A/39/PV.17 General Assembly

I have great pleasure in welcoming the Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, and I invite him to address the General Assembly. 2. Mr. MUGABE (Zimbabwe): First, Mr. President, I wish to congratulate you most warmly on your richly deserved election to the highest office of the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. Yours is probably one of the longest associations with the United Nations, making you one of the most experi- enced and knowledgeable diplomats with regard to its operations. This, together with your tested and proven personal abilities, gives us advance confi- dence in your stewardship of this Assembly. I wish also to note with particular satisfaction that your great country and people are linked to my own by a commonality of geography, history and culture, all of which shape our common destiny. As I wish you well in your tenure in this onerous office, let me also pledge the full co-operation of the Zimbabwe delega- tion in an your efforts to make this session the most successful. 3. Secondly, I should like also to congratulate your distinguished predecessor, Mr. Jorge Illueca, the President of the Assembly's thirty-eighth session, for the efficient manner in which he performed his duties and responsibilities. 4. IVly third, and a special, tribute goes to the Secretary-General for his untiring efforts for the enhancement of the effectiveness and strength of the Organization and for his quest for international understanding, harmony, peace and prosperity. His efforts in Africa in general and in the volatile southern African region in particular have earned him the admiration of all of us in Africa. His thought-provoking and honest analysis of the prevail- ing unstable world situation, as outlined in the 1982, 1983 and 1984 rt-ports on the work of the Organiza- tion, not only reflects a deep concern about the state of our international relations, but also calls for serious reflection by all who are conc'erned that the United Nations fulfil the original ideals and purposes its founding fathers intended for it 40 years ago. 5. Finally, on felicitations, we of the Zimbabwe delegation very warmly greet and welcome to our midst the 159th and newest Member of this great NEW YORK international family ofnations, the sovereign State of Brunei Darussalam. 6. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate today in the Assembly's deliberations. My last address to the General Assembly was on 26 August 1980, at the eleventh special session [4th meeting], on the historic and momentou.., occasion on which my then only four-month-old sovereign nation was admitted to the United Nations. My pleasant, if also rather difficult, task then was to thank, on behalf of my Government and people, the international community and all progressive international forces, countries and groups for their respective assistance to the gallant Zimbabwean masses in our glorious liberation struggle to end a century ofone ofthe most vicious and brutal types of colonialism, imperialism and capitalist exploitation. I also enunciated the main principles and ideals inspiring and guiding my fledgling nation's domestic, foreign and economic policies, which, as I emphasized at that time, are also very consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 7. At the risk of boring the Assembly, I should like with its indulgence to say a word about developments in Zimbabwe since my last address to this body. Soon after the attainment of our independence, our most immediate and paramount task was the integration of the three previously hostile armed forces. Pains- takingly, that was done, and today we are proud to speak of a single integrated Zimbabwe National Army. 8. At the national level, we embarked on the policy of reconciliation. We did not embrace this policy of national reconciliation just for its own sake. In fact, as a Government we believed that, for the people to tackle the enormous task of national development, past differences had to be forgotten and past crimes forgiven. We believed that peace, mutual respect and trust, as Wt ',S unity of purpose, would be the only way to SUimount the daunting sodal and economic problem:; that faced us after a long and bloody conflict. 9. In line with the policy of reconciliation, a Government of national unity was created in which members of minority parties were invited to partici- pate actively. Owing in no small measure to that policy and, of course, to the sheer determination of our people, we have gone a long way in our tasks of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement. Hence, it is fair to say today that true democracy, social justice, national confidence and peace-hither- to a mere dream-are now realities in Zimbabwe. 10. We are determined not only that our people must exercise political power but also that their political independence and freedom should be ac- companied by the enjoyment of concrete and materi- al benefits emanating from the new order. In other ~ongressgave policy guidelines on all major national Issues. 12. This session of the General Assembly, like the two or three sessions before it, is taking place against the background of a really sombre international environment. The world economic situation, world peace and security, and respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of all peoples, which are the main concerns of the United Nations, are all in jeopardy. Unless we all, and especially the wealthy and the militarily more powerful nations, rise to our collective responsibilities in accordance with the trust which all mankind reposes in us by virtue of being Members of the Organization, the crisis now confronting world civilization will con- tinue relentlessly until this civilization is brought to its extinction. 13. In commenting upon the gravity of our contem- porary international situation and the numerous serious problems buffeting it, ~ wish, with the Assembly's indulgence, to begin by drawing urgent attention to developments ilt southern Africa. As representatives know, there the apartheid Pretoria regime's dual policy of domestic terror, repression and exploitation of the mass of the black population under its ferodous rule, on the one hand, and the systematic military intimidation, brute bullying, po- litical and economic blackmailing of neighbouring and front-line States, on the other, is endangering the sovereignty of those States. It is also seriously undermining and threatening the entire region's economic viability, peace and security. 14. The people of Namibia continue to suffer under the colonial domination and brutal oppression of the South African racist regime. Although the latter has long declared its acceptance of the now six-year-old Namibian plan designed to effect the peaceful trans- fer of power to the peopl~ of Namibia and, therefore, end the liberation war, Security Council resolution 435 (1978) has yet to be implemented because South Africa, encouraged and assisted by some respectable Members of the General Assembly, has since 1981 been equivocating and prevaricating on this plan. But the more important aspect of the Namibian problem to us is the fact that a quid pro quo for the withdrawal of South African occupation forces in Namibia has been introduced which has nothing to do with the issue of decolonization of that Territory; and the even more surprising feature of that demand is the fact that it has been fully endorsed by sume Members of the Assembly. I am referring to the demand that Cuban troops must be withdrawn from Angola before Namibia can achieve its indepen- dence, which thus envisages the parallel or simulta- neous withdrawal of Cuban troops and South African occupation forces from Angola and Namibia, respec- tively. fer~nce m 1980. and the East~r~('and Southern well to recall that the founding nations committed Afnca;n ~referenhal Trade A~ea In .