A/38/PV.87 General Assembly

We have before us draft resolution A/38/L,16, which was introduced so ably at the 83rd meeting by the representative of Costa Rica. The draft resolution, entitled "International Year of Peace", brings to mind the many worthy causes for which, in the past, international years have been pro- claimed by the United Nations. 2. On this occasion, let me invite the Assembly, in the name of men, women and children who have died and will die on the field of conflict, to take a moment to contemplate the familiar emblem of the Organization, which is suspended behind the podium of the General Assembly Hall. I ask members to look at the two olive branches which, like two strong hands, appear to cup our whole world-this fragile planet we call Earth-dearly and carefully. It is the eloquent syinbol of peace, the symbol of the United Nations, a symbol we hold dear in this house, this house of all States. 3. It is that symbol of peace, that symbol of the United Nations, which is extolled in the draft resolution now before us. It is sponsored by my country and by other countries that believe in its importance and the need for it. We take pride in submitting it to the Assembly for approval. 4. It will be recalled that the International Association of University Presidents, ~t its Sixth Triennial Confer- ence, held at San Jose from 28 June to 3 July 1981, took the initiative that led to the declaration of the Interna- tional Year of Peace. In line with that initiative and on the strength of Economic and Social Cou~cil.resolu- tion 1982/15, the General Assemblylast year, In Its re50- lution 37/16, declared 1986 to be the International Year of Peace. The draft resolution now before us seeks to carry out the preparations necessary for the observance of the International Year of Peace. It also invites volun- tary contributiorts for the Year's observance. The ad~in­ istrative and financial implications of the draft resolutIon are indicated in document A/38/658. The sum involved is a very small token for and in the name of peace. 5. My delegation submits that we must honour peace not only in 1986. Indeed, our efforts here must be unswervingly dedicated to the promotion and preserva- tion of peace, not only for our time but also for the time of all human generations still unborn. Thus can we answer a poet's pained cry: "Ah, when shall all men's good Be each man's rule, a universal peace". 6. My delegation considers it most timely that in this month, when we celebrate peace to all men of good will, NEW YORK the draft resolution before us is to be adopted by the Assembly by consensus. 7. Mrs. CARRASCO MONJE (Bolivia) (interpretation from Spanish): The delegation of Bolivia has sponsored draft resolution A/38/L,16 with warm enthusiasm because we believe that there is no more noble or worthy cause than that of peace. The ultimate objective of peace is also the ultimate objective of the Organization. The General Assembly, recognizing the need to promote the cause of peace as one of the fundamental purposes of the United Nations, last year adopted resolution 37/16, declaring 1986 the International Year of Peace. 8. The delegation of Bolivia thanks the Secretary- General for his report [A/38/413 and Add.} and 2], in which he clearly and precisely states that the prepa- rations for the obse"rvance of the International Year of Peace must be expedited if substantial results in inter- national co-operation to this end are to be achieved. The regional seminars envisaged in paragraph 4 of draft reso- lution A/38/L,16 can be a valuable contribution in giving the International Year of Peace the prominence and importance it deserves. 9. As is clear from the statement of administrative aJ:).d financial implications [A/38/658], an effort has been made to keep the costs to a minimum. In fact, the appro- priation of $70,000 from the regular budget and the use of the conference services of the United Nations are entirely justified, not only because precedents exist in connection with the observance of other commemorative years, but also, and above all, because we are dealing here with the ultimate good: peace. 10. The delegation of Bolivia recognizes that the observ- ance of the International Year of Peace will have to be financed in principle through voluntary contributions. Unfortunately, the General Assembly's appeal has gone unheeded, because those who could have contributed generously to the financing of a programme worthy of this cause have failed to do so. 11. For that reason, the sponsors ofthis draft resolution deem it essential that a moclest sum be appropriated from the regular budget to finance the preparations for the International Year of Peace. Nevertheless, it is our hope that Governments will change their attitude and contrib- ute generously in the next few months to the special fund set up for this purpose. If that does happen, there will be no need for any future requests for appropriations from the budget. 12. Mrs. CASTRO de BARISH (Costa Rica) (interpre- tationfrom Spanish): Before speaking on the item under consideration, I should like, on behalf of the Govern- ment of Costa Rica and my delegation, to express our deep grief at the death of Mr. Bernardo Zuleta, Under- Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Sf.cretary-General for the Law of the Sea. Mr. Zuleta was a distinguished citizen of Colombia. Through you, Mr. President, we express our condolences to the bereaved family, to the Government of Colombia and to the Secre- tary-General on this irreparable loss. 13. Turning to the item on the agenda, I have the duty of informing the Assembly that, despite our sincere desire

The Secretary-General has expressed his pessimism about the possibility of reaching a solution to the problem of the Middle East. In his report on this subject, he states: "The developments in the Middle East during the past year have given little cause for hope that the problems of that region are nearer to solution . . . Preoccupation with the events in Lebanon has tended to overshadow the consideration of major aspects of the Middle East problem ..." [See A/38/458, par. 39.] 34. These remarks are correct both in their pessimism and in their affirmation of an important fact concerning the paralysis which afflicts efforts to reach a comprehen- sive solution to the problem of the Middle East. Since the report of the Secretary-General was published, in September 1983, we have undoubtedly witnessed, and we are still witnessing, new events which demonstrate the exacerbation of the crisis and the deterioration of the situation to a point at 'vhich dire consequences are threat- ened, and there seems to be no justification for hope regarding the solution of the problems referred to by the Secretary-General in his report. 35. The Secretary-General has drawn our attention to the situation in Lebanon. We see unfolding there con- secutive chapters of a bloody tragedy, certainly not a mere sectarian or civil war as it would at first seem, which has been pointed out on many occasions by the Lebanese authorities. This tragedy, with an its ramifications, is in fact the natural result of a series of carefully calculated Israeli military and political measures and arrangements within the framework of a comprehensive strategy aimed in the long run at the elimination for ever of the Pales- tinian question. 36. Through its invasion of Lebanon, Israel has achieved more than one objective. The development of events since that barbaric military invasion has served one purpose -it has distracted the attention of the international com- munity from the new faits accomplis which the Israeli Government is working hard to consolidate-or per- haps has already consolidated-in the Arab territories practic~s in the occupied territories designed to change their legal and demographic character are not only illegal and in defiance of United Nations resolutions, but also serve as a hindrance to the overall settlement required for the region. 53. The ensuing turmoil in the Middle East has also made Lebanon a victim of foreign intervention. The presence of foreign forces and the internecine warfare which, even to this day, envelops the country, continue to tear at the fabric of stability. Any move to restore peace must begin with the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon. Although there has been partial withdrawal by some forces, we remain hopeful that eventually all foreign forces wiiI be withdrawn in respect for the sovereignty of the country and in order to restore peace and stability within Lebanon. 54. The United Nations, in our view,' offers the best forum for the settlement of problems facing the Middle East. As is most evident, the role of the United Nations in dealing with the situation remains as indispensable as ever. The United Nations peace-keeping initiatives have played a useful and constructive role. This role must be further strengthened with the co-operation of all con- cerned parties in the region. 55. The lack of a large-scale conflict at the present moment should not lull us into a false sense of security and complacency in face of the possible eruption of con- flicts that may be brewing. New cycles of violence ~re complicating the situation, thus making the solution of the complicated problems facing us today more difficult than ever. While there is still time, my delegation con- siders it important that concrete measures be taken to The meeting rose at 5.15 p.m. NOTES I The delegatiom of Guinea. Mali and Nicaragua subsequently informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote against the amendment.