A/39/PV.15 General Assembly

We are ex- tremely pleased, Sir, to see you, an experienced and well-known African diplomat, a representative of a front-line State, presiding over the affairs of the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. We have known you for more than 10 years and we have shared a working relationship with you while you have exercised your high governmental functions and the presidency of the United Nations Council for Namibia. Mozambique and Zambia maintain strong ties of fraternity and friendship which are deeply rooted in our people's common past of stru~le for freedom, justice, independence and human dIgnity. We are confident that under your leadership our work will bring successful results at the end of this session. Let me assure you, Mr. President, of the full co-operation of my delegation in the fulfilment of your duties. 2. We salute the President of the thirty-eighth session, Mr. Jorge I1lueca, President of the Republic of Panama, for his endeavours and for having successfully carried out his task. 3. Once again, we extend to the Secretary-General the appreciation of the Mozambican people for his commitment and devotion to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations in its search for peaceful solutions of the critical problems confront- ing the international community today. 4. It is always a matter of great joy to see the membership of the Organization ~row. The admis- sion of Brunei Darussalam to thIS great family of nations bears testimony to the commitment of the international community to the lofty principles ofthe United Nations and the attainment of its objectives. We join previous speakers in warmly welcoming Brunei Darussalam. 5. Twenty years ago, on 25 September 1964, faced with the vIolent intransigence of the colonial Power and its refusal of dialogue, our people embarked on a general armed insurrection against colonialism and for national independence, peace, justice, freedom and progress. The justness of our aspirations won us the respect, support and solidarity of all freedom- and peace-loving peoples. The resort to the armed struggle was in no way a warmongering option. We were forced to wage war as the only means of NEW YORK achieving peace on the basis of the recognition ofour rights. 6. However, we always remained open to a negoti- ated settlement of the conflkt, which was character- ized by the opposition of the Mozambican people to the foreign occupants of our country. The armed struggle for national liberation ended as soon as, in September 1974 at Lusaka, the colonial State recog- nized the right of the Mozambican people te self- determination and national independence and agreed to transfer power to FRELIMO, I the sole and legiti- mate representative of the Mozambican people. 7. At the negotiating table, FRELIMO managed to secure an agreement which gave substance to the completely legitimate aspirations of the Mozambican people-the aspirations to freedom and indepen- dence. With independence, the Mozambican people regained their own personality. Independence placed the history of our people back on its correct path. 8. Our independence created a great impact in the region and served as a strong impetus to the strufJ~de for liberation of other peoples ID southern AfrIca. 9. Mozambique, like Angola, became a direct target of aggression and destabilization carried out by the racist minority regimes of Southern Rhodesia and South Africa. This action was aimed at destroying our independent sovereign State and preventing the peoples of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa from attaining their own freedom. 10. The People's Republic of Mozambique was and still is a target of aggression because our struggle was able to translate into reality the profound aspirations of people all over the world to peace, democracy, progress and equality, without discrimination based on. t.he colour of one's skin or on religion or ethnic orIgm. 11. The Mozambican people were once again com- pelled to. ta~e up arm~ to safeguard their sovereignty and terrItorIal mtegrIty. 12. We contributed to the Zimbabwean people's struggle for freedom. We made the cause of the Zimbabwean people's struggle our own, while at the same time we encouraged and participated in all the peace initiatives in the search for a negotiated settlement of the question of Zimbabwe's inde~n­ dence, taking fully into account the legitimate rights of its people. 13. We went to Geneva and Malta. We took part in the discussions on the Anglo-American proposals. In compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Organization of African Unity [OAU] and of the United Nations, we applied fully the total and comprehensive sanctu.ms against the rebel colony of Southern Rhodesia. 14. Guided by our adherence to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, we, together with the _<.~d destinies. It is fighting so that power in South 51. Today, the questions of peace, peaceful coexist- Africa may be exercised by representatives of all . d . South Africans without discrimination. It is fighting ence, ID ependence, dIsarmament and development for an undivided South Africa and against bantustan- remain the main concerns of peoples the world over. ization. The time of the cold war, when the interests of the peoples were ignored and the so-called vital interests 44. The People's Republic of Mozambique reiter- of some Powers were advanced, has returned. Imper- ates its condemnation of the apartheid system and ialism is forcefully renewing its old view that all the policy of bantustanization. It reaffirms its politi- international and regional political problems remain cal, diplomatic and moral support for the ANC. The solely within the scope of the East-West conflict. inteInational community should see to it that the 52. As a consequence, Africa, a continent torn apart Government of South Africa adopts a policy of dialogue and negotiations with the ANC in order to by centuries of colonial domination, is still witness- bring about the establishment of a democratic society ing conflict situations and war, which bring untold in the country. suffering to children, women and men. 45. The continued state of hostilities in Namibia is 53. The situation in Chad and Western Sahara is of the result of South Africa's intransigent refusal to the utmost concern to us. We are hopeful that recent comply with Security Council resolution 435 (1978). developments in Chad will bring peace at long last to The demands that the South West Africa People's that war-tom country, so that its people may be able Organization [SWAPO] unilaterally cease hostilities to devote their resources and energies to economic without any assurance that resolution 435 (1978) will and social development. be applied are attempts to link extraneous and alien 54. The Saharan people have the right to self-deter- issues to the question of Namibia's independencr 1ft mination and independence. We strongly urge the is our duty to see to it that the South Africail conflicting parties-the Frente POLISARI02 and the Government engages in constructive negotiations Kingdom of Morocco, to enter into negotiations in with SWAPO to bring Namibia immediately to accordance with the relevant DAU resolutions, in independence. Linking Namibia's independence to order to bring about an immediate end to the alien issues is intolerable. conflict. 46. \Ve reaffirm the unconditional support of the 55. In the Middle East, the People's Republic of People's Republic of Mozambique for SWAPO, the Mozambique supports the just struggle of the Pales- sole legitimate representative of the Namibian peo- tinian peoples, led by the Palestine Liberation Organ- pIe. We encourage the Secretary-General to carry on ization [PLO], for their inalienable rights, including with his efforts to bring about the speedy implemen- the right to create their own State in Palestine, and tation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Arab 47. The international community of nations must territories. vigorously condemn the repression being practised 56. We are encouraged by the efforts being made by against the majority of the citizens of South Africa, as the Lebanese people with a view to forming a well as those of Namibia. The South African regime national Government representin$ their legitimate must immediately put an end to the practice of interests. We call upon Israel to WIthdraw its troops executing freedom fighters and take all the necessary immediately and unconditiona.lly from Lebanon and steps for the speedy release of political prisoners in fully to respect the independence, sovereignty and South Africa and in Namibia. territorial integrity of that country. 