A/39/PV.16 General Assembly

On behalf of the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome (0 the Unitt.d Nations Mr. Daniel Ortega Saavedra, Co- ordinator of the Junta of the Government of Nation- al Reconstruction of the Republic of Nicaragua, and to invite him to address the General Assembly. 2. Mr. ORTEGA SAAVEDRA (interpretation from Spanish): On behalf of the Nicara~uan delegation, SIr, I should like to express our satIsfaction at your election as President ofthe thirty-ninth session ofthe General Assembly. We also extend a brotherly wel- come to the people and Government of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of its entry into the community of independent nations. 3. The United Nations came into being as a result of the cry of the peoples of the world, who, tired of wars, exploitation and extermination, sought an organization that would help them to combat and fend off the Four Horsemen er the Apocalypse. 4. No one can fail to recognize United Nations efforts in defence of peace, justice, freedom and the independence ofpeoples. But, most unfortunately for mankind, there are policies, backed up by nuclear weapons, which blackmail, threaten, and attack the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. There are those that are characterized by their defiance, mockery and undermining of resolutions of the Organization. There are those that have defended actions that are shocking in their irrationality and threaten the future of mankind. 5. In Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Central America, such policies are characterized by the use of force and disregard the nature of the hIstorical problems affecting the peoples of those regions. They are aimed at solving social and eco- nomic problems by killing the hungry and ensuring the maintenance of the status of the privile~ed minorities. These policies ignore the economic crIsis affecting the peoples and are based on a theory of natural selection which clearly favours the most powerful and accelerates the arms race. 6. This explains why they continue tO,oppose those who demand immediate collective action in search of solutions to economic problems, that is, those who are really fighting for peace and development. 7. Nicaragua has been a victim of such Q policy since the last century and throughout this century, NEW YORK with its legacy of backwardness, brutal exploitation and absence of justice and freedom-in short, the absence of democracy. Such waf the Scmoza dictt1- torship, the last monstrous offspring of this pnlicy. Today Nicaragua is free and for the first time in its history is building an authentic democracy, becoming an example ofpatriotism, nationaHsm, independence and non-alignment. This is not to the liking of the United States authorities. 8. When Nicaragua condemns the South African regime for its racist policies and for subjugating those who should be the rightful rulers ofthat land, it is not to the liking of the United States. 9. When Nicaragua voices its solidarity with Ango- la, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Seychelles, Swaziland and Zambia, as well as with the African National Congress of South Africa and with the South West Africa People's Or~anization [SWAPO], the sole legitimate representative of the Namibian people, this, too, is not to the liking of the United States. 10. When Nicaragua demands Israel's uncondition- al withdrawal from the occupied territories and the right of the Palestinians to exist as a people and nation, recoBnizing the Palestine Liberation Organi- zation [PLOj as their only representative, this, too, is not to the liking of the United States Government. 11. When Nicaragua reaffirms its solidarity with the people and the Government of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic, when we condemn the policy of provocation against the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and when we express our support for the just cause of the people ofEast Timor, this, too, is not to the liking of the United States Government. 12. When Nicaragua condemns the policy ofaggres- sion against Viet Nam, Laos and Kampuchea, when we support the reunification of Korea and the withdrawal of foreign troops from South Korea, and when we support an end to military manoeuvres and shows of force, this, too, is not to the liking of the United States Government. 13. Nor is it to the liking of the United States Government that Nicaragua defends Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and independence, the return of Guantlmamo to its legitimate owners, an end to threats to Cuba's integrity, the sovereignty of the Argentine people and nation over the Malvinas, and the complete implementation of the Panama treaties and an end to attacks launched from United States bases there against the peoples of Central America and the Caribbean. 