A/39/PV.43 General Assembly

In the statement we made on 26 October [36th meeting] during the debate on the item concerning the situation in Central America, we stated that Honduras was affected by the geopolitical situation and interdependen~e and therefore con- cerned by the problems that disturbed its neighbours, both close and distant, particularly when they were small States, compelling it to co-operate in efforts to ensure that problems and differences in Central America and all other regions of the world found comprehensive solutions. 2. We are concerned by the item on the situation in Kampuchea because we firmly believe that in Central America, as in South-East Asia and other parts of the world, the universal, unconditional validity of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations must be maintained as the basis of relations among States. 3. Honduras believes that negotiated, just and honourable solutions must be sought to all conflicts. We must abandon recourse to force and replace it by reasonable dialogue. There must be an end to the occupation of foreign territory and to the illegal presence of troops and foreign security elements which try to change the national identity and infringe the sacred right of peoples to self-determination. 4. We therefore believe that the people of Kampu- chea have every right to do everything possible to regain control of their destiny as a neutral, non- aligned country by the effective exercise of their fundamental rights as a sovereign nation and because this is necessary for the independence and territorial integrity of their country. 5. Honduras has demonstrated its concern at the persistent violation of the rights of the Kampuchean people through the denial of the free exercise of self- determination in their own territory and in a climate of peace; at the continued presence of foreign troops in Kampuchea for almost six years; at attempts to transplant foreign systems which distort the identity of the people by exerting control a·nd pressure on those that run the machinery of State; and at the gradual introduction of moc than 12,000 advisers, technicians and experts into the economic, cultural and demographic areas of life, not to mention the NEW YORK increasing number of experts in the military and security sectors. 6. It is disturbing to note the confrontation, in- duced from outside, which has developed among Kampuchean nationals and which is tending to produce deep divisions in a people whose unity must be preserved. We deplore the massive flow of refu- gees which has resulted from this violent confronta- tion and the foreign colonization which is being used as a means of compensating for something that cannot be compensated for, with clear contempt for the national dignity of that country. 7. We have expres;;ed this concern on many occa- sions, in keeping with the responsibility of Honduras as one of the Vice-Chairmen of the International Conference on Kampuchea. 8. We believe that a reasonable dialogue must be fostered between the Democratic Republic of Kam- puchea and the Government of the country whose troops are currently on Kampuchean soil. This dialogue must not be a mere formality. It should seek to result in the early resolution of the situation in Ka~pucheaand to make possible the restoration of stability and security in South-East Asia. 9. Since the entire region is concerned, the assis·~ tance of member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations [ASEAN] woLld be invalu- able, as would be their co-operation in achieving a fair and equitable solution based on observance of the principle of legal equality, which would make possible the return ofpolitical confidence and mutual respect among all the countries of that part of the world. 10. It is to be hoped that the national reconciliation of the people of Kampuchea can be attained in a fitting atmosphere of peace, free from foreign inter- ference, in which the Kampuchean people can deter- mine its own destiny. In the latter regard, it should be said that this is also a universal postulate, since it is a pre-condition for peace in all parts of the world. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Honduras said at the present session, on 9 October, all peoples "must be able freely to determine their present and future, without decisions being imposed on them, without the force or pressures of the apparatus of the State continuing to violate their right freely to decide their political, economic and social organization through the exercise of their sovereign ability to choose their leaders" [26th meeting, para. 177]. 