A/39/PV.5 General Assembly

On behalf of the General Asser"'b!y, I have the honeur to welcome to the United Nations Mr. Raul Alfonsin, President of the Argentine Republic, and to invite him to address the Assembly. 2. Mr. ALFONSIN (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish): Mr, President, I wish first to express my personal congratulations to you on your unanimous election to your important position. We have two reasons to be pleased-that your well-known human and professional qualities represent an invaluable contribution to th~ success of the endeavours, of the General Assembly, and that you represent Zambia and Africa, a brother continent of Latin America, whose hopes and demands we share. 3. I also wish to express our gratitude to Mr. Jorge Illueca, Head of State of Panama and an eminent Latin American diplolT'at, WDC so skilfully presided over the thirty-eighth session of the General Assem- bly. We Argentines have special reasons to be grateful to him. 4. At the same time, we welcome Brunei Darus- salam to the United Nations. Its admission empha- sizes once again the universality of the Organization. 5. Ten months ago, when Argentina was regaining its democratic life, I told the Congress of my country that our foreign policy would be the natural eAten- sion of our domestic policy. Both must be based on the same aspirations and, above all, on an identical system of values. Since we do not have two different moral codes, we do not have two different policies. 6. All the reasons that drove us to political struggle, the heartfelt convictions that guided and supported uS throughout the years, were based on a set of values that my country needed. Those values transcend a people and a territory. They can be applied to government actions that regulate domestic political life, to the way in which we approach our relations with other States and to the positions we adopt with regard to the problems of the international commu- nity. · 7. However, defining an ethical system as the source of political action, which is, after all, the issue, is not simply an option that soothes the conscience of those who govern or a way of avoiding the practical, concrete problems ofour time. This is not an abstract or idealistic position; rather, it is essential. It is to Monday, 24 September 1984, at 3.55 p.m. NEW YORK know why one governs, to know what type of society we seek for our countries, and what kind of world we want for mankind. 8. This thought stems from my conviction that the world order is dangerously distorted, the most ob- vious proof of which is that some countries seem not to wish for the rest of the world what they wish for themselves. In my opinion, this is the result of having replaced the moral view of the world order by a concept of power. It might be said that this is a naive thought. But let us examine where the so-called pragmatic ideas have led us. 9. Two types of problems affect our world as a whole: the crisis in the poli~icalorder and the crisis in the international economic order. 10. We are witnessing today the extent to which strategic purposes tend almost exclusively to define relations between States. On the bash; of these strategic ideas, a new phase in the nuclear arm~ race has begun, one that makes the boundary between peace and war very much more precarious and frail. I am speaking of the boundary between the life and the death of mankind. This is a tragic proseect, for which the strongest hold each other responslblel while the majority of the countries of the internatIOnal com- munity are made to stand idly by. 11. Bystanders and actors appear to foHow two kinds of logic: the logic of peace, which is susceptible to (;'thical arguments, and the logic of the arms race, whicb is the result of a political concept of power based on threats. The worrying thing is that those who hold to one logic do not listen to or hear those who hold to the other. 12. What good are our ar$uments if they cannot penetrate the logic ofothers, ID particular the logic of those who are truly capable of altering the situation? 13. What means are available to us to moderate, with our ethical reasoning, the reasoning of power and threat? 14. Sometimes, everything seems to indicate that our role is limited to making_demands, or possibly to denouncing this state of affairs. None the less, we shall continue our anguished clamour, because we know that our voice must be raised unceasingly in defence of peace. That is why I ratified the 22 May 1984 Joint Declaration, together with the Heads of State or Government of Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden and tite Uoited Republic of Tanzania [see A/39/277]. In that Declaration we stated that we share the conviction that there must not be another world war and that the advance towards global suicide must be restrained and ha~ted. The world cannot oscillate between a devastating nuclear war and peace. We must work together to influence present and future events. ~ip6lito y rigoyen, ~Il;oth~r <?f my predecesso~s, Pres- 22. It is a question not only of putting forward IdeIl;t Arturo Frondlzl, saId In 1961, at the sixteenth arguments favourable to the developing countries, sessIOn of the General Assembly: but also of showing that the destiny of those coun- "Invariably, with exemplary consistency, Argen- tries direcHy affects the industrialized world. tina's international poli~y ,has been ~ased oJ? the 23. The ethical reasons that make us call for a more t~ree fundamental. pnnclples of l~ternatlO~al equitable international order u3ite with practical !Ife-the l~gal equahty of States, non-In~erv~ntlOn reasons, for an unjust world is today more than ever In domestic affairs, and the self-determmatiOn of before an unstable and inse~ure world. Justice in the peoples . . . South is today more than ever before a necessary " ... We have opposed foreign int.ervention prerequisite for peace in the North. and ~my kind of.pressu~e, whether polit.ical, eco- 24. The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and nomIC, legal or Ideolog~cal, by one natIOn u.pon the Group of 77 have clearly pointed out the unjust another." [1018th meetmg, paras. 8 and 9.] and unstable situation which I have described. The 16. I further believe that the maintenance of peace international community as a whole, and the devel- involves a wider reality, in which we are not mere oped countries in particular, must show their will- spectators. Indeed, in our world, it is not only arms ingness to iisten to the economic and political that endanger peace. The international political order proposals formulated by these groups of States, !s not <?nly in~reasingly a strategic military order, bl;lt which represent two thirds of mankind. IS also IncreaSIngly dependent on the world economic 25. I have stated that one of the characteristics of order. . . the present day is that international relaticns are 17. 