48. In the overall struggle of the peoples of southern 57. The war between Iran and Iraq is also of major Africa, the economic frunt is of special importance. It concern to us. We strongly appeal to both countrIes, is within this context that the Southern African members of the Movement of Non-Aligned Coun- tenc~ and. your va,st expenence, of mt~mat~0!lal long run. Past and present history abounds in lessons relatIOns will be of mva}~able asslst~nce m gUldmg to this effect. our debates and our decIsions and will thus ensure a ' " . , positive outcome for our deliberations. The Tunisian 86. T~e situatIon m two non-ahgned countnes, delegation pledges you its full co-operation as you Afghamstan and Kampuc~ea, has fo~ several yea~s perform this noble mission. !low, u!lfortuna!ely, provlde~ us WI!h a gral?hlc " Illustratton of this state of affaus. In this connectIOn, 78. All~w me to take this opportumty to express Tunisia reaffirms its support for the search for any our ~ratttude to your pre~ecessor, Mr. Jorge I.llueca, solution which would guarantee the independence, Presl~ent of the Repubhc o~ Panama, for his out- neutrality and freedom of choice of those two standmg work throughout his term of office, and countries in accordance with the relevant United particularly in its most difficult moments. Nations ;esolutions, which call for the withdrawal of 79. I should like also to extend our warm congratu- all foreign troops and an end to all interference in lations to the Secretary-General for the tireless efforts their internal affairs. he .has been ~a~ing t9 put an end to the conflicts 87. The Palestinian people, whether living under which are ragmg m vanous parts of t~e 'Y0rld and for Israeli tyranny in the occupied territories or in their the report on the ~ork of the 9t:gamzatIOn [A(39/l], Diaspora, are distressed to see the chances of peace a remarkably .lUCid and, reahsttc report, which he receding daily. The hope of some Palestinians for a recently submitted to this Assembly. change of Government in Israel that would bring 80. Finally, I should like to welcome into our midst about a more flexible policy has yet to materialize. In Brunei Darussalam, which has just become a Mem- fact, we have seen the legalization of Fascist and ber of the United Nations. We rejoice at the admis- racist movements known for their excessive demands sion of this new Member at a time when this on the pOj;..ulations of the occupied territories. Those i~ternational b04Y particularly needs the contribu- ~xtren:tist movem~nts today pr~claiJ'!l openly their tlon of all the natIOns of the world in order to take up mte!lh~n of expelhn~ the Arab mhabltants from ~he the many challenges that face it. terrItones where their ancestors dwelt for centunes. 81. It is not succumbing to discouragement and to 88.. Is it c~nceiYable that a State Member of the despair to emphasize the steady deterioration of the l!mted NatIOns ~hould be abl~, throu~ the opp~es- environment in v/:lich we live and the virtual inabili- slon and exclusIOn of a section of ItS population ty of the international community to alter the which i~ regards as sec0!ld-class citizens, to appropri- dangerous course of events in any way. It is also ate their land and theIr property? disturbing to note the paralysis which is steadily 89. If every peace initiative has come up against gripping the United Nations in the vital sphere of the Israel's implacable intransigence, this is because over maintenance of international peace and security, for the years that country has been able to count on which the Organization is responsible under its substantial economic and military aid, as well as Charter. Of course, we are all aware of the extent of unreserved diplomatic support, from its allies-fac- the problems we face and of their complexity, but is tors which have reinforced it in its attitude. thi~ any reason for giving up hope and taking no 90. If Tel Aviv is opposed to any just and lasting action? settlement of the Palestinian question, based on the 82. Sinc!~ the last session of the General Assembly, recognition of the inalienable right of the Palestinian monologue has followed monologue. Tension in East- people to self-determination and to create their own West relations, far from abating, is still dangerously State, in accordance with United Nations resolutions, present. We are caught up in a crisis. Almost it is because such a solution is incompatible with the everywhere we look, there is deadlock, expansionist concept of "Greater Israel", which bef~re the Assembly last year, at the thirty-eighth ment that we welcome, we believe that a lasting seSSIon [10th meeting], regarding the essential princi- recovery in the world economy depends on a bold ple~ on which Tunisia has based its policy for joint policy of development assistance. actIOn by the Maghreb countries. Those principles 112.' It is encouraging to note that some Western ~re none ot~er than mu~ual trus,t, good-neighbour- European industrialized countries, notably Norway, Imess, non-mterference m the mternal affairs of h others, mutDal consultation on questions of common t e Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, devote more interest and the l.'romotion of our co-operation on a than 0.7 per cent of their gross domestic product to & development assistance. sound and careful basis far removed from the politics ofaxes and alliances. This is the spirit of the treaty of 113. At!J time when annual development assistance concord and brotherhood concluded between Tuni- has remamed unchanged since the beginning of this sia, Algeria and rV1auritania, which we see as a basis decade at a total volume of $33.6 billion, the military for fix:m ties governing relations among all the b,ud~ets of the main industrial Powers are growing countnes of the Maghreb without exception. Tunisia sIgmficantly. When one knows that a million dollars welcomes the positive results achieved by this judi- a minute is spent on weapons throughout the world cious approach and is optimistic as to its future ~ne realizes the extent of this financial haemorrhag~ prospects. It remains convinced that concord, harmo- m the name of a security which still remains precari- ny and a communion of effort to ensure progress ous', We ,~ight wonder ~hat, the point of such development and prosperity will in the long ru~ sacrIfices IS If they do not brmg mcreased security for surmount short-term obstacles and divisions; such is !hose w~o bear their weight, especially since the the wish of our peoples; such is the course of history. mcrease m the number of nuclear weapons poses a threat of unprecedented seriousness to the survival of 108. As for the recent developments in the situation mankind. The security of our planet is not limited to in Chad, Tunisia, which has always advocated a the search for a strategic arms balance; it also has an peaceful solution of the problems of that sister 'd' 1 d' , country, free from all outside I'nterfierence and I'n economIC an SOCla ImenSIOn which is vitally important to al! peoples, accordance with the principles of international law and the Charter of the Organization of African 11,1: Thus, c<?ncerted action consistently to reduce u:nity, welcomes the .a~reement reached between the mi·1tarv spendmg and the allocation of the resources LIbyan Arab Jamahlnya and France on the with- th,'~ F' .:ed to development assistance would do drawal of their respective forces from the territory of mo~ '~ nsure security in the world than the most Chad. We hope that this initiative will contribute to sophisu\..,'ed weapons. Finally, this revival of the the national reconciliation ofthe Chadian people and arms race '. ') the detriment of development today to the rebuilding of their country in unity, brother- places the hjrd world in a kind of "armed peace" hood and peace. which is prejudicial to understanding and interna- tional co-operation. 109. The economic situation of the countries of the third world remains uncertain and continues to cause 1.1 5• The Africal?- c0l;mtries! which are facing con- us grave concern. Some, however, seem to be more sIderable economIC dIfficulties, are suffering more concerned at the admittedly excessive indebtedness than others from this dramatic state of affairs in our of the countries of the South than at the tremendous world. The initiative taken recently by the 3ecretary- difficulties which most of those countries are now General to provide assistance to the worst affected facing. It is obvious that the external debt problem African. countries is pro~f of the gravity of the would not have reached such proportions if the debt- economIC problems affectmg our continent and has servicing ratios had not iI1creased dramatically as a also helped to make world public opinion aware of result of the steady deterioration in terms of trade the grave situation in the African countries and the the contraction of export markets--caused, it must sufferings of millions of African men, women and be. said, b,y protectionist m~asu,res-and the upward children. spIral of mterest rates, whIch IS due particularly to 116. We hope that the efforts made and the mea- the fact that this debt is expressed mainly in terms of sures taken will not be limited to the immediate and United States dollars. urgent problems but will extend to the solving of ~ 10. While th~ developing countries grapple with structural and future problems obstructing the devel- Insoluble financIal problems as a result of this debt. opment of the African continent. foreign assistance levels have not risen since 1980, 117. As long as the problems of the third world We are prompted to fear at breakdown in the process continue to be viewed through the distorting lens of of international co-operation, which would threaten East-V\:'est rivalry or und~rst<?od in terms of strategy, the financing of the long-term growth of many third- there IS absolutely no hkehhood of a satisfactory world ,coun~ries. I~ fact, the lOA is faci~g serious settlement. Quite the opposite is likely. These prob- financI,ng dIfficultIes. The North-South dIalogue is lems must be dealt with through an increase in becommg more and more like a plea by the industri- international co-operation, which presupposes a glo- alized countries in their own defence than a construc- bal political vision base~ on so.1idarity and the need tive exchange of views among partners concerned at for mterdependencc WhlCh natIons would genuinely trends in the world economy. The third-world coun- have to assume. 