11. Accordingly, we share the conviction expressed by the General Assembly in its resolution 38/3 that it is necessary to find a broad political settlement to the question of Kampuchea by peaceful means and that "the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampu- chea. the restoration and preservation of its indepen- dence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the right of the Kampuchean people to determine their own Al39/PV.43 d~velopment of. the sItuatIon. m Kampuchea and statement with the announcement of a peace initia- wIshes once agaI~ to express ItS. profound concern tiye, offer~ng to establish with Viet Nam, if it about that explosIve.state of affaIrS, one that affects wIthdrew ItS forces from Kampuchean territory the peace and secunty not only of South-East Asia relations of friendship and co-operation based on th~ but of the rest of the world as well. principles of peaceful coexistence, namely, equality 26. Inspired by its respect for internation~\llaw and mutual respect and common interests. ' the provisions of .th~ Charter of the United Nations, 31. The Egyptian delegation, like others, has taken as .well as the ~nncIples C?f the Movement of .N0!1- note of the Secretary-General's report [A/39/576]. AlIgned CountrIes, and wIth a deeply held. belIef m We support his efforts and the use of his good offices the need to guarantee respect for human nghts and to contribute to finding a comprehensive political fundamental freedoms-foremost of which is the solution to the problem of Kampuchea right of peoI?l~s to s~lf-determination·-Egypt reaf- 32. The Secretary-General and his Sp~cial Repre- firms th~ legItImate n~hts of the 'peopl~ o~ Kampu- sentative, Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed, have spared no chea and calls upon .th~s body to .1OtensIfy. Its efforts effort in their contacts with all the interested parties to fi~d an overall, JUS( and .lastL1~ s~lutIon to the to realize that long sought-after objective and in their questIon, based ~n. the fol.low1Og pnncIples: first, the mission in connection with the co-ordination of total and uncondItIonal wIthdra,,:al ofall VIetnamese humanitarian assistance to the people of Kam _ forces from the whole of the terntory of Kampuchea chea pu according to a prescribed timetable; secondly, the . . . . restoration of Kampuchean independence and sover- 33..We be~I~ve there. IS no alternatIve to a compre- eignty over all that country's territory; thirdly, the he!1s1ye polItIcal solutIOn, based on the. fundam~ntal possibility for the people of Kampuchea to e;xercise pn!1cIples of the ~harter of the Umteq ~atIons, their inalienable right to self-determination through whIch can be applI.ed only through ::1egotIatIon a!1d free, general elections, carried out under the aegis of mutual understand109. Therefor~, ~e ~qd our VOIce the United Nations and free from any outside to that of the Secretary-.GeneraIII). 1OVIt1O~ a~l those interference; fourthly, the opportunity for Kampu- concerned t~ become 1Ovolveq m negot!atlC?ns as chean refugees to return to their homes; fifthly, the soon as pOSSIble, not only to achIeve the obJe~tIves of obligation for all States to refrain from interfering in the peopl.e of Ka!TIr.IUchea but to defend the 10terests the intenlal affairs of Kampuchea and to respect its of all neIghbounng peoples. neutrality and its non-aligned status; and, sixthly, the 34. Egypt also appreciates and supports the untiring guarantee of the right of all States in the region to efforts of the Ad floc Committee of the International coexist in peace. Conference on Kampuchea, under Mr. Mass~.mba 27. Egypt had the honour of a visit by President Sarre. We have examin~d it~ report'.an.d welc~me the Norodom Sihanouk in July of this year. At that time results of the CommIttee s .n~gotIatIons With !he President Sihanouk was again made aware of Egypt's Gove~me.nts co~cerned. We Jo~n other peac~-lovI!1g support for the cause of Kampuchea and for the countnes In u.rg1Og the ~o.mmlttee ~o cont1Oue Its untiring efforts of the Coalition Government of efforts, ~nter 1Oto negotIatIOns and l!llplement the Democratic Kampuchea under his wise leadership to Declara~IOn on Kampuchea,2 adopted m 1981 by the ensure the realization of the aspirations of the Intern~tlonal C;onference C?n Kampuchea, as well.as struggling people of Kampuchea, who are fighting for a~l Um!ed NatIon.s resolutions on the matter, begm- their freedom, independence and sovereignty. The n10g WIth resol~tIon 34/22. ~oalition Goyernment has succeeded in gaining 35. In conc~usIOn, we express ou~ appreciation of mcreased foreIgn support for the heroic struggle of the constructIve role of the countnes of South-East the people of Kampuchea and we look forward to the Asia in seeking to achieve a peaceful solution to the day when that coalition will succeed in achieving its problem of Kampuchea and are ready and willing to legitimate goals. support their efforts. Egypt expresses its complete 28. We listened with great interest to President supp~~ for draft resolution .A/39/L:3, which c0l!tains Sihanouk's statement at the present session [7th proylsIons that could constItute ~ Just a~d eqUlta~le meeting], in which he reviewed the development of baSIS for a peaceful, comprehensIve, lastmg solutIon events in his country and gave details of the tragedy to the problem of Kampuchea. of the Kampuchean people. In that connection, we 36. Mr. MOUNKEILA (Niger) (interpretation from should like to state that Egypt welcomes the two French): One swallow.does not make a summer. We proposals made by President Sihanouk, first, that are here once again to discuss the situation in following the total withdrawal of the Vietnamese Kampuchea, which has already gone on for six years. forces, general elections be held under United Na- However, the bases for a solution existed as long ago tions patronage with the participation of all political as 1979, when General Assembly resolution 34/22 groupings and parties, including that of Heng Sam- called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from rin; and, secondly, that a Government of national Kampuchea. Since then, four other resolutions have reconciliation be formed to include all the parties in been adopted, unfortunately without effect, or with Ka.mI?uchea ~hat have agreed to work together in almost.no effect, and soon there will be a fifth. These bUlldmg an mdependent, neutral and non-aligned res,?lutIOns have had no. effect.because the country Kampuchea. That Government of national reconcili- mamly concerned has Simply Ignored them. ation would be~ome a ~ember .of the Association of 37. It is almost a challenge, because that country South-East ASIan NatIons, WIth the status of a has adhered to the Charter of the United Nations neutral, non-aligned State. which involves among other thin~s respect for th; Tho~e principles of the Charter gov~rnin.g good 47. We hope that the next resolution on Kampu- relatIOns between States ~nd peoples !m~lIes that chea that we will adopt and that we support will be each Member State has nghts and ob!IgatIOns that the last, and that it will lead to the establishment of should guarantee the peace and secunty of all. friendly and fruitful co-operation between these 38. My delegation is unhappy to have to reproach warring brother countries. for actions that smack of colonialism a country t~at 48. Mr. BARMA (Chad) (interpretation from not long ago demonstrated to the whole world Its French): The item under consideration today has deep attachm~ntto pea~e and freedom, at the cost of been a concern of the international community for the blood of Its sons, m defymg s~':rre .of the g~eat nearly six years. Indeed, for six years the situation in Powers. ~t succeed~d because It was L~h.tmg for aJust Kampuchea has been the subject of lengthy debates cause, wIth the faIth and courage 0; .Its sons. in the General Assembly. 3~. How can. such a country undermIt:le the sovp,r- 49. The many resolutions adopted by this body and eIgnty o.f anotner by aggressIOn extendBl~ to actual the various proposals individually or jointly put occup.atIon? It. must know that DemocratIc Kampu- forward have not yet made it possible to find even ch~a IS an ASIan country .and that the J91mers are the beginning of a solution to the situation in As!ans. The courage, tenaCIty and self-sacnfice ofthe Kampuchea, which, unfortunately, remains fraught ASIan people are n'?t to be found on ~ne SIde alone. with uncertainties. Reason must prevaIl to end the fightmg and restore . . . . . Kampuchea to a normal situation. Otherwise, the 50. ThIS sItuatIO~ ca~not be a matter o~ mdIffer- tragedy will last for a long time and no one will gain. ence to States WhICh, lIke Cha4, arc ca~rymg out a 40. The Niger, my country, whose philosophy is srubborn, resolute struggle agamst foreIgn occupa- based on peaceful coexistence-particularly with its tIOn. . . " . . neighbours-and non-alignment, appeals to the pro- 51. Du!.mg .thIS sess!on s general debRt~, the MlnIS- tagonists in this matter to listen to the mother who is te~ for t'orelgn AffaIrs and Co-operatlOn of Chad weeping over her son and to respond to the tears of saId: the widow whose husband has di~appeared and the "Another subject causing anxiety and concern, cry of the baby whose mother has Just been cut down because it results from the use of armed force, is ~y a stray shot. Let th~m think of ~he stat~l~s~people the continuing foreign occupation of Kampuchea. who are forced to emIgrate to aVOId hU?l1hat~on. and It is encouraging to note that the people of death. All these ma~ters are contrary to lne prmclples Kampuchea has not stood idly by, as is shown by of the United NatIOns. the military and diplomatic successes achieved 41. The Niger, which scrupulouly observes the under the leadership of the Coalition Government principles of the United Nations, has always con- headed