9ver the decades w~ have. rel~ted pohtl,cal increasingly relations among Powers rather than questions to East-West tenSIOn, whIle, In connection relations among societies. But I must say too that with the ec<?nomic order, ~e have referred .to North- another disturbing fact of our day is that the ~out~ relahon~. ~ut I .beheve that. even If we can economic order is increasingly becoming an exclu- IdentIfy two distInct kmds of tensIOn-one among sively financial order. equals and the other .among those who are not 26. These are severe distortions that we must avoid, equal-these are not Isolated from one anoth~r. because a world in which politics is replaced by In.deed, today we ~an assert that peace and securIty arsenals and economy by finance is simply a world in a~lke ~~uld be serIously. affected ~y the enormous danger. We cannot accept that the future we seek for dls.pantles be~ween the rIch countrIes and the devel- mankind should be based on and motivated by opmg countnes ~f the world. . . . weapons and money. That is why I insist on the fact 18. In a developmg world characterIzed by mstab~l- that ethical rebirth is a vital enterprise for our ity and social tension, national conflicts have increas- civilization !ngly attracted the a~tention of th<?se with strateg!c 27 It is p~inful to note the backward motion of our mterests. The evolutIOn of the SOCial and economic '. . 1. l' conflict in the South has attracted the interest of the couIl;tnes. Until some years ag<?, we were ca lmg .lor super-Powers. Our territories have thus become the the I~prov~ment of commerCial and technological victims of harassment by both Powers. This results, condlt~ons In order to lessen the gap b~tween our first of all in the exacerbation of local conflicts' in countr~es ~.md the more. adyanced countnes. Tod~y, . . ' h h ffi . . ' b the objective of our chum IS that of no longer beIng thl~ way, alt oug . the su ermg contInues to e exporters of financial resources to the industrialized natIOnal, the conflict becomes more and more a . . foreign one. Secondly, this interference intensifies countnes.. .. _ . the strategic conflict itself; in this way, the balance of 28.. In LatIn Amenca, In 1983, the per capita gross the North-unstable and dangerous as it is-is natIOnal product ;.vas 10 per cent ~elow the !evel of reflected in clashes in the developing world. 1980. We have shpped backward .SIX years, sn~ce we 19. We have seen and continue to see this phenom- had already reached that level In 1977. ThiS has enon whereby a national conflict is intensified by greatly affecte~ the welfare of <?ur peoples, as has al~o strategic conflict to the point at which a nation is the deterlOr~tlon of our earnmg~ brought about by broken down. Hence, to our own problems is added the dechne ..~ the terms o~ foreign ~xchang~. . the problem of a confrontation-covert or overt- 29. The cnsls of our foreign debt hes preCisely m between the big Powers on this third ground, in this this deterioration of our economies, which ar~.. '1in- third arena provided by the countries of the so-called dered from utilizing their productive potential, and South. in the reduction of employment and welfare. Last 20. In sum, I believe that there are two things which year, t~is debt meant, in .terms of interest alone, the threaten peace. On the one hand, there is the arms all~cahon of almost a thud of the exports from the race and the direct strategic confrontation between region. the bi~ Powers, and, on the other hand, there is the 30. Forgotten now are the international commit- instability, injustice and poverty in the South. There ment3 agreed to during the first and second develop~ is very little we can do about the first, but the second ment decades-launched by the United Nations in involves us directl}. 1961 and 1971-which obligated the most advanced 21. It will suffice to note as an example of the countries to transfer 1. per cent .of their national second cause the extremely serious economic situa- product to the developmg countnes. tion now obtaining in certain regions of Africa owing 31. Paradoxically, these commitments are reversed to a persistent drought and the lack of the material today. The developing countries are now the ones resources necessary to achieve self-sustaining growth that must transfer part of their national product to e~tinction systematically stems from ethical confu- countries, has recommended, inter alia, improving SIon. the efficiency of the Security Council, strengthening 52. I believe that the fact that the world order is the role of the Secretary-General, and enhancing the increasingly defined by the arms race and financial ability and capacity of the United Nations to launch greed is an ethical confusion. Were these motivations peace-keeping operations. to persist, there would be no well-being for the 62. The Security Council should feel a special majority of our countries. It is also well to recall that obligation to bring about a strengthening of the what affects the South will sooner or later affect the Uuited Nations. The necessary impetus ~,hould be welfare of the more advanced countries. given to ensure that the United Nations shall be able 53. I have the firm conviction that, as recently to meet the high aspiration ofour peoples-that is, to stated by Pope John Paul 11, today development is enable every man and woman to enjoy freedom and the new name for peace. peace in security. 54. The PRESIDENT: On behalf of the General 63. Peace-keeping operrltions are important instru- Assembly I wish to thank Mr. Raul Alfonsin, Presi- ments in the hands of the Security CounCIl. Such dent of the Argentine Republic, for the important operations are a tangible extension of the authority of statement he has just made. the Council to the area ofconflict. By the same token, 55. I now have great pleasure in welcoming the it is obvious that, in order to succeed, peace-keeping Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Mr. Kare operations must have the full support of the Council, Willoch, and inviting him to address the General as well as the co-operation of the parties concerned. Assembly. 64. Today, armament arsenals have reached such 56. Mr. WILLOCH (Norway): Allow me first of all an extent that it is difficult to see that any additional to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the high increase would entail more security for those who office of President of the thirty-ninth session of the possess them. Of course, every nation has the right to General Assembly. I am convinced that the Assem- defend itself, but the continuing arms build-up bly's proceedings will greatly benefit from your becomes ever more dangerous and meaningless. experience, skill aHd wise guidance. 