14. When Nicaragua condemns the brutal coup against democracy in Chile and at the same time supports the right of the Chilean people to re-estab- lish their basic freedoms, it is not to the liking of the United States Government. S~ates spy planes and military aircraft violate our with empty stomachs-are going to fight to the end, aIrspace. until we achieve peace, by either defeating the 37. Dozens of mercenaries, among them United invaders or immolating ourselves if imperialist ag- States citizens working for the CIA, pilot the planes gression ieaves us no other choice. and helicopters that launch attacks against economic, 44. Such is our morale. It is the same morale that civilian and military targets and keep the aggressor made it possible for the peoples of Europe to wage forces supplied. Thousands of mercenaries function their struggle of resistance against the Fascist war like a full-fledged army from their bases in Honduras machine 40 years ago. We are certain that our and Costa Rica in operations co-ordinated and sacrifice would not be in vain and we know that all 3 directed from military bases in Panama still occupied million Nicaraguans could be annihilated, but our by the United States. example would triumph and be multiplied among the 38. New plans are being worked out in the Penta- peoples of the world-and among the people of the gon and the CIA, this time to prevent the elections of United States as well. This is our contribution to 4 NovemliYer in Nicaragua. Among other actions, they peace. are contemplating renewed mining of our ports, 45. We wish to appeal to the leaders of the United aerial and naval attacks and the seizing of various States, in the interests of the peace and happiness of areas. The military offensive is ready to begin on 15 our peoples, to reflect on the enormous responsibility October. The mercenary forces of the CIA and the weighing on them at the present moment, and thus to :\~ntagon are already concentrated in the areas leave the road to war and join us in the search for oordering Nicaragua in Honduras and Costa Rica. peace. In this way, we could be~in a new era in the Also ready are the United States forces th'at would be relations between our countries, III the interest of our used for bombings, troop landings and direct incur- peoples, including the real interest of the people of sions into Nicaragua. the United States. 39. The Central American Governments are also 46. The world has a right to know if the United prepared. They wili go through the formality of States is willing to live in peace with the Central requesting "aid" from the United States to eradicate American peoples or if it insists on imposing war on the "Sandinist threat" from the area. And also ready us. The world has the right to demand of the current st hel~ by the. en~lre wor,ld, and to t~e effiCiency and of progress in disarmament and arms limitation". realIsm of Its mtem.atlOnal comm~tment.. 93. I believe that the suspensior, of negotiations on 85. I should also ltke te;> t.ake this opportumty to the control and reduction of nuclear weapons when express our warm appreclatI?n to your predec~ssor, international relations are going through such a ¥r. lorge Illuec~, wh.o preslde~ over. the d~ltbera- difficult phase causes universal concern. Other disar- tlOns of the thirty-eighth sessl.on With skill and mament negotiations, such as those on the prohibi- comI?et~nce, and at the same time .to express our tion of chemical weapons and the prevention of an conviction that l;lnder your preSidency, whose arms race in space, are' ''10 almost at a standstill. The firmne~s and effiCiency we have alr~ady begun to halting of the arms raCl _.Id be in the interest, and apprecla~e, t~e general Assembly Will be able to would meet the aspirations, of all our peoples. The acc0n:tpltsh slgmficant progre~s on. many of the important statement in this respect made in this Hall questIOns on the agenda of this sessIOn. by President Reagan on 24 September [4th meeting] 86. It gives me grea, _I~asure to extend a warm contained constructive proposals that we hope will welcome to Brunei Darussalam upon its admission to find a favourable response. the United Nations. Italy v~ews that admiss,ion.as ,a 94. The Italian Governmer, ~ believes that every ne~ step ,towards. the objectIve or the qrgamzatl~n S disarmament agreement has two crucial aims: first, umversalIty. ,We I~tend ~o establtsh fruitful relatIOns to achieve a balance