A/39/PV.9 General Assembly

9.  General debate 1. Mr. van den BROEK (Netherlands): At the outset, allow me to say how happy we are to note that the representative ofa nation with which the Nether- lands maintains very cordial relations occupies the presidency at this thIrty-ninth session of the General Assembly. We are confident that the wisdom and considerable experience of the United Nations that made him such an effective President ofthe Econom- ic and Social Council in 1981 will enable Mr. Lusaka to guide the repr,....~entatives of the 159 nations represented in thh~ Hall painlessly, if not effortlessly, through the months that lie ahead. 2. Allow !pe also to extend my country's warmest con$ratulatlons to the new Member of the United NatIons, Brunei Darussr·~am. 3. Yesterday [6th meeting], my colleague from I(eland, Mr. Barry, addressed the Assembly on behalf of the European Community and its member States. There is therefore no need for me to go over all the ground covered by him in his statement. Let me therefore concentrate on the functioning and future ofthe Organization to which we continue to attach so much importance. In this context, I should like to make a few remarks on international issues about which we are particularly concerned. 4. .The th~me ~or the fortieth ~nniversary of the UnIted NatIons IS apparently gomg to be "United Nations for a better world". Would it not be more appropriate to say "We, the United Nations, for a better world"? Surely it is up to us, its Members to be truly united in our efforts to shape a better world. After all, the Organization is no more than a tool in our hands and the United Nations can hope to be effective only to the extent that its Members allow it to be so. In the words ofthe Charter, "We the peoples of the United Nations" resolved to combme our efforts to accomplish our common aims and we therefore agreed to establish this international Organ- ization. Its fundamental objectives are to save suc- ceeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and to promote social progress and better standards of life m larger freedom. The fortieth anniversary of the United Nations should be the occasion for a critical NEW YORK analysis ofwhat we have been able to do in pursuit of those objectives. 5. Having said that, I would not wish to convey the impression that there is little or nothing to be grateful for. In his report on the work of the Or~anization [A/39I1J, the Secretary-General rightly POInts to the credit SIde of the balance sheet. I recall decoloniza- tion, peace-keeping operations, human rights and, last but not least, the large number of occasions on which the Security Council has been able to deal effectively with complicated conflict situations. Fur- ~hermore, ~he~e is the valuable work. of the special·. Ized agencIes m the fields of economic development and humanitarian assistance. 6. However, criticism of the United Nations is possibly stronger and more widesp!'ead today than at any moment since 1945. I need not enumerate the shortcomings of the Organization, nor would it be very fruitful to try to draw up a catalogue of our failures and disappointments. Most ofus are only too familiar with these problems. But what seems to be lacking, in our opinion, is a sense of purpose, the political will to overcome our difficulties by common end~avour. Over the y~ars, this has led to a gradual erosIon of confidence in the Organization, which1 in turn, has resulted in a retreat from internationahsm and multilateralism-a process to which the Secre- tary-General rightly draws our attention in his report. 7. Indeed, there is $rowing concern about the effectiveness of the UnIted Nations as a framework for international co-operation, even to the extent that some see only diminIshing returns in the search for solutions to the many problems we are facing today. The problem can undoubtedly be aUributed in part to factors beyond the control of the United Nations, such as, for instance, the state of bilateral relations between States. The argument cannot stop there, however. The United Nations has an important role to play in the field of international co-operation, and its malfunctioning should be a point of major concern to the world Organization. It would seem to us that a careful examination of what went wrong and of what can be done to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations could have a salutary effect on its future functioning. I am convinced that the United Nations continues to be indispensable and that it can only emerge from a process of self· examination a stronger and healthier organization. 8. A basic prerequisite for the proper functioning of a world body is respect for the principle ofuniversali. ty. Unfortunately, time and again we are confronted with proposals in various organs of the United Nations which run counter to that principle. If Members continue to lay the axe to the tree, the tree will die. Hence my plea to reflect carefully upon the consequenc..es of our actions. Honestly, I fear that in erosi~n of th~ authority of the Council. The gravity based intermediate-range nuclear missiles. We ear- of thiS practice would seem to warrant particular nestly hope that the United States and the Soviet attention's being paid to it. Union will be able to reach agreement on the 13. The situation in southern Africa remains on the substantial reduction~and preferably the complete agenda ofthe Security. Council. South Africa's refusal elimination-of this category of weapons. We attach to implement Councd resolution 435 (1978), thereby great importance to the achievement of such an delaymg Namibia's independence, is a clear violation outcome. However, should the Soviet Union con- ofthe ~ommitm~nt of Member States to give effect to tinue to expand its SS-20 arsenal, the Netherlands CouncIl resolutions. We, for our part, continue to Government would feel obliged to participate in the favour the imposition of further selective mandatory deployment of such weapons. sanctions agamst South Africa as long as the South Mr. Lusaka (Zambia) took the Chair. African Government continues to persist in denying 20. The Conference on Disarmament, meeting at the majority of its citizens their fundamental rights. Geneva, embodies the vital interests of the world 14. The Netherlands has consistently advocated an community as a whole in meaningful and verifiable extension of the existing mandatory arms embargo agreements on lower and safer levels of armaments. against South Africa. In this respect, I should like to Much to our regret, the potential of this negotiating remind the Assembly of our efforts to arrive at a ban forum is largely wasted by protracted procedural on arms imports from South Africa. disputes. Bearing in mind the pace of technological tnstru~ents. The world cOl~tmues to be pl~gued by rules of budgetary restraint and cost-effectiveness. the mmdless, anonymous Violence of terrofls~. The Severe controls on official spending,proper manage- most ~ecent example of the ruthlessn~ssof whIch the ment and a curb on regulatory activities are inevita- terrofls!s are capable was the ~0f!1bl~g last. week of ble so as to secure the future of the Organization. As the Umted States Embassy buIldmg m Beirut. The an important contributor to the United Nations Netherl,and~ .GoveJ;I1ment strongly cond~mns ~uch budget and to the budgets of many specialized ~cts of .polItlcal. VIOlence and calls for mtensl.fied agencies and voluntary funds, we feel justified in mternatIonal actIon to stop the scourge of terrC/flsm. asking the Organi.3ation to make as effective use of 25. In recognition of the need of the developing the.available resource~ as possible. Budget~ry re- countries for outside assistance, the Netherlands stramt and cost-effectiveness are of equal Impor- Government announced a week ago that it will tance. continue to devote 1.5 per cent of its national income 31. With ~egard to efforts to control an expanding to development assistance. A substantial part of this bureaucracy, I welcome the Secretary-General's state- aid will be allocated to the multilateral financial ment, in Ius report on the work of the Organization institutions. Indeed, compared with the League of [see A/39/1], that he will try to improve the efficiency Nations, a major achievement of the Charter of the of the Secretariat. We would hope that similar United Nations has been the recognition of the vital intentions will become manifest in the specialized role of international economic co-operation. agencies. UNESCO, of course, is a case in point. 