65. In our endeavours to create a safer world, 57. Allow me also to extend warm congratulations efforts to achieve arms control and disarmament to the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam should be given the very highest priority. Agreements on their admission to membership in the United should be balanced and verifiable. Particularly with Nations. regard to nuclear weapons, it is important to improve 58, The thirty-ninth session of the General Assem- the quality and consistency of the dialogue between bly is meeting at a time of international tension and the major Powers. widespread human suffering throughout the world: 66. We can only hope that the Soviet Union will the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East, the war soon return to the negotiating table, without pre- between Iran and Iraq and military conflicts in other conditions, and sit down with the United States in areas give reason for great concern; disarmament order to negotiate substantial reductions in nuclear negotiations have been suspended, while the arms weapons and accompanying measures which will when~ver it takes place. We must spare no effort in reachmg an agreement on the prohibition of the devel~pment, production and stockpiling of all chemIcal weapons, as well as on the destruction of existing arsenals. The United States draft of a chem~cal . weapons treaty, rt::prese,nts an important contnbutIOn to the negotIatIOns In this field. 71. Outer space has always attracted man's atten- tion, and with modern technology we can now use space for various purposes. It is important that we shoul~ !low also be aware of the potential dangers. In our VISIon of a safer and more stable world there is no room for the militarization of outer sp~ce. This should be prevented through bilateral as well as multilateral efforts. We therefore urge that there be agreement on talks to find a basis for arms control and disarmament in outer space. 72. Que~tions re~ating to the building, of confidence a,nd secunty are Important elements In all negotia- tlOns. on arms control and disarmament. These questIons also constitute a key element in the Confer- ence 0!1 Confidence- and Security-building Measures an~ Dlsarmam,ent in Europe, meeting at Stockholm. ThIrty-five natIons have agreed to work for concrct~ confidence- and security-building measures that in turn ,can reduce the risk of military conflict and mrpnse attack. We hope that the Warsaw Pact ;:<?untries will now demonstrate a positive will to :hscuss the concrete proposals presented by the ~estern participants. For our part, we are ready to Unfo~unately, the appalling fact is that on several occaSIOns there have been serious indications that Gove~nmentshave been involved in such terrorism. That IS, of course, a clear violation of international law. T~e ass~mption that the ends could justify the means IS partIcularly dangerous since it would inevit- ably lead to anarchy. The world community must make an effort to counter terrorism and to take conctete steps to stop this intolerable development. The senseless attack on the United States Embassy in Beirut is a strong reminder of the urgent need to take international action. 7,4. The safegu~rd.ing of human rights must con- tInue to be a pnorIty task for the United Nations. qovernments should comply fully with the provi- SIons of the international legal instruments in this field. .A more. efficien~ international machinery, IncludIng a Umted NatIons hIgh commissioner for human rights, should be established. In our reactions to violations of human rights, it is essential that we apply.the same standards irrespective of where the VIOlatIOns occur. We cannot accept the proposition !hat the violation of hUJ!lan rig~ts in anyone country IS of no concern to the. InternatIonal.community. On the contrary, there IS a strong mterdependence between respect for human rights and the prospects for intenlational detente. 7? The policy of. apartheid represents a clear VIOlatIon of human nghts. The recent constitutional changes in South Africa do not fundamentally alter that policy. On the contrary, the reforms must be seen as an attempt to consolidate the present system. ~he international community should therefore con- tmue to put pressure on South Africa to bring the policy of apartheid to an end. 76. On the other hand, it has been encouraging to observe that democratic reforms are now under way in several countries in Latin America. This dcvelop- men! should be welcomed in the hope that it will contmue and be strengthened. In this situation we should offer our assistance and advice. However no ont:: has, the, rig~t to exploit a fragile political ~nd SOCIal SItuatIon In another country to promote his own interests. At the same time, we expect that. a pro~ise of democratic elections really means free electI.on,s where everyone can truly express his own conVIctIon. 77. The Norwegian Government supports the ef- forts of the Contadora Group in bringing about a framework for peace, stability and economic devel- opment in Central America. We also welcome the talks initiated this summer between the United States and Nicaragua. 78. All our efforts should be aim~d at meeting the needs and aspirations of the individual. Our task should therefore be to create a world where every human being will have a better life. We have the means and the resources; let us also demonstrate that we have the necessary political will. 79. The need for such political will is emphasized in the latest annu!11 report of the I~F:.I Although the report opens WIth some rather pOSItive observations on the econoTt;lic situation, it makes it Quite clear that these heartenml5 developments are fragile and will ~etter ~c~nomlc growth, WhICh w~ll also. bene~t the your election also reflects the growing importance of mdustnahzed world. These questIons w~ll be m ~he the African continent in contemporary international foreground at the World Bank/IMF meetmgs startmg relations. The peoples of Africa, freed from the yoke today. of colonialism, are a living symbol of the universal 81. There is certainly no easy way out of these and aspiration to build a more stable, pluralistic and other economic problems. It is obvious that national democratic world. d.ecisi!lns and domestic actio? will n.ot suffice. The 89. I consider it my duty also to express our s~tuatlOn therefore call.s for mt~rnatlOnal co-ol?era- satisfaction with the prudent and persevering action tIon. What we need IS to untte our forces m. a ofyour predecessor, Mr. Jorge Illueca. Latin America comt:Jl~>D approach on a global s~ale. If we succeed !n has welcomed the dynamic and direct efforts of the our Jomt efforts and co-operatIon, the results Will President of Panama to promote dialogue and concil- have a beneficial effect on the world economy as a iation. whole. 