A/40/PV.122 General Assembly

Members will recall that chapters I, 11, III (sections F lmd H), VI (section E), VIII and IX (sections A and B) of the report of t.tle Economic and SOcial Council were assigned to plenary meetings. May I take it that the Assellibly wishes to take note of those chapters of the report? It was so decided.

The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 12.

The Assembly will now turn its attention to agenda item 17 Ch), concerning the appointment of the members of the Consultative Committee on the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women. The terms of office of the present five merrbers of the Consultative Committee appointed under General Assembly decision 37/326 of 21 December 1982 expir.e on 31 Decenber 1985. Following consultations, I 'have appointed India, Kenya and Norway as members of the Consultative Committee for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1986. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of those appointments? It was so decided. The PRFSIDENT (interpretatiOn from Spanish): Regarding ta'ie reiiiaining two vacancies, I have been informed by the Chairmen of the Group of Eastern European States and the Group of Latin American States that further consultations will be needed before candidates can be endorsed. I shall therefore proceed to the appointment of the r~maining members of the Consultative Coanittee as soon as candidates have been endorsed by those respective groups. I therefore propose that item 17 (h) be kept on the agenda of the fortieth session of the Asaelllbly. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Asaembly agrees. It was so decided.

The Assembly will now consider agenda item 41, "Launching of global neogtiations on international economic co-operation for developuent". I wuld propose that agenda item 41 be kept open in order to allow for the continuation of informal consultations after the suspension of the session and to reconvene on short notice to canside!: any decision or agreements that might emerge from those negotiations. May I take it that the Assemly decides to accept that proposal? It was so decided. AGENDA ITEltI 42 glESTION OF EWITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND lNQmASE IN THE MEltIBERSHIP OF THE SEQJRITY OJUNCIL The DRFSIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): Next, 1 invite members to turn their attention to agenda item 42, "Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the security Council". I understand that there is no request to consider this item at the present session. If that is the case, may I take it that the General Assembly decides to include the item in the provisional agenda of the forty-first session? It was so decided.

The Assenbly will now consider agenda item 43, "Observance of the quincentenary of the discovery of Americaw In this connection I have received a request that this item be kept on the agenda.of the fortieth session in order to allow for further consultations. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assenbly to retain this item on the agenda of the fortieth session? It was so decided.

We neM turn to agenda item 44, "Question of cyprus". Members will recall that on 20 september 1985 the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the present session but deferred a decision on the allocation of the item to an appropriate time in the future. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to leave the question of cyprus open at the present session. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to that under standing and decides to reta in the item on the agenda of its for tieth session? It was so decided.

. we turn now to agenda item 46, "Consequences of the prolongation of the armed conflict between Iran and Iraq". In this conneotion I have received a request that this item be kept on the agenda of the current session. May I take it that it is the wish of the ~neral AsseTllbly to retain this itea on the agenda of the fortieth session? It was so decided.

The Assembly will nOi consider agenda item 47, "Celebration of the one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire". I understand there is no request to consider this item at the present session. If that is the case, may I take it that the Asseni>ly decides to include the item in the provisional agenda of the forty-first session? It was so decided.

If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall consider that the General Assembly decides not to disc~ss the reports of the Fifth COllllIlittee. It was so decided.