26. Looking back, one can point to successes as well Inadequate management and p<?l!ticizat!on, as well as as to failures. A United Nations development system the pursuance of costly actiVities whIch ~ere not has emerged. Today's world would be unthinkable supported by all Membe~ States, are largely t~ bl~me without it But at the same time we have to admit for the unfortunate deraIlment of that orgamZ8tlon. that at pr~sent' there is a stalemate in the ongoing ~2. A point. of special concerra for my 90vernm~nt dialogue between North and South. Many of us look IS the financmg of peac~-keeptngoperations. OWing at the state of the North-South dialogue with growing to !he refusal of s~me .Important Members to pay impatience. So far, we have failed to see the launch- their assessed contrlbutAOl1S, the accumulated short- ing ofa new round of global negotiations where basic fa~l for UNIF.IL wI~1 soon reach the figure of $200 issues such as energy, food, money and finance, trade mtlhon. At t~IS ses~lOn of ~he Assembly, the Nether- and aid would be discussed in an interrelated way. lands delegation wI.ll c~nsl~er wha! st~ps co,~ld be But we should also ask ourselves whether this taken to redress thIS SItuation, which IS manifestly concept is not overly ambitious and based on an ~nfair to t~e troop:-C0ntributing cou~trics and. might overestimation of the role Governments can play in m the e.nd Jeopa.rdlze the peace-keeping functIOns of shaping world economic and social conditions. To the UnIted Nations. support the continuing process of change, it is 33. Within the framework of the United Nations, imperative that we clarify our often differing concep- wc pursue both a political and an economic dialogue. pra~tical contribution to democracy and develop- We shall maintain the minimum level of forces ment in the region. required to defend the islands. Let me emphasize 69. I must now turn to the relationship between my those words, "defend the islands". Our military country and Argentina, whose newly elected Presi- dispositions are designed solely for that purpose. dent addressed the Assembly on Monday [5th meet- 76. We have sought ways of improving relations ing]. Let me stress again that we welcome whole- with Argentina by tackling practical issues where real heartedly Argentina's return to democratic govern- progress is possible to the benefit of both sides. It is ment. We are ready, from that new basis, to try to still my profound belief that, in the difficult circum- work towards more normal reiations between us after stances I have described, the only way forward is to ~he tragic events of two years ago. We firmly believe find a way of taking such practical steps as will that this would be in the interests of Britain, of enable confidence to be re-established between our Argentina, of all our friends in Latin America and of two peoples. the Falkland Islanders themselves. 77. The right of peoples to choose their own 70. Of course Britain and Argentina have differ- Government is also at issue in Afghanistan and ent-and deeply held-positions on the question of Cambodia. The outside world has little idea of t.he sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. No one should suffering which the Afghan people endure. We can- forget that we were negotiating on that very subject not ignore the harsh realities of the problem, which in 1982 when Argentina launched its brutal invasion my Irish colleague, Mr. Barry, has already described of the islands. The present Argentine Government f6th meeting]. We give our full support to the efforts was not responsible for that disastrous action, but its of the Secretary-General, which are seeking to ensure consequences cannot just be brushed aside. that the principles of the Charter of the United 71. As I have said, we attach great importance to Nations and successive U!iited Nations resolutions improving our relations with Argentina, and we have shall be applied to restore an independent and non- made a genuine and sustained effort to reach agree- aligned Afghanistan. This cannot happen until Soviet ment with" the Argentine Government on a basis for forces are withdrawn. direct talks. It was clear that, if those talks were not 78. In Cambodia, the Vietnamese occupying force to founder at the outset on the very issue that divides remains, despite the resolutions passed by an over- us, the question of sovereignty could not be ad- whelming majority in recent years calling for a dressed. We therefore needed to find a way of complete withdrawal. The British Government con- meeting the legitimate requirements of both sides. tinues to support the Cambodian people's right to With the help of the Swiss and Brazilian Govern- determine their own destiny, free from outside ments as protecting Powers and after a great deal of interference. detailed work, a clear and satisfactory basis for talks 79. The continued division of the Korean peninsula was achieved and agreed by all. has been a matter of concern much longer than the 72. When the talks began at Berne in July, Argenti- occupation of Afghanistan and of Cambodia. My na took a position at variance with this agreed basis. visit to Panmunjom earlier this year reminded me of Their representatives insisted that no progress could this sad fact. The British Government remains be made towards normalization without the certainty convinced that the suggestions put forward by the that a mechanism would be established to permit Republic of Korea for direct talks between the tWQ negotiations over sovereignty. This overturned the sides represent the best prospect for a peaceful very basis on which talks between us had been solution. agreed. The talks therefore came to an end. This was 80. There is one final region of the world I should an important opportunity missed. I think that many mention, although it is not one much visited by people will have been disappointed, as I was, that Foreign Ministers. This year is the twenty-fifth President Alfonsin, in his speech to the Assembly two anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.4 The Treaty is a days ago, presented the same position once again remarkable example of political foresight. It provides explicitly as a pre-condition of any talks between us. an excellent model of practical co-operation achieved 73. Let me also underline that there is a further through international agreement. The fact that a fundamental principle involved in this dispute which further four States have acceded to the Treaty in this cannot be overlooked-the principle of self-determi- anniversary year shows \ts continuing value. The nation. It is a principle which is jealously guarded by British Government would not wish to see any the people of Great Britain and, indeed, by every development that would undermine this important Member ofthe United Nations. The FaUdand Island- Treaty. ers, like any other people, have the right to self- 81. We discuss many global and