- y81. These two themselves, in the words of the Preamble to the orgamzatIons shou~d not b~ vI~wed m a narrow. sense Charter of the United Nations, "to save succeeding as merely econo~lc organIzatIOns but ra!her m the generations from the scourge of war, which twice in b!oadest ~erspectIve a~ ~omp01?-ents of WIde! .strate- our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind" gles and 10strumentahhes deSIgned to faCIlItate a . number of the grand aspirations and objectives of 27. To the extent that, since the founding of the our respective States and Governments. We seek to United Nations, mankind has not witnessed a global promote closer economic interdependence between tragedy, an agony and turmoil of the magnitude of the economies of our countries with a view to the two world wars, we can perhaps congratulate creating a viable and meaningful economic commu- ourselves. We can also hope that the tragic lessons of nity. Although appreciable progress has been made in the two world wars have had a salutary and perma- both organizations, economic sabotage and incur- nent impact on our generation and on future genera- sions against our infrastructure, installations and tions. We are afraid, however, that such hopes may other equipment by South African-sponsored insur- not be worth much when viewed against the realities gents have caused a lot of set-backs for our economic of the increasingly threateninc international situa- development. It is in this light that we are calling tion, characterized as it is by disrespect for andross upon members of the international community to aid violations of the purposes and principles 0 the and co-operate with the front-line and other States of Charter of the United Nations. Some Members, the subregion in fostering their economic indepen- especially those which are militarily more powerful, dence and sovereignty. do not hesitate to resort to the threat or actual use of 24. I come now to other world issues. It is our force or arm~d interven~ion in t.he internal affairs of feeling that the United Nations must be gravely oth~r Stat.es m the pursUIt. of~helf own, often narrow, concerned about and must reject and condemn natIOnal 10terests or aspIratIOns. racism, colonialism, military aggression,.intervention 28. Such disregard for and violations of Charter and destabilization wherever and by whomever they principles and international law, together with the are perpetrated, be it in Western Sahara, where the now more than apparent powerlessness and inability ~aharan people are denied their self-determination; of the Security Council to act effectively in such In the Middle East, where the root cause of all the situations, throw into doubt the efficacy of the ~ension and conflict is zionism and Israeli expansion- system of collective security, as envisaged in the 1st policies and practices and where the Palestinians' Charter. The smaIJ and militarily weaker nations, 3 h . f tional development institutions-lOA, UNDP, 1. T e gravIty 0 the crisis can be seen from the IFAD-institutions that are of particular significance fact that no group of countries has escaped its to African and other low-income countries. malignant consequences. Even the developed coun- tries have experienced low growth rates, stagnating 36. In order to ameliorate this situation we have incomes, excessive interest rates, high rates of infla- tried to get the global negotiations launched. The tion and massive unemployment. The social and Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned political manifestations of the prevailing malaise can Countries, at their Seventh Conference, held at New be seen from organized protests, strikes and growing Delhi in March 1983, suggested a two-pronged social violence. approach to this problem. Emphasis was laid on a programme of immediate measures to encompass 32. The situation has been and continues to be even such important areas as commodities, trade, develop- more critical in the developing countries, some of ment, money and finance. The other measures would which have the weakest national economies in the relate to the restructuring of the world economy in world. For these and, therefore, for the many mil- the long term. Unfortunately, all our efforts to ~et lions of the world's population, the effects of the these negotiations launched have been in vam. worsening world economic situation have been really Global negotiations must remain the framework of catastrophic. In Africa, our fragile economies have concerted efforts aimed at restructuring international been experiencing negative growth rates, and per economic relations to match our new needs. Let us capita incomes have actually dropped to about 4 per recognize the jnterdependence of all economies, for cent below the 1970 levels. This drop in per capita there can be no revitalization of the world economy incomes clearly spells grave socio-political conse- without active participation by all countries. quences when viewed against the fact that Africa's population growth rate is 3 per cent per annum. In 37. Let me conclude my statement with a sincere many parts of the continent, too, successive years of call on all members of the General Assembly for bold drought have resulted in complete crop failures and and far-sighted action. The problems facing the threatened the ver:- viability of agriculture, on which Assembly need dedic~t.ion and audacity, so that millions of the continent's population depend for together we can implement the mandate given to us sustenance and gainful employment. Africa's prob- by the millions of people all over the world who have lem is further compounded by oiher natural factors, reposed their confidence in the United Nations. We including desertification, the siltation of riverbeds cannot afford to fail. and, in some cases, flooding too. 38. I wish to assure you, Mr. President, and all the 33. Even where and when we have been able to representatives here present that Zimbabwe will do produce enough and are seeking outlets for our its utmost towards the fulfilment of the noble goals of exports, tariff and non-tariff barriers in the industri- the United Nations. alized countries have arrested our export growth. 39. The PRESIDENT: On behalf of the General Similarly, our economies continue to endure balance- Assembly, I thank the Prime Minister of the Repub- of-payments problems, and the position has not been lic of Zimbabwe for the important statement he has ameliorakd by the completely unrealistic approach just made. taken bv I he IMF to the problems of the developing 40. Mr. SAVETSILA (Thailand): I am pleased to countril:s. in ti,d, our kr m~ of trade have been extend to you, Sir, on behalf of the delegation of faili ng, f' '. ca use 1 he prices of raw materials-on the Thailand, our warmest congratulations on your elec- ~erritorial integrity of. Le~anon. The on~oing crisi.s in 76. On the other hand, international concern is Its southern part, which I~ unde~ IsraelI ~ccupatIon, more clearly perceived with regard to the Vietnamese has rec~ntly deepe.n~d, owmg to Illegal ~ctlOns by the boat people. Since 1975, Thailand has given tem~ occ~l?ymg authorIties. It seems only Just that the rary refuge and protection to approximately 80,000 posItIon of the, Leb~nese G<:>vernment be s9f1;lpulo.us- Vietnamese boat refugees. It continues to be Thai- ly resp~cted, smce. It COJ}stItutes the ~dmIntS~ratlOn land's policy, as in other refugee cases, to assist these recogmzed by all, mcludmg. Israel, whIch had .m,deed hapless boat people in ways that are commensurate c?ncluded an agreement wIth the same AdmIDlstra- with Thailand's