The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in meetings of the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. fey I remind mel1lbers that in paragraph 7 of its decision 34/401, the General Assellbly decided that when the same draft resolu,tion is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unleRs that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. May I also remind members that, in accordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. The Assembly will first consider the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 12, dealing with those chapters of the report of the Economic and SOcial Council which were allocated to the Firth Committee. The Committee's report is contained in document A/40/1068. The Assembly will now take decisions on the two draft decisions contained in paragraph 5 of the report of the Fifth Committee. Draft decision I concerns the report of the BconOllic and SOcial Council. Tbe Fifth Coaaittee decided without objection to reco.-end to the Gen_.l Assellbly the adoption of that draft decision. May I take it that the Auelllbly adopts it? Draft decision I was adopted. Tbe PRESIDENT (interpretation froll Spanish): Draft decision 11 is entitled "Agreement bebleen the tbited Nations and the United Nations Industf'1al DevelolRent Organization". The Fifth COtnI1littee recommends to the General Assellbly the adoption of that draft decisim. May I take it that the Assellbly wishes to adopt it? Draft decision 11 was adopted. Tbe PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): That concludes our consideration of the report of the Fifth COIRittee on agenda item 12. we now turn t', "~'1:enda item 122, entitled ·Scale t)f assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the tbited Nations". That report i~ contained 1n docuJBent A/40/1066. I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote before the voting. Mr. SRABBED (Syr lan Arab Republic) (interpretation froll Arabic): My delegation wishes to reaffirm its belief in the principle of collective ;:e.:Jponsibility in bearing the burdens of the budget. The principle of a country'. ability to pay must be taken into consideration in determining the scale of assessraents for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations. Th.t~ should be done in the light of a country's mater ial capabtU ties and its eCClftOlllc counitments • we do not agree with the methodology used by the CommUtes on Contr !buttons, because we regard it as a deviation from the principle of a country's real ability (Tbe Pr.esident) to pay•. 'lbis .ethodology has led to an increase in t.~e contributions of certain Mellbet countries, like J1lY own, and to a reduction or stabilization in the contributions of other Melllber countries. ?hat makes the scale of assesSl'llents neither fair nor logical. It: is very well known to everyone that the Syrian Arab Republic is located in an area that has been the target of many Zionist" racist and colonialist plans and designs. The united Nations has been seized of the problems of that region ever since it was established in 1945. It is natural that these plans and designs have led to a constant and continuous increase in our military expenditures - even to the detriment of other expenditures for urgent needs. For our military expenditures are related to foiling the plans and designs, on the 'one hand, and to liberating the occupied Arab territories, including the Golan Heights, and preserving our independence and sovereignty, on the other. It would have been difficult to oppose the increase decided upon by the COII1Rittee for country contributions if it had been based on the discovery of any new mineral weal th or on the solution of some econonaic problem confronting my COQlltry. In that case, the increase could be justified. But parts of Tl't:I country are still languishing under the yoke of zionist occupation, and those are the JIlOSt fertile parts of the country, from the economic and agricultural points of view. Each Memer State has the right to ask for a minimum linkage between its assessment and a change in its economic situation - for in the final analysis, it is such a change that determines its ability to pay. Finally, we very much wish that the Committee on Contributions, in determining flY country's contr ibution to the budget, had taken into consideration all the facts that I have set out. We cannot support the new scale proposed by the Committee on Contr ibutions. It should pursue its endeavours to find a fairer methodology for the apportionment (Mr. Shabeed, Syrian Arab Republi£) H!1:icns in 4"'IIlt..A..... ""'''_1IIW. truly to refler.:t Meillber States' real ability to pay. Hr. MAlmUBANI (Singapore): Singapore suppor ts the wor k done by the COIIIittee on Contributions and is highly appreciative of its efforts to prepare the reco-.ended scale for the next tr iennium. However, regrettably, we are unable to support its recommended scale for the next trienniUUl. To avoid any misWlderstanding 'Of our position, let me state Singapore's fil'II c01lJlitraent to two fundamental points. First, we believe that the least developed coWltries should be assessed at the floor level. None of these States should be made to bear any additional burden. secondly, we believe in the principle that it is the collective responsibility of all Member States to contribute to the United Nations regular budget on the basis of their capacity to pay. We accept the fact that as developing countr iea achieve some economic progress they should be prepared to be~r a bigger share of the financial burden of this Organization. However, the financial burden of this Organization must be borne fairly and equitably by all States. A few States should not be penalized. Unfortlmately, the recommended scale before us does not satisfy those criter ia and has penalized a few States, including Singapore. The greatest flaw of the present methodology of assessment is its inability to prcwide a uniform measure to canpare the economic performances of the centrally planned and the market economies. This is due to the failure of the present methodology to correct the distortions in statistics provided by the Socialist economies whiCh are caused by inflation and exchange-rate fluctuations. (Pit. Shaheed, 8ftlan Arab Republic) That has resulted in a highly untenable situation, where despite the high growth rates achieved by the socialist countries they have been given substantial . reductions in their contributions in the next scale. At the same time, the majority of countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation end Development will have no increases. It therefore seems patently unfair that the Group of 17 as a whole should have its scale increased by 33 points while the socialist bloc as a whole has its assessment reduced by 64 points. Even more regrettably, the largest single reduction for any State will be enjoyed by the Soviet Union, a permanent member of the Security Council and one of the world's two super-Powers. My delegation finds that situation to be extremely unfair. The large number of countries that either voted against or abstained in the vote when this scale of assessments was put to the vote in the Fifth Committee provides an indication of how widely that sentiment is shared. Over the years Singapore has seen its assessed contribution unfairly increased substantially. No special consideration has been given to our unique case as a devaloping island State with no natural resources - I repeat: no natural resources. Owing to the large foreign component of our gross national product, the use of national income statistics as the basic criterion for the assessment of our scale is unfair, since a more accurate reflection of our ear~ings would be our indigenous gross national product, which is approximately 20 per cent lower than the nominal national income. Instead of being given any special consideration for our unique situation, we find ourselves treated just like any other developed State by the Committee on Contributions during its assessment of our contribution. Under the present methodology no distinction is made between developed and developing countries in the distribution of the burden of relief. Developing countries such as ours with a per capita income greater than $2,200 have to bear the same proportion of relief burden as the developed countries. That also is unfair, but since my statement in the Fifth Committee went into this question at length I shall not elaborate on the point here. We regret also that during the process.of mitigation little objectivity was shown by the Committee on Contributions in the distribution of mitigation points. As a result, that relief r~hanism has not benefitted all those Member States that deserve relief. We hope that situation will not be repeated for the following triennium of 1989-1991. For those reasons, and given the difficult economic circumstances that Singapore is facing now, the delegation of Singapore cannot support the recommended scale and will therefore vote against it.