'fhat is why we need to see an t!ies feel v.ery strongl~ that relations o~ power con- improvement in the international climate. tInue to Impose thelf law on the mternational 118. We do not believe in the inevitability of economy. There is no easy solution-that is clear- permanent confrontation. If detente is on the wane but calls for realism and patience must not serve as that is because it was confined to Europe, whereas ~nJec~mg the. necessary. mmlmum ~f und~rsta;nqmg tud~ .to the Sec~etary-Ge~eral for his dedicated and mt<? m~ernatlOnal relatIons. Peace I~ an IrresIstIble untInng efforts ID upholdmg the purposes and princi- aspIratIon of all peoples. However, It can be estab- pIes of the Charter of the United Nations and for the lished on a lasting basis only if there is the broadest courage and perseverance with which he has contin- possible consensus implying justice and the freedom ued to work towards the achievement of our shared of choice of peoples. . ~bjectives of international peace, progress, co-opera- 120. Mr. C~OUDHURY (Bangladesh):* We are !Ion a;nd ~evelopment. We have read with inte~est.his commemoratmg this year the tenth anniversary of Illummatmg report on the work of the OrgamzatlOn Bangladesh's admission to the United Nations. I [.~/39/1], which constitutes an important contribu- would like to take this opportunity of addressing the tIon to the work of the current session of the General General Assembly in the language of my country, Assembly. which is spoken by ab(;lUt 200 millio~ people ~l~ over 127. We have viewed with deep concern the fact the world. I may mentIon here that, m recogmtlOn of that the arms race, both nuclear and conventional the fact that such a large segment of the world's continued at a feverish pitch over the last year. W~ population speaks Bengali, the United Nations has have also witnessed with even deeper concern the ~ntroduced br~adcasting ~n Bengali and also has break-off of bilateral negotiations between the two Iss~ed an ofticla! translatIon of the Charter of the super-Powers. We hope that serious negotiations will Umted NatIOns m our language. commence between them in respect of both theatre 121. It is indeed an honour and privilege for me nuclear f~rces anq START at the earliest possible and the members of my delegation to participate in ~pportumty. In thIS context, we note with satisfac- the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. We tIon the very recent high-level contacts between the bring to the Assembly the warm greetings of the two super-Powers. Government and the people of Bangladesh. 128. World military expenditure is now estimated 122. I should like to express our warmest felicita- to reach about a trillion dollars. This unrestricted use tions to Brunei Darussalam on its independence. I of scarce resources for military purposes has, on the welcome it in our midst as a Member of the United one hand, .created a sense of fear and uncertainty Nations. Its membership in the Organization has no among natl(~ms and, on ~he other, ha~ added to the doubt added to the strength of the United Nations. cost.of s<;>clal opport~mty world WIde. The close 123. On behalf of the Bangladesh delegation, Sir, relatIonshIp between dlsarJt.1ament. and deve!opment and also on my own behalf, I extend to you our does n~t need any elab<?ratI<;>n. It IS now umversally warmest congratulations on your assumption of the recogmzed that a redlrectlo.n of. resou~ces from high office of the presidency of the Assembly. The armaments to development ~Ill be m ~he m~erest of constructive role of your freat country Zambia in the developed and developmg countnes ahke. But regional and internationa issues has ~arned Jeep how t.? tran.sfer resourc~s from armament to de'{el0I?- appreciation from all of us. As fellow members of the ment. P~esldent Hossam Muham~ad Ershad, m ~IS Commonwealth and the Movement of Non-Aligned add~ess m 1982 t.o the Assembly s tw.elfth speCIal Countries, both Bangladesh and Zambia have a sessIon [17th meetmg]-the second sp~clal sessIOn of shared perception on all major international issues. the General Asse~bly devoted to dl~arm.ament- The visit of Mr. Kenneth Kaunda to Bangladesh last made a number of Importa!1t proposals m thIS regard. year has further consolidated the existing friendly These proposals for arr~stmg the arms race deserve relations between our two countries. Your own to be studIed an~ exammed carefully for the greater association with the United Nations, particularly benefit of mankmd. your effective leadership as President of the United 1.29. The tragedy of Palestine is the tragedy of our Nations Cou.ncil for Namibia, has given us every tImes. No ot~er issue in recent times ha~ evoked so reason to beheve that, under your able and dynamic much . a~tentlon and concern as the phght of the leadership, we will be able to achieve fruitful and PalestImans. For more than three decades, the inter- constructive results at this session. We were deeply n~tio.nal community has witnessed the 3ufferings and moved by your insightful address which you made angUIsh of the Palestinian people, who were forcibly soon after you took over the presidency [1st meeting]. up~ooted from th~ir hearths and homes. It is now We would lik.e t~ assure. you of our fullest supp~rt ~mversally recC?gmzed that .the.heart of ~he problem ~~d co-operatl<;>n m the dIscharge ofyour responslbtl- IS the. r~storatIon <;>f the. mahena;ble rIghts (j~ the Itles. I should hke to express our felicitations to other Palestmlan people, mcludmg the rIght to estabbsh a officers of the Assembly on their well-deserved State of their own with Jerusalem as its capital. It is elections. regrettable that Israel continues to flout the decisions 124. We express our gratitude to our friends who ~md. resolutions of.the United Nations and. persist~ in reposed their confidence in us by electing Bangladesh I~S tll~gal o~cupatIon of Ar!1b and Palestme terrlt~ as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ge'neral Assem- nes, mcl~~mg the Holy CIty of AI:Quds a~-Shaflf. bly. We shall make every effort to contribute towards Che posItIon of Banglad~sh on thIS question has your effort, Sir, in promoting international peace, co- always been firm a~d consIstent and we have al~~ys operation and development. extended. our l;1nstmted support to our .Palestlmap 125 W· . brothers m theIr struggle for the restoratIon of theu . e would also hke to co.nvey our deep g~atI- inalienable right to self-determination under the tude to Mr. Jorge Illueca for hIS valuable contnbu- leadership of the PLO their sole and le itimate *Mr. Choudhury spoke in Bengali. The English version of his representative. We condemn the continue~ Israeli statement was supplied by the delegatioll. occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories and 130. We are happy to note that the recently recon- stituted Government of Lebanon is gradually but surely progressing towards restoring peace and stabil- ity there. All peace-loving countries wish Lebanon a quick return to normalcy, which can ensure its sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, this most desired objective cannot be attained without the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the termination of its control of southern Lebanon. 131. It is an outrage to tbe conscience of the international community that South Africa still con- tinues to pursue its abhorrent policy of apartheid. This policy is not only contrary to the values of contemporary civilization; it is also against the tenets of all scriptures and religions. Therefore, those who, directly or indirectly, sustain and tolerate the contin- uance of the policy of apartheid in South Africa are casting an indelible blemish on the history of their own civilizations and transgressing the laws of their own scriptures. 132. Bangladesh is irrevocably committed to the cause of the oppressed peoples of Namibia and southern Africa and we renew our unstinted support to them in their legitimate struggle for freedom, liberty and human dignity. Bangladesh will continue to take an active part in the United Nations Council for Namibia, and we are convinced that the indepen- dence of Namibia can and must be achieved on the basis of the United Nations resolutions, particularly Security Council resolution 435 (1978), which consti- tutes the only acceptable basis for the peaceful transition of the territory from colonial subjugation to ind"pendence. We have consistently asked for its full implementation without any pre-condition. Simi- larly, we have rejected the persistent attempts to link the independence of Namibia with extraneous issues. 133. The continuing conflict between Iran and Iraq is a matter of serious concern to all of us. This war has continued for too long and it has brought pain and suffering, death and destruction to the people of both countries. We are all painfully aware of how the intensification of this conflict can Jeopardize interna- tional peace and security. Wc take this opportunity to reiterate our appeal to both Iran and Iraq to take full advantage of the many peRce initiatives which have been placed before them to bring their conflict to an end. The ongoing efforts of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the United Nations must be main- tained to restore peace in the region. The Secretary- General deserves our sincere appreciation for the valuable efforts that he has undertaken for the peaceful resolut ion of this conflict. m\>re fundamental structural problems in an ade- quate manner, crisis will in the end overwhelm us. 