limited resources and capabilities. tlOn. The fact is that, long before their plight had become 70. Above all, Thailand calls for the immediate an issue.of internati~nal ~oncern, ",:hai authorities implementation of Security Council resolution 509 had provIded them wIth relIef and assI~tance.As lOJ}g (1982) and urges all United Nations Members to as t~e root causes are not deal~ ~Ith, there wl~1 respect the sovereignty, political independence, unity contmue. to !'e people who are ":Ill1Og to flee theu and territorial integnty of Lebanon as well as its country m flckety boats and to r!sk dangers on the inalienable rights to its resources, and to support the ~pe.n ,sea. Unfort~nately, there will also be ruthless efforts of the Lebanese Government to restore the mdlyIduals who Will prey ~n.them. I~ 198! the Royal legitimate aut!Aority ofthe Lebanese State throughout ThaI Navy set up an antI-pIracy unIt of Its C?w!1. In its territory within (ihe internationally recognized 1982 the Gpvernment .com~enced an. anti-pIracy boundaries. pr?gramme ~n ~o-operatIon With the UOlted N~t1ons HIgh CommISSIoner for Refugees. However, OWlD~ to 71. The situation in Central America cOBtinues to financial and territorial con,Jraints, it was poSSible be a cause of concern for the international commu- for the programme to cover a sea area of only 15 per nity. rv..y delegation is of the view that the Contadora cent of the total area envisaged. In this connection, it Group's proposal for negotiations among all parties should be noted that the so-called Gulf of Thailand concerned, in order to arrive at a peaceful settlement comprises sea areas belonging to several coastal with viable guarantees, is constructive and conforms States, as well as parts of the high seas. Even then, to the aspirations of the peoples of the region. We according to UNHCR statistics, the incidents of wish, therefore, to express Thailand's support for the piratical attacks on the boat people as well as on efforts of the Contadora Group, which apparently fishermen have decreased significantly. In July of d~nted threat arising from a massive buildup of arms Assembly, my delegation was encouraged to see some and competition in the qualitative refinement of signs that the two super-Powers were more inclined weapons of all kinds. Furthermore, rapid advances in towards a resumption of their bilateral arms talks. science and technology have made the extension of While it may be too optimistic to hope for a the arms race into the new dimension of outer space meaningful dialogue between them before the end of a very real possibility. this year, it should be realized that time passes and 82. Negotiations, both within and outside the with each passing day the risks of confrontation framework of the United Nations, to halt the spiral- increase. In this connection, the tone set by President ling arms race and reduce the risks of nuclear Reagan in his statement before the Assembly [4th confrontation have not thus far made any significant meeting] should further e "lrage us to renew our progress. To this paralysis of multilateral negotia- collective efforts in the (.;~l. for a world free from tions is added the recent suspension of the bilateral weapons of mass destniction. Such a step would talks between the two super-Powers on intermediate- indeed be a giant step for mankind. range nuclear forces and strate~ic arms reduction 88. If the world can be spared the immense costs of issues. Moreover, the deterioration of the interna- the arms race, then enormous amounts of resources 167. As a consequence of the subversive violence from which cel1ain areas of Guatemala suffered mercilessly, especially in 1981 and 1982, thousands of Guatemalans were displaced; they abandoned their communities of origin and mov~d into Mexican territory, where they settled in camps close to our border. The present Government is deeply concerned at the situation of thes~ compatriots and has there- fore started negotiations with the Government of Mexico, with which it is in constant communication on this problem. By mutual agreement, we have requested the co-operation of humanitarian bodies such as the Guatemalan Red Cross, the Mexican Red Cross, the League of National Red Cross Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UNHCR for the purpose of adopting some kind of procedure to facilitate the orderly return of these refugees to Guatemala and to supply them with food, medical care and the necessary protection. 168. When they return we shall offer them housing and work, so that, in an atmosphere of peace and security, they may devote themselves to their usual endeavours m their communities of origin or other communities which are being built. Repatriation must be conducted on a voluntary basis in absolute freedom, and each of the refugees must be consulted ahead of time about his or her views on a possible return to Guatemala. Our Government is preparing to begin a procedure for direct consultations as soon as possible, and we hope that this machinery will be adopted and put into effect expeditiously. The Gov- ernment of Guatemala has accepted supervision of this process by the international bodies that I have mentioned to verify full compliance with the agreed terms. 169. Quite apart from the foregoing, I am pleased to say that many Guatemalan refugees in Mexico are already returning to Guatemala of their own accord. They have been welcomed by the authorities in our country, who have given them the immediate assist- ance they require and transported them to their places of origm. We have reported consistently on these events at both the national and the internation- al level. 170. To sum up, the policy involving refugees is marked by humanitarian aims and concrete actions, designed to ensure that these Guatemalans may enjoy ~overnmental bodies concerned with human rights Issues. We believe that international understanding and support are extremely important to Guatemala, as it will have a positive effect and help us continue the encouraging trend towards the reduction of violence and the strengthening of the democratic process. 175. Thus, Guatemala is concerned by the fact that human rights problems do not always receive objec- tive, serious treatment by the United Nations. The practice of censuring countries-for political reasons or motives or because they are not part of certain military or political alliances-for violations of hu- man rights IS one which my country cannot accept. We cannot permit the politicization of the debate on human rights or a selective way of dealing with this question. This issue must be dealt with very careful- ly. The United Nations has lost some of its moral force in this connection because it has not applied the same criteria and parameters in every case. Thus, some States which commit grave violations ofhuman rights are often not even mentioned. resourc~s devoted by the m~jor PO,wers to military 205. Mr. SIPRASEUTH (Lao People's Democratic expe~dltures and to enlarg~ng theIr arsenals were Republic) (~nterpretationfrom French):· On behalfof used mstead for the promotIon of development, the the delegatIon of the Lao People's Democratic Re- living standards of mankind as a whole would public, I should like first to congratulate Mr. Lusaka markedly improve. on his unanimous election to the presidency of the 200. The international community, horrified by the thirty-ninth. session of the G~n~ral. Assembly. I am effects of the Second World War which cost millions sure that WIth the actIve partIcIpatIon of all delega- of lives and caused incalculabie material damage, tions an~ under t,he wise guidance o~ the President, greeted with hope the idea of creating an organiza- an. exper~enced, dIplomat from ZambIa, the. work of tion, the United Nations, which would preserve thIS sessIon WIll lead to concrete results m many international peace and security in the future. For areas. over four decades, there have been intensive debates 206. I should also like to offer my sincere congratu- in the Organization on subjects and issues of a lations to Mr. Jorge Illueca~ President of the Assem- political, economic, social and cultural nature. At bly's thirty-eighth session, on the excellent manner in times of crisis and confrontation, small and medium- which he fulfilled his mandate. si~ed countries, like the ~ajor, Powers, have come to 207. The Lao delegation would like in particular to thIS forum ~o set forth theIr gnevances .and to a~k for praise the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General to understan~mgand support. The sove.relgn equaht¥ of promote the equitable and effective achievement of ~tates, whIch presupposes the same nghts and obl~ga- the noble purposes and principles of the Charter of tlOn~ for every on~ of th~ Members of the UOlted the United Nations for the maintenance and NatIons, makes thIS pOSSIble. strengthening of international peace and security. 