regional political determination. We had hoped that the new Argentine issues in this Hall. But when we do so it is easy to Government, with its attachment to democracy and forget the fundamental reality of the freedom and human rights, would be ready to recognize this well-being of the individual. The architects of the fundamental human right of the Falktand Islanders. Charter of the United Nations were quite clear about 74. Those who call on us to negotiate on the this. They set down, as a major purpose of the sovereignty ofthe islands should think what exactly it Organization, to achieve co-operation "in promoting is that they are asking us to do. For Argentina, such and encouraging respect for human rights and for negotiations could only have one outcome: the fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as transfer of sovereignty over the islands irrespective of to race, sex, language, or religion". The gulf between the wi&hes of the Falkland Islanders. To ask us to do this intention and the gross abuses of human rights that is to ask us to overturn the principle of self- which still occur in so many parts of the world appals p~rsonal conviction, a c~nvict~on th~~ is c~nti~ually 91. East-West relations, especially relations be.. remforced by my expenence In polItIcal lIfe In my tween the United States and the Soviet Union are ~w,n co~ntry and in intern,ational affairs: Put simply, languishing, and the arms control and disarma~ent It IS thIS. ,Nont: of the dls,putes~nd dIsagreements talks between the two countries are suspended. before us IS of Its ~ssence Insolu;ble. In many, cases, Regional conflicts and disputes continue to foster we can already envIsage tht: outlIne of a solutIon. In instability world-wide. almost every case, what IS needed, and what is missing, is political will-above all, the political will 92. In the world t:conomy, the problems. of une~· to work for practical agreement, to have the courage, ployment and massIve ,goyern~ental defiCIts remam imagination and do~ed determination to negotiate unsolved and protectIonIsm I~ firmly entr~n~hed in a rational and realIstic fashion. Often, perhaps in even a,s the recov~ry, centr~d In the mdustnahzed most cases, that will mean the pursuit of limited, but cOl;1ntnes, ta~es hCJ1~ and gaInS streng!h. The ,devel- attainable, objectives. Such an approach is a gradual ~pmg countnes contmu~ to fa~e a mynad.of dlffic,ul- one, demandmg the steady creation of confidence !le8, as may be seen ,It? theIr c,,!mul~tlv~ for~lgn between the parties. It will imply the breaking down mdebtedness and the cntlcal food sItuatIon In Afnca. of issues into manageable proportions, and it will ·Mr. Abe spoke in Japanese, The English version of his require a spirit of understanding which takes account statement was supplied by the delegation. So~th Af~ica t~ abandon its policy .of racial disc~it:rIi- 120. The United Nations, where we are gathered !1atIOn. LIkeWise? we hope that the Issue of NamlbIan today, is the only institutional foundation for peace !ndependenc~ Will be pro~ptly res~lved thr~ugh the agreed upon by the many countries of the world. ImplementatIOn of Sec~nty C01;1ncIl r~solutIo~ 4~5 Having experienced the horror of the Second World (1978) a!ld that ~he. Umted NatIons Will exerCIse Its War, Japan proclaimed its renunciation of force as a leadership on thIS Issue. means of settling international disputes and has been 112. In Central America, where tensions contip.ue working ever since to settle disputes peaceably. high, Japan strongly supports the efforts, being rp.ade Reaffirming this basic policy stance, .Japan is re- by the Contadora Group and other mtraregIOnal solved to contribute even more actIvely to the efforts. peaceful resolution of conflicts and the preservation 113. The Soviet Union being an important neigh- and strengthening of peace through ,the Security bour of Japan, I would like again this year to touch Council, the International Court of Justice and other upon relations between Japan and the Soviet Union. organs of the United Nations. I find it most regrettab.le that the Soyiet Union h~s 121. Although some people have recently been not only refused to Sit down to dISCUSS the stIll critical or scornful of the United Nations we must unresolved issue of Japan's Northern Ter~itori~s~ but never forget that the scale and complexity of the has ev~n deployed and str~ng~hen.ed ItS mlhtary political and economic difficulties facing the global forces In our Northern Terntones m ~ecent yea~s. community today are intractable to solution by any !apan very much hopes to resolve !hls terntor!al one country acting alone and can be resolved only Iss~e and conclude a peace treaty Wlt~ the SOVIet through multilateral co-operation, Umon and ,henc~ to promote the estabhshment of a 122. In his report on the work of the Organization stable. relatIonshIp based upon t~ue mutual un,der- [AI3911] the Set"retary-General has written: standmg and trust. We therefore mtend to contInue ,,,, J. to expand and strengthen the dialogue with the . "To make the Uni!ed Natlon~ work better"what Soviet Union, and I hope that the Soviet Union will IS needed, ab,Dve all, IS a determIned and .perslstent show a similar willingness, ~ffort t9 stn~e a balance between natIOnal and 114. I would next like to speak of the search for mternatlonal mterest. . long-lasting and structural peace-another priority of " : . . therefore,. I Wish to repeat my call for a Japanese foreign policy. mu~tIlatera~ and ratIOnal approach to the ~roblems 115. The excessive stockpiles of nuclear weapons of International peace and dev~lopment, existing today threaten the very survival of mankind. I am in complete agreement With the Secretary- We must find some way to eliminate this threat. General's views, ~nd I intend t<? ~ontinue to seek 116. Last June I attended the Conference on Dis- peace and prospen!y for Japan wlthm the context of armament, at Geneva, the first Japanese Foreign peace and prospenty for all the world. Minister ever to do so, and appealed to the United 123. The United Nations will be 40 years old next States, the Soviet Union and all countries of the year, and I think this is an excellent time for all world to make serious efforts for disarmament. Member States to give serious consideration to how Especially regarding the negotiations on intermedi- we can best invigorate the United Nations organiza- ate-range nuclear forces and the strategic arms reduc- tiot! and functions as we look ahead to the twenty- tion talks, which are currently suspended between the first century. Japan pledges to fulfil its international Afr~c,",", and ~e i~tend to l?1.!blicize African cultural, 136. Because it views official development assist- SOCial and hlstoncal tradltl~ns so as. to enhance ancc as an important international responsibility, fu~her Japanese understandmg of f\f~lca's present Japan has been endeavouring, despite its tight fiscal plIght, to spark a broad-based fund-ratsm~ dnve and situation, to expand its official development assist- to aro1.,1se popul~r support and co-operation for the ance in line with the medium-term target of doubling countnes of Afnca. the total amount of that assistance in five years. Our 129. I hope that this session's debate on the prob- official development assistance figure for 1983 repre- lems of Africa will be an opportunity for bringing our sented a 24.4 per cent increase over the figure for the various national efforts together and generating the previous year. mo~entum needed to overcome the crisis on that 137. Japan attaches importance to the development contment. of human resources and has made special efforts in 130. I should like next to turn my attention to the the field of technical co-operation With the develop- world economy. Today all countries, industrialized ing countries. I believe that technical co-operation is and developing, find their economies irrevocably in itself a creative process; it promotes technological interdependent. Effective co-operation among coun- progress to meet the actual needs of each developing substaJ.ltIv~ ~Ialogue between, donor a~d reCIpIent future of mankind. The positive values and achieve- countrIes, ~f It were conducted m a concel< ted ~anner ments built patiently and painstakingly over the by both .sIdes" would gr~atly enhan.ce effectIveness years by our joint efforts and endeavours in the a.nd efficI~t?