The Assembly will now take decisions on the recommendations of the Fifth Committee contained in paragraphs 7 and 8 of its report (A/40/l066). The General Assembly will first take a decision on the draft resolution contained in paragraph 7 of that report. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua ~nd Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea; Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nig~ria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, banda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sen~al, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Thailand, Togo, T~~i81&, Uganda, Ukralni~n Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of SOviet Socialist Republics, United Republic of Tanli!ania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbet-we Bahrain, Colombia, Ecuador, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kuwait, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, united States of America, Venezuela Against: Abetaining: Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Cypr.us, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Irela~d, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, omm, Paraguay, Portugal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The draft resolution was adopted by 109 votes to 15, with 27 abstentions (resolution 40/248).

The Assembly will now take a aec18ion on the draft decision contained in paragraph 8 of the report (A/40/l066). The ~!~th Committee decided without objection to recommend to the General Asseably that it continue at its forty-first session the negotiations on the Bethcdology for the elaboration of futu~Q scales of assessments. May I tak~ it that the General Assembly adopts that draft decision? The draft decision was adopted. Tbe PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 122. We turn now to the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 119, entitled 8Adainistrative and budgetary co-ordination of the United Nations with the specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency" (A/40/l064). The General Assembly will take decisions on the recommendations contained in paragraphs 9 and la of the report of the Fifth Committee. Draft resolution I is entitled -Impact of inflation and monetary instability en the regular budget of the United Nations-. The Fifth Committee adopted draft resolution I without objection. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution? Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 40/249).

Draft resolution 11 concerns administrative and budgetary co-ordination of the United Nations with the specialized agencies and the International Atomic En~rgy Agency. The Fifth Committee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution 11 was adopted (resolution 40/250).

Draft resolution III also was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution? Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 40/251).

We shall now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 10 of its report (A/40/l064). May I consider that the General Assembly adopts that draft decision? The draft decision was adopted.

We have thus concluded our consideration of agenda item 119. We turn now to the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 116, -Proposed programme budget for the biennium 1986-1987· (A/40/1069). I call upon the Secretary-Genera1.