201. However, the United Nations has not a~ways 208. The Lao delegation welcomes the admission of been able to respond to ~he, challenge of hIstory Brunei Darussalam, a country from the same region because, regrettably, strateg!c mterests, among other as ours as the 159th Member of the United Nations things, have prevailed over the principles and norms '" . .' embodied in its Charter. Mankind still has a long way 209. ThIS ~esslon of the G~neral Assembl.y IS ~akl~g to go before reason and justice can take the place of place at a tIme when ,the mternatlo~al SItuatIOn IS force. Human beings, by their very nature, can tense an~ when there IS al:1 a~celer3:tl(:~n of the arms discriminate between good and evil; that is to say, race c~rned out by the maJor Impenahst country, on they have free choice and act on the basis of their land, In the oceans and m o~ter sp~ce. . conscience and convictions. But all human beings do 210., In many parts of A~la, A,fnca an~ ~tm not respect the same scale of values, and the desire Amenca, the war ~f agg~es~lon, dIrect or mdIrect, for domination over others is manifested in various undertaken by the Impenahsts, the war of destruc- ways. Human beings are imperfect, but they have tion and of territor~al .annexation whi.ch is being been endowed as superior beings with intelligence, a waged ~y the expansl(~Olst~, a~d ~he pohc¥ 9f brutal will and feelings; therefore, they must act responsibly ~ppresslOn of the r~clal ~Is~nmmatlon regIme! ~he and learn to respect the rights of others as they mstrument o.f t~e ,Impen~hsts, have been gam.mg respect their own. To know how to respect others is g~ou,nd, t~us mfrmgmg the m~ependence and ~ernto- to know how to live in fellowship and share material, r!al mtegnty of several count~les and threatenmg the cultural and spiritual well-being with justice and nght of those peoples to eXIst. fairness, 211. At the same time, in the economic field there 202. Without the human being there would be no is a furth~r ~idening 9f the gap between ~he devel- State; therefore, the rights and duties of States must 0l?ed capItalIst countnes an~ ~he devel~pmg coun- be a mirror image of the rights and duties of human !nes.,The North-South nego~latI9~s are SImply.m3:rk- beings. The State was created not to enslave and mg tIme no';\'. The economIc cnSIS, the ~x~IOltatlon subjugate human beings, but to serve them. Thus, the and ~lundenng of res!Jur~es and the restrt~tlve trade Umted Nations, in order to realize its full potential, pra~tlc~s and pr9tecttoOlst measures apphed by !he must not only take into account the interests of States capltal~st ,count~les haye all ~laced t,he ~evelopmg but, above all, watch over and work for the well-being countrIes m an m~reasl1~gly ddlicult ~Ituatlon. How- of all people. Human beings all over the world must ever, the overall pIcture IS far from bemg a complete- be protected. We must ~om~at hunger and foverty "'Mr. Sipraseuth spoke in Lao. The French version of his and, to the extent pOSSIble m the world 0 today, statement was supplied by the delegation. A/39/451~, the statement of 6 September 1984 [see use ThaI c~rrency, mcreased theIr troops to .3,000 A/39/475t and the White Book issued on 18 Septem- men-that IS, double the num.ber <?f people m.the .11 Laos and th~ other countries of Indo-China. and Lao reactionaries in exile along the frontier across from the province of Sayaboury and other 246. The incident involving the three villages oc- provinces in Laos. curred shortly after the visit to China of General Arthit Kamlang Ek, Commander-in-Chief of the 240. This was not simply a border incident and it Armed Forces and the Army of Thailand. He even was certainly not simply a border dispute, which is went to the Chinese-Vietnamese border to learn from something that can happen quite often between two the Chinese experience of its war of a~ression neighbouring countries. Rather, it was an act of against Vietnamese territory. During the Visit, the premeditated aggression, violating Lao sovereignty Chinese side declared that it would support Thailand and territorial integrity; it was a serious violation of in its aggression against the three Lao villages, an the two joint Lao-Thai declarations; it was a provoca- aggression which was commanded by General Arthit tion to confrontation in the region; and it was a Kamlang Ek in person and which took place at a time violation ofthe principles enshrined in the Charter of when the Thais, in collusion with the Chinese, were the United Nations. One might therefore wonder if, doing everything possible to help the Pol Potists and with such conduct, this country, a Member of the their consorts to oppose the Kampuchean people, United Nations, would be a suitable nominee for and at a time when the Chinese themselves also were non-permanent membership of the Security Council. escalating the war of aggression against the Vietnam- 241. Secondly, the underlying cause of the aggres- ese border. sion by Thai troops against the three villages in Lao 247. It is perfectly clear that the aggression against is the expansionist ambition of the extreme-right the three Lao villages enjoyed the support of the Thai reactionaries, an ambition which arose out of Chinese expansionists and that it resulted from their pan-Thaiism and which enjoys the support of the total collusion with the extreme-right Thai reaction- Chinese expansionists, who instigated the escalation aries against Laos. of this destructive war against the three countries of 248. Althou~h these three villages are still occupied Indo-China. by the Thai orces of aggression, the Lao People's 242. The White Book published on 18 S(~ptember Democratic Republic has been very restrained and 1984 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs 01 the Lao has been prepared to settle the problem of the three People's Democratic Republic exposed the reality of villages jointly with the Thai side through negotia- Lao-Thai relations and the hegemonist and expan- tions, so as not to let the fraternal relations between sionist policy of the reactionary military circles of the peoples of these two countries deteriorate still Thailand-formerly known as Siam-vis-a-vis Laos furt.ller. That is why the Lao side took the initiative from the sixteenth century until the present time. of twice-in July and August 1984-sendin$ a 243. History clearly shows that the expansionist governmental negotiation to Bangkok to negotIate and hegemonist policy of the reactionary Thai lead- with the Thai side. But the results showed that the ing circles vis-a-vis Laos has remained unchanged. Thai side does not sincerely