'Ne must therefore act seriously and with pragmatism before it is too late. 153. The International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade called for the necessary political impetus to carry out essential adjustment, intensification and reformula- tion of policy measures in the light of evolving needs and developments. We cannot dela.y that any lon~er. We must once again demonstrate the same politIcal will and vision that enabled us to establish this great assembly of nations to implement our commitment to its Charter. 154. In this connection I should like to inform the Assembly briefly of developments in my country. 155. Soon after assuming responsibility, the present Government, under the leadership of President Hos- sain Muhammad Ershad, initiated some drastic reforms covering the entire gamut of national life. The reform measures taken by the present Govern- ment include economic reform aimed at stopping waste, boosting production and giving maximum encouragement to the development of the private sector. The most spectacular among the reform measures, however, have been the administrative reforms, based on the principles of decentralization and devolution of power to the common people, and the judicial reforms, also based on the principle of decentralization. Under the new system, the adminis- tration has been taken right to the doorsteps of the country's vast rural population. The grass-roots units have now become the focal points of all local activities. This means that through these units, known as upazillas, the vast rural population of Bangladesh will now have the full power to decide and control its own affairs for itself. 156. While these measures of reform continue, I should like to draw attention to the unprecedented floods which have struck my country this year, causing great misery to our people and widespread damage to our crops. The Government of Bangladesh is doing all that is humanly possible to overcome the effects of this exceptional disaster, which has not yet ended. Our President has been overseeing relief measures personally by daily visits to affected areas throughout the country. We take this opportunity to acknowledge with appreciation the help and assist- ance which we have received and are receiving from a number of friendly countries and organizations. 157. Re~ionally, our patient diplomacy in forging co-operatIOn among the South Asian countries has borne fruit. The primary objective of Bangladesh's 1980 proposal for regIOnal co-operation was to harmonize and strengthen the efforts of those region- al developing countries to establish collective self- reliance, for the common benefit of their peoples. The integrated programme of action within the framework of South Asian Regional Co-operation was launched at the Foreign Ministers' meeting at New Delhi in August 1983, which was followed by the ministerial meeting at ~,.fale in July 1984. These ministerial meetings were preceded by meetings of a number of senior officials to work out this pro- resistin~ imperialism and supporting freedom and Lib~an Arab Jamahiriya's Mission to t~e. Un~ted world ltberation movements, the Libyan people and ~atlo~s and of the members of the MISSIon ~s a its leaders have been subjected to a long and virulent VlOl~tIon of the A~reement between. the UnI~ed series of military provocations, acts of aggression and NatIOns and the Umted Stat~s of A~enca regard~ng clandestine operations, as well as economic conspira- the Headquarters of the U~llted N~tlons [resolutIOn cies and pressures on the part of the United States. 169 (ll)l and other relevant .m.t~rnatlOnal8:greements. . ... Its aIm IS to hamper the actIvItIes of the LIbyan Arab 173. ThIS campaIgn IS Illustrated by the acts of Jamahiriya's Mission to the United Nations. provocation of the United States Sixth Fleet close to .. . . . Libyan waters in the Gulf of Sidrah and the repeated 179.. The senous sltuatI~n m the ~rab regI<;ln violations of Libyan airspace by AWACS spy planes; resultmg from the usurp~tIon of Pale~tme, th~ dls- the dirty operations of the Central Intelligence Agen- place!TIent or the ~ale~tlnIans and. the .tmplantmg of cy aimed at the assassination of the leader of our an alten racIst ent~ty I.n the a~ea IS stdl a sC!urce of revolution; and the training of saboteurs who are sent c0!1cern to the entIre mternatlOnal communtty. De- from other countries to strike at imJ?ortant goals in spIte the fac;t tha~ more than ~6 years have ~lapsed our country and thus destabilize It. All possible smce th~ usurpatIOn o~ Palestlp.e and the dl~place- means have been used-inclrJing an almost total ment of ItS people, the mternatlOnal commumty has boycott-to hamper the Libyan economy. All of this so far not been able. to take .any concrete mea~u.res was described on 30 August 1984 by John Hughes, a that would re-establtsh the nghts of th~ PalestInIan spokesman for the United States State Department, pe~pl~ ,and enable the~ to r~tu.rn to thetr homeland. as being more stringent than that imposed on any T~ls . IS be~ause, the. Impen~hsts that created the other country including the Soviet Union. ZlOntSt racI~t entIty, m Palestl.ne pledg~d themsel,:,es , to support It both 10 the Untted NatIons and wIth 174. Needless to say, the United States refuses to weapons and money, so that it could not only carry out the boycott imposed on the apartheid strengthen its bastion in Palestine but also continue regime of South Africa, despite all international its aggression against the Arab countries and its resolutions. It stands by that regime and supplies all expansion at their expense, with a view to estab- its needs, including highly destructive military equip- lishing a greater Zionist State reaching from the ment. Euphrates to the Nile. ' a~reement between them. The United States has 1983 agreement-which Lebanon was forced to sign gIven the Zionist entity more than $2.5 billion up to under pressure from the United States-will be able, now, and it is possible that next year it will give more through its valiant resistance, to achieve victory over than $3 billion and as much as $5 billion in the the Zionist invader. The Lebanese people has proven following year. the futility of imposing capitulatory solutions on 181. The aid given by the United States Govern- ~rab nations. The fate of the Camp J;>avid accords, ment to the Zionist entity has become one of the Impos~d by the ar~ed ,force of t~e Um~ed States and main campaign issues in the race for the United by UnIted States-ZIOnIst aggressIOn, wIll be the same States presidency. Everybody takes pride in this, with as that of the 17 May 1983 agreement. each party pledging to support-more than the other 189. The Arab nation, which has known dismem- party-the Zionist entity against the inalienable berment and division, must now unite and play its rights of the Palestinian people. The United States is role as one of the major forces in the world. responsible for the plight of the Palestinian people. It Colonialism divided and dismembered that nation bears full responsibility for the intransigence of the and it is trying to perpetuate that division and racists in Palestine and their rejection of all the dismemberment by all means. relevant United Nations resolutions. 190. Proceeding from its belief in the unity of the 182. The United States, which is helping the Zion- Arab nation, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has sought ist entity to create settlements by providing it with and continues to st;ek to bring that unity about, weapons with which to strike at the Palestinian despite all obstacles. Historical and emotional factors people and at other Arab countries, cannot be an make Arab unity an imperative necessity for the impartial party or play any role in the peace process, Arab nation so that it may face its enemies and unless that peace is meant to be a device to enable strengthen itself. Arab unity will help to promote Israel or the Israeli entity to occupy more territories. peace and security not only in the Arab region, but in It has become clear that tension in the area has the whole world. Ifunified and given the opportunity escalated since the signing of the Camp David to do so, the creative Arab nation, which has accords. The Zionist entity has occupied southern contributed so much to mankind, will be able to Lebanon and annexed Jerusalem and the Golan contribute even more. Heights despite all the resolutions adopted in this 191. Proceeding from that same belief, the Libyan regard. Arab Jamahiriya and Morocco, exercising free will 183: , The Gene,ral Assel,nbly mu~t ~econsi~er it~ and integrity, have s~gned an agre~me~t to establish posItIon concern109 the ZIOnISt entity m the light 01 an Ar'c\b-Afncan unIon. This UnIon IS not aimed the continuin~ racist, Zionist practices, the acts of against any country; it is not an "axis", but is a step aggression WhICh are witnesse~ daily, the usurl?ation towards the achieveme!1t of the unity of the Arab of property, the acts of genocide and the flout109 of Maghreb and a foundatIon for the complete unity of United Nations resolutions. the Arab nation. The fear of this agreement felt by 184. We re~ffirm that it is !1ec~ssary ,to take the ~mperialist and r~ac~ionai:y forces is testimony to it;) following actIOns: first, the ZIOnISt entity must be Importance and Its mtegnty. The agreement IS open expelled from the General Assembly as an entity that to all countries of the region, whether Arab or does not cherish peace, in accordance with the African, and it embodies the principles ~f the League resolutions of the ninth emergency special sess;on of of Arab States and of the United Nations. the General Assembly; and se~ondly, there must be a 192. