A/40/PV.89 General Assembly

I should like to remind representatives that in accordance with the decision taken at this morning’s plenary meeting, the list of speakers in the debate on this item will be closed at 5.00 p.m. Mr. PDILXPFS (Luxmbourg) (interpretation from French) : I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Community , of its members and of Spain and Portugal. Davelopnents in Central America have continued to cause us serious concern. The exacerbation of conflicts for the past year in a region with which we share many historical aud cultural traditions has not only caused great suffering and mat@r ial losses to the victimized population but it also involves a serious risk of escalation and expansion. We remain convinced that the crisis in Central America cannot be successfully solved by resort to force but solely by an amicable settlement based, as required under the United Nations Charter, on respect for national sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, as well as on the non-intec ference by one State intc the affairs of another, the absence of any K1?50Kt to the threat or use of force and, nori? generally, non-intervention by any foreign forces into the region, These principles are closely linked to the ideals and values of our pluralistic demcracies, of which the particiption of alb political ideologies, the periodic holding of free elections and the guarantee of human rights arid fundamental freedoms constitute the essential elements, Therefore, we r~~cst encourage by ali pssibEe reans respct for the integrity of the individual, (Hr., Philippe, Luxembourg) the freedan of the press , trade union and religious freedom, a08 set forth in international covenants and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Compleke success of this endeavour will be guaranteed by coaU&ent to a national Scale dialogue aimed at putting an end to violence and instability to pave the way in each of the countries involved to national reaonciliation wi*-‘nin the Lramework of democratic and pluralistic social and political fnstitutione. The origin of the instability in Central America is complex. It dexiwee to a large extent from unjust internal political and socio-economic structures. Hence, the solution to the problems depends , as the Secretary-General reminds us in his introductory report, primarily on the political will of Governments to consolidate their State institutions and to remedy the root causes of existing social and economic difficulties. The European Community and its member States, and Spain and Portugal, wish to help them as far as they can to remedy the causes of the present instability ati to Preparing the ground for a better future through economic development, social justice, the restoration of peace and the safeguarding of democracy- That is why we have , from the very beginning, spontaneously given our support to the process begun two years ago and assiduously pursued since that time by the four countries of the Contadora Group , with a view to establishing a solid strticture on i+hich peace in Central America can be built. This initiative lays the foundation for an overall peaceP 1 settlement coming from the region itself, a settlement negotiated and freely acc.+ed. It may well restore a climate of confidence, itself an essential pre-condition for a resumption of dialogue and co-operation among all parties concerned. with a view to studying the means of encouraging in a tangible way the achievement of social, economic and political objectives to which the countries of Central America embocribed on 9 September I.983 in the document on the objectives of (Mr. Philippe, fiuxembourq) the Contadora CrOup, a meeting of Minietersl of Foreign Affairs was held in San JOS6, Co&a Rica On 28-29 September 1984 between the European COmmunity and its men&xx States, and Spain and Portugal, on the one hand, and the States of Central America and those in the Contadora Group on the other. That meeting, described by all a6 historic, laid the basis, by means of political dialogue and economic co-operation, of a new structure of relations between the European Community and Central America. Encouraged by the favourable international reception given this initiative, the participants intend to make it permanent in order to contribute to the PrOmtiOn Of confidence within Central America as well as between the European Community, on the one hand, and Central America on the other, the ultimate goal being to facilitate both the gradual expansion and deepening of that co-operation. We are pleased that this summer four democratic countries of Latin America - Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay - joined formally in the reconciliation work of the four mediating countries and gave it their active Support, It must be hopd that the revised Act on Peace and Co-operation will lead , within the deadline set up by its authorsI to a final agreement conducive to a peaceful and overall Settlement, together with effective and adequate implementation iind follow-up machinery. (Mr. Philippe, Luxembourg) Such a viable system of regional eecurity, established in accordance wfth international laWa 6laoul.d put a brake on the armi9 race in all its Porms and establish means of controlling and reducing armaments and military personnel? it 6houl.d eliminate the presence of foreign troop6 and prevent acts of intimidation and deetabilization, tetrorism, subvereion and tdotage. We axe convinced that meanwhile it is necessary for the countrias concerned to refrain from any action which might jeepardize the process under way0 to contribute actively to reducing tentrion and endeavour to put together appropriate solutions to existing disputes. On 11 and 12 November 1995 in Luxembourg, the member States of the European Community, Spain and Portugal , together with the States of Central America ad those of the Contadora Group. held a second conference , at Foreign Minister level, to follow up and further the political dialogue and economic co-operation begun last year8 in conformity with the prinaiples set out in the San So& Declaration of 29 September 1984. The participants in the Luxembourg conference stressed the importance of continuing the present negotiations in a constructive spirit on the basis of a draft agreement on peace and co-operation in Central America, dated 12 September 1985. They once again urged the Contadora Group to persist in ikG work on the final details of a peaceful solutiun in Central America. When those negotiations have been successfully concluded, the necessary constitutional procedures will have to be begun for the entry into force forthwith of the Contadora Act. The countries of the European Community, Spain and Portugal reiterate their readiness to Gupwrt, as far a8 they are able and if so requested, the action of t’le States responsible fur the application of the terms of the Contadora Act on (Mr. Philippe, Luxe&ourg) -- Peace and Co-operation in Central America. They could, in particular, contribute to the implemeneistion and follow-up mechanisms. In Luxembourg a model agreement on interregional co-operation was signed between the State8 parties to the general treaty on the economic integration of Central Amrica and Panama on the one hand and the European Economic Community on the other. By establishing close and institutionalized co-okoration, that agreement is intended to &rengthen the economic integration of the Central American region and to sustain its econosic development and social progress, in the interest of greater pt3litfcal stability. The European Community, Spain and Portugal intend to give assistance to regional projects on the basis of the priorities and objectives of the region, identified by common agreement. We hope thus to be able to make a constructive and effective contribution to the efforts of those that are seeking to disentangle by peaceful means the difficulties in one of the most sensitive conflict zones of this planet, in order to replace confrontation by dialogue - and ensure that negotiations lead to a lasting peace based on freedom, justice and progress. Mr. ORAMkS OLDJA (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanish): Peace for and in --. Central America has been called for by many speakers throughout the entire debate at this session, reflecting the growing clamour of peoples and many organizations and institutions of difzarent types that have repeatedly made this appeal. Peace for Central America can be achieved only through an end to the interference by the United States , which is openly violating all the principles of international law and its own commitments under legal instruments to which it is a Party, militarily attacking Nicaragua by arming, supporting and advising the so-called Contras, _L_- which are mercenary forces in the service of United States i,nterects. @r. Oramas Oliva, Cuba) Peace in Central America means pmaoting economic and social devePoprPent, restoring stabiity to millions of human kings who are anxiously pursuing their right to a better life, with education, health and food. What right has the United States to co: 3ider covert or overt aid to Nicaraguan Contras who have caused the death of thousands of children, wuwn and old people@ farmers, workers and students, and destroyed property, schools and hospitals? Why is the united States afraid to accept peace with Nicaragua and the possible challenge of the Nicaraguan people devoting all its energy to economic and social development? Is not all of this a pretext to concentrate large naval and air units in the region on a permanent basis? Bullets and the roar of cannons cannot quiet the volcanic outcry of peoples for justice, peace and Pikrty in out AraeriCa* Latin America and the Caribbean form one of the parts of the +.arld that has suffered most directly and continues to Buffer acts of aggressim by the colonial and imperialist Powers. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the non-aligned countries, meeting in Luanda, . *pointed out with deep concern that the situation in Central America at the present time mates it one of the main hotbeds of tension at the international level”, They went on to say that in spite of ‘the unceasing appeals from the Non-Aligned Movement and the rest of the international con;munfty and of the efforts made in the search for a poPit:ical solution negotiated by the ConLdora G;coup, that siklation wa6 constantly detsriorating as a result Qf the application of imperialist p~licfes of interference and intervention, and, together with the situation of poverty and oppression that has historically afElicted the region, represents a real threat to peace and security.” (Mr. Oraims OPiva, Cuba] Since 1983 the counti ies of the Contadora Group have persistently and patiently, overcoming many difficulties, tried to find a paacaful solution to the prQblaats of Central America. The Group has bad s amd still has my country’s supper t. The Group has been joined, in a desp desire fkx pemx; by the time Support Group, composed of Argentina, Peru, Uruguay and Brazil, a fact which shows the deep concern of all in our region to ward off the catastrophe that is being visited on us by the cough and brutal North, which disdains us, as the national hero of my country, Jose tirti, said. Nicaragua has given a great deal of tangible proof of its sincere desire for peace, as the victim of military aggression, paying generously with the blood of thousands of its scns for its inalienable right to decide for itself its national des tiny . The revised Contadora Act of 7 !