The Assembly has heard, during the present fortieth seGsi~~, statements of high importance fram the senior leaders of most Member States. Their voices have confirmed the contribution to the improvement of global conditions of life made over the past 40 years by the United Nations. Of greatest potential significance, supporl for the Organization and commitment to the Charter have been widely reaffirmed in the interest of realizing those basic purposes for which the United Nations was created, and which retain their full validity. The future will be greatly, perhaps decisively, influenced by the seriousness and constancy of intent which underlie those reaffirmations. I said during the commemorative meeting of the Assembly that they need to be "backed up by responsible negotiations towards resolving major disputes and in the key areas of arresting the arms race, overcomeing the crisis in development and promoting human rights". (A/40/PV.49, p. 6) I would add to that today another area: the assurance of the financial integrity of the Organization itself. The effectiveness of all the programmes of the United Nations, and the attainment of those purposes which have such universal endorsement, depend heavily on the reliable availability of resources as provided in the Charter and on the efficiency and vision with which the&~ resources are utilized. I have asked for the opportunity to speak to the plenary meeting, now that the budget for the next biennium is to be adopted, because of my concern that, precisely in thia res~t, the integrity of the Organization may stand in jeopardy. The United Nations now confronts problems related to the budget which, beyond the financial soundness of the Organ~zation, can challenge its political cohesion and its capacity to execute the programmes agreed to by Member States. Since assuming the duties of Secretary-General, I have been guided by a deep sense of responsibility to all Member States to contain the costs of the United Nations to the greatest extent possible without prejUdice to the agenda of work mandated by Member States. I have no doubt that this corresponds to the wish of the Assembly. For two successive biennia, I have put forward budgets in a spirit of maximum restraint, resulting in insignificant growth. Yet substantial additional demands have been accommodated. For illustrative purposes, I will cite just one example: during the 1984-1985 biennium, the work-load of interpretation, editing, and reproduction for conference servicing increased by 7 per cent over the previous biennium. The level of resources utilized remained constant. Expenditures under the budget to be adopted by you today are, in real terms, only slightly more than the budget you adopted for 1984-1985. To accomplish this economy, expenditures have been strictly controlled. Recruitment of professional personnel was frozen for six months in order to encourage a disciplined assessment of needs. Overtime pay has been under careful scrutiny. The travel of staff members to international and intergovernmental meetings is co-ordinated and controlled in my own Executive Office and the amount of such travel has been substutially reduced.. Savings have also been made in consultancies. The Assellbly, by its action, has frozen the salaries, allowances, and pensions of professional staff beginning in 1985 and continuing well into the futlllre. I would emphasize on this occasion mat I intend to continue a policy of _ximulI financial restraint. To do otherwise, at a time when so wmy Mellllber States ar~ burdened with unprecedented debt and serious deficits, 'lrIould be irresp)nsible. A continuing process is under way within the secretariat to attempt to identify areas where further savings can be achieved. I shall maintain this process and will, of course, Wldertake any steps I can towards further economies, provided that such savings will not be of a nature to prejudice the accomplishment of mandated prograaraes. There are, in my view, also. measures which the Asserrbly and its subsidiary bodies could, and I believe should, take to keep costs down. For example, the addition of supplementary expenditures not foreseen in the programme budget proposals submitted by the secretary-General tends to weaken the effect of careful and disciplined budgetary planning. It lIi~t, therefore, be advantageous if, to a greater extent than is now the case, all projected expenses of the Organization were included in the programme budget ~ reviewed by the C()l1ll1ittee on Progranae eo-ordination and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and recommended by the Fifth Committee. Limits should be set and, where established, strictly maintained on the number and duration of meetings, on the documentBItion produced and on reports requested. I strongly ask that care be taken to schedule meetings so as to minimize related costs, and to take full advantage of the United Nations facilities in the Headquarters cities. 1 believe it is necessary, howev~r, to acknowledge that we face problems of a more fundamental nature. Even though the buaget adopted by the Fifth Commi'ttee provides for a real growth of only 0.1 p~r cent, Menber States which account for almost 80 per cent of the aasessed budget either cast a negative vote or abstained in the vote. This is disturbing evidence of a growing division in the membership on financial matters which, if long continued, can have very negative implications for the Organization. This division, I must emphasize, cannot be resolved through greater economies ~ the Secretary-General or by greater efficiency of management. It can only be alleviated through action of Member States. Earlier in the present Assembly session, I spoke to the Fifth Committee of the need for greater consensus on key financial issues. I would, on this occasion, reiterate this point. It is all the more reinforced by the absence of agreemant yet again on one of these issues, namely, the manner in which the basis for the calculation of the scale of assessments could be reviewed. On the brighter side, I welcome the resolution adopted by the Assembly which develOPed from an initiative of Japan. I hope that recommendations to the forty-first session from the Group of High-level Intergovernmental Experts, inclUding recommendations on the key financial issues which I have mentioned, will provide a basis for greater unity and confidence among Member States. I will co-operate fully with the Group and take serious account of any suggestions specifically relating to management. I would only make clear that the responsibilities, as defined in the Charter, of the Secretary-General as Chief Administrative Officer and his capacity to meet these responsibilities should not be prejudiced. Any action which would have that effect could bring adverse consequences for the operation of the United Nations. Because of the depth of my concern and my profound commitment to the health and effectiveness of the United Nations, I feel compelled to speak in all frankness to the Assembly of another, not unrelated problem of utmost gravity facing the United Nations in the financial field. I refer to legislation enacted in a principal contributor State according to which that State will not contribute its full assessed contribution to the united Nations and the other agencies of the system unless weighted voting is followed on all budgetary matters. SUch withholding is scheduled to begin for the United Nations during 1986. The Charter, to which each Memer State is bound as party to a solemn treaty, provides that the expenses of the Organization shall be borne by the Members as apportioned by the General Assellbly and that all Metrbers shall fulfil, in good fai th, the obligations assumed by them. The unilateral withholding of assessed contributions by any Merrber State is, I believe, contrary to these provisions and is destructive to the orderly implementation of the Organization's mandated prograumes. If the aUDunt withheld is of the size foreseen in the legislation in question, it will place the financial viability of the United Nations under enormous strain. Beyond that, such withholding would inevitably have a political effect on the strength and potential of the Organization. For these reasons, it is my earnest hope - and I have made IIIY position clear on this matter - that this legislation will be altered. I will stay in contact with Member States through the Permanent Missions but would caution now that, depending on developments, it may be necessary to ask that the General Assembly and the Fifth Committee reconvene early in 1986. Only a few short and busy weeks have passed since the impressive commemorative meetings of the Assembly. Clearly insufficient time has elapsed to jUdge the extent to which the high and serious attention given to the united Nations on that occasion will Ultimately bring greater strength and authority to the Organization and contribute to the resolution of critical problems, long on our agenda. This session has seen positive accompliShments. The coming together of all Member States in the fight against the terrible plagues of terrorism and illicit drug traffic is a notable development. We can now expect the enhanced international co-operation which is essential if these problems are to be overcome. The preparations made for the Conferences on the Emergen9Y Economic Situation in Africa and on Disarmament and Development, to mention but a fewex_ples, prOllise useful, constructive results in 1986. An encouraging, if less than colIPrehensive, reduction in the level of tension accClllpanying the debates and discussion bas been evident and helpful during this session. Yet there have been 110 breakthroughs on major politiC:41 and economic problems. That situation has a direct bear ing on the budget:elry questions before us. Progress on political and economic issues could substantially reduce certain financial obligations of the United Nations, while encouraging a wider consensus on other difficult issues. Clearly, the United Nations must be financially sound if it is to contribute its part to the resolution of present and future problems. There is a direct and er itieal relationship between the financial integrity of the United Nations, as foreseen in the Charter, and its capacity to attain the objectives for which it was founded. As we enter a year of challenge and bard decisions in this area, I believe it is of the highest importance to recognize that the maintenance of this integr ity is in the interest of all Member States.