90. I should also like to express again to the 82. Our joint efforts to improve the lot of the Secretary-General the pleasure of the Government developing countries will be frustrated unless we are and people of Mexico at his official visit t.o our able to address the problem of the far-too-high country last April and his visit to our capital on the population growth in some regions. Some progress in occasion of the International Conference on Popula- reducing the growth rate has been made over the past tion last August. I offer him too our sincere congratu- years, but the overall picture gives reason for deep lations on the effective work he has done in heading concern. The International Conference on Popula- the Organization. His efforts to consolidate the tion, held at Mexico City from 6 to 14 August 1984, United Nations system, to expand co~operation and, reached agreement on the need for a more active especially, to promote the cause of peace and security population policy.2 We fully share the view that bring our nations new hope. His report to this session family planning must be seen in the context of of the General Assembly on the work of the Organi- economic and social development. We cannot substi- zation [AI3911] is clear proof of his clear-mindedness tute the one for the other. We particularly welcome and political creativity. !he agreement reached at the Mexico ~onference ~~at 91. My Government wishes to extend to Brunei Improvement of the status <?fwom~n IS a prereqUIsIte Darussalam, the new Member of the United Nations, for any successful populatIon pohcy. a warm welcome and best wishes for a peaceful and 83. The International Conference on Population prosperous future in full exercise of its sovereign has provided us with the basis for dealing with the rights. population problem. It is now up to us, the States 92. We are witnessing today a resurgence of old Members of the United Nations, as well as the other doctrines of power and new forms of intolerance that international organizations, to implement the deci- cast doubt on the usefulness of international organi- sions taken at Mexico. zations. In view of this, I should like to reaffirm the 84. More than ever, the peoples of the world have a unwavering ~ommitment of the people. a~d Govern- common destiny. The political leaders of the world me~lt of Me~lco to the purposes a?d pnnclples of the therefore have a common responsibility. Joint efforts Untte~ ~atIo~s. W,e are certal? that the world are needed. This is not the time to retreat from Organt~atIon IS an Irre~lac~able Instrument for the international co-operatbn. On the contrary, we must promotIo~ of freedom, JustIce ~md pea.ce. We accept increase our international collaboration. The United also that It IS a body susceptIble of Improvement. Nations, as a global organization, has a particular 93. In 1945, determined to live together in peace role to play. Every member country must therefore and to promote the progress of all peoples, we contribute to the increased effectiveness of the postulated as standards of conduct for all States full Organization. The Norwegian Government, for its respect for the principles of law and a genuine will part, is dedicated to the continued strong support of to co-operate with others. The United Nations was to the Organization and its important work. be a forum for understanding and the pivot of a e~on.omic development of many nations. At the same !Ime, the grave. world econ~mic crisis is negating Import.ant and Just expectatIOns of the developing countrIes. 97. Such voices would seem to be unaware of the fact that, save for the presence of the United Nations, even more devastating conflagrations might have broken out. They tend to forget that we would have lacked institutional barriers to offset the arrogant use of force, that the juridical and moral principles of peaceful coexistence among States would have been weakened even further-in short, that we would all suffer by the absence of an enormous effort at co- operation that seeks to lighten the burdens and sacrifices of the weakest. Those voices seem to have forgotten the highly innovative and transforming task of the United Nations in today's world. 98. The cause of the crisis of world society, does not lie in the shortcomings of the organic structure of the United Nations or in the modalities of multilateral diplomacy. There are many who would like to make such limitations a pretext or a cover-up for more ~ee~-rooted pol,itical realities. Indeed, when dogmat- I~ vIe.ws pr~v~111 there i~ no. room for contrary or d,Iffermg opmIOns. MamchaeIsm, by definition, ex- cludes a world of varying criteria and attitudes. For those who think that way, multilateralism should be ~ommuI?-ity of States, is thus the ~ecessary setting for mternatlOnal democracy and an Irreplaceable vehicle of co-operation. The values it represents are neither ephemeral nor circumstantial. They are, beyond any doubt, the only values that allow for civilized and orderly coexistence, beneficial to all. 101. Today, no country can live in isolation, sepa- rate from the rest. Any claim to autarky is illusory. Interdependence is an unavoidable fact of the life of States, even though that in~errelationship has not been useful in distributing benefits justly and equi- tably to non-industrialized countries. The United NatIOns constitutes an organized framework that is capable of giving that interdependence a positive outlook and of transforming current international relations into respectful and peaceful coexistence, founded on equitable co-operation and mutual re- spect. 102. The fortieth anniversary ofthe United Nations seems a propitious moment not only for evaluating the functioning ofthe system and correcting deficien- cies, but also for renewing our commitment to the principles and ~,'~ l'~es that gave the Organization its life-principles 1i",_ou values whose validity must be reaffirmed not only with words but also with deeds. Let us recall that universality is part and parcel of the qrganizatio~'s vezr ~ssence. That is why the effec- tIveness of Its deCISIons and the usefulness of its mi~ :lanisms of consultation must be based on the wil1 ofall States, and this must not entail a consolida- tion of privileges or the abusive use of different forms of the veto. The deficiencies of the Organiza- tion should be corrected democratically. 103. No one can seek to turn the United Nations into an arena of sterile confrontation, or an arena for u~woI1hy attempts at subjugati~n or tyrannies of the mmorIty. That would go a~amst the democratic imperative of the OrganizatiOn. Let us make our i~ternational institutions the setting for genuine dIalogue, co-operation and constructive negotiation that are so greatly needed by our world today. 