by Prince Norodom Sihanouk." [27th demned, condemns today and will condemn tomor- meeting, para. 262.] row. all. aggression at:ld occupation, no. matter who 52. Since the Kampuchean people raised the alarm c~rnes It out--even If the perpetrator IS one of our following the invasion of its territory, it has enjoyed frIends. the unceasing support of the international commu- 42. That is why the Niger unreservedly condemns nity. However, despite that support, the occupation the illegal occupation of Kampuchea and, as has the continues. This people has already suffered too Secretary-Genera~,calls for the implementation of all much, and the delegation of Chad believes that the the relevant General Assembly resolutions and, spe- time has come to answer its call with actions likely to cifically: the withdrawal of all foreign forces from make the aggressor see reason. We pay a tribute to all Kampuchea; the restoration and preservation of the those from near or far that have fought to bring this independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of about. It would be difficult to list all the efforts made Kampuchea; the exercise by the people of Kampu- to enable the Kampuchean people to regain the right chea of its right to decide its own future; and the to independence and sovereignty, of which it has commitment by all States not to interfere or inter- been deprived, and the territorial integrity of its vene in the internal affairs of Kampuchea. country, which has been violated. We must, however, 43. Six years is enough. The Khmcrs are in danger particularly emphasize the efforts of the Secretary- of becoming the "new" Palestinians: homeless, wan- General. dering from here to there, ending up perhaps in a 53. The report of the Secretary-General, submitted refugee camp or country of asylum. to the General Assembly in pursuance of resolution 44. The international community must quickly find 38/3, speak~ of his efforts and. those of his Spe~ial an effective way of bringing the situation in Kampu- RepresentatIve, Mr. Rafeeud~It:l Ah.med, to bnng chea back to normal. The credibility of the United about a ret~rn to normal. condItIons In Kampuche~. Nations is at stake. My delegatIOn agrees wIth the Secretary-General s 45. The time is propitious. The first ray of light can view that: undoubtedly be seen in certain statements by the "Although the efforts and initiatives undertaken protagonists, in the peace-making efforts of eminent at various levels have not, so far, led to concrete individuals. in the initiatives, both informal and results, there is clearly no alternative to a compre- official. of the Secretary-General-who deserves our hensive political settlement. Such a settlement praise and appreciation-and in the tireless efforts of must be based on the fundamental principles ofthe the Ad Hoc Committee of the International Confer- Charter of the United Nations and can only be ence on Kampuchea._....__~._......_.....__ ._ .. _0 • • • •_reached_t:r~ug::~r:~~ss of gen:ine .n~2~t:ion:__. ~ialogues have alr~ady been tak~ng pl'!-ce for. a long 84. It is equally in support of these wider goals that tIIl1:e. We see no pomt, however, In haVIng a dIalogue draft resolution A/39/L.3, sponsored by 55 Member WhICh evades the core of the Kampuchean problem States is presented and submits it to unrealistic demands amounting to 85 M' d I .' . . d h . I pre-conditions. Nor should we forget that the Kam- . . y. e egatIo~ IS c~nvmce t at. Imp ementa- puchean problem is not a dispute between ASEAN !Ion. of thIS resolution wI~1 not only brIng peace and and Viet Nam or the Indo-Chinese States but basical- Justice. to the long-sufferIng people of Ka~puchea, ly one between the Kampuchean people and Viet but will al~~ open the way towards r~stonng h~r- Nam. ASEAN's role, therefore, cannot be and should mop.y, stabIlIty and co~mon progress. 10 the entIre never be more than to contribute towards a just regIOn of South-East ~sIa. My ~elegatIon, therefore, solution acceptable to all the parties concerned strongly commends ItS adoption by the General . Assembly. 80. As the report of the Secretary-General . [A/39/576] underscores, there is no alternative to a 86. The ~RESIDENT. I shall. now call 01;1 t~e comprehensive political settlement based on the representative of Vanuatu who WIshes to explaIn hIS fundamental principles of the Charter and reached vote before the vote. . through a process ofgenuine negotiations and mutual 87. ~r. VAN I:-IEROP (Van~atu): Once agam my accommodation. Th~ fact that the initiatives under- delegatIOn h~s lIstened attentively to the r.emarks taken so far have not led to concrete results should made both !n the. ge~eral debate and dUrIng the not deter us from continuing our efforts. debate 01;1 th~s speCIfic Ite.m on the agen.da. We have 81. Apart from the political aspects, urgent as they also studIed In great detail draft resolution. ~39/L.3 may be the humanitarian dimension of the Kampu- and the report. of the Secretary-General ~lbld.]