wish to resolve the From the sixteenth century to the beginning of the problem with the Lao side. It submitted many twentieth century, the reactionary Siamese leading proposals and demands which were unreasonable circles committed acts of aggression against, occu- and unjustified; these all had the purpose of denying pied, administered and annexed a large part of Lao the sovereignty of the Lao People's Democratic territory. For 115 years-from 1778 to 189J-they Republic over the three villages. After vainly expend- made Laos a vassal State. During the Second World ing great effort in an attempt to force the Lao sIde to War, from 1941 to 1946, Thailand used the Japanese accept its unfounded demands, the Thai side decided Fascists to force the French, who were in a difficult unilaterally to break off the negotiations. situation, to yield the two Lao provinces west of the 249. Moreover, the Thai side has been saying, for Mekong, the provinces of Sayaboury and Champa- public opinion and in all its international contacts, sak. During the United States war of a~ression in that "the three villages are a minor problem"; that Indo-China, the reactionaries in power m Thailand "the problem can be resolved through direct negotia- transformed their territory into a United States base tions between the two sides"~ :1\nd that "owing to Viet and made their troops participate directly in this war Nam's manipulation from behind the scenes, Laos is against Laos and the other countries of Indo-China. not its own master". In the end, they established zso- From 1975 to the present time, Thailand has been a called technical committee-Which we rejected-to decisive bastion, a docile instrument, used by Chi- CClfry out an investigation in the field. But, as I have nese expansionism in South-East Asia as a santuary already made clear, the border in this sector-and, for the genocidal Pol Pot clique and its consorts and indeed, throughout its le~gth-was very clearly de- for other reactionary exiles from Indo-Chinese coun- limited by the Fran<:o-Siamese treaties of 2 Fr-bruary tries who came to struggle against their own people. 1904 and 23 March 1907 and requires no v~rifica. 244. The Thai reactionaries used military pressure tion. This investigation is intended only to prolong against the Lao People's Democratic Republic to and legalize the oc-cupation and to mislead mtema- cre~.te tension and sow the seeds of trouble. They co- tional public opinion. operated with the Chinese in feeding, training, 250. At the same time, it has pleased the Thai slde or~anizing and commanding the Lao reactionaries in to inform the Secretal')'..Qeneral about this proble~ exile and then in invading the three Lao villages on 6 in order to make it widely known. The bead of the June 1984. This act of a~ression is the product of Thai delezation abandoned the first round of n~otia- pan-Thaiism, which is commg to life again among the tions with the Lao side in order to pay a visit to extreme-right Thai ruling circles. China to consult the Chinese side. w~r, t~e Lao people wants only to hve m peace, to (interpretation from Spanish): On behalf of the Gov- brmg ItS e~untry out of backwardness and p~verty ernment of the Dominican Republic and of the and to. buIld a new system and a new hfe of delegation which I have the honour of leading, I wish prospenty. to convey to Mr. Lusaka our most sincere' congratula- 253. The consistent foreign policy of the Lao Peo- tions on his election to preside over the work of the pie's Democratic Republic is to establish relations thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly. This with all countries, irrespective of their political and well-deserved distinction recognizes his role as a social systems, on the basis of the principle of fighter for the cause of peace and the well-being of peaceful coexistence. nati~ns, his bril~iant work ~s .Presiden~ of the pnited 254. The Lao People's Democratic Republic has NatIo~s C~uncIl fo~ NamI~Ia and.hIS e~,ectIve co- spared no effort to devdop fraternal relations be- operatIon m the UOlted NatIon~. HIS electIon augu~s tween its people and that of Thailand, its neighbour. well. for th~ ba;lanced. an~ fruItful conduct o~ thIS The Government of the Lao People's Democratic sessJr'". ThIS WIse cho!ce IS also an eloq~enlt tn~ute Republic notes with satisfaction that, thanks to the to 1<. ountf¥, Z.ambla, and. to the .entIre A.fncan united efforts of the two parties, the Lao Govern- contment, whIch l~ cha;ractenz~d by ItS.devotIon to ment and the Thai Government have been able to the quest for a falTer mternatIonal socIal order. sign two joint declarations, in January and April 261. My delegation also pays a tribute to the 1979, which turned a new page in the history of outgoing President, Mr. Jorge Illueca, for his efficient relations between the peoples of the two countries. leadership of the deliberations of the General Assem- However, the extreme-right reactionaries in the Thai bly at the thirty-eighth session. His diplomatic skill ruling circles took advantage of this to attain their won him the admiration of all and is a source of expansionist and hegemonist designs on Laos; this pride to the peoples of Latin America. runs counter to the interests of the peoples of the two 262. I should also like to express our gratitude to countries. Accordingly, the Thai reactionaries alone the Secretary-General for his perseverance in trans- must shoulder the responsibility for the present lating into reality the purposes and principles of the serious deterioration. Charter of the United Nations and for his invaluable 255. The just solution to the problem of the three contributions to the ca~se of progress and int,~rna- villages is for Thailand to withdraw all its troops tional peace and secunty. from those villages, to allow the inhabitants forced 263. Allow me to extend a most cordial welcome to into Thailand to return to their homeland, to provide the new State of Brunei Darussalam, which recentlv fair compensation to the local inhabitants for the loss won independence. Its efforts to realize the ideall) of of life and property caused by the troops and to justice pursued by the United Nations will undolllbt- return the situation m the three villages to normal, as edly prove to be an asset to the Organization. it was before 6 June 1984. 264. The international situation, which grows more 256. The Lao people has a long tradition of heroic alarming each passing day, should be a matter of struggle against foreign aggression and is resolved to collective concern to all peace-loving nations and exercise its right of legitimate self-defence, as set out should, of necessity, lead them to strengthen the in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, to United Nations. This firm belief inspires me to repel the troops of aggression and to defend the reiterate the idea I put forward in my statement at sovereignty and territori~l integrity of its sacred the thirty-eighth session that: h<?meland. At the same tIme, t~e Lao qovern~ent "At this difficult time in the history of mankind, wIll always demonstrate go04w~1l and .w1l1 contmue international co-operation, which is an essential to b.e ready to res~me negotIatIons wIth the Royal element for harmonious coexistence among na- ThaI G~vernment ~n C?rder to resolve, the probletp~:m tions, must be the force behind our actions if we the basI~ of the pnncIples set forth m the two jomt are to overcome the present situation." [21st declaratIons of 1979. meeting, para. 161.] 