104. The strengthening of the international order also involves the renovation of regional forums which must provide an increasillgly faithful reflec~ 106. A year ago the General Assembly adopted by consensus resolution 38/10, on the situation in Central America. The resolution reaffirmed the right of all the countries in the area tn decide their own future freely, and it condemned the acts of aggression against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Central American States. Unani- mously, the General Assembly gave its firm support to the efforts of the Contadora Group, urging it to persevere in its role as a mediator. 107. In 1984 the Contadora process has been aimed at reaching specific agreements {'or dealing with the problems of peace, the strengthening of political institutions, and the process of development, which are of concern to the countries of the area. For months we have been engaged in an intensive process of consultation and negotiation which is now reflect- ed in the instrument entitled "Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America" [see A/39/562], whose purpose is to reconcile the legiti- mate interests of the Governments of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. This is a draft global agreement stipulating both general and specific obligatory commitments for the pur- poses of fostering understanding and co-operation among the countries of Central America. 108. We are convinced that the Contadora Act is faithfully designed to fulfil the requirements for stability in the area. The principles set forth in the Act encourage the establishment of a framework of reciprocal security and respect, mutual confidence and regional detente, which are essential for normal- izing the political relations and all other relations among the countries of the isthmus. 109. For that reason, it is from here, the highest rostrum of the international community, that we call upon the Central American Governments to proceed with all due urgency to assume the legal commit- ments contained in the Act, and we express onr appreciation to those States which have announced their intention to subscribe to the Act. The Contado- ra process and its arduous and difficult task of negotiation, which have now been in progress for 20 months, have been aimed at safeguarding the inde- pendence of States, preventing the further destruc- tion of human and material resources that are essential to the well-being of their peoples, and posslbl~ -W:lt~out the ClyIC consclen~e and sohd.a~lty 139. On 22 May of this year Mexico, together with of ~he majOrIty 0'£ Me~{1cans and w~thout a ~olItIcal Argentina, Greece, India, Sweden and the United regIme th~t ha~ .mvanably shown Its matunty and Republic of Tanzania, called upon the nuclear Pow- prudence m cntlcal moments. ers to assume their responsibilities in the task of 130. The exceptional resources of our people not- disarmament. In their Joint Declaration, the signato- withstanding, consolidation of our effort at recupera- ry Heads of State or Government announced their tion will not be possible without a favourable inter- determination to "take constIuctive action towards national atmosphere. Mexico, together with other halting and reversing the nuclear anns race" [see developing countries, therefore firmly demands the AI391277], echoing the pressing demand of an ever- urgent restructuring of wolid economic relations. The increasing number of men and women of the five maintenance of unbalanced economic relations such continents. as those tha~ pr~vokedf dthe PIre~ent cri~is? ca~sing a 140. I should like to take this opportunity to severe dete.noratIOn o. eve 0l?mg soc~etIes, IS con- reaffirm, on behalf of the President of Mexico, tr.ary to all Ideas of eqUIty. Th.e mternatIOnal cornmu- Miguel de la Madrid, our determination to continue mty mus~ mak~ a determmed effort to correct fighting for disarmament. We urge the community of asymmetnes. ~Ithout such a~ effort, ~e shap. enter nations to make every possible effort to further that an era of gr?wmg ~on~rontaho~ and mstabllIty. noble peace initiative. 131. The dIfficultIes m the ~Ialogue betwe.en the 141. There is an urgent need for the great Powers to g~eat Powers and the par.alysls of the mu1tIl~t~ral subordinate considerations of expediency and inter- dls~~ament forums oblIge us to take polItIcal nal policy to the supreme value of preserving man- deCISIons .to stave off the danger of a nuclear kind's existence. Their political will to maintain conflagratIOn. . .. world peace must be in keeping with the responsibili- 132. The so-called strategIc balance mevlta.bly feeds ties deriving from their power. an a~ms race that appears to be unendll~g. The 142. The principles of the juridical equality of ~xpenence ofthe last 40 years. pr~ves that an m~reflse States, the self-determination of peoples, non-inter- m the arsenals of one Power IS follo"":ed ?y a SImIlar vention and the prohibition of the use of force allow or greater .developmen.t of those.of Its counterpa~. of no exceptions. Their strict observance far out- The ~agmtude of thetr. d~stt:Uctlve power toda~ IS weighs casuistic interpretations or supposed threats suffiCIent ~or mutual anmhIlatIon and the destructIon to national or regional security. of the entIre planet. e f h' l' . Id 143. A year has passed, and we repeat our appeal 133. Each ne,:" stag, 0 t IS esca atIOn wou seem that Grenada return to the path of self-determination to move mankmd further away from agreements to . h l"t t' f k' d eliminate for ever the threat of nuclear war. The WIt out ImI a IO?S 0 any m. . technical and military struggle between the super- 144. 'Ye note wlt~ concern ~he contmue~ presence Powers is placing us on the threshold of a new phase ~f foreIgn t~o~ps m Afghamstan. In spIte of the that could irreversibly block verifiable disarmament mte~se.medIatIon efforts of the Secretary-Generfll, commitments. no sIgmficant pro~ress.has been made. Once agam, 134. Nevertheless, Mexico is convinced that it is we l!rge. the partIes mv~lved to .st:e~ fl prompt possible to halt this absurd armaments spiral. We solutIon m accordance WIth those mltlat.lves. . have insisted in numerous forums on a freeze of 145. We reaffirm our support for Argentma's claIm nuclear arsenals as a prerequisite for initiating a to sovereignt~ o,":er the Malvinas Islan.ds ~nd again gradual reduction in arms, until they are eventually urge the par1I~s .mvolved to settle thetr dIfferences eliminated. ft gainst the logic of strength and arma- through negotIatIOn. ments we must pit the reason of disarmament and 146. In the Middle East, unilateral efforts and peace. expa~sionist policies for the ~olutio~ of the re~ional 135. Stability cannot be based on a balance of conflIct have bee~ seen to faIl. Lastmg peace m. the terror that requires a capacity for re,ciprocal exterm!