-cy In economIc co-operatlon. At the s~me struggle for peace, security and equitable internation- tIme, PO~ltlve use s~ould b~ made ~f the dynamIsm al political and economic relations are perhaps more ofthe prIvate sector In tacklIng the dlff}cult p~oblems than ever before in jeopardy. of development. In technology, as In capItal co- '" operation, efforts to establish a more organic link 147. No pressmg m~ernatIC?nal probl~m has been between government-level co-operation and private- solved, o,r even all~vIat~d, m th~ perIod that has sector co-operation are certainly of increasing impor- elapsed smce the thIrty-eIghth seSSIOn of the Assem- tance to both North and South. bly. One could say that many of these problems have , . been exacerbated even further. Yet another year has 139. W.e all st~t?-d today at an Impo~ant Juncture been lost for detente. We are faced with the same from whIch, avallmg ourselves of the WIsdom ofb<?th ptenomena that threaten peace, security, co-opera- North and South, we can eI?bark upon cr~atlve tion and development. A new cycle of the arms race efforts based on a new perspectIve, for the solutIon of is under way, and no one is any longer c~rtai~ the North-South problem. whether this race and the means of destructIon It 140. Where are we to derive the ene~gy needed to ~eneratescan be kept under control. General insecur- create the new world of the twenty-first century? Ity and a feeling of growing threat make us increas- Obviously, it must come from within ourselves. Of ingly hostage to the fear of self-annihilation. all the forms of life on thiS earth, only man has the 148. Negotiations and dialogue between the super- p~wer to shape his own destiny. yve must draw upon Powers and blocs have given way to rivalry and to thIS power today. When one realIzes how the mutual accusations and counter-accusatIOns. The need to stimulation of differing cultures has sparked, new negotiate is far too often approached from the possibilities amo,ng peoples, propelllI~g hISt~ry position of gahling advantage and supremacy. The through the ages, I,t should be clear that, In draw!I~g expansion of spheres of interest or influence and together all countrIes? large an<;i small, ~o ar~u~ tpetr growing divisions seem to have become the main cases on an equal. baSIS, the,UnI~ed NatIons is moeed preoccupation, instead of efforts to overcome these a reactor generatIng new hIstorIcal forces. Advan~es divisions in the world, Therein lie the root causes in communications and transportation technologIes that are blocking forums and channels of negotiation are bringing people in all parts of .the world ever and agreement. closer togeth~r, and contact~among dlffe,rent c~!ltures 149. There are frequent cases of threats to sover- are on the m~rease. ~ belteve that thIS ~~aith I- of eignty, independence, territorial integrity and nation- contac!s contnbutes Importantly to realIZIng ..he al unity, of interference in the internal affairs and potentIal of all peoples. undermining of the internal stability of countries, 141. The world is admittedly faced with great and of failure to respect the most elementary human difficulties. It is for us to overcome those difficulties right-the right to self-determination and to a free and go on to a new era. Drawing upon the imagina- choice of one's own development. Violence and tion and vitality of all of our peoples, we must terrorism are continually used as a means of state harness the forces of human creaHvity to generate a policy. new era of hope for all mankind. 150. The crisis in international economic relations 142. Mr. DIZDAREVIt (Yugoslavia): I congratu- is gettin,g worse. !he world is faci~g new forms of late you cordially, Sir, on your election to the high economIC, fin~nclal an.d t,echnologlcal ,d~pendence office of President of the thirty-ninth session of the and ne<?-colomal ~xplOltatlOn, The POSltIO~ of the General Assembly. I also take great pleasl;1re in developmg c~untnes ~as worsened dramatIcally, as pointing out that the relations between Zambia and reflected partIcularly m the problem of debts. The Yugoslavia, two non-ali~ned countries, are character- gap between t~e developed and the developmg, ized by sincere friendshIp and long-lasting fruitf1.;Jl co- b~twe~n the, flch and. the poor, appears to .be operation. I am confident that your vast experIence wldenmg whIle the readmess of developed countries brin~ about temporary stoppages. If such attempts contInue, grave disturbances and disruptions will become inevitable. Is it not obvious from what they have already brought about that these attempts at halting progress in international relations lead to a deterioration of internatio'1al relations that brings us nearer to serious political, economic and social upheavals with unforeseeable consequences? Is it not obvious that this road could lead to new wars? How many times has it been proved over the past decades since the establishment of the United Nations that peace is indivisible from progress in world relations and that the policy of domination, exploitation and hegemony in international relations constitutes a threat to peace? 154. There is a vast discrepancy between the pres- ent unfavoura'JJe state of affairs and conditions in the world and the need for and possibility of halting that dangerons and retrogressive trend and turning it towards peace, equitable co-operation and general progress. Peoples throughout the world are opposed to historically outdated concepts aimed at preserving any position of privilege and domination in the world. The policy of n )n-alignment and the Move- ment of Non-Aligned Countries have offered a vision of and a platform for the transformation of the international order in the interest ofall the peoples of the world. 155. The Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Al!gned Countries, held at New Delhi in March 1983, offered the world a comprehen- sive and concrete programme for overcommg th~ crisis in international political and economic rela- tions and resolving the problems which create focal- points of crisis, a programme leading to a future in which peace, co-operation and prosperity would prevail. A growing number of proposals aiming at the same objective are being advanced from various UNo State or group of States has the right to intervene or interfere m any form or for any reason whatsoever in the internal and external affairs of other States." [Resohtion 361103, annex, para. 1.] The Declaration also states that it is the duty of a State to ensure that its territory is not used 10 any manner which would violate the sovereignty, politI- cal independence, territorial integrity and national unity. or disrupt the political, economic or social stabIlity of another State. 160. To what extent are these principles actually observed and applied? Unfortunately, we must say that we still witness frequent and flagrant infringe- ments of them rather than their observance. Observ- ance of these principles is precisely the way to a future of international co-operation, understanding, equality and confidence. 