. We chean problem should also not be forgotten. The h~ve .also .weIghed and, careful~y conSIdered the plight of thousands of Kampuchean refugees along hIstOrIcal. cIr~um~tances and SOCIal con.text of the the Thai-Kampuchean border and in the holding present SItuation In Kampuchea. There IS no doubt centres in Thailand demands the continu~d concern that the peo~le ~f that trouble~ land have suffered and generous support of the international cornmu- one of mankmd s great tragedIes. nity. My delegation joins others in expressing our 88. Most ~f us must st~ggle to comprehend the deep appreciation to donor countries, to the various depths of thIS tragedy a~d ItS roots. Most of us also United Nations agencies and the many voluntary struggle to find a solut~on and probe for ways to humanitarian relief organizations which have been assl;lre t~at such a calamIty does not befall any other active in providing emergency aid and sustenance to natIon m any other way, on any other day. the Kampuchean people in their present ordeal. The 89. Almost 40 years ago, our predecessors thought Royal Thai Government deserves our commendation that the Charter of the United Nations would for its steadfast humanitarian commitment despite provide one such assurance. Unfortunately, we, the the already heavy economic burden it has to bear in nations of the world, are still far too selective in our these difficult times. application of the principles of this noble Organiza- 82. On this occasion, I wish to register my delega- !!on.. F~; too. often. expediency. an.d what i~ called tion's deep appreciation to the Secretary-General for realIty sublImate Ideals and prmclples of tl'!IS body. his unremitting efforts to ensure peace and justice in All around us there are e~amples ofsmall nations and the region, as well as to his able and dedicated defenceless peoples bemg coveted, conquered or associate, Mr. Rafeeuddin Abmed, Under-Secretary- coerced. Th~ coveters, .the conquerors and the coe.r- General and Special Representative of the Secretary- cer~ app.ear.m many gUIses.and offer lengthy a~d glI~ General for Humanitarian AJairs in South-East rat~onalIzatIons. Some cymcally accept the ra~IOn~lI- Asia, and to Mr. Tatsuro Kunugi, Special Represen- zatIo~s and tur:n ~ deaf ear to the ple~s for Justice, tative of the Secretary-General for the Co-ordination equalIty and dIgnIty uttered by the VIctims. of Kampuchean Humanitarian Assistance Pro- 90. We cannot speak with any degree of compe- grammes. I should also like to seize this opportunity tence on what is best for the people of Kampuchea. to pay tribute to the President of the International In this respect we are not at all alone. We share this Conference on Kampuchea, Mr. Willibald Pahr, to inability with everyone else in the world except for the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, Mr. Sarre, the people of Kampuchea themselves. Only they are and the other members of the Committee, for their competent to speak on the direction of their future. continuing commitment to achieving a negotiated We, like others, would like to see an end to their solution to the conflict. In this context I would like to ordeal and to see peace and stability in the region. refer to Mr. Pahr's recent proposals, particularly We believe that the nations of Indo-China and our those concerned with the restoration and preserva- neighbours in ASEAN have much more in common tion of the Angkor Wat monument, -which ASEAN than they do in conflict. We believe that together has endorsed. This worthy initiative, if realized, they can achieve much for their respective peoples. would not only serve to protect Kampuchea's ancient Therefore, the Government of Vanuatu will continue cultural heritage but may well constitute a starting to support dialogue, negotiations and a comprehen- point for national reconciliation. sive political settlement of the problems of Kampu- 83. After nearly 40 years of independence, my chea and the entire region. Government is more than ever convinced that its 91. On the instructions of the Government of . PfiO:ity.:tte:ti:n ShOU1~.:n~i:::..:.:e.di:ct.e~._~::::~=~~e:::_tiO~_:i:~b::i:i:t~.e voting on The meeting rose at 4.45 p.m. NOTES IA/CONF. 109/8. 2Report of the International Conference on Kampuchea, New York, 13-17 July 1981 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.I.20), annex l. 30fjicial Records of the Security Council, Thirty-seventh Year, Supplement for April, May and June 1982, document S/15252. 4/bid., Thirty-eighth Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1983, document S/15999. s/bid., Supplement for January, February and March 1983, document S/15626, annexes I and II.