- area can be attaI1?ed.only through the cOlnbmed nation as a means of guaranteemg peace: It IS ~ffo~s of th~ partIes mvolved. apd respect for the essential to banish this erroneous doctrme of deter- mahenable rIghts of the PalestmIan people. All the rence. States of the area have the right to live in peace 136. We propose on the contrary, that security within recognized borders. should come about'as a result of a gradual reduction 147. The efforts at national reconciliation currently of nuclear arsenals. In this way, the spiral would be .u~der W;~,i:n,~:~c;=:~~=acv~~w~oe:di::.t~e~iVil ... ad~ed d.lmenslo~s th~t are. reqect~d,. accord1Og, to French): This IS the first tIme I have taken part in the reh3;b~c. 1Oformatlo~, m the 1Odlscnm1Oa.te bomb1Og general de~ate of the Assembly since my appoint- of cI\'lha~ pOl?ulaho~s, the l;lse of cheml~al .warfare ~ent as M10ister for Foreign Affairs and Co-opera- and the vIOlatIon o~ ll~t~~atlOn~1 humamtanan la~. tlOn by General Gnassingbe Eyadema, President and We hope that new 10ltIatIves wIll emerge from this founder of the Rassemblement du peuple togolaise session of the General Assembly that will help to put (Togolese People's Rally) and President of the To- an end. to a trag.ic war which is destroying two golese Republic. I therefore feel all the more the develop109 countnes. weight of our common responsibility to rebuild our 149. Another year has passed and the people of ~orld, which is collapsin~ under the chaotic convul- Namibia still cannot exercise their sovereignty, while slons ()~ the repeated cnses brought about by our the infamous policy of apartheid continues. Once antagomsms, contradictions and dissatisfactions. We a~ain, we express our repudiation of a system that ~ust reconstruct our ~orld, not necessarily by apply~ vIOlates the most elementary norms of human digni- 109 new concepts, as IS advocateo. by some, but by ty, and we demand an end to the increasingly open applying the existing concepts which comprise the support being given by certain countries to the South fundamental principles of the Charter of the United African regime. Mexico demands the implementa- Nations to which we all subscribe. tion of the deci~iC?ns of the .int~rn~tionalcommunity 157. You must be aware, Mr. President, that my to enable Namibia to attam Its mdependence, delegation is full of admiration for your impressive 150. Every year here in the General Assembly we opening statement [1st meeting], in which you ana- review the situations that endanger peace and securi- lysed, one by one and in an objective manner, the ty. In the Assembly, the international community root causes of these crises and their solutions. That recommends formulas and means of arriving at statement alone would have been enough to justify peaceful solutions to controversies between States. your election to guide the debate at this thirty-ninth 151. The close relationship between maintaining sessio~ of the General Assembly. It bears witn~ss to peace and attaining development is emphasized here the phIlosophy that has always ~erved as the baSIS for each year. The dramatic. needs of our peoples are your ~fforts. as a representatIve of ~our. co~ntry, descnbed, and proposals are made to banish hunger, Za!!lbla, w~!.ch shares my own country s faith m the ignorance and disease from the planet. Umted Nanons. 152. In spite of the desire for peace of the majority ~ 58. Si~uated ~t th~ heart of the African continent, of States! the practical results have been tenuous. The m a region which IS tor~en~ed as.a resu!t of the aggravatIon of conflicts, the growing gap between the culp3;ble arrogance and unJus~lfia~l~10translgence of developing world and the industrialized nations the a racist Sta,te, th~ country which It IS y~ur honour to severity of the economic crisis, the breakdow~ in r~present .m thiS great foru~ of ~Isc~ssion and talks between the great Powers and the stagnation of dialogue IS well known. for Its dedicatIon to the co-operation and,economic nego~iationsare, unfortu- freedom. of peoples, the 10dependence ~f States a~d nately, the domlOant features 10 the international !nternatIonal peace and securIty. In addition, Zambm situation. Such problems must be a source of grave IS among those African countries which most firmly concern te all States. support the liberation struggle in southern Africa. ~ 53. Mexico maintains its unwavering confidence 159. I am ~ure th3;t these assets, .c?mbined. with m th~ strength of law. The imperatives of its history your u~quest!onablelOt.ellectual qualItIes, predispose l~a~,It always,to defend the, principles on which the you, S~r, to discharge With co~~e.t~nce, .sklll a~d zest clvlhzed coexistence of nations is founded. We are the weighty and noble responSibilItIes With which you certain that diplomacy is today the only feasible are entrusted as President of the thirty-ninth session means of overcoming the differences that separate of the General As~embly.. Having. warmly_ congratu- States. In these times, the reconciliation of interests lated y~u on your Impressive electIon, I offer you my and a genuine willingness to understand the views of best WIshes for success in your delicate but exalted others s~ou!d prevail over every form of imposition task. or domlOatlOn. 160. Imbued ~ith the ideals of peace, justice and 154. Mexico supports the institutions of the com- freedom-nourIshed by and nourishing the princi- munity of States. Places in which to meet and pIes of the Charter-you have acquired a proven ~omm~nicatewith others in a world that is undergo- compete!1ce which, allied with a most engaging mg rapid transformation are a necessary condition of personahty, commands both respect and esteem. For an orderly process of change. I reaffirm the full man,y years, you h~ve plac~d that c0!Dpetenc~at the support of the people and Government of Mexico for service of the Umted NatIons, particularly ID your the United Nations, the highest expression of inter- role as President of the United Nations Council for national democracy. . Namibia, vyhere your tire!ess efforts have helpe~ .to 155. In its internal affairs, Mexico upholds the rule blaze a traIl towards the lOdependence of Namibia. oflaw, based on respect for the freedoms of individu- Ij1. I followed with great attention the skill, lucidi- als .at:ld groups, on encouraging the democratic ty and rectitude with which your predecessor~ Mr. participation of citizens and on social solidarity. We Jor8,e Illueca, conducted the work of the thirty-eighth see~ forms of coexistence that will provide an seSSion, and I wish to convey to him my great eqUItable distribution of the benefits derived from appreciation and sincere congratulations. t~e work of ~ll Mexicans. For that same rea~on, we 162. it is my pleasant duty also to pay a well- ",,::,t~Ibute to the endeavour of ensunng that deserved tribute to the courage, perspicacity and st~te of BruneI Darussalam~ ~hIC~, we are certCl:1O, genuine decolonization in Namibia wlIl fan the flame of the OrganIzatIOn's grand deSIgn . for universality. 