of forces at the lowest possible of co-oper~tlOn w~th this. ne~ M~m~er.. , level, taking into account the progress made in, and 87. The mternatlOnal SituatIOn IS mcreasmgly In the complexity of, weapons technology; and, second- contradiction witL the objectives of peace, socially, to ensure verification of compliance with the justice and human development set out in the agreements. We believe also that Governments, Charter of the United Nations. While recognizing without renouncing their own prerogatives. could this contradiction, we must not become discouraged. take advantage of scientific advances in carrying out Unfortunately, as we all know, the United Nations their tank. Thus, it would seem to us advisable to does not have suitable means of coercion, and we encourage high-level contacts between scientists of must therefore work to influt:mce the conscience of different nationalities, who could discuss the prob- individuals, in p~rticular those of the young, lems of disarmament and control objectively and 88. However, we firmly believe that in their policies make appropriate suggestions. The experience of all States must show the will to give the Organization recent .years, especially in th.e field ~f, nuclear arms a chance to work in defence of peace and respect for reductIOn, has shown how difficult. It IS to keep the human rights, We feel that the common good must concept of the balaI?ce ?fforces, which m.ust ~e based take precedence over specific national interests when on accura~e and 0pJe~tlve data, free of hlstoflcal and certain questions are being considered, We all have a psychological preJudice. primary interest in ,ens,,!ring that the United Nati~ns 95, In my opinuon, the General Assembly would be IS able to act. I Will give some examples of thiS. able to play an important role in encouraging agree- 89. The question of the mines recklessly scattered ments on this subject, even outside the framework ~,\' I in the Red Sea last summer is, in our opinion, a the world Organization. However, a prerequisite for typical problem which the United Nations should that is, first of all, the renunciation of proposals rece&si~n in our countries. But our task remains just as complex and arduous in present economic condi- tions. While there have been encouraging signs of recovery in some economic areas, difficulties never- theless remair J and much work is needed to con§oli· date the economic recovery and extend its benefits to a broader range of countries. 102. We have never believed that the crucial prob- lem of economic relations between the industrialized countries and the developing countries can be solved by unilateral measures taken in a paternalistic spirit. We should keep this in mind when we tackle the imbalances and disorder caused by the recession. The interdependence of our economies has a si~nificance far beyond the strictly economic aspect. It Involves a completely new idea of international co-operation, of its spirit and its instruments. Interdependence re- quires a concept of co-operation based on dialogue, whose participants must be all the members of the international community. 103. The Fourth General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, held at Vienna from 2 to 19 August 1984, was an important st~ge in that dialogue. Its results may not have satisfied all the expectations. For our part, however, we take the overall view that they were positive, even though some of the discussions must be continued by the General Assembly at this session. In many respects, the Fourth General Conference did good work, wt.:]h should facilitate the future task of UNIDO when it becomes a specialized agency. 104. The economic difficulties plaguing the whole world have struck with particular harshness the regions now suffering the scourge of drought and other natural disasters. Entire populations are com- pelled to struggle for mere survival. 105. Italy, despite its own problems, has increased its bilateral efforts. VVe are convinced, however, that those efforts should be made in the context of international co-operation. We hope that such co- operation can assist in reviving the North-South dialogue. At the London Economic Summit, held from 7 to 9 June 1984, the Italian Government unequivocally reiterated its support for all initiatives likely to revive this dialogue. Also, we proposed that a world summit conference be held for a comprehen- sive and basic review of long-term North-South relations. 