%pte&er 1984, despite some aspects that are difficult to accept, was welcomed by Managua, and President Daniel Ortega declared his readiness ta sign it. Washington &oe;e to regard that as demagogy I since it had no genuine argument to advance for refusing to sign the Act on peace@ and wanted to close the door MI it in order to continue its dirty war againot Nicar aqua. The Contadora Group is to&y continuing its efforts to bring about a meeting of minds and draft a document that can provide 6 guarantee for all. xf it is to be a genuine guarantee for all, it must: contain the necessary elenients tc safeguard the peace and security of Nicaragua, which is under attack, as President Daniel Drtega explained recently. The reality of the situation is that there will not be peace in Central America until the Unitec; Stakes shows tie political will to reach agreement. Just a Eew dayo aqa, from this very rost..ruum, the Presidznt oL Nicaragua, Daniel CIttega, made a constructive appeal to the Pcesbdenf of the United Skates to (HE. Braam Oliva, Cuba) femme the bilateral talks between the two countries, since the Gurdian knot that has to be cut to resarve the negional mnfiict is the attitude of the leaders in Washington, who do hot want to recognize the right and the natural desire of the Nicaraguan people to act as it sees fit within its own territory. President; Ortega’s offer was met with silence. The strong , the powerful, has shown itself to be weak. Pn this case it is afraid of direct dialogue with a country that has extended a hand to it, a hand holding not a gun but an al bve branch. In the general debate at this fortieth session of the General Assembly, 108 speakers out of 137 devoted a large part of their statements to coa\monts about our region. l&es not that reveal the deep concern felt by all at the continuance of an explosive situation that could lead to a serious conflagration? ff they would just study those stateumts the Washington autherities would tealize that here in the General Assembly their main allies called for peace. Further study of those statements would be enough for them to understand that we all want pace. Nhy does the Unf ted States not behave in a way wothy of its economic, military, technological tid human importance, by comitting itself during this aebate to ending aia to counter-revolutionary assassins in Nicaragua, resuming the Manzani1.10 dialog;te and resolutely supporting the muntries of the Ccmtadora Group in order to bring peace to the region and promote the ardently des fred economic and social development of our peoples? Why is the United States not following the commendable example of the European Economic Community , which has announced here an agreement with the countries of Central America? The need to assist the peace-making efforts in the region also means that the General Assembly should reiterate the appeal to the Government of El salvaaor and the Farabundo Marti r;htional Liberation Pront-Revolutionary lX?rr~cratic Front to r~surre peace talks as soon a5 pssi;jle. It: also rsano that all states b0uLa be (Mr. Oram Oliva, Cuba) asked to refrain from intervening in the internal affair@ of El Salvador and, instead Of Supplying ar~ls or any other kind of military assistance, should encourage the resumption of dialogue, which we all want, because we all want peace. It is not possible to conceive of peace for one country and not for all, and the stability of the region also depends on a negotiated solution to the conflict in El Salvador. Nicaragua has been criticized for having declared a state of ‘Imergency, but there is no mention of the cause - the hand of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which is trying to destabilize the Sandinist Guvernmnt as the the former CIA agent, Mr. Edgar Chamorro , told the fnterna ticnal Court of Justice. what do the North Americans expect - that the Sandinist revolution and its people will not defend tiecnselves, and will simply *cry Uncle*? A self-respecting CeVolUtfOn Such as the Sandinist revolution, will never sur :ender; it will defend freedom tooth and nail. why are there so many hypocritical and perverse campaigns against the Nicaraguan people? why is it suffering an economic and trade blockade, when the PretCwia racists have recently killed about 1,000 south African blacks md Washington, &ich claims to be t;o protective of human rights, has prevented the Security Council from applying measures under Chapter VII of the Charter, as the international community wants? Where is the logic and the pal itical consistency t0 which Washington lays claim? From this rostrum Cuba clearly reaffirms its readiness to contribute to peace in Central America, as President Fidel Castro has said. cuba respects and will support the arrangements freely accepted by the PJicaraguan people and the 5andinist revolution a Mr. AFPl!AAcHQ (Spain) (interpretation from Spanibh): The cr 181s in Central America has fram the vexy beginning been a SOUPC~ of special concern to the Government of Spain. The delegation of Spa in expressed that view in the debate on Central America during the last session of the General AsseaMy and also, through the voioe of the Head of Government of spain, during this fortieth session, rtoday we tnwt recognize, with regret, that the development of the situation in Cant~ai America, @ont3kd>red gI,cj%aily, has not been positive in the ,~ast i,2 metnths. (311 the whole, the problems underlying the crisis in the region persist, and in some cases have worsened. The at: isis has continued to have a negative iml>act on the Central American economy, and it has been sharpened by the massive allocation Of resources to non-productive tasks, That has brought about a further worsening of the region’s structural problems. As for the Political situation, it has develolped in an unbalanced way. While in some countries a process of democratization has moved forward, in others Processes of national reconciliation have been interrupted. At the same time as dialogue and negotiations have been taking place between the countries of the region, policies of hxassmsnt have been Pursued which, at times, have endangered the climate of trust so necessary for the progress of negotiations. It is against that background of profound economi,: deterioration and serious P3litiCal difficulties that the work of the Contadora Group stands out in par titular . Spain once again pays a tribute of admiration and gratitude to that Group. Rising above the tragedies that have recently struck two members of the GrO’rlp, the four countries making it up have continued their efforts to reach a comprehensive, peaceful, negotiated and regional solution to the Central. American cr is is, Those efforts have resulted in the preparation of the final draft of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Centra]. ?mecica, submitted to the coun tr ies of the region last September and new the subject of intense negotiations. (Hr. Artacho, Spain) The delegatti of Spain attaches the uttmst iraptxtauce to the setting of & time-limit for the conclusion of these negotiatfonst. That ie in accordance with the broad conviction that the tfrae has corn? to take the neceaaary political decisions to oonclude a peace agreement. The developments during the past twelve months have shown that in Central 1 America tirae ifs vorking ngairmt peace. At this crucial mommt, the Central American countries must shoulder their historic responaibilltfas and exert an additional effort of political will to put an end to the sufferings of their people8 and to transform the region into a zone of peace. In the final analysis, it is up to them to lay the foundations for the solution to the problems afflicting them, without yielding to the temptation to pXace the Central American conflict in the frarnemrk of global dialectics, from which it is barcfcally separate both in OK igin and in develnpuent. The Central American crisis, however, by its magnitude goes beyond the work of the Contadora Group and the political will. of the Central American countries. In order to fulfil their objective of peace completely, the negotiations undet way require the resolute support of the international cofnmunity. The Latin Arn@riCan countries net in this historic challenge. Latin American solidarity with the Contadora Group has been expressed, meet recently, through the establishment of the Support Group. The Eucoptan countries have also demonstrated eheir unreserved support for the regional peace process. The conferenc held rewntly in Luxembourg - to which the representative of Lur.embourg, on behalf of the European Community and Spain and Portugal, has just referred in more detail - htPs made it (Mr. Artacho, Spain) pcasibls to consolidate the political dialogue and economia co-operation between the Europeaul Commnity and Central America that began in San Jo& in 1904. If the international C..munity”s support is to be truly effective, the COuntii~2a with ties to and inF9reat.s in the region mst conttibute resolutely to promtL -3 the Contadora work, not only by refrainiq from takin.g actions that ntaY obstsuct the development of a peace agreement but also by taking concrete initiatives to promote such an agreement. fn that respect, Spain believes that the resumption of the Eazlnzanillo dialogue and the non-use of coercive measures in economic and trade telafions are elements that coul.6 contribute to the objectives to which I nave referred. Spain, which is concerned that time is passing without a final agreement being reached , .-epeats that it is determined to continue to support the efforts now being made to overcom the crisis in the region through dialogue and negotiation. Mr. WI XUAN NWT (Viet Nam): Central America, as par*. of the western Hemisphere, has been going through worsening tension , coupled with a serious debt crisis that is crippling a nuuber of countries in the region, N.