161. With each new weapon we fall behind in the race for peace. Is this 110t endangering the security and disturbing the tranquillity even of those who see their own security in military superiority? Can the security of some be strengthened by constantly nego~latlOns and to seek mternatlOnally acceptable solutions to the development problems inevitably soluhons. call for profound changes in world economic rela- 165. I have already pointed out at the beginning of tions aimed at the establishment of the new intema- my statement the gravity and dramatic character of tional economic order through global negotiations. t~e c~isis. in internat~onal economic relations..~his 174. A way out of the crisis does not lie in sl.tuatlO.n IS fraught Wlt~ the danger of great pohtlcal confronta!ion betwef'~ developed and developing dlsrupttons an~ explosIO~S. It seems that we have countries. The develo} 'ountries are not in favour enter~d .a ~enod I~ WhICh a new wave of n~o- of this and will not aCCl:lJL it. A way out can be found colomah~m IS affectmg a large number of co~ntne~. through dialogue and co-operatIOn which would The ,per~lste~ce of t~e developed countnes m theu ensure economic stability and diminish the differ- dom!natl~~ IS brmgl tW ~bo~t an ever-dee~er eco- ences in the levels of development. This is in the nC?m~c cr~sls, as a r~suh v. which these countnes, too, interest of the entire international community. w111 mevltably suffer great losses and face unforesee- 175 T' h h . th t th b able consequences. .' Ime. as s own once 19~un a. ere can e ••• r' no Just, lastmg and comprehensIve solution to any of 166. How ~s It posslb!e t~ see,," so~~tlOns accepta~le the foci of crisis without observance of the Charter of for de,,:elo.pmg countrIes m con.dltlOn.s of growl.ng the United Nations and of the principles of self- protectlOmsm, ~educed commodity J?nces, hu~e !n- determination, sovereignty, independence, territorial !erest r~tes, foreI~n exc~ange fluctuatIOns and.dlmm- inte~rity, equality, non-interference, withdrawal of Ish~d mflow or offiCial development aSSIstance, foreIgn troops from occupied territories and full WhICh hardly exceeds, ~alf the agreed target of 0.7 per respect for the right of peoples to choose their own cent of the gross nauonal product? social system as well as the path of their internal 167, Is it possible that the alarming plight of the development and involvement in international rela- least developed countries cannot arouse solidarity in tions. the ~nternational community? Instea~ of repeating 176. My country has always seen the possibility of contm~alJr t~at t.hese.are the most senously affected achieving solutions based on these principles to such c~untnes, It IS high. time ~o ta~~ rconcrete measu.res current crisis situations as: the Middle East crisis and aImed at s~rmountJ~gJhl~ CrItical ~tate. of ~ffal~s. the realization of the inalienable rights of the Pales- Th~ exceptlOnal!y dlfficuh economic sltuatlOn m tinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Afnca makes thIS all the more. necessary: Liberation Organization fPLO] , its sole and legiti- 168. The qebts of th~ developmg ~<?u~tnes are t~e mate representative; the tinal accession to indepen- most. alarmmg reflection o~ the CrISIS m eco~omlc dence by the people of Namibia, under the leadership relations. They threaten ~erIously the ec~noml,c. de- of the South West Africa People's Organization velc:>pment of these ~ountn~~ as well as theIr polItical, [SWAPO], its sole and authentic representative; the SOCIal and economiC stability. termination of the war between Iran and Ir'" '1; 169. Debts exceeding $800 billion and the burden support for the unity and non-aligned status of !.lle of debt-servicing intensified by hi~h interest rates for Republic of Cyprus; the termination of foreign which the developing countries Will have to pay over intervention and interference in Afghanistan, Kam- $75 billion this year alone are unfortu"'ltely also puchea and Grenada, as well as the elimination of the dele~ation's congratulations on your election to the 191. We have made various appeals, which we preslden~y of the thirty-ninth session of the General reiterate at t.his time, for the United States and the Assembly. Your well-known personal and profession- Soviet Union to resume their talks as soon as al qualities, clearly shown throughout your fruitful possible. We believe that at these times of mistrust work in the United Nations, offer a guarantee that and uncertainty any proposal aimed at restoring our wf)rk will be conducted by firm and expert hands. effective dialogue should be welcome. It is in this ~adrid meeting of representatives of th~ participat- 204. The foreign debt not only is the main hin- mg St~tes.of the Conference on Secunty and Co- drance to development for many countries, but also operatIOn m E,urope, and trusts that the Stockholm threatens the very survival of the international Conft:rence wIll be able to.adopt, concr~t~ and financial system. Spain is open to any proposals that effectIv~meas,ures..01.!l" dele~atI<?n1 WIthout glvmg up may include new ideas for solving this difficult any C!f Its baSIC pnnclpJ~~, IS wlll~ng to ~nalyse and problem, without losing sight of the possibilities take mto account the pomts of view which may be offered by present avenues for renegotiation among p~ese~ted by. other groups or count~ies. In keeping them the IMF. But we should not forget that we are w!th 3tS POSltI.on at the Madnd meetmg, my country faced with a question that should not be approached wlll.try to brmg about a rapproch~men~ at,nong the on a strictly financial basis. partIes and th1.!s safeguard the baSIC. prmclples that 205. High interest rates in the United States lead to make for .coexlste?Ce and .co-operatlon. . a massive capital flow into the North American 196. WhIle we Wish to buIlq r~al and lastmg peace, market and press upwards the rates in other coun- we must also endeavour to ehmmate the deep causes tries. That is still another road-block to economic of conflicts: injustice and oppression. recovery. It hampers international trade and com- 197. Torture, arbitrary detention and forced disap- pounds the problems of the debtor countries. pearances continue to be current practice in many 206. Protectionist trends are being reaffirmed in regions of the world. Political persecution still forces the international market. Thus a vicious circle is citizens of some countries to go into exile. Racial created, which prevents developing countries from discrimination afflicts many societies; its most odi- reconciling economic progress with the servicing of ous and intolerable manifestation is the system of their foreign debt. apartheid. 