The Assellbly will now take Cl de.-:ision on the recoumendations contained in paragraph 129 of the rePlrt of the Fifth COlD'Dittee (A/40/1069). For the time being, the text of these recOll:llendations raay be found in document A/C.5/40/L.20, Part IV and Corr.l and Part IV, Md.l. The Assembly will first consider draft resolution I, which is to be found in document A/C.5/40/L.20 Part IV, and which consists of 12 sections. A recorded vote has been requested on section IV. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Alger ia, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Afr iean Rep.1blic, Chad, Chile, China, ColOllbia, Congo, Costa Rica, CUba, Cyprus, DellOCraUc ltaiiIPUcbea, DeiliiiOCratic Yeaen, Denraark, Djibouti, DoIainican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, El.j'.!atorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Pinland, Gabcn, GaJlbia, Gerilany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guatesala, Guinea, Qlinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jfonduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islasaic Bepublic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jaaaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, IAlxelllbourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, M5uritlus, Mexico, Morocco, Mozallbique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, OIan, Pakistan, Panau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, S88Oa, sao Toae and Principe, Saudi Arabia, senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, SOlOllOn Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, SU&m, SUriname, SwazUand, SWeden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, '1\)go, Trinidad and 'l'Clbago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Fairates, United Re~blic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet ND, Yellen, YugoslaVia, Zaire, Za1llbia, Zilllbabwe . Against: united Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ulited States of Ataer ica Abstaining: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, France, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Italy, Mongolia, Poland, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics section IV of draft resolution I was adopted by 135 votes to 2, with 11 abstentions.

May I take it that the Assellbly wishes to adopt sections I to III and V to XII? sections I to III and V to XII were adopted. Draft resolution I, as a whole, was adopted (resolution 40/252) •

we turn nOlI to draft resolutions II A, B and C, to be found in document A/C.5/40/L.20 (Part IV) Add.1, which concerns the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1986-1987. Draft resolution II A is entitled -Budget appropriations for the bienniuJlI 1986-1987-. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bah~s, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indone£ia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, I~eland, Ivory Coa~t, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singa~re, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Tr~nidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, zambia, Zimba~~e Against: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet ciocialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist RepUblics, united States of America Abstaining: Belgium, France, Germany, Federal RepUblic of, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Nethp·.ands, portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain ~.lid Northern Ireland Draft resolution 11 A was adopted by 127 votes to 10, with 11 abstentions (resolution 40/253 A).

Draft resolution 11 B concerns income estimates for the biennium 1986-1987. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Banglade8h, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Caaeroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Centzal African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, DellOCratic KUlpuchea, Deaocratic Yellen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican RepUblic, Ecuador, Egypt, B1 Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Federal RepUblic of, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, BonJuras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jaaaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lib-lan Arab Jaaabiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Ma1dives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, MozaJlbique, Nepal, Ne~herlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nige1', Nigeria, Norway, oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, samoa, Sao TOIIe and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, SOloaon Islands, SOIIalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Re~ublic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdoll of Great Britain an(! Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Y~n, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zaabia, ZiMbabwe Against: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic RepUblic, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America Draft resolution 11 B was adopted by 137 votes to 10 (resolution 40/253 B).