257. We sh~uld like to take this opportunity to 265. In view of the growin~ interdependence that express our smcel.e thanks tc? the Governments. and characterizes contemporary mternational relations, peop.les o~ t~e van~us cou~tf1es, and to mte!na~IOn~1 today's problems affect all the members of the pubhe oplOlon WhICh chenshes peace and JustIce m international community but have a greater impact the world, for their sympathy a~d for th~ .invaluable on the least developed among them. We are therefore support they have lent to the just posItIon of the concerned at the tendenc) on the part of some people of Laos. industrialized States to abandon the necessary co. 258. We appeal here to all delegations participating operation among States, which should be based on a in this session of the General Assembly to urge the profound feeling of solidarity. We must create a real ~rother countries, free from outside impositions or not limited to one geographical area. I should like to mterference, and in devoting their energies and refer to other events, topics and circumstan~es which resources to the requirements of development. affect international life and are of concern to the 272. On his very first day in office, in August 1982, Government of the Dominican RepubHc. the Pres~dent of my country, Mr. Salvador Jorge 279. First, I wish to express the Dominican Repub- ~l~nco, m the Santo Domingo declaration issued lie's profound anxiety over the situation prevailing in Jomtly with four other Latin American leaders, southern Africa. A mere glance at this part of the recommended dialogue and negotiations as means world shows us that apartTzeid, racial discrimination es~ab~ishment of a~ independent Stat~ b~sed on the 290. The Government of the Dominican Republic prmclples of equalIty, freedom and JustIce. views with deep concern the upsurge of acts of 281. Among the disturbed regions of the world, the terrorism in international life. It has condemned Middle East has been a constant source of concern to these and will always condemn them wherever they the United Nations since the Organization's incep- occur. We believe the recourse to terror, in any form tion. My country unswervingly maintains its position and for any motive, is unacceptable to the interna- that the achievement ofa just and lasting peace in the tional community and offends its conscience. regio!? requires pri.or ~cceptance of the vie~ that the 291. On the subject of scourges, I should like to q.uestI.on of Palestme IS the core of the MIddle East refer to the Quito Declaration a~ainst Traffic in SItuatIon. . Narcotic Drugs, signed by the PreSIdents of Bolivia, 282.. We therefore urge, as we ~a.ve on preVIOUS Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, by the represen- occaSIons, that the ~~cessary condItIons ,be fo~tered tative of the President of Peru, by the President-elect to en~ble the Pa~est~man people to exer~Ise, ~It~oUt of Panama, by a member of the Governing Junta of any kmd of o~tsld.e mt~rfereI?-ce<?r c~ercIOn, ItS ,nght National Reconstruction of Nicaragua and by the !O self-determmatlon, .I~cludmg It~ nght to natIOnal Vice-President of Panama at Quito on 11 August I~dependence and poh~I~al sove~elgnty and to estab- 1984 [see A/39/407]. We associate ourselves fully IIsh a State on PalestIman terntory. with the approach adopted in that Declaration-that 283. We reiterate equally strongly our heartfelt is, to consider traffic in narcotics as a crime a~ainst conviction that any peace solution in the Middle East humanity, with all the legal consequences applIcable must take into consideration Security Council resolu- in such cases. We also support the proposal for the tion 242 (1967), which recognizes the right of Israel establishment of an international or regional fund to to live in peace within secure and recognized bound- furnish aid to developing countries affected by traffic aries. in narcotics, in order to combat and overcome the 284. No less worrying is the situation in Leba~on- causes responsible f<?r suc~ sit~ati.ons an~ to pr~vide a country with traditional ties to th~ Dommican !he competent natIOn~1 mstItutIO~s, .wlth SUItable Republic-which is cruelly torn by fratncidal battles. Instruments to deal WIth such actIVItIes. '1{e benieve that no:", .more than ever the paths of 292. The international community is still being dIalogue and ~egOtIatI?n should be ~xpl~red there battered by the worst world economic crisis of recent anq that the mte!DatIOnal comm~mty IS morally decades. Despite some signs of recovery observed in oblIge,d to extend !ts full co-operatIOn to the recon- certain industrialized economies, the international structIon process m Lebanon. recession persists and the third-world countries- 285. However, unanimous recognition of the need particularly those in Latin America-are still beset for the restoration of the sovereignty, independence, by economic stagnation and subjected to painful unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon and the processes of adjustment which m the main are withdrawal from its territory of all unauthorized ineffective because of the lack of equity and symmet- foreign forces is an essential prerequisite for the ry in the distribution of the costs of international settlement of the conflict. economic restructuring. 286. Th~ war, bet,ween t~e Islamic Republic <?f Iran 293. From the Second United Nations Develop- and Ir~q IS takm~ ~ts toll m death a~d destructIOn on ment Decade, the 1970s, which held promise of a bot~ SIdes and IS adversely affectll~g prospect~ of transfer of rea! resources to the developing areas, we regIOnal ~nd glo~al peace aI?-d ~ecunty. We beheve have moved into a period dominated by the group that the mternatIonal orgamzatIOns should,be pre- and sectoral interests of some industrialized coun- pared to help and enc~urage the peace-makmg pro- tries which, not fully realizing that we live in an cess between the partIes. , ., interdependent world, have caused a reversal of 28~. We reaffirm our behefthat the deSIred re~mfi- financial assistance flows, leading to restr~ction~ ~n catIon of the Korean people should be achIeved market access and the pursuit of economIC polICIes through a negotiated settlement between the two that have upset the international economic order. parties, without outside interference or pressure. 294 C I th . d ' th .., , , . onsequent y, e sllstame economIC grow 288., One ,of t~e sust~l1nmg pI,lIars, of DO~llmcan of a few years ago has come to a halt. Our peoples' fore!gn pohcy IS non-mter,ventlon m the ,mte~nal purchasing power in strong currencies has dwindled. affaIrS of o~her States. ThIS ha~ been a hlston~al World trade is at a standstill. A dramatic shortage of constant, eVIdent t~roughout the, hfe of o~r R~pubhc. international liquidity is threatening the stability of Ho~ever, we conSIder th,at non~m!ervent~on IS cl~se- the financial and monetary system. ly lInked to another cardmal prmclple of mternatton- allife: the self-determination of peoples. The Domin- 295. The third-world countries, which set their ican Republic has invariably shown firm support for sights on industrialization during the 1980s in the the right of peoples freely to decide the form of hope of absorbing growing unemployment, find that ~overnment they deem most suited to their national important industrial sectors cannot grow satisfactori- mterests. ly because the develored countries' economies, de- ou~ countries. Thi.s measure i~ .con~r,!ry ~o the 304. Faced with the serious phenomenon of exter- phIlosophy underlymg the promunng ImtIatIve for nal indebtedness which as has been seen has the Caribbean basin sponsored by that country. significant advers~ effects on them, the Latin Ameri- 297. These protectionist measures show the extent can countries have-it must be recognized-already to which the world economy may be destabilized if set in train a dynamic process of solidarity, which is this type of behaviour continues to spread. If the increasingly becoming an example for the third