207. Many developing countries have had to face 198. Despite that painful fact, we cannot disregard an economIC crisis while, at the same time, opening the important role played by the United Nations and new ways to democratic participation by their citi- other international organizations in the definition, zens. It is a tribute to the democratic system that the recognition, protection and promotion of fund~,men- impact of adjustment measures implemented by tal rights and freedoms. Owing largely to their those countries has not led in many of them to the activities, more and more States are accepting the social and political turmoil that some had predicted. obligation to report on the status of human rights Nevertheless, maintaining these recession-inducing tu~e not only a chall('1~e to l~ternatIon~l.con- will bear fruit at the end of this week in the meeting SCIence, but a threat 1." mternatIonal stabIlIty as at San JOse of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the well." five Central American countries, the four countries 209. All of us must learn the lesson of this crisis, of the Contadora Group, the 10 countries members which is none other than the irreversible economic of the European Economic Community, and Spain interdependence of the world and the close interrela- and Portu~al, as an extremely important one, and we tionship of economic and political phenomena. hope that It will contribute to the attainment of those 210. Spain, a country that has had to undergo goals. democratic transition and consolidation at a time 216. In the South Atlantic, the future of the Malvi- when adjustments have been required because of the nas Islands continues to be a major source ofconcern economic crisis, stands in solidarity with the devel- for the international community. In addition, it is a oping countries in the situation they are facing. Thus, source of tension between the United Kingdom and my Government has authorized all bilateral and Argentina. We urge those Governments to resolve multilateral negotiations designed to alleviate the their sovereignty dispute through negotiation in such effects of the crisis on those countries. a way that the territorial integrity of Argentina may 211. The United Nations has played an important be restore~ and d?e acco~nt tak~n of th.e interes~s of part in the struggle against underdevelopment the po.pu.atlOn, m keepmg wIth Umted NatIons through its co-operation programmes for develop- resolutIOns. ment, emergency aid, training and research, and food 217. By historical, politica! and cultural tradition, aid. We are convinced that in the present circum- nothing that occurs in the Mediterranean area can be stances it is called upon to play an even more alien to Spain. My Government watches with espe- important part. In this context, the final launching of cial attention the problems and developments in the global negotiations at this session of the General Maghreb region. We trust that the treatIes of fraterni- Assembly could be one of the most appropriate ty between Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania and the means of finding a lasting solution to the pres.ent treaty of vnion between Morocco and the Libyan crisis. Arab Jamahiriya will, instead of creating two oppos- 212. I have chosen to focus my statement on the ing axes, result in benefits for an. increasing!y united three major challenges that the international commu- and peaceful Maghreb. W,e contmue ~o beheve that nity faces on its path towards coexistence based on such ,a p~ace can be achlevt;d only If the Saharan security, respect for human rights, and economic and confll~t I~ settled., The U~lted NatIons and the social development. Now, however, I shall refer to Or~antzatIonof Af~lc~n Umty [OAV] have s~t forth some of the regional problems of special interest to qUIte clearly the pnnclples and m~ans by whIch that my Government. can be, done. My Government WIll spare no eff9rt , and WIll co-operate as called upon by the partIes 213. My cou~try contmues to, be concerned ~b<;>ut concerned or by the United Nations and the OAU devel,opments m Central AmerI,:a~ where th~ IIvmg whenever such co-operation can contribute towards a cond~tIons and safety of the cItIzens contI~ue to just and stable peace in the region. deterIorate. We have repeatedly stated that m our , . view the deep causes of the long-standing crisis in the 218. The qu~stl(~n of Cyprus cont~nues to be a region are unjust economic and social structures and so~rce of tensIOn m the eastern !\1edlterranean. We that the trends we note towards growing militariza- reiterate O?f app~al for a compromls,e t~at ~an. ensu~e tion merely contribute t,o a worsening of the situation the soverelgntY1 mdependence and terntonall,ntegrt- and could turn the isthmus into an area of endemic ty of Cyprus and prom<;>t,e peaceful coexIstence confrontation. On the other hand, the tendency to between the two commumtles settled there. place internal conflicts or differences between States 219. At the thirty-eighth session [12th meeting], I in the context of global confrontation between the tried to set forth clearly the position of the Govern- major Powers not only is an obstacle to the solution ment of Spain with regard to the tragedy of Lebanon, of the present crises and the age-old problems of the the question of Palestine and the war between Iran countries of Central America, but also threatens and Iraq. I shall not repeat what I said at that time, world peace. but I do feel it opportune briefly to mention some of 214. Since the beginning of 1983, Spain has been the ~ost recent even!s there, since they may ha~e a actively supporting the peace initiative of the coun- beanng. on the evolutIOn of the problems of the Near tries in the Contadora Group and the tireless efforts and Middle East. made to reach a regional agreement based on the 220. In Lebanon we have recently witnessed bloody principles of non-intervention, non-interference, and painful events that have shocked the conscience non-use of force or the threat of force, and real of mankind. Nevertheless, even amidst so much respect for human rights as enshrined by the United ~rief, the spirit of the Lebanese people, reaffirming Nations. Its independence, sovereignty and identity, has sur- clearl~ ~ets out the v,tews and reco~mendatlOns of measures, often to protect industries that are ineffi- the mmlst~rs responslbl~ for eCOliomlC dev~lopment cient and unproductive by comparison with those in and !?lannmg. These views s~ould b~ given due the third world, has exposed the hypocrisy of the attentIOn and proper support m.workmg o~t pro- rich. The rich seek to assuage their conSCience by gramme~ ~md prospe~ts to alleViate the plIght of assurances of concern, but they are obviously not those mIllIons of Afncans. prepared to make any sacrifice in order to enable the 238. This year we welcome Brunei Darussalam into third wC?rld to succeed. The third world can generate the United Nations. Brunei is the seventh new economIc growth and development only by produc- Member to be admitted in this decade. In the 1970s tion and exports. But the rich are not prepared to there were 26 new Members' in the 1960s there were trade with the third world on the basis of equity and 43. As more and more Stat~s have beco"';e indepen- fair play. They insist on consuming a disproportion- dent, the pace of admissions has clearly slowed. ate amount of the worl~'s resources by keeping the Independence for nations is almost universal. To be terms of trade to the dIsadvantage of the poor. sure, there are anomalies. The peoples of Palestine 245. Short-term economic and domestic political and Na~ibia are still ~truggling for independen~e. interests in the developed countries inevitably take Gambo~la a~d .Afghams.tan have become new ~IC- precedence over the long-term interests of all who hms of ImpenalIsm. But mdependence for the maJor- live in one interdepende"lt world. A classic illustra- ity is part of the new international reality. tion is the unwillingness of rich countries to adopt 239. The experience since independence of most of pol.icies .to re~uce ra~idly thei~ huge budget deficits this majority has not been bright. The future looks no ~hlch dIstort mternatt.onal capital flows. At the s~tpe better. The gap between the rich and the poor nations time, the poor countnes ~re urged to adop~ pol.lc.les has grown. To the traditional burdens of low technol- !hat are tantamount to bem~ asked to comnut SUICide ogy, weak institutions, disunited peoples and huge In order to escape starvatIOn. populations have been added crippling levels of 246. We have also learned that even appeals to the international debt. They have learned the harsh self-interest of the rich countries is not a successful lesson that freedom from alien domination does not strategy. That we cannot be consumers