&&Y would be so nabve as to believe that it falls within the context of East-West cohfrohtatfon. Everything that has been stated with so much conviction by the previous speakers boils dcpwn to the fact tiat its deep rti!:s lie in a political., economic and social crisis caused by the imperialist and reactionary forces. One can see throughout the region poverty and disease, illiteracy and unemployinent - in other words, unhappiness and suffering for hundreds of millions of persons. (Mr. Bui Xuan Nhat, Viet Nam) That needs to be overcome, and eradicated8 and that is exactly what these people are striving for: to make a decent living, to create prosperity for their countries. To do so, they need peace amd stabilityg they need time and assistance; above all they need to do whatever they consider best for themselves, and they need to master their o&n destiny. But the evil forces do not see things in that light. They would like to continue imposing their will on these peoples. They cannot get used to the feeling of having them as independent and equal States in the very region that used to be considered their own backyard. BY means of an unequal economic relationship aud heavy-handed pressure they wish to turn them into dependent States, susceptible to their diktat. And whenever a country chooses to go its own way, they simply get hysterical. Just two years ago, Grenada, the country of Prime Minister Morris Bishop, was victimized , as Nicaragua has been victimized. From the dawn of the Sandinist Revolution, they adopted a hostile policy towardo it. They have organized, trained, equipped and financed the contras and used them to carry Out acts of aggression, sabotage and destabilization against Nicaragua. Throughout the world people have condemned in the strongest possible terms the killing and kidnapping by the Contras of innocent Nicaraguans, as well as the mining of ports and the bombing of civilian targets inside that country. The covert war ayainst this country is gradually becoming an overt war. The participation of mercenaries has been widely reported in newspapers; a trade embargo has been declared. The presence of warships off Nicaragua’s coast serves as a reminder of the constant threat of force against Nicaragua. Twenty-seven million dollars in “humanitarian aid” was approved. Everybody knows that humanitarian aid, to be given exclusively to the Contras, with none for their their -- victims, is indirect mil.itary aid. Xeanvhile the imperialist forces try to sow the seeds of discord among the Central American countries: brder incidents (Mr. Bui Xuan Nhat, Vlet Nam) are invoked to serve their purpose; at some Point, they. rpay provide a convenient Pretext for direct militaxy action against Nicaragua. That is really to their liking, for they have more than Once made Public their resolve to mreraove the Sandinist Governmenta and TV “get rid ci the Sandinistas*, by force if necessary. Nicaragua has nothing against its neighbows ; nor cm it be a threat to anyone. United States military sources themselves have to admit that PJicaragua lacks the capacity to mount an attack against its neighbours and that its defensive capacity has grown as a direct response to the threats from the counter-revolution and the United States. In a study on Central America in February P985, the Council on Hemispheric Affairs notes that no country in the region is capable of launching an offensive campaign against another I and that none of them fear an attack from their neighbours. The study concludes: ‘The truth is that the only country in the region which confronts the danger of an invasion by regular forces is Nicaragua , and the only country which could possibly carry out that threat is the United States”. That is the raot cause of tension, instability and insecurity in Central America, whether in Nicaragua, El Salvador or in Puerto Rico. There will be no military solution to the crisis of the region. It can never be solved by sheer force of arms. It should be resolved by a comprehensive solution that deals with all its political c economic and social aspects, a solution that takes account of the legitimate interests of all parties concerned. Such a solution sould well be found through the Contadora process, which is supported by mary countries inside and outsi& the region. The Government of Nicaragua has 01: many occasions shown its go3d will regarding the peaceful settlement of re~imal. issues. It is still committed to the bilateral talks witi the United States in !%inZaI ill0, MexiCO, directed to a breakthrough in the relatims bets/een thi, tcJ3 (Mr. Bui Xucn Nhat, Viet Nam) countries. unfortunately in all these cases, the United States resorts to double standards. Arr for the bilateral talks, it adopts an arrogant and somewhat megalomaniac attitude by setting preconditions that are not acceptable to Nicaragua. let stalls the Contadora process by demanding numerous amendments to the basic elements of the Contadora Act, knowing that they Wuld surely distort it. The motive is clear. As the Christian Science Monitor put it in its issue of 16 Auqust: “the Wnited States does not want any peace agreement in Central America that does not include the United States goals of overthrowing the Sandinistas or of forcing them to share power with the rebels now fighting them”. The New York Times of 27 August 1985 stated: ‘The Contadora will be stymied, which is just the way the Administration wants it, for it is thus free to pursue its confrontational approach unencumbered by a regional agreement or the! compromises implied by negotiations”. The savage acts committed by the imperialist forces and their hirelings against Nicaragua have been denounced by the entire international community; they are even criticized by their allies. Their anachronistic “gunboat” policy is very unpopular. Nicaragua and her people are not alone; they have enjoyed whole-hearted support and effective assistance from their friends. The special Meeting and the Declaration of the Luanda Conference on Central America confirm the Non-Aligned Movement’s solidarity with the Nicaraguan people and the Sandinist Government. The delegation of the SociaList Republic of Viet Nam admires the people and Government of Nicaragua for their steadfast determination to defend their revolution and their country. Their struggle has become a symbol of a small nation that takes up arms and fights for its survival against an enemy many times bigger and stronger, txth economical.ly and militarily. At the same time we welcome the good will and position of prj.ncipl.e taken by the Nicaraguan Government towards a (Mr. Bui Xuan Nhat, Viet Nam) negotiated aolutim of regicmal isssf?s. we fully support the lsgitirmte right of the Nicaraguan people to self-defence. We support the Cantidota countr lies and others that firmly oppose the theeat of armed aggression against Nicaxague and which are working towards a negotiated solution to regional disputes and oonflicts. We commend the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his tireless efforts in the search for such a solution. WE! are also in full agreement with the position of the Non-Aligned Pbvenmt vis-b-vis Central America. The delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nar,. deplores the rejection by the United States of the ruling by the Hague International Court of Justice and its refusal to implement the relevant General, Assembly resolutions. We believe that only if the United States puts an immediate end to its activities in ;,=ddling with the internal affairs of the regional countries can a peaceful, negotiated solution be found for all the issues of this region. Mr. KUKODA (Japan) : Japan believes that peace and etabiity in Central America are a matter of rJlorld-wide concern. Events in Central America can have serious impllicationo for Latin America as a whole ando indeed, can affect the peace and stability of the entire world. The Government of Japan is therefore closely following the situation in Central America. A number of recent incidents, in particular, are a source Of seriOUs concern to my Government. On 13 September the military forces of Nicaragua and Honduras clashed along their conuzun border. And, following a period of relative quiet along the border area between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, on 7 October the two countries once again exchanged fire. Tensions remain along the &orders of those cauntr ies. The easing of tensions in the region is a matter of the utmost urgency. The issues in the region cannot be solved by armed conflict. My Government is convinced that political settlement must come from the efforts of the countries and peoples of the region themselves. From this point oE view, the Government of Japan has consistently and strongly supported the Contadora Group since it was founded in January 1903. At many high level meetings between my country and the countries Of the Contadora Group and other countries of Central America during the past year my Government has reaffirmed its confidence in the efforts of the Group. Japan hopes that, with wider international. support, as demonstrated in the formation of a Support Group by/ South American countries p the Contadora Group will make genuine progress tsrard peace in the region. IVY Government wishes to pay a high tribute to the countries of the Contadora Group and other countries of Central America for their tireleas efforts to find a solution to the problem through long and extensive negotiations. E’: is the firm PeI.ief of my Govr_rnmcnt that the Contarlora process provides the heat op~?~rtru~~ity to achieve a political srJlution to the regional crisis. (Mr. Kurods, Japan) The Contadora Group has already made a significant contribution in an effort towards the political settlement of the Central American problem. In its Document of Objectives it set forth the principal goals for political negotiation, and in the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America it laid the basis for political agreement. The efforts of the Contadora Group, which in the past year have been concentrated on revising and finalizing ths Act, included a 45-day meeting in Panama, which ended only yesterday, 21 Noverrber. Since certain ise~~os needed to be resolved to ensure the emooth and effective implementation of the Act, mY Government followed the meeting with keen interest. f wish to thank the representative of Mexico for providing the General Assembly this morning with up-to-date information on the negotiations. My Government believes that the General Assembly should renew its support for the Contadora Group and should avoid confrontational deliberations while the efforts of the Contadora Group are going on. Dialogue between the Government and people of any nation must be promoted in order to reduce political uneasiness within its borders. The strengthening of democratic principles is also an essential component of the Contadora efforts0 Japan therefore strongly hopea that Central. American countries themselves will make even greater efforts to achieve democratization and national reconciliation. In this context, Japan warmly welcomes the democratic election which took place Pn Guatemala on 3 Movembec. W1il.e supporting the effcrts of the international community, Japan too is working for the promotion of peace and development in the regbon. Japan holds the View that econorrA.c development and the irnprovernent oE living standards in those countr les is essential in bringing stahil!ty to the region. (Mr. KUCCH~B, Japan) I wish to take this omrtlnnity to assure the Astlembly that Sapan will continue, to the best of its ability, to expand its economic and technical co-operation towards this end. Sk F193AfWJ MALIIONADO (Cuvtemala) (interpretation from Spanish] : In accordance with Security Council resolutions 530 (1983) and 562 (1985) and General Assembly resolutions 38/M and 39/4, once again we are debating the situation in Central Amr ica. We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his report (A/40/737). Guatemala, concerned at the steady deterioration of the situation in Central America, is participating once again in khis forum in khe conviction that Only an equitable, comprehensive, negotiated solution which ak the same the stems fro&I the will of the Central American GoveI:nments can put an end to the regional CriSis. The Central American region is suffering a profound crisis which affects it in all areas and which resul.ts from different internal and external factors. Never before in our history have so tenny adverse elements converged: serious economic, social and political problem which, reflected in tension and confrontation, affect each and every one of our Central American countries equally. Peace and security ara seriously threatened by a worsening of khe internal conflicts that Cr@ake friction among countries, with the risk of causing a widespread confrontation with unforeseeable consequences for the international community* It is difficult to nccept that Central America, united in history by a shared destiny and by its economic system of regional integration, is ncT4 living in an atmosphere of urcertainty, lack of understanding and distrust. :!