world countries that are most competitive in selling certain and which is backed by firm political will. goods cannot find outlets for their production or do 305. The Quito Declaration and Plan of Action not obtain suitable prices for their commodities, [A/39/l18, annex] preceded by the Santo Domingo where will they obtain the international liquidity to undertaking, and more recently the Cartagena Con- purchase goods from abroad or to finance the sensus [A/39/331, annex] and the Mar del Plata servicing of their e-ternal debt? Communique [A/39/554, annex] are eloquent expres- 298. Clearly, the answer cannot be that this liquidi- sions of t~is sC?lid~rity. and of this co~mon will, ty sh,?uld be achieved at the expense of th~ standard wh?se mam obJe9tIve .IS to fi~d a Solu~Ion to the of livmg of our peoples, because that solutIon would serIous. problems IdentIfied dunng the dIalogue and be economically unfair and politically and socially to achIe'le ':lnderstandmg between all the parties destabilizing and would have implications that could concerned-m other words, between creditors and even endanger the international financial and mone- debtors. tary system itself. 306. This was clearly stated by the President of the 299. During the 1960s and 1970s, the relationship Dominican Republic, Mr.. Sah:ador Jorge Blanco-, in existing between trade and development was reflect- a speech made. at the Umver~Ity of South CarolIna, ed principally in the fact that the surpluses generated before the PreSIdent ofthe Umted St'!tes, Mr. Ronald by trade were recycled in the form of investments ~eagan, an~ other leaders of the Canbbean Commu- and loans. By contrast, the present trend is to mty. He saId: concentrate capital inputs on the basis of incentives "At Cartagena, we acknowledged the need to to encourage high interest rates and other measures restructure our economies, to make the adjust- involving substantial restrictions on international ments which will enable us to exercise self-disci- trade. pline, but we also proclaimed the necessary joint 300. High interest rates are aggravating the external responsibility for the solution o~the crisis b~me by debt problem, by' increasing financial costs. Thus, !he Go~ernments of the c~ed!tor ~ouiitnes, t~e Latin America will have to payout over $7.5 billion IDtel1l;atl(~nal ~!1nks and the International finanCIal more than it would have had to payout if the United orgamzatIOns. States base rate had not risen by three points since 307. The countries which joined in the Cartagena the beginning of t~..IS year. In turn, the existence of Consensus reaffirmed at Mar del Plata the need for such high interest rates encourages the outflow of direct political dialogue between creditors and debt- capital to the financial centres, thus further reducing ors which would recognize the joint responsibility of the capacity to pay and the international liquidity of all in the search for sulutions to the crisis and lead to our economies. That is one reason why Latin Ameri- the achievement of a fairer economic order. ca, deeply in d~bt, has paradoxically become a net 308. As the provisional secretariat of the consulta- exporter of capItal. tion and follow-up machinery establi£hed under the 301. The figures supporting this statement are Cartagena Consensus, the Dominican Republic will chilling. In net terms, Latin America is transferring do everythin~ in its power to help bring about the to the industrialized countries over 3 per cent of its proposed polItical dialogue which, as stated at Mar gross domestic product. In 1983 over $,0 billion, del Plata, should preferably be held during the first representing half of the regionis net savings, were half of 1985. This political dialogue would also serve transferred as interest and profits alone. Debt servic- as an opportunity to review the role played by ing-interest alone-absorbs 35 per cent of Latin important international agencies such as the IMF American exports. In the past four years, the region's and the World Bank in the international economic output declined by 10 per cent, and unemployment is order. still on the rise. 309. As we commemorate the tenth anniversary of 302. f'he severe deflation into which the d~veloping the solem~ proc!at:nation by the general Assembly. of countnes' economies have been led in' on.ler to the new mternatIonal economIC order [resolutzon create conditions in which debt-servi~ing payments 3201 (8-VI)], we note with regret that the attitude of can ~e made, has undoubtedly reduced the threat some industrializ~d ~ountries is hinderi~g the start of loomu~g over the financial order of the developed the global ne~otIatIons, ~he res':llt bemg tha~ the ~ountnes. But t~is has been achieved through severe, North-,Sou~h dI,alogue 0!1mternatIon'!l economIC c~ mdeed traumatIC, curtailments of imports and of operatIon IS bemg kept ID a state of VIrtual paralYSIS. consumption, through a decrease in the already 310. There is still no pro~ress in the negotiations, precarious standard of living of our peoples and, in despite the notable flexibIlity of the non-aligned ni~tmare which could ultimately eliminate any 337. The economy of our country has so far been gb.mmer of hop~. All of us here are concerned about service-oriented, and this sector will be improved thIS danger, ~hICh would spare nobody. The 1?-uclear and modernized in years to come to meet national and conveJ?tlOnal arms race~ do not help d~alogue regional and international requirements. However, to a~o~g natIons an~ are not In ~ccordance wIth.the avoid complete dependence on a sin~le sector, the prIn,clples und~rlYIng the. creatIon of the Umted Government has taken a political deCIsion to which NatIOns followmg the ternble Second World War. effect is given in its programme for the next seven 329. How can we speak of co-operation if the years and which will enable us to establish the nuclear danger and this tension hang over our heads? necessary conditions for a dynamic process capable We trust that through our combined efforts we shall of creating a productive economy based on the be able to bring about a relaxation of tension, which principles of collective autonomy. This programme will be in the interest of the peoples of the entire was submitted to the international community in world. November 1983, when the conference of donors to 330. Turning to the economic crisis, we are all I?jibouti wa~ he~d. Friendly countries and intema- aware ofthe fact that we would be virtually powerless tIOnal orgamzatlons responded favourably to our to control the world economy unless there were full appeal and co~tributed to .the success of that confer- co-operation between the United Nations and its ence. I take thIS opportumty to thank them for that Member States response. We are convinced that the commitments 331. The dete;ioration ofthe international econom- entered into at t~e confer~nce. will be honoured so ic situation has led the international organizations to that we can attaI~ our o~~ectI~es. . ~ive priority to studying ways and means of achiev- 338. The R.epubbc of DJI~OUtI ~ould also ~Ike to mg a rapid improvement in the economy. Yet the promote frUItful co-operatIon wIth economic and problem of restructuring the world economy with a tr~de. partner~ based on mutual respe~t and the view to establishing a new international economic prIncIples c::f mterdependenc~ and equ~lIty. W~ at- order based on more equitable economic relations tach gre.at Importa~ce to regIonal and. :mterreglopal remains unsolved. Only an atmosphere of mutual economIC co-operatIon among develc;>plnJ countrIes. trust and a common determination to arrive at and we are ready to make our contrIbution to these agreement on the most crucial issues will enable us to efforts.. We appreciate the va~ue of fruitful co-opera- overcome the difficulties and lead us out of the tIOn WIth our Arab and AfrIcan brothers and With deadlock in the negotiations between the developed other friendly countries. and the developing countries. 