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya welcomes any act complete boycott of that entity. conducive to unity and any step in that direction, 185. No peace initiative will be successful unless it whether in the West or the East of the Arab world, or takes into account the right of the Palestinian people in the African continent. We warmly welcomed the to return to Palestine and to establish its independent agreement signed by Algeria and Tunisia, to which State on the entire territory of Palestine. Mauritania subsequently acceded, and we welcomed 186. The tragic fate inflicted on the Jewish people the opportunity of!~red bi Tunisia for us to sig!1 it cannot be redressed through the suffering of the ~lso. We sha.ll p~rtlcIpate m an:r step towards achIev w Palestinian people. The Zionist neo-Nazis cannot use mg Ara~ UnIty I~ any part of I.f1e Arab .homeland or against the Palestinian people the same practices that th~ AfrIcan contI.n~nt. Any att~mpt to .Impede Arab were once used by the Nazis against the Jews. UnIty or to exploit Its noble prmclples m an ~tte~pt Responsibility for the persecution of the Jews is !o cover up hegeJ?1ony and the desIre for dommatlon bo.ne by the persecutors and the persecutors alone. IS doomed to faIlure. The world cannot accept a State based on religious 193. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, which firmly discrimination and on the Nazi doctrine of zionism. supported the people of Western Sahara in its ]87. The Zionist aggression, supported by imperial- strug~le against the Spanish colonizer, sUl?ports the ism, has not confined itself to the occupation of SOlutIO!1 of the probl~m of Western Sahara In acc,?rd e Palestine and the displacement of its people; it has anc~ wIth the ,resolut~ons0'£ the OAU and the UnIted spread to Palestine's neighbouring countries. The Nations and. m keepmg wIth the concept of Greater continued occupation and the annexation of the Maghreb UnIty. Syrian Golan Heights should be condemned and 194. The United States, which has adopted a posi- rejected by the international community. The contin- tion inimical to such unification, must stop its ued occupation by the Zionist entity of a consider- intervention in the Arab world; it must let the Arab able portion of Lebanon, in defiance of all the :lations achieve unity in accordance with their own resolutions of the international community, confirms free will. This United States position makes us even the nature and objectives of the racist Zionist entity, more determined to persist in our desire for unifica- corporahon~, m defiance of. the res~lutIOns of .the long time-the problem of Chad, a war-torn country llnited NatIOns and other mternatIOnal o!gamza- which lacks stability owing to the negative policies tlOns. With the help of the Western countnes, that left by imperialism, the effects of which have been racist r~gime ha~ continued its manoeu~r~s aimed at felt at the political and social levels and which led to preventmg the mdependence of NamIbIa and the a civil war. That war is still raging, despite the implementation of Security Council resolution 435 attempts made by all the countries of the region, (1978). foremost among them the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 197. Linkage of the independence of Nami~ia to a~~ ~ece~tly by the OAU, to achieve ~ational recon- the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola IS but CIlIatIOn m Chad and lay the foundatIon for a stable one more proof of imperialist collusion with the regime that.would devote its energies to the country's apl''lrtheid regime in an attempt to prevent the United reconstructIon and development. Nati,?n~ fro~ achieying &enuine ind~pende!lce for 203. Chad being at the southern border of my Na~lbla. ThIS constItutes mterference m the tnternal cop'" ", the unstable situation there is naturally a affal~s, of Ang~la and cannot be accepted as a p~e- SoUl, Jf grave concern to us, especially as it was at condItIon for. md~pen~ence. My coun,try declar~s ItS different times the pretext for foreign intervention complete s~lIdaf1~y wI~h the, Peopl~ s RepublIc of and the presence of foreign troops from outside the Angola untIl th~ !Iberatlon of ItS terntory and of the continent at our border, which gives us grave security whole of NamIbIa. problems. We were gratified by the recent a~reement 198. We cannot forget that colonialism created the concluded with France, which we hope WIll be an racist Pretoria regime and helped to sustain it by important step towards solving the Chad problem in providing it with various types of aid, including accordance with the Lagos Accord on National weapons. Consequently, we are certain that the Reconciliation in Chad, of 18 August 1979,8 and with Western countries cannot act as mediators in the the participation of all the Chadian parties that resolution of the Namibian problem. Imperialism signed it. The Government of National Unity, head- cannot be a mediator in that process because it is a ed by Goukouni Oueddei, has always been willing to party to the aggression against the Namibian people, achieve national reconciliation, but the rebellious by virtue of its material and political help to the elements in N'Djamena, supported by the forces of apartheid regime and its usurpation, through its imperialism and reaction, have r~jected all the transnational corporations, of the wealth of Namibia. serious efforts made by the Chairman of the Organi- 199. The problem of Namibia can be resolved only zation of African Unity for national reconciliation. throu~h the strict and speedy implementation of 204. Basing itselfon its belief in international peace Secunty Council resolution 435 (1978), with the full and security, and the conviction that they are indivis- participation in any effort to resolve this problem of ible, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya supports all the SWAPO, the sole legitimate representative of the efforts of the countries of the Indian Ocean to turn Namibian people. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that ocean into a zone of peace, free of all foreign proclaims its full support for SWAPO in its efforts to fleets and bases. We therefore call for the evacuation achieve independence and self-determination for the of United States troops from the island of Diego Namibian people. We call on the Security Council to Garcia and the dismantling of all the military take the necessary measures to implement its resolu- installations on that island so that its indigenous tions concerning Namibia and to put an end to the people can live there in peace. racist occupati,on of that Territo?" 205. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya supports the 200. In, Az~ma, the fratern~l Afncan peopl~ of t~at as~irationof the Korean people for th~ reunification country IS std} st~~mg ag,am~t the, apar~held polIcy of Its country, and calls for the establIshment of the of the Pretona reglll?-e, whIch I~ dally remforced by necessary conditions to bring that about-non-inter- the Government wIth executIOns and arrests of ference m its internal affairs and the withdrawal of national leaders. The people of Azania recently United States troops from Korean territory. proved to the whole world that it will continue its " ,. . struggle against t~e policy of racial discrimination, 206. !VIr co~ntry relt~rates ,It~ solIdanty Y'lth all when thousands took to the streets in demonstra- countnes subJ~cted to l~penalIst provoca,tton and tions, facing the bullets of the racists, who tried to acts of aggressIon, countnes such as Afghamstan and deceive the world with what they called constitution- Iran. al reforms-sham parliaments established for those 207. Certain territories in the world are still under of Asian origin and the Coloureds. Those were not the yoke of colonial domination despite the achieve- constitutional changes, but final, desperate attempts ments on the path towards decolonization. They to perpetuate and reinforce the policy of apartheid. include the territory of Puerto Rico, whose people is They will enable the apartheid regime to conscript still struggling for decolonization and the establish- c~>nsld~red wlthm the framework o~ glo.bal ~egotla- directed agai' ,.st peace-loving countries. After having tIOns, m a forum where representatIon IS unIversal, suffered so [ 'ch from wars destruction and coloni- where ~ll voices may be heard and all points of view alism, the ~lJuntries of th~ world must 110t now taken mto account. compromise the United Nations and allow any 211. I should like now to refer to a matter' directly country to destroy it. It is time to take the necessary related to economic development in my country: the practical steps to move the United Nations Head- mines and other explosives planted in Libyan territ~ Quarters to a peace-lovin~ country. If the dnited ry during the Second World War. We still suffer from Nations cannot do so, It faces ruin. Then the their detrimental effects in the economic, social and countries that suffer from intervention and terrorism environmental fields. Hundreds of innocent people will have to form a wide front against imperialist have lost their lives as a result of this problem and intervention. Such steps would strengthen the role of thousands have been incapacitated. It has also ob- this international Organization and enhance its effec- structed the implementation of development projects tiveness. m~,tion. We seek only friendshIp and.co-ope!atIon performance is always guided by this satanic logic. WIth those who agree to co-operate .wlth us ~n t~e Does the experience of the fruitless conduct of talks, cont~xt of mutu.al respect and non~m~erventlOn In negotiations and verbal attacks against zionism in the mternal affaIrS of others and wlthm the fra!TIe- international forllms for many, many long years, work of the purposes of the Charter of the Umted which were not matched by action, point to any other Nations. conclusion? 