& . Fa jar& Wldorna~, Gus temala) Thie historic challenge of an inevitable mmmn destiny obliges us Central hnericans an the one hand tm make use of all available resources to ptevent military escalation and on the other hand to use our creative imagination to stiengthen our ttadi tional relations of co-operation and under standing to a& ieve a final reconciliation of the countries of the SsthmuS. Guatemala accepts, respects and is attached to the principles of the United Nations Charter, which guide and underlie its foreign policy. That is why we are participating in and actively promoting all initiatives of negotiation conducive to a stable and permanent peace in the Central American region. we Central Americans UuSt not set aside dialogue and negotiatian , even when they are arduous and complex, in confronting the crisis before us. The patient efforts steadfastly =de by the Contadora Group constitute our sole alternative in order to arrive at the ccxnprehensive solution to which we all aspire. The meeting of plenipotentiaries in Panama , which ended yesterday represents a further stige in this important Latin American diplomatic mediation. This project Of peace, which has the firm support of the international community, has mde it possible for us to keep negotiations fluid and alleviate tension. Guatemala firmly believes in the Ccntadora Group, With foresight and an objective sense of the magnitude that the Central American crisis could assumer Cuntadora has prowsed formlas based on the principles and norm of international law and has fostered hmest and sincere dialogue, as well as the consensus of t-fie Central Fner icsn Governmnts, for the adoption of the documnt of objectives, which con ta ins the pr inci pies and commitm~rlts that could guarantee peace in Central (Hr. Fqjardo Maldcmatb, Guatemala) The revised version of the &t on Peace and Co-uperation in Central America was discussed in Panama within the agreed 4.5day time limit. In the Guatemalan Government’s view that document, which has been improved by the contributions Of other Governments, could be made a legally binCtng instrument. Central Amer icans and the Contadora Group are familiar with Guatemala’s unswerving and consistent , position. They may therefore be assured of our constructive attitude and our support, so that the agreements reached may enter into force as soon as possible. Furthermore, Guatemala was very pleaacd to welcot-ae the establishment of the Contadora Support Group composed of Argentina, Brazilp Peru and Uruguay, which introduces a new, dynamic element into the negotiating process. We know how important and necessary it is to promote and foster a comprehensive final agreement among the Governments of Central. Ame::: ica, laying the foundations for regional coexistence based on respect. This coznprehensive agreement, in addition to resolving political and security differences, should basically promote the strengthening of Central American inteyration as a strategy which stimulates and reaffirms the economic and social development of all our peoples, in order to strengthen the demcratic , pluralist and representative institutions which can make national reconciliation possible. The democratic process which is being carried out in Guatemala represents a particularly important stage for our country, in clearing the way for a civilian government resulting from poI.itical dialogue and the wil.1 of the people of Guatemala. mat event is in turn a factor of stability in the region, the bmFortance of which was recognized in the Joint Communiqud of the recent LuxerhOUrg meeting between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the other Central American countries, the Contadora Group and the European Community, Spin and Portugal. (Me. Fa jar& Mal&nado, Guatemala) Guatemala wiJ.1 continue to insist that Centr&. American integration is” even in the eontext of the present-day structural problems of the region, an adequate strategy for promoting understanding, comprehension and, above all, tie joint developaent of the Central American countries within the framework of mutual respect and recognition of the specific characteristics of each of its metiers. hz cannot aspire to uniformity in Central America. On the contrary, we must accept and recognize unity within diversity. We are pleased to note that this unequivocal Position was also recognized at the Luxembourg meeting in the signing of the framework treaty of co-operation between two regions committed to promoting their respective processes of integration. The Minister ial Joint CosnmuniquC emphasizes the strengthening of the common Central American institutions in order to foster economic integration. The impact and importance of these agreements to the region may not be immediately perceptible, nevertheless we are convinced that they represent one more factor of stability for the economic and social development of CenLral America. At the same time they make it possible for Central Americans to diversify their external economic relations and to stimulate the co-ordination and harmonization of their external activities towards the rest of the world. It can rightly be stressed that desire for integration has been and remains the her itage of all Central Americans. We reaffirm our resolve to continue to work indefatigably with the countries of the Contadora Group to achieve peace and harmony in the region. We are aware that any process of negotiation is necessarily long and difficult and that it requires patience and perseverazice. WE accept dialogue as the only way to achieve stability in Central. bmec ica. Gee--political and ficll itical. rfxl. ittes cannot be ..-. (Mr c $?wJarda Maldonado, Guatemala) distegaKdea, 1If we want to achieve-lasting and stable solution&, pzagmatisra anci creative imagination must replace the monotony and tedium of ideological rhetoric. The recent summit meeting in Geneva illustrates that princ~pP@- MY delegation believes that the contribution of the United Nations in Central -rioa fs useful and Important fn so far as it promotes negotiations and the paocees of peace in the region. This debate, therefore, should lead to realistic and constructive recommendations to complement the work that we achieve within the Contadora context. It should also contribute to detente and to facilitating the mandate of the Secretary-General in the quest for objective solutions. W delegation believes that any resolution that is inconsistent with the negotiating process and with Central American reality wiil be untimely and illusory. This forum must act in a different way. Mn:. FEW (Sweden): -- The req:on of Central tiriea continues to be plagued by armed conflicts, subversion, direct or indirect coercion and externals interference. AggP:ession has grown and threats have increased during the past year. There is continued suppression of civil, political and trade union rights 4.n several parts of the region. My Government deplores these developments, The situation in the region is a muse for grave concern. The origin of the conflicts is glaring economic and social injustice existing in the region. The roots are found in the social, economic and political conditions of Central America. They date back far beyond the present period of East-West ideological and strategic clonfrontation in the world. My GovernrPent has from the outset declared that the conflicts of Central America must be settled ty political, and not by military means. The future Of Central Amer ica must be built on economic development and social justice. The peoples of Central America must be allwed to develop their societies in peace and freedom. The national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of each State must be scrupulous1 y respected. The Contadora process is nw at a critical stage. The Contadora Group has attempted to find , through peaceful means , a camprehens ive solution applicable to the entire region. The process is a genuine L;ltin American effort to promote peace and co-operation in the region, To achieve a climate conducive to U-ii6 process a demilitarization of the area is imperative. The objective of disarmament is also included in the basic principles of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation, pr inciplss which are m3te important than ever. The Contadora Group must be given the opportunity of completing its work for peace in a climate which ic not marked by increased milltar ization or by East-West tens ions. The Contadora Group ie further strengthened by the tqhzoial supp~t of four other Latin American countries. BQ Government welcoms the addition of this group to the Contadars procesE)# which underT,PneB thhs regional and independent character of the process and the iarportance of regional co-operation. ,9nother positive sign is the conrinued interest in Europe to promote peace and developnent in Central Amer fca. That intere5t was significantly demnstrated at the recent meting in Iuxetiourg between the European E&anomie Community, Portugal and Spain, and the Centxal Aarerican countries concerned resulting in the conclusion of an important agreement. The United State5 ha5 a great and undeniable influence in this region and thus an important role to play to promote a peaceful process there. We appeal to the United States to give i@ unconditional and active support to the Contadora process and to act in its spirit. The international community must reject any measures such as boycott actione and support of armed groups in