Draft resolution 11 C deals with financing of appropriatioJ.:.. for the year 1986. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussala~, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal" New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Paki~tan, Panama, Papua New Guine3, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri ~anka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republia, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist RepUblic, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Israel, Mongolia, Poland, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist RepUblic, Union of Sov~et Socialist Republics, United States of America Abstaining: Belgium, France, Germany, Federal RepUblic of, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Draft resolution 11 C was adopted by 126 votes to 11, with 11 abstentions (resolution 40/253 C).

We turn now to draft resolution 111, which is found in document A/C.5/40/L.20 (Part IV) and Corr.l and which is entitled wUnforeseen and extraordinary expenses for the biennium 1986-1987-. A record~d vote has been ~equested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Ben!n, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Caaeroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, DeltOCratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guatellala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Raiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic RepUblic, Hungary, Poland, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Draft resolution III was adopted by 139 votes to 8, with no abstentions (resolUtion 40/254).

Next we turn to draft resolution IV in document A/C.5/40/L.2a (Part IV) and which deals with the Working Capital Fund for the biennium 1986-1987. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin q Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Bu~rna, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Eissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, united Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Spain, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America Abstaining: Belgium, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Draft resolution IV was adopted by 124 votes to 11, with 13 abstentions (resolution 40/255).

We turn to Qraft resolution V, dealing with conditions of service and compensation for officials, other than Secretariat officials, serving the General Assembly. The Fifth Committee recommends the draft resolution for adoption. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution V? Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 40/256).

Finally, we turn to draft resolution VI A, Band C, which concerns emoluments, pension scheme and conditions of service for the members of the International Court of Justice. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic~ Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, united Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zaire, zambia, zimbabwe Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Japan, Luxembourg, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, Fiji, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Solomon Islands, Spain, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Yugoslavia Draft resolution VI (A), (B) and (C) was adopted 9Y 121 votes to 11, with 15 abstentions (resolution 40/257 A, Band Cl.

On the basis of the statement just made by the Secretary-General, I propose that this item be kept on the agenda of the fortieth session of the General Assembly. If I hear no objection I take it that the Assembly so decides. It was so decided.

We turn now to the report of the Fifth Comaittee on agenda item 123, entitled ~Parsonnel Questions- (A/40/l067). I call on the Seeretary-General. The SBCRBTARY-GENERAL: I have read with great attention the report of the Fifth CoBaittee on this item and I wish to express my appreciation of the thorough and positive manner in which that Committee has dealt with the llany t.portant Issues which it has considered under this item. I wish, however, to place before the Assembly my concern on one very basic point. This relates to the reclassification of General Se~vice staff and related categories, on which I have already had occasion to speak before the Fifth CoaIittee. I find myself in a difficult situation, essentially because thousands of staff .embers - drawn, after all, from the Member States of this Organization - find themselves in an even more difficult one. On the basis of assurances given under flAy authority and in good faith they had expected the results of the reclassification exercise to be implemented this year, but they now find that this implementation is being deferred until the General Assembly meets again. The perplexity and unhappiness of those staff members is increased by their knowledge that their colleagues in other parts of the united Nations system in New York have seen their regradings implemented. This is an unhealthy situation, and whenever there is any such situation we shoUld try tOI put an end to it as soon as possible. I note the reasons which have prevented the Assembly from considering this matter at its current session. I am also extremely appreciative of the recommendation of the Fifth Committee that the principle of retroactivity to 1 January 1985 be maintained, thus protecting the legitimate expectations of the staff and confirming my own assurances in that regard. In looking for a solution to this problem I have noted the recc.nendation of the Fifth ee-ittee in draft decision I of its report that the Assellbly defer consideration of this issue until its forty-first session. I would hope, in this regard, that the Assembly could consider another possibility, namely, not to close consideration of this item but instead to keep it open, which would permit the Pifth ea..ittee to consider this matter and reach a final determination on it as soon as it has before it the recoDllendations of the Advisory ConIIittee on Adainistrative and Budgetary Questions and the observations of the International Civil Service Commission. I leave that suggestion in your hands, Mr. Presidentr and those of the Assembl~'.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the recommendations in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the report of the Fifth eo.aittee in document A/40/1067. The draft resolution i,n paragraph 17 is entitled ·Pe~sonnel questions· and concerns: A, the composition of the Secretariat; B, the improvement of the status of WOIIen in the Secretariat; and e, respect for the privileges and illU'Qunities of officials of the united Nations and the specialized agencies and related organizations. The Fifth Committee adopted that draft resolution by consensus. May I take it that the General Assembly adopts the draft resolution? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 40/258 A, B and C).