218. Mr. VELAYATI (Islamic Republic of Iran):* 224. Thus I would request that in our review of the "The Unbelievers spend their wealth question of Palestine at the pre~ent s.essi~n of the To hinder (men) from the path Assembly we concentrate on the mvestIgatlOn of our Of God and so will they own past record, and in this request I am especially Continu~ to spend' but addressing the delegations from the Islamic countries In the end they will have a~d others whoz regardless of their polit~cal.doc- (Only) regrets and sighs; trInes, have deCIded to defend truth and JustIce. At length they will be overcome; 225. Prolonged discussions, successive conferences And the Unbelievers will be and even the vociferous forms of objection and Gathered together to Hell;" [Koran 8:36]. criticism offered for the apparent discharge of re- 219. I wish, Sir, to offer my congratulations on your sponsibility a~d the diversion of atte~tion from th.e election as the President of the thirty-ninth session of fundamental.l~sue,namely, t~e nec~sslty.of!l practl- the General Assembly. I also wish you success in the cal and decIsIve conf~onta~lOJ? WIth ZIOnISm, are administration of the Assembly's work, which con- empty gestures from whIch zlomsm would benefit the tains many important and crucial issues. It also gives most. me pleasure to witness the admission of an Islamic 226. The experience in Lebanon has already under- country, Brunei Darussalam, to the United Nations. lined this lesson most clearly. While the Lebanese 220. The thirty-eighth session of the Assembly was people heroically ~esis~e~ the c~ntinuous, savage also faced with a variety of important problems, and attacks of the Z;IODlst regIme, w~Ile Lebanese ~en, although there was no lack of honest and sincere women and chIldren spent theIr.da¥s and mghts attempts to solve those problems, the obstruction and under the coftstant d!Jwnpour of Z:omst ~o.mbs and opposition of the imperial-minded Powers of the bullets" cert~l~ IslamIC rulers, despIte theIr Immense world prevented the desired achievements from fin~ncI~I, mIlItary and human resources,. w~re busy being reached. In spite of this, there is no room for ~elIvenng slogans and f!ery spee~he~ whIle m prac- despair; we believe that sincere human action will tIce they abandoned neIther t.heu d!splay of rever- certainly bear fruit in the long run. After all, our life, ence for t~e aggressors nor theIr contmuous offers of if devoid ofcontinuous struggle for the establishment compromIse. ofjustice throughout the earth and without tolerance 227. Had this process continued for a while longer, of hardship and sacrifice to attain this sublime the Zionist aggressors would have subjugated the objective, would be completely meaningless. I stress Lebanese land completely and permanently; but the the continuity of the struggle in order that those who aware and dedicated people of Lebanon heroically usurp the rights of nations will not make the mistake rose against the occupying forces and their support- of relaxing for a moment. Today, practically all the ers, forced a retreat on the aggressors and added a oppressed and tyrannized people of the world, and golden page of epic resistance to contemporary particularly their fighting vanguards who have risen history. For the first time, part of the occupied lands to fight back, rarely think of immediate victory as was liberated by force. It will not be long before their motivation for action, and this hopeful develop- southern Lebanon will be free from the aggressors' men! is an indication of the rapid growth in the presence. consciousness of the oppressed of all continents. 228. Instead ofadding a few more resolutions to the 221. It is hoped that we may in this Assembly turn record of the regime occupying Palestine, let us put ourselves into defenders of truth and justice and an end to the presence of its representatives in this perform this noble duty patiently through ceaseless world Assembly, a presence which, in itself, should efforts. The path before us is quite clear, and we be considered an insult to each and every member of shall, in all cases and vis-a.-vis all questions raised in the delegations that value the concepts of freedom this Assembly, follow the renowned Islamic dictum: and justice. *Mr. Velayati spoke in Farsi. The English version of his 2~9. Regrettably, what ~as helped. blot. out the statement was supplied by the delegation. hIdeousness of an IsraelI presence ID thIS world ~40. Alth0l;lgh t~e contmued occupatIon of Afghan- hoped that such a world institution would, in view of Istan. IS takmg ItS toll and th~usands ~f Af&han its raison d'etre, mobilize all its potential to stop the ¥ush?1 people have al~ea?y sacnficed theIr precIous continuation of the unprecedented Iraqi violations. hyes. ID def~nce of theIr mdepen~ence, honour and But reality took a path contrary to our hopes and dlgmty, theIr struggle h~s certamly helped them expectations. approach the final solutIOn of theIr problem and . . . . continue their struggle with even more determina- 24.5. The Secur!ty CouncIl p.ers~sted, as usual, m tion. If the United States aggre~so~s had bee~ kicked bem~ most partl.al ~ ~nd uI?-pnnclpled. and thereby out of Viet Nam th~ough negotIatIons and wIthout a prOVIded ~he. IraqI reglm~ wIth hearten!ng encourage- prolonged struggle It would have been reasonable to ment for Its mhuman actIons. If there IS any reserva- assume that the' Soviet occupying forces w~uld tion i!1 accepting ou~ stateme~t, I woul~ request. of evacuate Afghanistan because of peaceful persuasIon. you kmdly to reconsld~r Secunty CounCIl ~esolutIon 241. The adventure in Afghanistan is a result of a 552 (1984), and partIcularly. the operatIve pa~a- compromise between the super-Powers over the graphs~ to .fin~ out how thJS so-called Secunty division of the world. While one invades Palestine C;ounctl, whIch IS duty-bound. to ~ork for the estab- and Lebanon the other attacks Afghanistan. When hshment. of pea~e ~n~ se~unty m all parts of the the Soviet Union invaded that Islamic country, the ~orld WIthout dlscnmmatl0I?- and r~gardless of the United States used it as an excuse for consolidating mterest of the super-Powe,rs In the dlffere.nt regIOns, its bases in other countries of the region. It is has .shamelessly undermmed the secunty of the catastrophic for the Islamic world that the Soviet PersIan Gulf. Union qoes not withdraw !ts tr~ops fro~ Afghani- 246. The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic ~tan, uSII?-g t~e pretext of Imagmary Umted St~tes of Iran, in a communique published immediately mtervent!on m th~t country, and t.hat the U:m~ed after the appearance of this resolution, announced St~tes dnves IslamIC Governme.nts mto submlsslo~ that it was nothing but a green light to the Iraqi uSII?-g the scarecrow of commumst threat and doml- regime to continue creating tension and trouble in natIon. the region. The Iraqi attack on a Turkish oil tanker 242. In the midst of all this, what are the Islamic following the announcement of this resolution con- Governments doing? Is it not a fact that Afghanistan, firmed the truth of our view. The Security Council a country almost as ancient as the religion of Islam should be questioned as to how it intends to dis- itself, is invaded by the world of atheism? Why are charge its responsibility regarding the continuation of we then wasting time in exchanging platitudes, empty Iraqi attacks on international shipping in the Persian gestures and useless compromises? Unfortunately, at Gulf. As we all know, two months before this the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Govern- resolution was approved, Iraqi aircraft had already ment of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi attacked ships in international waters belonging to in March 1983, we also witnessed a painful com- some of the countries which had sponsored the promising attitude towards the vexing question of resolution in the Security Council. Could those who Afghanistan. A third-world country has been under approved Security Council resolution 552 (1984) tell occupation for some five years, its civilian areas are us why they did not condemn the Iraqi attacks at the being bombed and destroyed, hundreds of thousands time? do('~ not allow its continued silence, its actions take aware that certain permanent members of the Coun- the form of resolutions which have very little effect cH, having supplied the Iraqi regime with the most on the restoration of international peace and securi- sophisticated weapons, have clearly helped prolong ty, This is a true description of the Security Council the war and increase tension in the region and have and it is terribly depressing because it is clear flagrantly violated resolutions they themselves ap- evidence of the bitter fact that, in spite of all proved, international efforts since the end of the First World 253, The ~ases of violation and acts of aggressilon War for the establishment of institutions to protect by the Iraqi regime also help us raise another ~nternational norms. We fully support the struggle of in the world. On 25 October 1984, there will be a ~he peoples of Nicaragua and El Salvador and meeting between the President of Paraguay, General consider the Contadora declaration 15 to be an appro- Alfredo Stroessner, and the President of Brazil, pri~te framework 'for solving the problems of that General Joao Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo, at the regIOn. construction site in order to mark formally the 