violation of international law to overthrow a legi timate government. The Swedish Government takes exception to the decision to impose economic sanctions against Nicaragua and it has endorsed Security Couf~cil resolution 562 (1985) of May 1985. The sanctions nuke peace negotiations in Central America more difficult, since they are contrary to the principles expressed in the peace proposals put forward by the Contadora Group. The sanctions also contribute to jeopardizing Nicaragua’s possibilities of! conductinq an indnpendont foreign policy. There 19 an obvious risk of the sanctions leading to increased domestic difficultien and further confrontations. My Government a(lta&es great impxeanee to the fact th.i: the principltn nf demcratic and human r%ghts, ao well. as social ant.3 economic juwtice, t.ake a prominent place In the work of She Cr~~~txdoca Group. (Mr. Ferm, Sweden) The Gwernment of Nicaragua has committed itself to a pluralist political system, to democracy. This is a serious commitment, which is of utmost importance. We also realize the difficulties in transforming a society from a dictatorship to a democracy, in particular under the pressure of economic difficulties and military insurgency. Nicaragua, in our view, should be encouraged and hel.ped in this transformation. Likewise should the democratic process in other Central American countries be supported. Xn the case of Nicaragua we believe that the external assistance to the so-calleo wntras has undermined the efforts to improve the conditions to achieve a pluralistic society. Acts that were threatening the national sovereignty of Nicaragua were, in our view, an important factor leading to the recently proclaimed state of emergency regulations in that country. These circutnstances notwithstanding, the Swedish Government deplores the decision taken by the Government of Nicaragua to reintroduce and extend the state of emergency restricting civil rights and liberties, including the freedom of expression. We hope that those measures Will be lifted as soon as pssible. My Government’s strong support of the Contadora Group includes encouragement of bilateral peace talks between the parties concerned, We noted with satisfaction the establishment of the border commission between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We joined in welcoming the bilateral discussions between the United States and Nicaragua and the call of the Security Council in resoluLion 562 (l-985) to the two Gov er nmen ts to resume the dialogue they had been holdiny in Hanzanil.lo, bteXiC01 towards normalizing their relations, thereby contributing to regional d6tente. Consequently we learned with great concern that the recent resumption of contacts between the Governments had broken down. Once aga in ~2 are calling for resurnpt ion of the bilateral talks witbout pre-conditions and based on mutual respect. In this context, let ase express our concern about the collapse of the talks betweetr the contending parties in F3 Salvador. Those talks constituted a hopeful and welcome sign in the spirit of the CoMadora initiative. Sweden has long held the view that a negotiated settlenmt of the tonflict in El Salvador is not possible without the particiption of the Revoluthmary Democratic Front and the Faribundo Marti Front for National Liberation. We continue to urge the parties to resume the talks to achieve a -prehensive negotiated political settlement. An open and flexible mind on both sides seems to be a prerequisite for progress. The situation in Central America haa been specifically characterized by an Increase in bilateral incidents between countries in the region. in particular involving C~sta Rica, Hmdurds and Niclaragua. We have before us a considerable amount of information giving details of border incidents, threats and instinces of foreign intervention. pty Government shares the view of the United Nations Secretary-General that; “Concurrently with the Contadora Group’s search for a mmprehensive solution any border incidents that arise should be dealt with directly by the parties”. (A/40/737, para. 11) Unanimus international supkqrt for the Contadora process is of crucial importance . The involvement of the Secretary-General and his readiness to assist is highly appreciated by my Government. For my own cuuntry, the support to the Contack= Group is in line with the central aims of Sweden’s foreign policy. The objectives of the Contadora process is of great significance for us and for all nations. Furthermore, we extend OUK support in the spirit of deep solidarity with peoples who have so often been the victims of foreign domination and exploitation. At the present crucial moment, it is imperative actively to support the Contadora Group with deeds and for sill countries to refrain from any action that might adversely affect its hfgh7.y Mr. VONGSA~ (Lao Peeple~s Demcratic Republic) (interpretation from Frencb)s At this comemrative cession, the examination by the General Assembly of the iteD with which we are now dealing is of great significance and burning urgency, for far from hemming normalized , the situation in Central America is ksmiiffig worse every day. The international comunity is perfectly aware of what is happening in this delicate region of the wrld. A careful examination has been made of the sociological causes and factors behind the serious crisis shaking the countries of Central Amzzica whose peoples have experienced catastrophic consequences. We also knGw that an appropriate therapy has been prescribed by the international community for these endemic ills, in particular by this Assembly and the Security Council. The consistent position of the Government of the Lao People’s DemWratic Republic on this important question has been explained and reaffirmed many times over in this universal Organization and in various other international forums. This position which is, furthermore, the same as that adopted by the entire international community, is as follows: Peace and security in Central America , as in the Latin American continent as a whole, are and remain inseparable from peace and security in general. It would seem that everyone agrees on this principle of indivisibility. The root causes of the crisis raging there , or the real threats to peace and security in this reggbon are ‘both endogenous and exogenous. Domestically, it is the anti-demmratic social, economic and political system holding sway in mm@ countries of the region which i s responsible for the impoverishment, misery, obscurantism and other endemic social scourges, the victims of which are the peOpk!s of these countries. The exogenous causes derive from the bellicose pal?:cy of provocation and direct or indirect intervention pursued by the agyreasive (Mr. Vongsay, Lao People’s Democratic Republic) ~irclos of an imperialist super-Power in the internal affairs of many countries Of the region, some of which have become the ukxonditional allies and pro&g& of that super-Power. These are the fundamental facts of the problem which must be understood and accepted if we are to find a just and lasting solution to the ser fous crisis in Central tir ha. It is a deplorable fact that the aggressive imperialist circl.es refuse to acknowledge this fundamental postulate or basic truth. They continue to take up the problem from the ideological standpoint, emphasizfng the so-called East-west confrontation. Even worse, they have even dared to threaten to strangle revolutionary Nicaragua whose independent domestic and external policy is not to their liking. The entire world has seen that the present United States Administration is incapable of hiding its phobia of the new Nicaraguan r6gime which was established, as we all know* after the glorious victory of the Sandinist revolution in July 1979. The leaders of that Administration never fail to use the phobic term “communist” to designate the present r&gime in Nicaragua. One may deduce from that that all countries in the world whose Governments are pursuing a policy of radical. social and economic transformation for the good of the entire society and abolishing the exorbitant privileges of a handful of local and foreign exploiters I should be strangled, overthrown or excommunicated on the pretext that they are communistG or communist sympathizers. It goes withcut saying that this state of mind and this policy on the part of aggressive imperialist circles are contrary to the cardinal principles and lofty Purpose5 of the United Nations Charter, the fortieth anniversary of which has just been celebrated solemnly by the international community. It is precisely this bellicose and interventionist policy which poses a serious threat to the peacep security, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Nicaragua, The Las People’s Democratic Republic, together with the international community and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries has always condemned the series of acts of provocation, of undeclared war, acts of aggression, including the mining of port8 and the recent total trade embargo decreed against Nicaragua by the present United States Administration. The international community has certainly not failed to take note with aEarn and distress of the terrible loss of human life and material damage which the revolutionary Government of Nicaragua and its heroic: people have suffered as a result of these hostile acts - in addition to the destruction of social and economic infrastructures, such as schools, hospitals, Ports and so forth. It is ahove all the poor peasants of border towns and villages, as well as their young children, who have been the victims of the crimes committed in cold blood by the band of Somozist counter-revolutionaries armed, trained and financed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and by a large number Of mercenaries based in the territories of certain neighbouring countries. These terrible facts were provided by the President of the Republic of Nicaragua himself, Mr. Daniel Ortega Saavedra, during a speech he made in this very Hall on 21 October last on the occasion of the commemorative session of this universal Organization. Each of us Surely remembers that the Nicaraguan leader told us in moving terms of the conditions in which his Government and his heroic people have had to fight for their survival. The international community also learned with sadness and indignation that the White House had -just appropriated a further $27 million, for so-called humanitarian assistance, whereas in reality those funds are to be used to finance this “undeclared war4 against Nicaragua. The picture we have here is far from pretty. However that may be, something 4-rich we have to admi.re is the truly remarkable way in which the Government and (Mr. Vangarry, Lao People’8 mmouratic Republic) w&e, of Nicaragua, despite this adlversity, have tried to find a mlutfon to the crislis that is; deetabilfzing this region of the world and to norrralize their relatioiw with the United Ststeer of America, and with all countries in the region. The 