorian island of Mayotte. 124. It is particularly important to recall that in 1975, when it approved the admission ofthe Comoros to mem- bership of the United Nations, the General Assembly unambiguously reaffmned the necessity of respecting the unity and territorial integrity of the Comoro Archipel- ago, composed of the four islands of Anjouan, Grande- Comore, Mayotte and Moheli. 125. The question before us was first included on the agenda of the General Assembly at its thirty-first session. It is regrettable that after eight years we are still seized of the question of the return to the Republic of the Com- oros of the Comorian island of Mayotte. 126. For eight years, the international community has. been following the question with keen interest. It has sought to settle this dispute within the United Nations, within the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, within the Organization of the Islamic Conference and within the OAU, and has recommended that the efforts be con- tinued, with a view to achieving an honourable and just 134, The OAU Ad Hoc Committee of seven mem- bers, of which my country, Senegal, is honoured to be one and which is entrusted with the question ofthe Com- orian island of Mayotte, met two years ago, from 9 to 11 November 1981, at Moror.ll [see A/38/517, para. 3]. The open-mindedness and tlle expressed ,.vill ofths Come- ros to fInd a solution to the di~putewithin the framework u;ill be fulfilled and that the negotiations to ensure the effective and prompt resolution of this issue will be pursued energetically and expeditiously. NOTES