106. More decisive international action would seem to be necessary to tackle the core of the problem- that is, the indebtedness of the developing countries. ~talia1,l project for the Sahel, wh~ch, because of the forts ~~ ~he Secretary-gen~ral to ~uarantee resp<?ct techmques chosen and the magmtude of the financ- for cIvIlIans. The entIre mternatIOnal commumty ing, seems to us to be an effective means to wage the must join efforts to achieve a reconciliation of the struggle against famine in that vast region. We have positions of the two parties to the conflict, so that also give!1 high priority to problems affecting chil- th~re ~ay be a nego~iated settlement-.ind~ed, on dren. ThIS has enabled us to co-operate even more thIS pomt the two major Powers are not m dlsagree- closely with UNICEF. ment. 108. I turn now to the question of the Middle East. 1.1 3. As a M~dite!ranean country, we have tradi- After decades of negotiations and conflict, that tI~n,allyclose tIes w~th Leban~n. ~n the past, Italy has region is still plagued by crisis; the Arab-Israeli wI~hngly made specIfic contnbutlons to the efforts to conflict has not been solved. We cannot but note that brmg p~ace to Lebanon and t~ protect the, local during the present year there has been a dangerous populatIOns. The,work ofthe Itahan pe,ace contmgent stalemate in the situation. The prospects for negotia- has been apprecIated by all the partIes concerned. tion opened by the proposals put forward on 1 114. We took a positive view, at the time, of the September 1982 by the President of the United process of national Lebanese conciliation worked out States,3 as well as by the decisions adopted on 9 at the Geneva and Lausanne conferences. Those September 1982 by the Twelfth Arab Summit Con- conferences resulted in the establishment of the ference, held at Fez,2 have faded. Bitterness and present Government of National Unity, in which all frustration have taken over, especially a~ong those the Lebanese factions are finally adequately repre- who have so far worked the hardest for a political sented. For our part, we are committed to supporting settlement As a member of the European Commu- the efforts to en§ure the country's reconstruction. nity and as a Mediterranean country, Italy is pre- Finally, in my opinion, Syria's contribution to the pared to do everything possible to help to bring about process of conciliation must be recognized. a.resumption of negotiations, The parties mll,;t 1,lot be 115. There remain, however, complex problems gIven any, reason. to be tempted. once agam by which have not been solved: not only the domestic confrol!tatIon, WhICh could only bnng ~ore sorrow problems due to the wounds caused by a decade of and rum to all the peoples of the regIOn. civil war, but also the terrorism which lurks with 109. We believe that any lasting solution to the tragic consequences, as proved by the recent attack Arab-Israeli conflict must take into account the on the United States Embassy at Beirut, a crime we security requirements of all the States of the region, strongly condemn. ~s wella;s the r,equire,ments ofjustice~ ~hich necessar- 116. But all these problems will remain unsolved as Ily entaIls .the creat,IOn of a PalestInIan homela~d. long as part of Lebanon's territory stays under ~he Palestme ques!I~n ~ust return very ~oon to ItS foreign occupation. Hence, we are convinced that a nghtful central pOSItIon m the Arab-Israeh problem. lasting settlement can be worked out only when the In thIS respect, we a1dress an urgent appeal to Israel, Israelis withdraw from southern Lebanon as a first for w~ich only.pea,ce,can C!pen the way to the gen,ui,n,e step towards the withdrawal of all foreign troops s~cunty to WhIch,It IS ,:nt~tled and t~ great possiblh- from Lebanese soil. The United Nations, in particu- t!es of co-operatIOn wlthm the regIOn. lar UNIFIL, has an important role to play in this 110. Even in the present phase of stalemate, some regard, positive elements can be seen, There is a greater 117. At the invitation of the Italian Government trend towards unity in the Arab world, We think that and in conformity with the provisions of the Con- this is a positive SIgn, because divisions do not lend cluding Document of the Madrid meeting of repre- themselves to any serious political commitment. sentatives of the participating States of the Confer- Egypt has returned to the Organization of the Islamic ence on Security and Co-operation in Europe, a Conference: that is another positive sign, because the seminar on economic, scientific and cultural co-oper- work of that organization will undoubtedly benefit ation in the Mediterranean region will be held at from the contribution of such an important country. Venice from 16 to 26 October, within a political Still another positive sign is the policy that Saudi framework designed to achieve and