278. In our view, the division of countries is an beginning of operations, and this will undoubtedly imperialist trick, one often played for the purpose of constitute a milestone of the greatest importance in cultural, economic, political and military domina- Latin American relations. tion. The Korean peninsula is a victim of such 287. With respect to Argentina, another neighbour- divisive policies. We strongly oppose the division of ing country, we are continuing our work with it at a Korea and demand the withdrawal of those foreign speedy pace, on the Yacyretft hydroelectric project. forces which under the pretext of peace-keeping have In August there was a meeting of the Foreign placed their evil barrier in the way of the unification Ministers of Paraguay and Argentina at the construc- of the people of that country, tion site, marking the political will of both Govern- 279. It is regrettable that the United Nations has ments to continue and accelerate the pace of con- been practically unable to solve any of the aforemen- struction of the project. tioned problems. It seems that the United Nations, 288. This, then, shows that the development policy too, is a victim of the arrogance of the imperial- of the Government of President Stroessner has minded Powers. . fostered initiative and participation on the part of all 280. Mr. SALOIVAR (Paraguay) (interpretation of our citizens, leading to the optimum utilization of from Spanish): I should like to begin by extending our natural resources and creating the proper conditions most cordial greetings to Mr. Paul Lusaka, the for continued co-operation with friendly countries, representative of the Republic of Zambia, upon his countries of the United Nations, whose support is election to the presidency of this thirty-ninth session always useful, for it helps to give shape to the plans of the General Assembly, the largest of all world established by the Government to ensure sustained forums. I wish also to greet the Secretary-General, development as planned for the future. whose effective work merits our country's full under- 289. The agenda of this session of the General standing and support, and to welcome the admission Assembly contains many items and serious outstand- of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations. ing questions that are endangering international 281. Paraguay has worked unceasingly to achieve peace and security. the goals and objectives of the economic and social 290. We are struck by the fact that the great development it has set itself. The economic crisis problem facing the world in the political arena is the besetting mankind today, undoubtedly one of the arms buildup, which has entered upon a truly ~aOlfestatlon of msecunty which endangers mterna- gap between the mdustnalized countries and the honal peace. The countries involved must find by countries which produce raw materials. me~ns of di~logue or. through the U:nited Nations a 303. Along with concerns aroused all over the world lastmg solutIOn to thiS ,problem whl,ch may, ,at any by the global economic recession, which has resulted moment, lead to a senous world-Wide confliCt. in unemployment, poverty and all sorts of other 296. We certainly cannot forget the problem of problems, there is another grave concern: the limita- Central America. The undisguised intervention by a tion or reduction of the contributions made by major Power from outside the continent, through one certain highly developed countries to international ofthe States in the region, results in imminent danger financial bodies and to specialized agencies of the to peace, and insecurity and mutual suspicions have United Nations to enable them to carry out their turned an entire area into one of serious conflict. We projects in the developing countries. A serious and await with optimism the outcome of the efforts humane re-examination of those contributions would which are being made in the region to achieve lasting result in an incalculable improvement in the progress and stable peace and to avoid interference by inter- and development of more than 100 countries which ests from outside the continent which can gravely need funds and development programmes to raise upset the stability of the American continent. their standard of living. 297. In the economic field, North-South t:elations 304. The United Nations Convention on the Law of have. not yet f<?und the path ,of understanding and the Sea 16 ~s now ,a. realit¥. All de,veloping countries coexistence which we all deSire. Any effort which hope that Its provIsions Will come mto force soon and n~tions may make regarding these questions not only that land-locked c~untri,e~ in particular will be,able to will lead to an enhancement of the standard of living benefit from theIf legitimate share of marme re- ~f milli<?ns of human beings but will also bring about sources. mternat~o~al peace" for there can be no true peace 305. The decolonization process being carried out when mIllIons of children suffer for lack of food and by the United Nations is worthy of our consider- other means, ation. The Special Committee on the Situation with d~liberations and "in supporting a strengthened region. United Nations system". 327. My Govt':1'nment is concerned about the long- 319. We meet at a time of greatly increased-and standing animosity between the two nations in the increasing-rivalry between the super-Powers. Com- Korean peninsula. They were one people; they can munication between their leaders has probably once again be one people. No one from outside can reached an all-time low. Even talks about arms find a solution to their problems. Reunification as control and disarmament have broken down. The their goal is for them, and them alone. resulting tensions can be felt in all parts of the world. 328. If the United Nations, a body founded in the 320. Third-world countries have been affected by aftermath of war and dedicated to preventing further rivalry between the two super-Powers in various- war, fails to play its appointed part, where can the but almost always destructive-ways. Some have peoples of the world turn? Members of the United fallen direct victims to the insecurity felt by the Nations have the required machinery at their dispos- leaders of the super-Powers as a result of the rIvalry al to work for the reduction of jnternational tensions, between them. Afghanistan is an example. Others control over H:e manufactur~ and distribution of have become the location of contests between foreign arms and, ultimately, complete disarmament. The and/or domestic forces, as in Central America and responsibility to act is squarely ours. Dare we, the Middle East. Yet others have suffered at the especially the representatives of newly independent hands of forces allied with, or acting fOf, one of the and developing countries, where other needs are so super-Powers. Kampuchea is an instance. urgently pressing, fail our children and other mem- 321. As the Government of a newly independent bers of our families, our fellow citizens and other and developing country, we attach particular and human beinr;s by not using that machinery with great importance to the rights of such countries to be sufficient will and might? secure, free from attack or other forms of unwelcome 329. Certain of the issues and problems raised by interference by their neighbours. That is why we have the situation which has been developing on my been, and remain, so strongly opposed to the Viet- country's border with Indonesia since February of namese invasion and occupation of Kampuchea. this year once seemed abstract and remote from That is why we have condemned the Soviet presence Papua New Guinea. But some at least are, without in Afghanistan. That is why we have called for the doubt, generally familiar to people from other coun- withdrawal of foreign troops from other countries, tries. They are among the issues and problems which including Lebanon, and welcom~ the recent agree- I have suggested have gained concreteness and ment between the French and Libyan Governments immediacy for my country. to withdraw their forces from Chad. 330. As with many other newly independent coun- 322. Every day more than $2 billion is spent on tries in Afri~a, ASia and the Pacific, the national arms by the super-Powers. The figure is many times boundaries of Papua New Guinea were drawn up, the total world expenditure on foreign aid. without regard for local geography or custom, by our 323. Regrettably, much of the money being spent former colonial rulers. But, as with most other newly on arms comes from the budgets of Governments in independent countries, we have accepted them. the third world. Meanwhile, the population of third- Apart from some minor-and welcome-adjust- world countries is rncreasing and the prospects open ments on the border with Australia, so have our to citizens of third-world countries for equitable neighbours. participation in development processes and in their 331. The Governments of Papua New Guinea and fruits recede. The ~ap between developed and devel- Indonesia recognize one another's sovereignty, inte~.