175. The South African leaders, seeking to adapt 165. For the thirty-ninth time-above and beyond themselves to the ups~rgeof ~he h~ro~c s.tru~gleof the the political and ideological differences which divide Coloured people agamst raCIal dl~cnmmatIon, have States, notwithstanding the tensions which are rend- seen fi~ t~ .confer a d.emocratlc veneer on t~e in~ asunder a perpetually changing world, and de- apartheid re,gl1!le by ~lect1Og a three-chambe~ Parlla- spIte the imperfections, failures and disappointments ment, ~ssoclat1OgwhItes, Coloureds and IndIans but which have characterized certain actions taken in excludlI?-g the blacks, who make up 73 per cent of the conformity with the purposes of the United Na- populatIon. tions-th.e General Ass~m~ly is taking up the chal- 176. The impressive success of the boycott by the lenge facmg the OrgamzatIon. Coloured and Indian communities of this parody of 166. For the thirty-ninth time we are assembled in an election and the recent riots organized by the this forum of discussion and dialogue to seek solu- blacks have set in motion a mechanism of savage tions in keeping with the many problems of our age. repression which reveals the failure and panic of That search will be meaningful and effective only if white power. our appr~ach to the burning questions of our time 177. This admission of failure and this panic is leav~~ aSIde all,complac.ency and ~emag.ogy, as well clearly indicated by the promise made by the South as ad. self-seekmg partl~aI?- doctnn~s, m ord~r to African Head of State concerning the subsequent re~u.lt m courage<?us, realIstIC conc~uslOns reflectmg a improvement of the fate of the blacks and of their splnt of syntheSIS a~d compromIse., future representation in Parliament, accompanied by 167. Because of then urgency and persIstence and reservations as to the difference to be established the. variety or their repercussions, ~he challenge~ now between this type of representation ' representa- fac10g mank10d cry out to the unIversal conscIence. tion of the Coloureds and Indian& Friendship among peoples and co-operation among . , nations no longer seem to derive from the indisputa- 178., To~o, for ItS part, regards these expe.dlent ble interdependence which governs relations among m~dlfic~tlOnsas, new man~euv~e~ by South Afnca to States. Solidarity-the corollary of complementari- mIslead 1OternatlOI?-al publIc op1OlOn about the devel- ty-has been cast adrift. The boldest and most opment of apartheid: In fact, the system has not been generous declarations of intent no longer suffice to fundament,ally ,moqlfied at all ~y these bogus re- mask a steadily worsening ill. for~s~ WhICh, IrOnIcally, are rejected by t~e great 163 Th 't t' I '.' . h ' majonty of those for whom they were deVised. . e m erna IOna economIc cnsls IS t e major , , , , challenge of our time, because it is a challenge to the 179. Th~ I,nternal pol~cles of South Af~lca _a~e thus progress and well-being of mankmd, and it is height- cha.ract~nstIc of the. WIll of the apartheid regl!TIe !O ening the selfishness of the wealthy countries and mal1~tam !he pre-emmence of whlt~ power. ThIS WIll thereby complicating and multiplying the financial mamf~st Its~lf externally by co~tmued,nuclear co- difficulties of the developing countries. operatIOn WIth Israe~, co-operatIon whl~h the ,To- 169. As a challenge to world stability and equilibri- golese Government vlg9r,ously condemns m the lIght urn, the pursuit of the unrestrained arms race is of th~ grave t~reat whIch It poses to peace and becoming a substitute for the dialogue of the deaf secunty m Afnca. which persists between the super-Powers. 180. In regard to Namibia, by demanding as a pre- 170. As a challenge to the flourishing of the noble c~ndition of self-determination for the Territory the ideals of the United Nations and particularly to wlt~dr8:wal <?f Cuban troops from Ango~a, ~outh human rights, the abject policy of apartheid is now Afnca I~ try10g d~spe.rately t,o delay the mevltable further refining its devious manoeuvres by conferring and ~vold decolomzatlO~, ~h~ch would not have the upon itself a bogus democratic aura. bless10g of the apartheid regIme. 171. By both their duration and their state of 181. However, the implacable struggle of the South deadlock, the many local conflicts which are a threat West Africa People's Organization [SWAPO], the to international peace and security are tending to sole legitimate representative of the Namibian peo- become established as necessary evils, whereas in fact pie, is an essential parameter which makes the they are the gangrenous parts of the international accession of Namibia to true independence quite community. inevitable. area~.. It. IS for the 1Ote~atlOn~1 c~mmuOlty. to ment at Lome of a regional institute for research on mobIlIze Its~lf and show actIve solIdarIty to provide peace and disarmament. It also recommends the urgent solutions for the acute problem of drought. organization in Togo early in 1985-the fortieth 206. This is certainly the proper place to pay a well- anriversary of the United Nations-of a regional deserved tribute to the Secretary-General, who made seminar on peace and disarmament involving the a personal visit to the drought-stricken countries in States members of the Economic Community of order to see for himself the real state of affairs and in West African States and the Economic Community order to be better equipped to seek, with the coun- of Central African States, with the assistance of the tries concerned and the international community, United Nations. Lastly, the message appeals urgently ways and means of putting an end to this calamity, to the super-Powers to ensure that their ideological which is intimately connected with the problem of differences do not prevail over the real problems- hunger. those of peace and security and of economic and 207. It is also fitting to pay a tribute to the social development. developed countries which have generously and of 213. It is distressing to see the number and magni- their own accord responded to the Secretary-Gener- tude ofthe conflicts which are shaking our planet and aI's appeal by taking concrete, effective action to the ills that man has brought upon himself. It is relieve the hunger and the sufferings of the victims of distressing to see that the world has learned no lesson this disaster. from the horrors and desolation which it has suffered 208. Just as the problem of drought is intimately