1LM, s%+ople”s Demcxxatic mpublic, Eollotiing the example of the intern@tional CoaPlaUklfty, wholeheartedly supports the peace proposals put forward to date by the Republic oP Nicaragua and by the Contadorzr Group. Men of good faith will aertainly not fair to praise the persistence with which the Government of Niuaragua has been struggling to resume the Mansanillo dialogue which the United States side broke off unilaterally without any explanation at all at the beginning of January last. Representatives will also recall, that the international community, particularly the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Contadora Group , have urged and am continuing to urge the resumption of such bilateral negotiations. But it is unfortunate that the United States Government has so far put spokes in the wheels of such efforts. Par example, the United States side has brazenly subordinated any resumption of dialogue to Nicaragua’s agreement to dissolve its National Assembly; its second diktst, just as insulting as the first, is that the dialogue should take place solely between the Government of Nicaragua and the Sonozist counter-revolutionary band. We very sincerely hope that the United States Government will reconsider its unreasonable position and agree as soon as possible to resume the dialogue with the Nicaraguan Government, on an equal footing, with mutual respect for independence and sovereignty and for their mutual interests. At the same time, it is desirable that the decision of the Xnternational Court of Justice, taken on the complaint of Nicaragua, should be put into effect, Now, let us see to what extent the Contadora Group has been able to contribute to the quest for a peaceful. , -just and lasting solution ta the crisis. My country, like the entire international commwity, commends and supports the tireless efforts by the countries making u@ that group in the’r efforts to restore peace and Becur ity in the region. In that recpect, one cannot pa69 over in silence the sincerjty and gcmd will. displayed by Nbcnsr7grla j.n its etafxd intention ~crupuLouely to apply Lhe Contadora Agreement of 7 September 3.9134. (Mr. Vongaay, Lao Poople*s Democratic Republic) Every one i& aware that thk United Statea Administration as we11 as it8 principal allies in Central AwerLc& have shamelessly chosen to invalidate that Act, which is an important instrument. CPew pm& oE that act of sabotage is contained both in the secret dccument of the National Security Council as well as in the secret raemorandum of Mr. Elliott Abrahams, Under-Swretary of State for Latin American Affairs, entitled *The view Errs Waehingtoonnr of 4 September lgS5. We alknow that Niaaragua’s detractws have lately set about making substantial changes in the original text of the Contadora Act to the detriment, of coursell of the legitimate national security interests of the Sandinista r6gime. What is admirable is that this tiny” Fnaependent and sovereign country, a full-fledged Member of the United Nations and of the Non-Aligned %ovement, despite the incredible difficulties created for it by its adversaries, is continuing to struggle stubbornly to safeguard its independence , sovereignty and territorial integrity, acquired at such a great price , and also for the restoration of peace, security and mutually advantageous co-operation in the region. It is high time for the imperialist super-Power and its regional allies to understand that it is in the legitimate interest of their own peoples who so cherish peace and justice to work sincerely for the normalization of their relations with this heroic and peaceful people, the people of Nicaragua , and thereby to ensure that Central Anecica becomes an oasis of peace, stabil.ity and co-operation, Tn that context, it is encouraging to note the fairly recent formstion of a support group, the Contadora Support Group, comprising four Latin American csuntrier;t Argentinap Brazil, Peru and Uruguay. We hope that group will. play the ro7.e of a catalyst within the machiner:? of the Contadora Group. The Lao People’s Iilauoaratdo Republkc would like to reaffirm its support for tie Gontadorn Group in their tireless and sinaere efforts that they are making now to find as scan as possible a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the crisis in Central Asue.tca. Having themselves experienced the nefarious consequences of an imperialist war of aggreasPon in the recent past, the Lao Government and people are in a good position to understand the extremely difficult situation of the Government and valiant people of Nicaragua at the present time, and would therefore like to reaffirm to them their unswerving solidarity and support. At the same time, we reiterate our support and sympathy for the peoples of Central America and Latin America, courageously and creatively struggling either to safeguard their national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity or to exercise their right to self-determination and to abolish oppressive sccial and political systems of which they are still the victims. The PRESXDENT (interpretation from Spanish) 8 Y should like to inform the Assembly of the situation as regards the continuation of our work on Monday on this item. As the Assembly knows, according to our programme we should begin with the Question of the Malvinas (Falkland Islands) on Tuesday morning, 26 November. None the Less, I must point out to the representatives that, in closing the list of speakers this afternoon at 5 p.m., apart from those already on the list for KondaY morning’s meeting, we have 46 speakers for the afternoon. In the circumstances, I must point out the following. First of all, it is not possible to have an evening meeting because of a lack of interpreters. They are all busy in the Committees, so it would be impossible to exte!Id the meeting beyond 9.30 0’; ?.O.Ofl in the evening, (The President) I would therefore suggest to the Assaplbly that, if possible, we begin Mondays6 meting punctually at 9.30 a.m. to alleviate the trituatian. We would then have an afternoon meting whioh would continue until we exhauet our list of spezrkers. XE any problem arises, we can consider how it should be resolved at the end. If there is no objection to our Honday morning meeting beginning at 9.30, I should appreciate the Assembly’s co-opexation in eneurfng that we begin at 9.30 precisely. It was so decided. I The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish)r Iu order to make full use of the time available to us8 I should be grateful if those representatives scheduled to speak on Monday afternoon would be prepared to do so in the morning if we exhaust the morning’s list of speakers earlier than anticipated. AG%NOA XT@4 21 (continued) THE SITtJATlDN R4 CENTRAL AMERICA: T%R%A% ‘IO INTERNATfONAL iWK!E AND SWJRXTY: REX’ORT OF THE SECfIETARY-GEH%R&L (A/40/737) He CHEW (Singapore) : C&I 26 Clctober 1988 the General Assembly, aftet a two-day debate, adopted resolution 39/4, oh the situation in Central America: threati to international peace and security and peace initiatives, which comprehensively covered various aspects of the issue. One year later the General Asserably is again considering this important item, ahd the situation, as depicted by the Secretary-General in his report, &ted 9 October 1985, is that *despite the efforts of the Cmtadora Group, the situation in Central America has been steadily deteriorating this year. m (A/40/737, para. 8) My delegation agrees with this bleak assessment and notes that the present situation clearly demands self-restraint , moderation and vision on the part of all the parties concerned. Recent developments have once again demonstrated the need for a continued and meaningful dialogue aimed at arriving at certain understandings in a spirit of reconciliation. Tn this respect , the constant state of tension and turmoil has brought about a refugee problem for many countries in the region, thus creating serious socio-economic ptablems for smPl countries, including Selize, Costa Rica and Honduras. Fs a country qeoqraphically remwed from tie Central American region, Singapore does not possess first-hand information about or knowledge of tie region or its problems. The Seer etar y-Gener al, who has prepared a very comprehensive and detailed repart on the subject, has greatly assisted my deLegatFon in understanding the intricacies and difficulties of the problem and the current initiatives being undertaken to attempt to resolve them. my delegation pz~ys a tribute to him fat the e:cell.ent report before us. (Mr. Cheok, Singamce) My delegation understands that the Cosrtadoca Poceign Ministers, from Co1orM.a~ Mexico, Panarm and Venezuela, met the Secretary-GenecPrl in New York on 26 Sieptefiec 1985 and handed him the final draft: of the Contadoca Act on Peace and Co-opecation in Cential America a@ well as other relevant materials. The final draft incocpecates some of the coramcznts made by certain Central Aaerican GoverntDents on the original. draft of September 1984, as well as some proposals which the Contadoca Group considers to be fair and viable compromises on the most contcoversial issues. The final draft would. inter alia, ban: outside intervention in the area or any support foe insurgent forces , while providing for fcee elections and other denxxcatic cefocms. ‘It would also affirm the sovereign equality of States, the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, rejection of the threat 01: use of force and the export of teccorism or subversion , and support for democratic institutions and the pcomrtion of social justice. The Ccmtadora F’oreign Ministers also informed the Secretary-General that the plenipotentiaries of the nine countries concerned would be meeting in Yanamc starting on 7 October 1985, to discuss for a period not exceeding 45 days the unresolved aspects of the Act, relating to the fallowing headings: first, control and reduction of acmments; secondly, implementation and follaw-up mechanism with regard to security ana political matters; and th irdly , mil L tary manoeuvres o At the end of that period - 21 November 1985 - the Contadora Group would convene a joinL conference of Ministers for Poreign Affairs in order to proceed to the signing of the Act. My delegation takes this opportunity to urge all the parties concerned to make every effort to reach a regional consensus for the restoration of peace and security and the enhancement of economic and social. devabopment in the region. (Mr. Cheek , Singapore) My delegation has not been able to obtain arch information about the outcolae of the plenipotentiary meeting. However, from tie information my delegation has managed to obtain, we understand that to date little progress has been made in the tal.kar. Nevertheless, my delegation bows that by this time next year the Secretary-General will be able to present a more optimistic report on the sitwtion. In its statement to the General Assembly last year, my delegation strongly supported regional initiatives to resolve the problems arising in each region. In this regard, my delegation firmly believes that the Contadora process represents the best opportunity of achieving a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Central America through political means , and we urge the international cocnmunity to endorse the praiseworthy efforts of the Contadora Group.