· oping countries Widens. And international tensions rity and independence. Under a Treaty concluded In continue, in consequence, to rise. 1979, we agreed not to allow our respective border 324. The arms race between the super-Powers is areas to be used "as sanctuary, staging areas, bases or not, however, the only arms race in the world. Nor is for illegal activities against each other". Despite the rivalry between the super-Powers the only source of difficult terrain and stron~ ties between traditional armed conflict. The terrible and costly war between border-dwellers on both SIdes, the Government of Iran and Iraq is only a particularly deplorable Papua New Guinea has honestly tried to abide by example of armed conflict between the forces of that Treaty. neighbouring third-world countries. It is, moreover, a 332. We have always respected the sovereignty of conflict which carries with it the calamitous possibili- the Republic of Indonesia. Regrettably, however, it ty of drawing in other, outside Powers. unless it can has appeared clearly that the reverse has not always be promptly contained. been he case. On several occasions in recent years, 325. Regional bodies can make an effective contri- we have protested to the Indonesian Government at bution to limiting the effects of rivalry between the what we believed to be violations of our territorial super-Powers, in restraining other international con- sovereignty. Those violations have included the attend~d the Commonwealth Heads of Government trative institutions in New Caledonia. The Forum regional meeting in my country's capital, Port Mores- also agrep.d that a delegation of ministers from by, in August this year condemned the French Forum countries should hold discussions with the Government's nuclear-weapons-testing programme French Government as well as leaders of the inde- as well as proposals to dump nuclear wastes in the pendence movement. Pacific. 354. All significant political actors in New Caledo- 347. The 13-member South Pacific Forum has nia, outside the Government, have expressed strong agreed on the "desirability of establishing a nuclear- reservations about the reforms approved in May, but free zone in the region at the earliest possible their reasons, motives and constitutional objectives opportunity". Similarly, the Foreign Ministers of six have varied widely. We note especially that the member Governments of ASEAN recently agreed to Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front has an- undertake a study towards the realization of a nounced that it proposes to hold its own elections nuclear-weapon-free zone in their region. before proclaiming a "provisional independent" 348. The proposals which are before the South Government. Pacific Forum extend to the prospective banning of 355. The Papua New Guinea Government, therew• the testing, acquisition or reception, stationing, de- fore, repeats its call to the French Government to velopment, manufacture or use ofnuclear weapons in bring forward the date for self-determination, to the region. A working group, in which the Papua New make more urgent preparations for it and to safe- Guinea Government hopes to play an active part, has guard the interests of the Kanaks as well as those been set up to consider relevant legal and other ethnic groups that have a legitimate stake in the issues. A draft treaty should be prepared for consider- future of New Caledonia. We do so not only because ation by the Forum in 1985. of our cultural bonds and political sympathies with 349. The proposal of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers the Kanaks bu~ because of the th;rea~ to stability in is but a recent example of the practical ways in which the South PaCIfic posed by contmumg delay. ASEAN serves wider interests. Like other proposals 356. The Papua New Guinea Government has been for concret ~ and immediate action on an urgent pleased to participate in visiting missions sent by the issue, it is most welcome. Trusteeship Council to observe the plebiscites on 350. Colonialism has a concrete and immediate terminatio~ of the Trust.eeship Agreement for the meaning for most Papua New Guineans-indeed, for Trust TerrItory ofthe..fac!fic Islands. We are ple.(";~d most Pacific islanders. It is a meaning born of direct, to note that the ConstitutIon of Palau and th~ ~Ights recent and p~(sonal experience. While we were, ~f the Paia~ans are fully respected by the Admlmster- mercifully, spared the worst excesses of colonialism mg AuthorIty. experienced in Africa and Asia, we still attach great 357. As I have already indicated, we are conscious value to the right of self-determination and to its of the connections which sometimes pertain between customary outcome, independence. We pay close the colonial and nuclear policies of certain Powers. attention to the conditions and rights of peoples in Papua New Guinea, however, will not condone the remaining dependent territories. attempts to override or bypass t.he provision in the 351. Successive Papua New Guinea Governments Palauan Constitu.tion that outlaws the entry of have taken a particular interest in developments in nuclear weapons mto Palau. the French territories-New Caledonia, French Poly- 358. We will also not condone attempts to deny, nesia and Wallis and Futuna-and in the last of the delay or Qualify the abstract right to self-determina- United Nations trust territories-the United States tion by the people of dependent territories, however Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. So have the remote they might be from areas which we normally Governments of other independent South Pacific describe as being of primary concern to Papua New countries. New Caledonia has been ofspecial concern Guinea. to us and to the Governments of the South Pacific 359. My Government urges Palau and the United Forum. States Government to take the necessary and appro- 352. My Government has noted the constitutional priate measures to enable both the Trusteeship and electoral reforms approved by the French Parlia- Council and the Security Council to consider and ment in May, especially those which hold out the finally determine the status of free association which possibility of eventual independence; but, like other the Micronesian people wish to have as the basis for members of the South Pacific Forum, we cannot see their self-determmation and independence. why a referendum on the issues should not be held 360. Apartheid, practised by the racist Republic of before 1989. Therefore, ~t: urge th~t .the date sho~ld 8011th Africa, is the most systematic form of institu- ~e br~ught forward. AddItIonal '~~. '!ltIcal and ad~m- tionalized racial discrimination and segregation. The Istratl\~e powers should be transi~rred f~om Pans to international community has repeatedly condemned ~ol;lmea as. a pr~paratory step. The fights of the apartheid as a ucrime against humanity" and called mdl~enous mhablt.ants, the Kanaks, and ~he other on the South African Government to revi:le its racist ethmc ~roups whIch mak~ up the genume local policies in conformity with the principjes of the populatIon of New Cale40ma should be safegu.arded Charter of the United Nations and the Universal by the exc!u~lO~ of t.ransltory or short-term reSIdents Declaration of Human Rights. The Assembly has from partIcIpatIon m the vote. expressed deep concern over the grave situation in 353. As recommended by the South Pacific Forum South Africa as constituting a threat to international last August at Tuvalu, the French Government peace and security. In resolution 36/1728, the As- should make a public statement that describes indt:- sembly endorsed, as a "framework for effective 370. The Papua New Guinea Government wel- comes the commitment made by participants in the London Economic Summit to urge resistance to and reduction of protectionism. But, as I have already suggested, what we seek is prompt and practical action. Participants in the London Economic Sum- mit also agreed "to maintain and wherever possible increase flows of resources" to developing countries [A1391304, annex, para. 9 (iv)]. But progress being made towards attaining the current, modest target for aid of 0.7 per cent of the gross national products of donor countries set by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD has been slow. We trust that the emphasis being placed by OEeD members on "increasing aid effectiveness through strengthened aid co-ordination" will not be to the disadvantage of the people and Governments of developing coun- tries. 371. The Government of Papua New Guinea has acceded to the Agreement Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities,21 set up under the auspices of UNCTAD. Let me, therefore, restate our regret at the continuing delay in bringing the Fund into operation. Let me say, too, that we find little solace in the rather lukewarm reference to the Fund made in the Declara- tion issued at the London Economic Summit [ibid.]. 372. My Government repeats its previous calls to the Government of the United States to accede to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,16 especially in view of difficulties that have arisen over the activities of United States tuna boats in the South Pacific. Let me add that we look forward to a successful outcome to negotiations between members of the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency and the United States Government, and we hope for finaliza- tion of a mutually acceptable fisheries agreement. ISSee N38/68, annex. 160fficial Records ofthe Third United Nations Conference on the Law ofthe Sea. vol. XVII (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.84.V.3), document NCONF.62/122. 17United Nations, Treaty Series. vol. 480, No. 6964. 18Convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter, opened for signature at London, Mexico City, Moscow and Washington on 29 December 1972 (United Nations, Treaty Series. vol. 1046, No. 15749). 19NCONF.107/8, sect. X.A. 2oSecond Africa-Caribbean-Pacific-European Econom~c Com- munity (ACP.EEC) Convention, signed at Lome on 31 October 1979. For the text, see The Courier. ACP-EEC, No. 58, November 1979. 2!United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.II.D.8.