an~ which ~ed, indeed, to \ ~stablishment of the linked with the painful problem of hunger, this latter UOlted NatIOns, problem in turn brings to mind another notion, that 214. However nai've our efforts might seem to of solidarity-in other words, that of international cynics, Togo, my country, considers it its duty to economic co-operation. No one now can seriously refer to the threat of total destruction that hangs over question the necessary complementarity between mankind and to the noble ideals of international States and peoples. "Necessary" is a word I use peace and security which the United Nations has 2~4. Portugal, h.as sough~ to. supp~rt. m~tIatIves exercise by the people of Namibia of their right to aImed at allevH~tmg suffefl~g, mtenslfymg mterna- self-determination in order to choose freely their own tional co-operatIOn, promotmg th~ d~vel~pment of future. Whether at the United Nations or in contacts the areas of the ~o~ld where depn,:atIon IS gre.atest with other countries or representatives of the Nami- and helping the ,vIctims .of natural dls~sters~ reglOn~1 bian people, we have expressed unambiguously the conflicts or cyclIcal fammes. I~ was. WIth t~IS ~oa.1 m concern we feel at the delay in implementing the mind ~hat my Government, m sl?I~e of Its .IImlt~d relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular finanCIal resources, sought to partIcIpate a~tIvely In Security Council resolution 435 (1978). We have also the Second International Conference on ASSIstance to stressed the dangers that may arise for southern Refugees in Africa, held at qeneva from 9 to 1R 'Iv Africa if this matter continues to drag 00, believing 1984; my Governme~! consIders that ConfercI?-c~,'tu as we do that the necessary conditions for a negotiat- be an e~tref!l~ly p~s!tIve. ex~mple of the p<?ssIbIlIty ed, peaceful and internatIonally acceptable solution anq deslfabIlI.ty of h)ternahonal co-.operatIon. We now exist. belIeve that mternatIonal co-operatIOn should be . . strengthened to prevent new flows of refugees. Every 242: We theref9r~ hop~ that, m.thIS ma~ter also, effort should be made by the various countries to realIsm. a;nd a SpIrIt of dIalogue wIll prevaIl so that address the causes of these movements of population !he polItIcal obstacles .t~at have so far del~yed the which originate in food shortages. mdependence of NamIbIa may finally be removed. 235. In this context, I would also mention that my 243. ~t is only fair to men~ion ~he efforts that the country is among the 30 main contrib~tors to. the front-lIne States have made m.thIS respect. They. are financing of the programme of the UnIted NatIons amply de~onstrated?y recent mtefI?-atlonal ~eetIngs High Commissioner for Refugees. My country also promote~ m that regI.on of ~h~ ~9ntme~t, WhIC~ le~d intends shortly to sign a general co-operation agree- us to belIeve that theIr pOSSIbIlItIes of Intervemng In ment with the Intergovernmental Committee for that process are by no means exhausted. Migration. 244. The Republic of South Africa will have to 236. The recent adherence of Portugal to the consti- respond in a constructive manner to the appeals of tutive agreement of the African Development Bank the international community regarding Namibia and and the furtherance of relations it implies form part abandon in favour of negotiation a position of of the same policy. confrontation which has led t~ depL .>rable acts of 237. I should also like to express our satisfaction at direct aggres~ion a~ain3t neighbouring States-a some initiatives in matters of North-South co-opera- course of actIon WhIch cannot and should not be tion recently undertaken by the consulting groups of allowed. 291. The Middle East as a whole continues to be an 298. In regard to Cyprus, we support the endeav- area of tension. Numerous international gatherings ours of the Secretary-General to encourage meaning- held under the sponsorship of the United Nations, ful intercommunal talks in order to effect a viable the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the League settlement which will bring peace to the Republic of of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Cyprus. No settlement is possible without the uncon- Conference have identified the key elements of a ditional withdrawal of foreign forces from the noxth- Middle East settlement, and international consensus ern section of Cyprus. Sri Lanka has consistently has been established on these elements. It is clear that supported the independence, sovereignty, territorial the question of Palestine is the core of the Middle integrity and non-aligned status of Cyprus. I should East question and that no just or viable settlement is like to emphasize that no State should use its armed possible without the withdrawal of Israel from all forces to interfere or intervene in the internal affairs occupied Arab and Palestinian territory and the of another State on any grounds. Interference and restoration of the inalienable national rights of the intervention on the grounds of ethnic interests and Palestinian people. These rights include the right of affiniti~s with people in other States should be the Palestinian people to return to their homeland, severely checked, in the interest of international the right of self-determination and the right to stability. Aggression remains aggression even when establish an independent State in Palestine. In the wreathed in expressions of concern for the welfare of settlement of this question, the PLO, the sole legiti- kindred racial or religious groups elsewhere. mat~ ~epres~ntative of the Palestinian people, must 299. In the aftermath of the Second World War, partiCipate m full measure and on an equal footing individual States, depending on differing perceptions with other parties. Sri Lanka has been happy to host of their defence needs, followed different strategies. at Colombo a resident mission of the PLO with the Some joined mutually exclusive military alliances; full diplomatic status of an embassy. some opted for neutrality; and many committed The meeting rose at 7.15 p.m. NOTES lIntemational Monetary Fund, Annual Report of the Executive Board for the Financial Year ended April 30, 1984 (Washington, D.C.). 2See Report ofthe International Conference on Population, 1984 (United Nations publication, ~ales No. E.84.XIII.8 and corrigen- da). 3For the text, see resolution 38/40, para. I. 4Frente Popular para la Liberaci6n de Saguia el-Hamra y de Rio de Oro. sSee Report of the International Conference on Kampuchea (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.1.20). 60fficial Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-seventh Ses- sion, Supplement No. 1. 'E/CN.4/1984172. 80fficial Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-seventh Ses- sion, Supplement No. 27, annex I.