The General Assembly will now turn to ~he four draft decisions in paragra?h 18 of the report in docu.ent A/40/l067. Draft decision I is entitled RJob classification of the General Service and related categories in New York-. Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) were adopted by the eom.ittee without objections. With regard to paragraph (b), it is my understanding, (The Secretary-General) that. on the bast. of tnfonal consultations, there vas general agEeeJlent that the worcJa ·or if poutbl. before the session- should be inserted after the words -forty-fhst session· in the first line, l!IO that the paragraph as a wbole would • Cb) To consider at its forq-first session, or if possible before the session. on the basis of the reee-endations of the! Advisory Ca-ittee on Adainistrative ana Budgetary Questions ana any observations that _y be llade by the International Civil Service co.ission;I8. If I hear no objection, uy I take it that the General Assellbly adopts paragraphs (a) and Cc), and paragraph Cb) as uendl!d, of draft decision I? Paragraphs Ca), Cb) &8 ..naed, and (c) of draft decision 1 were adopted. (The President)

Next the Assembly will consider paragraph (d) of draft decision 1. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhu~~n, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussa1am, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surin~~e, Swazi1and, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Rep~blic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, zaire Against: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Czechoslovakia, France, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania~ Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland T United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Belize, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe Paragraph (d) of draft decision I was adopted by 103 votes to 22, with 15 abstentions.

Draft decisions 11, III and IV - entitled ·Amendments to the Staff Regulations of the United Nations·J "Amendments to the Staff Rules"J and ·Situation of General Service staff" - were recommended by the Fifth Committee for adoption by the General Assembly. May I take it that the General Assembly adopts those draft decisions. Draft decisions 11, III and IV were adopted.

I call on the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic in explanation of vote. Mr. SBAHEBD (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic): My delegation would like to affirll its coJJaitnlent to tb'e United Nations Convention on . Privileges and !mmunities and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of Specialized Agencies. My10wttry offers United Nations international civil servants every assistance in accordance with those Conventions. Our commitl'lent covers all United Nations international civil servants in Syria. There is no doubt that while Syria, like other countries, grants these privileges and immunities, it expects United Nations international civil servants to abide strictly by the Conventions, not to violate any of their terms, fully' to respect their internal prOl7isions related to the national sovereignty of the host country and tc? refrain frOll any act unrelate.... to their functions and mandate. My country endorses all these privileges and iJlUlunit1es, prOl1ided tbat that does not lead to interference in our internal affairs.

On the basis of the adoption of draft decision I, if there is no objection, I suggest that the item now wtder consideration be kept on the agenda of the fortieth session of the Assembly. It was so decided.

We turn now to the report of the Pifth COIIlIittee on agenda item 120, ·Joint Inspection Unit·o The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution contained in paragraph 13 of the report of the Pifth Committee (A/40/l065). That draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without objection. May I consider that the General AssenDly wishes to adopt that draft resolution? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 40/259).