maintain detente Arabia, a country of such great traditions, is pursuing in the Mediterranean region. Apart from the States in favour of Arab unity. Finally, we are following which signed the Helsinki Final Act, the eight coastal with keen interest the dialogue between Jordan and countries of the Mediterranean which are not part of the PLO, We hope that the Palestinian movement the Conference on Security and Co-operation in will regain its unity and will advance towards negoti- Eur0pe and the five competent organizations of the ations, for it is only through negotiations that United Nations system have been invited to the prospects for a successful solution to the important seminar. Palestine question can be opened, 118, Italy attaches great importance to the success Ill. We view with deep concern the prolon~ation of the Venice seminar and intends to work actively of the conflict between Iraq and Iran, The mIlitary for the continued development of Mediterranean co- operations of recent months have clearly shown the operation. fo~ard might ~e a,n .underst~n~in& behyecn the two 142. I have the pleasure also of congratu1ating the partIes, on theIr Jomt partIcIpa~I~n m the next Government and people of Brunei Darussalam on Olymp!c Games, at Seoul, thus gIVI:,g back t~ !he the occasion of the admission of that country to 9lymp~cs the unIversal character w~Ich was mIssmg membership of the United Nations, and wish this m the last two Games..We also belIeve, that the. two friendly State all prosperity and progress. Ko!eas should be admItted, to the Umted NatIOns. 143. We have all come to this international forum ThIs would not compromIse, but, wo~ld on the for the purposes of maintaining international peace con!rary help, prospects for reumficatton of the and co-operation, finding efff~ctive solutions to cur- penmsula. rent world problems and securing further progress for 134., Like its, nine p~rtn~rs in the Europ~an Com- all tl~~ peoples of the world. These purposes can be mumty, Italy IS contnbutmg to the expansIOn of an attained only by an international community which e~ono~ic and political community open to c<?~op~ra- believes in interdependence and solidarity, works for tIOn WIth all other ,~eoples. Our Comm~n!ty IS a justice and co-operation among the peoples. of tht factor for peace, eqUIlIbnum and progress m mt~rna- world and adheres to the purposes and princIples of tional society. Its aim3 therefore-as explained by the Charter whose high goals we have all promised to the President of t~e Counc,il of Minister~ of the respect. ' European ~ommuI?-Ity-are m harmony WIth those 144. It is regrettable that developments over the of the Umted NatIons. years have rendered our duty more difficult and 135. The prospect of the admission of Spain and more onerous. We have to take such developments as Portugal, which Italy regards as a historical turning. a challenge which requires collective, concentrated point, and the proposals to build a more advanced effort. institutional ,structure. and lay the foun?~tio~s of 145. The war in the Gulf has now entered its fifth European UnIon are lIkely to have a pOSItIve mflu- year. Its dangers and the threat thaL it poses to world ence at the world level. peace and security have intensifie'-. It has taken a 136. In helping to overcome differences and find particularly dangerous turn over the last few months ways to resolve the difficulties and instability of the with attacks outside the zones of hostilities on oil international situation, the European Community tankers belonging to States which are not parties to believes it can also assist other peoples, Through our the Iraq-Iran conflict. This dangerous development efforts to establish close relations between countries requires us more than ever before to increase our on both sides of the Atlantic and within a united efforts at mediation to settle this dispute peacefully. Euro~e, we are convinced.we can strengt4en the 146. Moved by their desire for peaceful co-exist- capacIty of the West to con~flbuteto the creatIon of a ence and good-neighbourliness, in accordance with better future for all mankmd. the Charter of the United Nations, the Arab States of 137. The building of Europe is aimed at consolidat- the Gulf Co-operation Council asked the Security ing co-operation within our continent and, on a basis Council to adopt a draft resolution calling upon of equality, with the States of other regions. Italy is States to respect the territorial integrity of the States working to give new impetus to the process of that are not party to the hostilities in the Gulf, to European integration, in the conviction that, togeth- exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any er, our nations can more effectively offer the contri- act which might lead to a further escalation or butions of their culture, historical tradition and widening of the conflict. political experience. 