339. We have always applied a policy of good- 332. I want to emphasize the terrible consequences neig,hbourliness and ~on.intet1erence it?- the internal of the economic crisis for Africa, which is most af{alrs ofother countnes and, In the regional context, seriously affected by this situation. This problem has thIS epsures th~t tru~t, tolerance and ~utual under- be~o~e a source of major concern and a matter of s~andIng prevaI~. Fa~thf~l to. that posltlon~ we con- pflC?nty in the United Nations, as can be seen by the tmue to ~ork 1!1 thIS.dIrectIon and we urge oth~r praIseworthy initiative of the Secretary-General and ~tates to IntenSIfy theIr efforts to create the condl- as has been emphasized in many international fo- tlons necessary to ensure the restoratIon ofpeace and rums. stability to our region. We believe that initiatives in 333. The African countries, aware of the gravity of favour of a positive. dial.og~e should be direct~d the situation, have advanced various constructive above all to developmg sIgmficant co-operatIon m solutions to help resolve the crisis. These proposals, cultural and trade exchang~s. We also b~heve that which are contained in the Special Memorandum on ~uccess for such a peace polIcy can be a~hleyed only Africa's Economic and Social Crisis,14 adopted by the If we respect the fact t~at each of us ~s different. Conft..~ence of Ministers of the Economic Commis- 340. Here we should lIke to pay a tnbute to the sion for Africa, held at Addis Ababa in May of this ~fforts to ensure a ~ialogue that will have a positive year, reflect the views of African Governments and Impact on our region as a whole. should be given due attention by the international 341. On the subject ofthe Indian Ocean, we believe community. In this connection, we ur~e the world that it is essential to apply the principles contained in community to co-operate fully with AfrIcan Govern- the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of ments in their efforts. Peace [resolution 2832 (XXVI)] in order to avoid any Llbe~atI~n Orgamzatlon, our brother Yass,er ~rafat, escalation of violence that could give international f,,?r hIS tIreless effo~s to ensure that the objectIves of dimensions to this conflict. We urge all States to hIS people are attaIned. respect the decisions adopted at international confer- 349. Since Israel has been occupying Jerusalem, the ences, Isla~ic holy pla~es have ~een the object of acts C?f 357. Last August, the apartheid r6gime introduced a sacnlege by Zlomst ~x~remlstswhose. declared goal IS so-called new constitutIon which exposed another to ,destroy the Chnst~an and Mushm holy places, aspect of the odious policy of segre$ation, racism and actIons that th~y ~onslder as the first steps towards racial discrimination in South Afnca. This so-called complete JudalzatIon of Jerusalem. constitution is a new strategy of confrontation which 350. For centuries, the Muslims have been protect- opens the doors to violence and police brutality ing the Christian and Jewish holy places, in accord- against the black m~jority. It brought back to life that ance with the prescriptions of the sacred Koran, old policy of the co!omal era which is now in its p~rticular the poorest among ~he~. We are .c~n- villages in order to defuse the situation and bring vI.nced that ,through the determmatlon and p,?htlCal about a peaceful solution to the problem". ~Ill of .eacn Stat~ we shall be able to bf1~g to 384. In the light of my Minister's statement, it is mternatlOnal relatIOns more toleranct.: and falr~ess my delegation's earnest hope that the Lao delegation based 011 op~n a!1d loyal co-'!peratlOn. Pra~tIcal will demonstrate a more constructive attitude e~ample.s,of thiS eXIst, a!1d we beheve that, despIte all towards the solution of any and all problems and dIfficulties, we Itl:ust butld upon them and st~engthen misunderstandings that may arise between our two them so as to gIve hope to future generatIOns. neighbouring countries in the sincere spirit of broth- 376. We might also mention South-South co-opera- erhood that has for many centuries existed between tion. as part o~this dyn~mic process. We welcome th.e our two peoples. reah~nments m the thud ~orl9 that should make ~t 385. Mr. NGAOSIVAT (Lao People's Democratic pOSSIble to e~sure authe!1~lc dIalogue between theIr Republic) (interpretation from French): The occupa- peoples, leadmg to stablhty and peace. tion of the three Lao villages by Thai troops is in no 377. I said earlier that in the context of this world way a minor issue, as claimed by the Thai representa- conscience we all have a collective responsibility, and tive and by the Minister for Forei~n Affairs of it is in the United Nations that we come closest to Thailand. It is an issue of sovereIgnty, of the that reality. We sincerely hope, as the fortieth territorial integrity of an independent State, a State anniversary of the creation of the United Na.tions that is a full-fledged Member of the United Nations. approaches, that greater and .greater efforts WIll be 386. If Thailand deems the issue of the three Lao m~de. to ensure that we. aC~leve the purposes and villages attacked and occupied by the Thai Army to pnncI.ples of the Orgamzatlon, for the benefit of be a minor one, why did it not resolve this issue in mankmd as a whole. the course of the two rounds of negotiations at 378. The PRESIDENT: I shall now call on those Bangkok and why did it unilaterally break otT those representatives who wish to speak in exercise of their negotiations? Why does Thailand seek to drag out the right of reply. search for a solution to the problem and to take 379. Mr. CHUTIKUL (Thailand): With reference advanta~e of this session of the qeJ?era~ Assemply.to to the regrettably polemical statement delivered by declare, m a very vague way, that It IS wlthdrawlDg Its the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of troops? the Lao People's Democratic Republic this afternoon 387. The United States, for its part, has for several concerning mcidents near the border between Thai- months been declaring that it would be withdrawing land and Laos, the Thai delegation would merely its troops from Grenada. To date, however, nothing wish, in exercise of its right of reply, to reiterate the has been done in that connection. Its statement is relevant portions of the statement made earlier this gratuitous. The statement of intent to withdraw the afternoon in the Assembly by the Minister for Thai military forces without specifying dates is also Foreign Affairs of Thailand. meaningless. 380. With reference to the incidents near the Thai- 388. In those three villages there are not only Lao border, he stated that the Thai Government military personnel, but also paramilitary personnel regards them as minor border incidents which can, and civilians. The statement by the Thai representa- unfortunately, occur in any part of the world. The tive is therefore aimed solely to appease, to create a The meeting rose at 8.15 p.m. NOTES 'See Report of the International Conference on Kampuchea (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.I.20), annex I. 2See Report of the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources ofEnergy, Nairobi, /0-21 August /98/ (United Nations pUblication, Sales No. E.81.1.24), chap. I, sect. A. "Adopted by the High-Level Conference on Economic Co-opera- tion among Developing Countries, held at Caracas from 13 to 19 May 1981. See A/36/333 and Corr.l, annex. 12United Nations, Treaty Series. vol. 634, No. 9068. 14E/1984/II0, annex.