of their necessarily secure a better life. "Independence" is a products unless our production is purchased by them misnomer in nations where ordinary people are is self-evident. Unless we earn, we cannot buy. The forced to live on the precarious margin of subsist- prosperity of the North depends on the viability of ence, where fratricidal disputes have killed millions the South. But while the poor are sometimes recog- and where flood, famine and drought still take.; nized as important consumers, the economic nexus thousands of lives. between production and consumption is in itself not 240. If we want to be honest, we must admit that enough to .ensure a qow of capital and technology man-made disasters have taken a greener toll than from the rIch countnes. natural calamities. The withdrawal of colonial au- 247. Technolo~ical developments have also whit- thority has opened a Pandora's box of ill-defined tied down the Importance of cheap and abundant boundaries, floating populations, ideological differ- labour in the competitiveness of production. Produc- ences, ancient rivalries and vaulting ambitions that ,'ion know-how is poised on the brink of new have caused a welter of disputes and conflicts among b.~akthroughs in areas such as robotics and biotech- the newly independent. nology of which only the more mature economies of t~elr own meetm~s on economic Issues at Dakar, organizations to play a more effective role in further- Lima, New Delhi and elsewhere. We have made ing the interests of the third world attempts at United Nations-sponsored global negoti- . ations between North and South on a new interna- 254. Secondly, we should not allow the progress of tional economic order. This year the General Assem- ~ur people~ to be hostage to th~ vanities of na~ional- bly will again adopt resolution.s on economi,c iss~es. !sm, the blmdness of xenophobI~or !he seduc~lOnsof The record of such attempts With few exceptIOns IS a Ideology. We have to dare to PiUg mto the mterna- failure. ' 'tional economic syste~, because that system is the 250. A second approach is ideological. There are only sou.rct of the capItal, technology and manage- those who contend that the root cause of the im- ment SkIlls that we n.eed to pull ourselves out ~f poverished state of the majority is not merely the pov~~y. We mu~t ~dmlt what we do not k~ow, not m structure of the international system, but rather the a splnt of submiSSIon or dependence, but In order to fact that it is a neo-colonialist and capitalist interna- become. !ndependent a~d m.eet the .challenges of.a tional system with an exploitative centre sucking competItIve and evo.h-:mg I~ternatIOnal econOI~Ic wealth from an exploited periphery. Revolution, system. We m.ust partICIpate m that system, learn ItS according to this viewpoint, will set us free. This is a rules ~nd.use ItS rules t<? our be~t 8,dvantage. We. can fallacy. The belief that the common interests of the do thIS WIthout undue fIsk only If we are first UnIted. working class would transcend national boundaries 255. The approach I have described is not an and that class struggle could replace the struggle academic one. I know this approach can work between States and co~sequently lead to an e~a of because it has already worked. The organization to harmony and co-uperatlOn has proved to be obvlous- which my country belongs, ASEAN, is in many ways ly false. a microcosm of the diversity of the third world. It 251. As the peoples of Cambodia and so many would be difficult to find a more disparate group other countries have found to their cost, there is no than Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the superior virtue in one kind of ideological system or Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. We are divided another. Starvation, miserY and poverty do not by religion, by system of government, by history, by discriminate on the basis of Ideology or recognize the culture, by ethnicity and by language. In the post-war class principle. Sodalists exploit each other too. The period, all the pre~ent members of ASEAN have, at socialist international system is also divided into an one time or another, been engaged in conflicts and exploited periphery and an exploitative centre. All disputes with each other. But we have been able to third-world countries, regardless of social system or put the past behind us. Historical rivalries have been political belief, must recognize this fact. Not to do so set aside. Instead, we have emphasized a positive IS to invite exploitation by what is just another kind vision of our common future. We have learned to of imperialism. Ideology, no more than moral out- accept each other as equals on the basis of our real rage or wishful thinking, cannot alter the political differences as well as our common interests. We do structure or exorcise economic realities. not live in fear of one another. ~ries and the major Powers and on a host of other pleased to see that the mter-Balkan dialo$ue, which Issues. aims at further developing the existing frIendly and 261. I have dwelt at some length on the exptrience good-neighbourly relations among Balkan peoples, of my country and our partners in ASEAN not in a has been enriched with the security factor. My spirit of arrogance or because I believe that our Government is also firmly convinced that the second experience is unique. Indeed, I have used ASEAN as meeting of experts due to be held at Bucharest will an example of what the th.ird world cOl;lld d,?, give new impetus to this worthy endeavour. precisely because I do not belIeve our experIence IS 269. But nuclear disarmament is only one side of unique. We have done what some have done and the coin. Conventional weapons have acquired such what the majority of the international community destructive capabilities that had they been reached can also do, if only they can summon up the will to during the last war one wonders whele humanity do it. would be today. In assessing the importance of 262. Mr. HARALAMBOPOULOS (Greece): Let conventional disarmament, we should also bear in me first of all extend to Mr. Lusaka our warmest mind that the imbalances in this field are one of the congratulations on his election to the high office of important reasons why many countries had to resort President of the General Assembly. At a time when to nuclear weapons in order either to defend them- international problems are becoming' increasingly selves or to gain supremacy. acute. his outstanding qualities, great experience and 270. On the other hand, since military build-ups are long and distinguished record within the United caused by suspicion and a feelin~ of insecurity, it is Nations are the best guarantees that he will carry out evident that to break this vicIous circle all the his heavy responsibilities with ability and success. countries of the world, whether or not they belong to 263. I would also like to congratulate the outgoing military alliances, should work consistently to pre= President, Mr. Illueca, an old and devoted friend of mott detente and understanding among them. The ~raphic composition of the occupied territo,'ies, mcluding Jerusalem, should be abandoned and all unilateral measures and faits accomplis revoked, because they are contrary to international law and are a major obstacle to peace efforts. Together with the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, we support, without reservation, Israel's right to a secure existence within internationally recognized borders. 279. The situation in Lebanon is an important element of the Middle East problem. Recent develop- ments in that war-torn country may permit some optimism as regards its future. 