147. Security Council resolution 552 (1984) con- 138. The good intentions and efforts of the Euro- firmed the conviction of the international commu- peans will, however, prove insufficient without co- nity that such attacks constitute a threat to the safety ordinated action, for which all Members of the and stability of the area and have serious implica- United Nations are equally responsible, That is why tions for international peace and security. The Secu- we offer our fun co-operation to this great institution, rity Council is requested to follow up the implemen- C1omes~Ic affaIrS, so t~at, peace an~ constructIve co- national relations should therefore be replaced by op~ratlOn may pr,?vaI1 IJ.? the regIOn, for the well- equality and the rule of law, in order that faith in the belJ.?& and prosperIty of ItS pe.ople. I ~ommend the international Organization may be strengthened and POSltIv~ r~sponseof Iraq t~ all m~ernatIOnal attempts it can play a prominent humanitarian role, enabling at medIatIon to settle thIS war uy peaceful means. all the peoples of the world to enjoy peace and Mr. Gumucio Granier (Bolivia), Vice-President, prosperity. took the Chair, 155. The aggravation of acute international probe 150. The Arab Gulf region has been the centre of lems is a source of concer~ and p~ssimism i~ relation attention of the States of the world because of its to the future of current mternatIonal relations. We important strategic location and large oil reserves, still, hC?pe, y~ar aft~r year, that this concern and which supply world markets with a great part of their peSSImIsm WIll vanIs~ through the em:.~r~ence of a energy needs. The Gulf Co-operation Council coun- new era of cO,-operatIon and understandm~ a.mo~g tries have frequently affirmed that the maintenance States. We,belIeve that the caus~ of the pe~slmlsm IS of peace, security and stability in the region is their ~ot the eXlsten~e of problems m mternatIonal rela- own collective responsibility, free from any foreign tlOns, for mankll~d has, alw,ays faced such pro~lems. interference whatsoever. This joint policy has be- \V~a,t IS. really dIstreSSIng ,IS that, after ce!1tunes of come a fact, thanks to fruitful understanding and co- CIvIlIzation and progre~s m all fiel~s, ~attons .have operation among the countries of the Council in the not been able to establIsh a,n eff~ctIye mternatIonal political economic defence and other fields. system based on co-operation, Justice and mutual , " . , respect. Narrow nationdl interests still dominate 151. The war. m the Gulf, the co~tmuous Isra~h international relations and often involve the use of ~ggre~sIOn agamst ~he Arab coun.trIes, ,the ~ovlet force as the main instrument for securing such mvaSIOn o~ Afghanistan and the mten~IficatlOn of interests. East-West rIvalry are all dangerous warnings that the world is constantly facing acute crises that threaten 156. A question that arises in this respect is the international peace and security and entail the elimi- nature and role of the United Nations-as the nation of all the achievements of the United Nations Organization that should maintain and preserve over the four decades since the Second World War. peace and security in the world-in such a welter of Now, more than ever before, the international com- internatiQual problems and crises. munity is facing a difficult historical option: either 157 Despite its ~reat contributions in the social war and the non-observance of the rule of law, or the d' d I Id h U ' d N' h' peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the an eve opment le s, t e Dlte atIo~s as not Ch f .. d been able-or has not on many occaSIOns been , a;rter 0 the,U~Ited ~~tIOns. Peace b~se on afforded the opportunity-to play the role entrusted JustIc~, on t,he dIgnity ~f IIIan and on nOJ.?