We have now concluded our consideration of agenda item l80. PROGRAMME OF mu

In the light of the action already taken at its l19th and 120th plenary meetings, as well as action taken at the present meeting, the General Assembly has decided to retain on the agenda of the fortieth session the following agenda items: . Item 16 (a)., Election of two members of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, item 17 (h), Appointment of members of the Consultative Committee on the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for WomenJ item 17 (1), Appointment of a member of the special Committee ~n the Situation with regard to the irnfllementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples; item 21, The situation in Central America: threats to international peace and security and peace initiatives; item 41, Launching of global negotiations on international economic co-operation for devel~pment; item 43, Observance of the quincentenary of th~ ~iscovery of America, item 44, Question of Cyprus, item 45, Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations; item 46, Consequences of the prolongation of the armed conflict between Iran and Iraq, item 84 and 84 (c), Development and international economic co-operation: trade and development; item 116, Proposed programme budget for the biennium 1986-1987; and item 123, Personnel questions. With those exceptions, therefore, we have concluded our consideration of all the items on the agenda of the fortieth session. CONCLUDING STA'l'EMEN'!' BY THE PRESIDENT The PRESIDBNT (interpretation from Spanish): Tradition requires that, when we are on the point of concluding the work of a General Assembly session, the President should review the most outstanding features of that work. I do not know how far distinguished delegates, subjected as they have been during these months to a veritable flood of words and now on the point of enjoying a well-deserved rest, need me to distract them by reminding them, for exanple, that once again the General Assembly has taken decisions on problems of such concern as the policy of apartheid of the Government of South Africa, the question of Palestine or those of Kampuchea and Afghanistan. Or that while we have solemnly commemorated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, tn~ questio~ of Namibia continues unresolved. Or that while unanimity has been achieved with regard to the convening of an International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development, this unanimity disappeared as soon as the question of Antarctica was discussed. Or that, while general agreement certainly existE' 1:~arding the need for new approaches to dealing with the serious problem of external debt, the agreement is for the time being limited to that recognition, and disappears wh~n it comes to seeking remedies. And that while it has been possible to reach agreeme~t on such a controversial topic as international co-operation in the peaceful uses o~ outer space, it remains impossible to do so on questions relating to i~forrnation. Or the positive fact of the convening of another international conference, one on issues relating to drug use and trafficking, set against the continued viol~ti~n of human rights in so many parts of the world. Or the unanimous adoption of resolutions on the protection of diplomatic and consular missions or on terrorism. And, lastly, the always complicated financial questions which arise in a budget and assessment year, discussed in the shadow of threats which are in all our minds. Rather than such a list, which I have just given in incomplete form, I would prefer t~ make some brief remarks about the spirit which prevailed during the conduct of this session and the lessons we can learn for the future. This has been, above all, the session commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. It has been my privilege to preside over this General Assembly on an occasion when so many heads of State or Government, Special Envoys and Ministers for Foreign Affairs honoured us with their presence. They have all made their valuable intellectual contribution to the assessment of the Organization's successes and failures over that period. We have all been enriched by this debate, and I believe that, to a great extent, we have succeeded in recapturing for the United Nations the attention of world opinion, which we should never have lost. It is true that when it comes to forming a judgement on what some parties have referred to as a loss of prestige for the United Nations, we must, in all honesty, acknowledge that not everything has been positive in the past 40 years. However, let us consider just the enormous task of decolonization. I referred at the outset to what still remains to be done in that field. Nevertheless the positive balance is so much greater in this case. I regard the coincidence of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration with the more extensive celebration of the fortieth anniversary as an extremely appropriate occasion for recalling once again that our Org~nization has been a genuine driving force behind the liberation of peoples under colonial domination, many of whose representatives are happily sitting here with us today. I believe that it is fair to say that a feature of this year's debates, both in the Main Committees and in the plenary meetings, has been a greater degree of moderation and willingness to enter into compromise, while, of course, not failing to take accoun~ .~f the legitimacy of the posit~ons of each and every Member State and the inevitability of differences of opinion on controversial matters. However, an endeavour .has been made, and perhaps this can be attributed to the commemorative spirit of this session, to overcome differences and to transmit to the world a message of solidarity in focusing on important and urgent questions. I have in mind, for example, the consensus reached on the condemnation of terrorism and on the critical economic situation in Africa, among many other issues. Much has been said at this session about the need to reform the procedures and methods of work of the United Nations, and more particularly of the Assembly, with a view to rationalizing and streamlining them. For some time now I have been fully convinced of the urgent need for these improvements. I am convinced of the need to avoid the considerable loss of resources entailed in apparently very trivial matters, such as the chronic failure to be punctual so that meetings can begin on time, the sometimes unnecessary length of some debates, the excessive amount of documentation and the repetition, year after year, of virtually identical resolutions. It is sometimes these more down-to-earth matters that contribute to this supposed loss of prestige that some parties have claimed to note. I should like us to suspend this session with a firm undertaking to adopt genuinely effective and urgent measures designed to contribute to thi~ streamlining of our activities. Once again I wish to ,state what a pleasure and an honour it has been for me to preside o~~r the fortieth session and to thank you all - first, for having made this possible and, secondly, for your co-operation these past few months. I wish in particular to thank the Secretary-Ge~eral, myoId and good friend Javier Perez de Cuellar, for his friendship, sound advice and help at all times• . " I thank the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly for their readines6 to take this chair and thus to lighten the work of the President during a session which has been particularly filled with activities. I also thank the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Rapporteurs of the Main Committees for their excellent work and their spirit of co-operation. I wish to make a special mention of the Under-Secretary-General Dor Political and General Assembly Affairs, Mr.' William Buffum, and the entire staff of his Department for the invaluable help I have received from them. I would liiC(~ to give, special thanks to the Division of General Asserrbly Affairs for the difficult task which it has carried out in an exemplary fashion at all times. My thanks also go to the Department of Conference Services, to the interpreters, translators, conference and documents officers, typists and press officers and to the efficient security services. I trust I have not overlooked any of those who contribute - whether visibly or behind the scenes - to the success of our work. Finally, allow me to wish you all happy holidays and a peaceful and pr.osperous year in 1986. SUSPENSION OF THE SESSION Ttie PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): I declare the fortieth sessicn of the General Assembly suspended. The meeting rose at 6.10 p.m. (The president) 2 » T CWA 'Ill'.,'" "'.T~~",r.o= .•,c .._:o~... ~.-.., . ~ --------...._---....--......,.,.'-.-_--,."", \~~ ...'\ ;!; ~ .0.. ~ .:.~; p,~t'~'~ ~~~ ''''';:~ c ... <~ 11., ~~ r$i'.t;:':i~i" .;,;~~~~ ~::~.;