1n particular, the Government of National Unity has clearly shown its firm willingness to restore the national consensus. We earnestly hope that that fundamental endeavour will be successful. 280. My Government supports all developments which would guarantee the independence, sovereign- ty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and the festoration of the authority of its Government over the whole of the Lebanese territory. In that connec- tion, Israel should, without further delay, withdraw its occupation troops from southern Lebanon. 281. The Greek Government deeply regrets the prolongation of the war between Iran and Iraq. We are particularly concerned because hostilities have spread in such a way as to cause heavy Human suffering and material damage for both countries and to endan~er significantly the interests of third coun- tries not mvolved in the conflict, especially owing ~'" the erection of obstacles to free n::lvigation through the Gulf. Greece appeals once more to both parties to cease hostilities and to start negotiations for a just and honourable settlement. 282. Another cause of concern to my Government in Asia is the continuing occupation of Afghanistan and of Kampuchea. We stress the urgent need for the withdrawal of foreign troops from those two coun- tries and for the implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, as well as for a negotiat- ed settlement, which would permit Afghanistan and Kampuchea to regain their independence and non- aligned status and at the same time would allow the milit~ry coup of 1.~73..' .enjo~ed or~e of th~ most 288,,} conclude my reference te Africa by stressing genumely dem~cratIc regimes m Latm Amenca. ~y the construciive role played by the OAU in promot- qove~nment vIgor0l;lsly condemns the ,unr~lentI!1g ing co-operation among African countries and in VIOlatIOn of ~uman n~hts and the repressIOn m ~~Ile consolidating the national identity of its member and grant.s Its uneqUIvocal support to th~ polItIcal States in the economic and political spheres. That forces which struggle ~nr the return of their country organization has proved to be a very important factor to democracy. for political stability and progress in Africa, and for 284. The situation in Central America, on the other world peace. hand, continues to be very serious. It is our firm 0 f '" h f conviction that the problems of the area cannot be 2.89.. ne 0 the malO gams In t e area. 0 hu~an solved by military means, but only through a political nghts as the agreement 0!1 a d~aft conventI0!1 agamst solution stemm'lg from the region itself without torture and o~her cruel, I~human or degradll~g treat·· 'd' fi 1 N dl ' h h ment or pumshment, which has been submitted to OUtSI e .mtererence. e~ ess to say~ we attac . t e the Assembly for approval 2 Greece which actively utmost Importance to stnct respect for human nghts . . . . . . 'fi <)' and to the establi'3hment of democratic conditions partIcipated m drawmg up th!s dra t conv vntI~n, wh~rever such conditions do not exist. We should ~elcome~ the sucges~ of the eff?rts of the Co~m!s- like also to underline the importance of the various slon on Hu~an RlghLs an~ conSiders ~?e adot>tIon of initiatives undertaken by the Contadora Group, the conventIOn to be an. Important s,,~p ag!1mst t~e including the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-opera- practic: of torture. We smcerely. hOl?e that It wtl,l oe tion in Central America [see A/39/562], which has f~lly rt:specte? py all ~nd that It wdl not remam a been approved by the countries of the region and Simple declaratIOn of mtent. which, if faithfully implemented, could constitute a 290. Speaking more generally about human rights, I great step towards the settlement of the crisis in should like to &tress that our vigilance for their Central America. respect should not be governed by expediency. We 285. Next year we shall celebrate the fortieth anni- ~o~ld, i!1deed, be rendering a dismal service to the versary of the United Nations. Over the past years, ':Ict.lms if yve were to adopt a doubl~ standar~ and the membership of the Organization has more than hmlt our mter.es~ and. ~ur concern t~ countnes or trebled as, one after another, various dependent areas where thiS IS polItIcally convement to each of Territories have won their independence. In certain us. c~ses, the transition was achieved through cornpara- 291. The North-South dialogue has unfortunately tlv~ly peaceful means. In oth~r cas~s, the natural not justified the expectations of those who had hoped des~r~ of .the people to obtam their human and that it would lead to a more equitable economic polItIcal nghts wa~ fulfill~d only after harsh and order. The difficult international economic s:lltuation bloo~y ~truggle. .It. IS our smcere ~ope that. the fc.w and the slow rhythm of recovery of hlOSt developed !erntones remammg under co.lomal rule WIll attam economies are probably the main reason for this. In mdependence as soon as pOSSIble through peaceful spite of recent efforts, It has not yet been 1='0ssible to means. launch global negotiations. 286. I should like to refer more particularly to the 0 f ., . problem of Namibia, since the United Nations is 2?2. ur comm~n e forts ~hou~d contmue untIl thiS actively involved in the efforts for its solution. South aIm has been achleve.d. It IS eVlden~, however t~at Africa continues to keep Namibia under its domina- the ~evelooed countnes have a J?aJor role, to play. tion, despite the repeated and unanimous calls of the For I~S pal t, my. Government wIll do all It can to General Assembly. Security Council resolution 435 contnbute to thiS. (1978), which was accepted by the parties, provides 293. Greek foreign policy as regards relations with both the framework and the necessary mechanisms other countries, and the international situation in for allowing the people of Namibia to gain their general, has always been characterized by the strictest independence and to decide on their future through respect for international law and treaties. The Char- free elections under the supervision of the United ter of the United Nations, which is the corner-§tone Nations. If that resolution has not been implemented of our policy, is perhaps the finest code of conduct so far, the responsibility does not lie solely with ever devised to govern relations between States. One South Africa. In the last analysis, it is up to us all to of its basic principles is the renunciation of force and see to it that the will of the international community the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Greek is not indefinitely ignored with impunity by the Government is deeply attached to this principle. If Pretoria Government. only it could be universally accepted, most if not ~ll .~nces of that episode cannot be set aside. My delegation would like to know what the Secretary of State means by this statement. Does it mean that there is an intention on the part of the United Kingdom to overcome these consequences or does it rather show an intention to go more deeply into the consequences? If the true intention of the Govern- ment ofthe United Kingdom were to try to overcome these consequences, why then does it refuse to negotiate (.J what constitutrs the very marrow of the origin of the situation? 299. The overall process which led to a meeting between the two parties at Berne last July was based on the idea of establishing between them an informal political dialogue with an open agenda. This seemed to be the best way to overcome the contradiction between stated opposing positions. The Argentine representatives found themselves faced with an unex- pected rigidity on the part of the British delegation which did not reflect the spirit of an informal dialogue mutually agreed to through both protecting Powers-Brazil and Switzerland. The intention