-mterfer to it under the Charter. The international community ence m the. mt~rnal affaIrs of other Stat~s IS a no~le should face this fact with a sense of responsibility hum~n aspI,ratIOn WhICh should be attamed despIte and realism so that it may disentangle itself from the all dIfficulties. . vicious circle of hope and wishful thinking and so 152. The crisis through which the United Nations is that the international Organization can become an passing is due to the fact that some Governments effective instrument for the implementation of the ignore the Organization and its Charter and try to purposes and principles of the Charter. To do so, of reach certain political goals through the threat or use course, is not easy. It is an arduous and complex task of force to prevent the United Nations from accom- and one that requires a new, collective outlook plishing its main objective: the maintenance of characterized by courage and faith. It is clear that international peace and security. The Security Coun- there is a collective international feeling that changes ~Iectl~n to ~he presl~ency of the Ge~era) Asse~bly at 185. International peace will remain elusive so long Its thlrty-nInt~ sesslO~. M~ delegatIOn IS particularly as powerful nations continue to resort to the use of ~appy that this offic~ IS bel~g held ~y the r~presenta- force with impunity and until the frontiers of smaller tlye of a ~ountry With which Pakls~an enJ,?Ys clos,e nations are secure and their right to seek freedom bilateral tle~ and shares .comm~n vlew.s. HIs unam- and self-determination is fully respected mous electIOn as President IS a tnbute to the ' .. ' '. ~onstructiverole that Zambia has consish;ntly played 186. Pakls..an ryrmly, beheve~ that the secunty ~f In the quest for a just international order. It also sm~ller an~ medlUm~slzed nations can be as,s~red In recognizes his personal qualities of statesmanship an mternatlOnal e~vlfonment o,f p~ace, stab,I11ty and and wisdom and his dedication to the cause of progress. In ~U~SUlt of these obJectives, Pakistan ~as d~colonization, freedom and justice. Let me assure made unre~lttIng efforts ~o promote co-operatIve h,lm that he ~I11 have the full co-operation and and $ood-nelghbourly rel~tIons and. to see~ pea,ceful SIncere good Wishes of my delegation. ~olutlOns to the, prob~ems In <?ur regIOn. This attitude IS ck.:,rly mamfest ID the SIncere efforts made by 178. I would also like to cxpress the deep gratitude Pakistan to find a peaceful settlement of the grave of my delegation for the great skill and dedication situation created by the presence of foreign troops in , inter~State relations. 191. For Pakistan, the danger is direct and tangible, as is evident from the continuing violations of our territory from the Afghanistan side, which have resulted in tragic loss of innocent lives and damage to property. Recently, there has been a sharp escalation in the mtensity and frequency of these violations. Last August, 54 innocent lives were lost in incidents involving shelling and bombardment of our territory. The latest such attack, which occurred only last Thursday, took a further toll of 32 lives. The Government of Pakistan takes an extremely serious view of these wanton attacks, which have aggravated the situation on our northern borders. Pakistan has so far acted with restraint, and it hopes that the concern of the international community over the continuation of such attacks and their dangerous consequences will compel those responsible to desist from further aggression. 192. For Pakistan, therefore, as indeed for the entire international community, the continued occu- pation of Afghanistan by foreign forces is a matter of utmost concern. We are deeply aware that the situation in Afghanistan does not admit of a military solution and can only be resolved through political means. We have, therefore, been working sincerely for a polItical settlement that would restore peace and stability to the region. 195. Our offer to India in 1981 of a non-aggression pact remains an important initiative designed to remove mistrust and fear. We have also given constructive consideration to the proposal of a treaty of peace and friendship. Negotiations between the two Governments to evolve an integrated text made encouraging progress last May, and we remain confi- dent that the gaps between the respective positions of the two sides can be bridged. 196. In accordance with our established policy of promoting good-neighbourly relations with India, we remain prepared to revive and intensify the negotia- tions and to take conc:ete steps to build mutual confidence and promote co-operation between the two countries. In the same spirit, we seek a just and honourable settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir question, which will ensure lasting harmonious rela- tions and durable peace between tIte two countries. 