* Colcmbia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela deserve our commendation for their efforts to find a solution to the problem. In this respect, my delegation is happy to note tile recent creation by the Governments of Argentina, Pmu, Brazil and Uruguay of a Contadoxa Support Group, which also deserves our support. The formation of that Support Group reflects the stfrx~ concern of the Latin American countries to strengthen the political actions of the Contadora Group. As a small State in a region where the Cambodian conflict continues to be a ma jm preoecupjltion, Singapore firmly believes that no State should be permitted to imp!% its will on its neighbours. Absolute security for any State must mean absolute insecurity for all. other States in the region. The States of the Central tierican region can therefore coexist only In a climate of relative security. Wnile the approach of the Contadora Croup tepresentG the best hope for security, in the search for a maprehensive solution to the problem of the Central k MKE. Castro de Barish (Costa Ricaj, Vice-President, too% L~Q Chair. (Mr. Chwk, Singawrq) Amecicarr region it is naoessacy for us to look at the coot cduf3es of the conflicts within the ce( 3n. The Secretary-General states in his report that gthe coots of the Central American orisia ate to be found in unjua:: socio-eoonomic structures and domestic policies* (A/40/737, prrra. 11)) and he concludes that the solution to the crisis depends on the political. will Of the States in the region. Ky delegation shacss the view that the turmoil in the Eegion has its origins in the grave socio-economic crisis in the region and the pressures for political change arising from a desire for more just and equitable societies. ft is also clear, however, that, uhil.e the conEY.iots in the region do not acise fcocm East-West rivalry, the competition between the military blocs has exacec bated conflict Pn the region. It is therefore a m;ltter of regret to my delegation that the arms build-up in the region is still continuing , as arc acts of aggression, border incidents, destabilizing operations and the presence of foreign military focces. My delegation reiterates that it believes that every State in the region must have the right to determine its own future free of foreign interference and that it is for the peoples oE each State to decide their own future. We reaffirm the need for strict adherence to the principle of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal and external affairs of States, Ky delegation iu opposed to act6 of armed aggression and subversion. We do not believe that militarily powerful States, particularly the super-Prx+ers, should be permitted to impose their will on smaller, militarily insignificant and economically weak States. We also do not believe in the notion uf revolutions without frontiers, of the right of States to impose their political will on neighbouring States. It io vital, in thin era of a multi-polar State system, that we accept the existence of differing nxxkl.s of (Hr. Cheok, Singapore) political, socisl and economic orqanfzation. cnly if this is accepted can the real threat of conflict and war fn Central America be avoided. Hy delegation is very aware fhat a peaceful solution to the probA@Prs afflicting Central America is not an easy objective to attain. Ot requires not only an end to violence and non-intervention, but also far-reaching dlangea in th@ region, All. political and social groups must be allied to sham in any economic progress and parttcip?rte actively in the political process. The States of the , region txmmt firmly cum&t themselves to working towar& that goal. The partners in the hemisphere and the international cmtmmity as a whole must give them full supper t. That is the only way in which the legitimate aspirations of the peoples c>f Cemtriil hii1erPez4 cam be wt. Mr. Elwz (Hungary): The situation in Central Arnrerica - the topic of our present discussion - has remained one of the main focal points of international tension. T: t has done so despite pro&sing efforts, suppxted by the international community, on the part of the Contadora Group to find a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the pressing problem of that long-suffering region. Before 1 deal with the concrete issues, let me turn briefly to the root caUl@~ . Of the situation as we see it, because the perspective from which one stat’s is fundamental. The root causes of the political, social and economic crisis in Central America have been identified by many of us here: they are the outdated power structure and exploitation that produced only backwardness, poverty and misery. These conditions cried out for chaage , and peoples of the region, just like peapies everywhere else, wanted to take their destiny into their own hands. A fierce struggle ensued between those who wanted a change and those who benefited from the old system. It was in Nicaragua that the people finally won and started out on the road of a democratic transformation of their society. It was Nicaragua, therefore, that aroused fear and hatred on the part of those who wanted to resist change. Soon after the victory of the Sandinista revolution, the forces of reaction set Out to reverse the course of events and we have witnessed an unceasing struggle to undermine the legitimate Government oE that country. The situation has been aggravated by constant intervention from outside, utilizing the territories of neightsouring States for aggression against Nicaragua. The counter-revolutionarY foccesp the so-called Contras, are made up almost entirely of former members of the hated National Guard af the former dictator Somoza. It is no secret that the W’JrCes of funding for the Contras come from Washington. Were it nr’: for that 04r. WmEr Hungary) support, the cmntras would not have a chance againslt the lewfu~ Goverment of Nicaragua, which is supported whole-heartedly by the popfe. Even in the most adverse conditions of an uncia~2c~‘ed GGE aga?nct: theEi the people of Nicaragua have achieved notable success in the democratic transformation of their mciety. They hwe held free and fair national electionst they have made great advances in the field of public health and education, in the fight against illiteracy. The tasks in the economic field are enormus. There is nothing the Nicaraguan people and Government need and want more than peace, so that they can devote all their taPents and energy to the advancement of their country in @very facet of life. It is no exaggeration to say that the history of the Sandinista Government is a history of peace initiatives, which have concerned both relations with its neighbours and relations with the United States. The efforts that held - and still hold - the best promise of finding a negotiated, peaceful solution to the problems are embodied in the activities of the Contadoxa Group. After almost tuo yeark of painstaking negotiations, the Group presented in September 1904 the revised draft Of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America. We know all too well what happened with that Act, which was presented after consultations with the Central American countries: only Nicaragua offered to sign it without changes: Honduras, El Salvador and 0 ?ta Rica demanded new, substantive revisions. In otir view, despite the serious difficulties it has encountered, the activity of the Contadora Group still holds out the best prospects for peace in the region - first, b+?cause it seeks a rfilitical solution to the problems and, secondly, because it represents an authentic, regional. initiative. The rqional characteL was further enhanced by the formation oE the Lima group of support for the Contadora (Mr. Ram, Hungary) Group. That Support Group is ccq~sed of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay. We sincerely hope that this initiative will etntrfbute to otrengthening the efforts for Face in the region- Houever ixportant institutions and frameworks may be, ue must not lose sight of the substance of the issues as well. The key question, in our’well-considered opinion, is the de-enphasizing of the military elexent. That is why we favour initiatives aimed at prohibiting all types of international military manoeuvres, as well as prohibiting the establishment of foreign military bases and dismantling t& existing ones in the region. fn order to become a zone of peace, free of any foteign military presence, Central Rtrerica should agree to prohibit all military training centres and t)le stationtng and even transit of foreign military troops, and it should agree also to the withdrawal of all foreign military advisers. We welcm the fact that Nicaragua has expressed its willingness to make conraPitments regarding arms reduction and control, SO long as there are basic conditions to guarantee its national security. We understand that in order to achieve that, the United States should also make comeaitments. The basic prerequisite for peace in the region is the ending of foreign intervention, both overt and covert. There must be an end to efforts aimed at subverting the Government of Nicaraguat there must be an end to embargoes and other coercive measures. Bilateral talk; between Nicaragua and the United States should be renewed. The only viable solution to the crisis in the region must be a aolut ion based on a peaceful , negotiated settlemer(:, which, in turn, should be based upon the rule of law , upon the fundamental principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other Statec. We h@e that all the parties cxnccrned will make renewed efforts to achieve a peaceful solutfon. That wavald create favourable conditfane for Bolving the serious ecOnc&z problems the countries of the regicrrr are taaed with, and it wuld also contr&bute to the cause of peace beyond the regional context. - In conc1usli0n, we express our sQlfdarfty with the people of Nicaraguar with all the peoples in the region, in their jusi: endeavours to achieve their noble gaalt to live in peace, dignity and fceedom. Mr. Kk?J3EDE (Ethiopia) : The Ethiopian delegation listened with keen interest to the etatment’made by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua this morniny regarding the situation in Central ARlarica md the serioun developments arising from the mining of Nicaraguan ports and the economic pressWe and enkmrgo which the ?Jnited §tates Administration has impcsed on Nicaragua. All those who have spoken so far seemed to he unanimous in the view that witat is being . considered by the AsoePrbly today is a matter of grave concern for tie maintenance of international peace and security, k&at is at stake here is respect for the fundamental principles of the Charter and the