197. The seven nations of the South Asian region, which together constitute a quarter of humanity, are today engaged in a vigorous and determined effort to increase and institutionalize their mutual co-opera- tion for the economic and social progress of their people, in accordance with the principles of sovereign equality and mutual benefit. Pakistan has participat- ed actively in this process because we believe that It will help to improve the living conditions of our people. It will also promote an atmosphere of confi- dence, stability and harmony in our region. '2on~id­ erable progress has already been made in setting up a framework for South Asian regional co-operation, and we look forward to the summit conference next year, which would in itself be a landmark in the promotion of peace and understanding in the region. 198. As a littoral State on the Indian Ocean, Pakistan is fully committed to the goal of a zone of peace in the area, which it regards as an important element in the quest on the part of the Indian Ocean States for peace and security. We view the convening of a conference or 'he Indian Ocean as a step in that direction. We believe that the establishment of a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean area requires practical measures that would lead to the elimination ce!1tr~.l role In .advancIng the collectIve Int~rnatlO~al Strategy for the Third United Nations Development thlpkl~g on dIsarmament ~or the promotI0I?- of Its Decade failed to reach any agreement. Yet another obJect~ves. Th~,la,ck of tang~ble prog~ess on dlsarma- example of this negative attitude is the failure of the ment Issues wI~hIn the Umted NatlOns frame"Y0r~, Economic and Social Council, at its second regular therefore, remaInS for us a so~rce. of concern. WIthIn session this year, to agree on measures in favour of the world body and also outsIde It, pressure must be the African countries whose critical economic situa- maintained to outlaw the further development of tion aggravated by drought and famine is recog- weap0!1s of mass destruction and to prevent the nized by all. ' extensIon of the arms race to outer space. 219 Cl' f b . did . alms 0 recovery y certam eve ope coun- 215, The specific initiatives taken by Pakistan tries are of no solace to the developing countries within the framework of the United Nations for which continue to suffer from present recessionary negative security guarantees for non-nuclear States trends. and the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone . . in South Asia stem from a comprehensive approach 220. Tpe undenIable Interdependence .between t,he that we pursue in matters relati~g to disarmament. economIes of th~ developed and developIng countrIes We feel that all efforts in the field of nuclear or ~nd the. recognIzed n~ed for an order!y ~nd sta~le conventional disarmam~nt, whether global, regional Internat.lOnal economIc sy.stem ~ake It Impe~atlve or bilateral, or whether long-term or interim, are that a d~alogue ~omn:tence In the Interest of eqUItable worthy of support by the international community, economIc relatIOnshIps. . Similarly, we discern a valid co-relation between 221. For five years now, the international commu- disarmament and the global security environment, nity has been considering a proposal for a simulta- and we stress the need for confidence-building mea- neous, coherent and integrated examination of inter- sures, as experience has shown that goals of disarma- national economic relations by launching "global ment cannot be achieved in a political environment negotiations". It is indeed regrettable that these of tension and conflict. negotiations have not yet been launched in spite of 216. Pakistan's E\Jiding commitment to nuclear bro~d agreement reached in 1979 at the th!rty-fourth non-proliferation is reflected in our unqualified sessIOn. of the General ,Assembly, ~hen It adopted support for disarmament measures advanced in the resol.utlOn ~4/ 138, and In 1980 dunng the eleventh United Nations framework, our consistent pursuit speCIal sessIOn. for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone 222. The developing countries have made efforts to in South Asia, our initiative for a joint declaration satisfy the concerns of the industrialized countries in for non-acquisition of nuclear weapons by the States regard to certain aspects of these negotiations. They of the region, our offer to our neighbour India have also shown flexibility, as is evident from the concerning inspection of nuclear facilities on a proposals of the Seventh Conference of Heads of reciprocal basis, as well as our preparedness to State or Government of Non-Ali,ned Countries, held explore ways to keep our area free of nuclear at New Delhi in March 1983. We hope that the weapons. As repeatedly affirmed by President Zia-ul- industrialized countries will show sensitIvity to the Haq, Pakistan is committed, and shall remain com- need for a more stable and equitable international The meeting rose at 1.25 p.m. NOTES 'See A/38/132 and Corr.1 and 2, annex.