accepted noms governing inter-State r ela tions . Drawing the attention of the Assembly to the recent past, it has become evident that ever gince the downfall of the Somoza dictatorship in Nicaragua the heroic people of Nicaragua have been subjected to a series of acts of aggression and coercive acts of destabilisation in an attempt to create a society much more amenable to the wishes of the perpetrator of those acts. Having failed to preserve the tyrannical rule of the somoza family, the United States Adininistration embarked upon a policy of direct aggression and subversion with a view to undermining and eventually reversing the course of the revolution of the Nicaraguan people. To this end, Nicaraguan ports were blockaded and mined while mrcenatiee were organized, trained, financed, equipped and infiltrated into Nicaragua to murder innocent people, destroy the country’s conomic and social infrastxucture and create havoc in a country which has yet to see peace. Furtherrrore, a co-ordinated and continuous form of prca~lasc and intimidation is being pursued through the never-ending military manoeclllres of the United States very close to the Nicaraguan border, thus creating an ever-present threat of direct invasion F The events taking place in Nicaragua should be viewed in the light of the unfortunate predicament in which Nicaragua finds itself. It is well known that :~?axiig~w is L iiordilfgri~d davalcphq swntry ;ih;iL;a asxmq rar.k,Fnues t0 suffer from the aftermath of natural disasters and a war inposed on it from outside. It is also indisputable that to h&p contain the consequences of these natural and mm-made disasters and to assiot the Governr&mt of Nicaragua in its reconstruotion and rehabilitation efforts, the General ~saeaf~ly, at its thirty-ninth session, adopted resolution 39/204 (1984) , in which it urged all Governnmts to contribute to the reconstrucLion and development of Niaasagua. In these circumstances I Nicaragua’s preoccupation can only be a quest far peace and Itability within its borders and for solutions to the many economic problems with which it continues to grapple. It is inconceivable, therefore, that a small developing country Like Nicaragua can pose c ?hreat to the security af its neighbours, let alone to that of a super-Power, the United States of America. To assume that Nicaragua would wage war against a well-armed nation or pose a threat to the sovereignty of the United States is not only to misconstrue the facts as they obtain in the Nester n hemisphere but to accord legitimscy to the illegal measures taken by some countries against a country whose major concern is deveI.oPment, peaces justice and democracy. That is why we deplore the trade and economic embargo imposed by the United States on Nicaragua, in violation of the letter and spirit of the resolution adopted by consensus only a year ago. The issue before this Assembly is emphatic and clear. it constitutes the systematic violation by the United States of the basic principles of the Charter and of international law. It has now become IIKE~ evident than ever before that the.. EWpresentativeEs of the united States Govemnmkt, including the President of the United States himself, have cwfirmed that intention on more than one axzasion. No amunt of obfuscation, therefore, can bide the truth a-t the united States aggressive and hegemnistic pursuits , originating in its strategic designs in central nae~ica - as, indeed, is the case elsewhere in the world. On the other hand, Nicaragua has dearonstrated its good faith to the international cmnfty beyond doubt by accepting the Contadora Act without reS@rvatim, and continues to co-operate closely with the Contadora Group fn its persistent search for a just and lasting framework for peace and co-operation mng the nations of Central -rice. In this spirit, Nicaragua participated in bilatetal talks at Hanzanillo, Mexico, until the talks were unilaterally disconkinued by the United States. Nicaraguais efforts to create the necessary condition6 for Peace and starbility in that troubled region cannot be disputed. f therefore submit that Nicaragua deserves the recognition and appreciation of the international community as a peace-loving country which has becane the target of unwarranted military provocation and aggression, as well as economic sabotage and diplomatic blackmail. For more than a decade Ethiopia and it 8 revolution have been subjected to similar imperialist onslaughts. These are continuing unabated. We understand and einpathize with the unparalleled valour and perseverance with which the people of Nicaragua nave withatood the hardships imposed on them. (Mr. Kebede, Ethiopia) The Governmat md the people of Seialist Ethiopia regard with admiration the determination of the Govermnt and ppl,e of N?1.cxwagua ta proteat the gain6 0E their revolution, as well as the territorial integrity of their motherland, against the forces of imperialism aud reaction, and we reaffirm once again our full support to, and fraternal solidarity with, their gallant struggle0 We also congratulate the C;overnment and people ok Nicaragua for their perseverance in the pursuit of peace and diplomtio solutions to the problems of Ceutral America and, indeed, for their commitment to international legality. We are confident that the people of Nicaragua will oventua13.y emerge victoriouem Mrs. JUGJNSEN (Norway): The developments in Central Amex ica during the last year have dimmed the cautious optimism my delegation felt when the General Assembly cms’idered this situation a year ago. Since then, we have wituessed a worsening of the general situation, marked by increased bilateral incidents, escalation of warfare and a stalled negotiation process. We fully understand and share the cmcern expressed by the Secretary-General in his recent report on the situation in Central America. The problems of this region are not new. They have been caused by centuries of socdai inju6tfce and exploitation. Political change in Central America was inevitable, but the escalation of violence we have seen in recent year6 offer6 no true how to the peopl.ee of this troubled region. The path to peace is through dialogtie. My Government fuI.by supports the initiatives of the CcmL~~dora Group. We are My Governsreslt feels that it Is essential for the people of the region themselves to be allaued to solve their pmbleras free of outside interference. The root causes of the pc&1c5!5 are ecm3-si:: cd 63c?a:, ad aiitbiti66 oa~r”a~;e Can only exacerbate these prcbleam. Gutside interference Can only intensify the warfare. The Contidoxa accord replains the only widely aec=epted basis upon whidl a peaceful solution can be found. It affirm the sovereign equality of States, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rejectian of the threat or use of force, as well as the eqbxt of ter tar ism and subver Sian, supper t for democratic institutions and promotion of social justice. The accord and its regulations would alSo bar outside intervention in the area or any support of insurgent forces, while providing for free elections and other demcratic reforms. In Central America, as in other conflict areas of the world, a durable peace can only be found if all parties involved agree on the provisions of peace treaties or necessary security ar rangfments. The Norwegian Gover nmsnt supper te the continued efforts of the Contadora Group to search for peace agreements which can be acceptable to all parties involved. We urge the parties to show a constructive willingness for dbalogue and compromise , not to shy away from necessary negotiations or contacts, and to approach such negotiations without preconditions. It is important that wo do not forget the human aspect of the political crisis in Central &mx ica. The qheavals and the fighting are still causing a flood of rr;fugees. MI estimted 347,000 refugees are hosted by various countries of the region. I should like to pay a tribute to f%,e Office of the United Nationa High Commissioiier far Refugees for the inv9uabl a assistance it provides for a large number of those refugees, and I should also like to extlend t21i.s TV ibute to other international and non-qover nmentaL orc~iu: ina tions act, ‘Ivc in this f ieLd . My Gover: r-men t has contributed ti Lhfs humnib3r ian effort and will continue ta 2~ 60 a16 Long a.s It is rquired. bQ* CQWWX (Congo) (interpretation from Fremh): In the international sysfem established 40 years ago on the basis of the United Natiom Charter, Latin ArPer ica, Asia and #Er ica have had We smallest share of peace and recur ity . St is all too well known that: since the end of the Seccpld World War the third world has had to &ear the main burden of most of the wars and conflicts which have occurred throughout the world, with all that that; entails. In this atmosphere of general insecurity which is aggravated by various plitieal, economic and social factors, the Central American subregion is sinking deeper and deepx in&o crisis every day, no doubt to the great satisfaction of arms merchants and other cold blooded hWhiavellian strategists. Pm 12t US not forget that, Wiifid these so-calied Localized cmflicics whfcii are engulfing the third would can always be seen the shadow of a Great Power devoured by ambitions of hegemony, which has the direct effact of transforming - with the zealous assistance of that Power - situations with well-defined limits into a battleground for the notorious East%ast I: ivalry . BprJever much that view of problems may suit some, it has the disadvantages, to say the Least, of reducing entire nations, with their own specific: values and institutions, to mere pawns on the diessboard of a grand remote-controlled game in which s;mall nations are merely summned to obey or perish. The life of entire peoples in the Caribbean and in Cent-s& America has thus become trai:sformed into a constant struggle to defend their dignity and .sovereicJllnty , which absorbs substantial reeources and energies for ends which have riothing to do with the fundarcmtal. concerns of the peoples concerned. Through military interventions and interference of all typee, including the permanent economic blockade against Cuba and, in the pact, against other irtland Stateol# the objective of traneforming the Caribbean into a oone of peace is . becoming more and more remote c aa though icluch an objective constituted in its very principle an act of unbearable insubordination to the Powers which have arrogated to themselves the role of protectors and world decision-maker@. Of course it is not a queation for soy na tion to flee from the need ta promote active co-OperatiQn for the benefit of peace and general progreoo. This is abcwe all a proMem of collective responsibility which mu& be solved on a just, sound and rautually advantageous basis instead of Eerving to maintain poverty and social structures which create social tragedy. The situation which today has its epiaentre in Nicaragua haa no other origin, in our view, than such misunderstandings deliberately maintained by an imperialism which cannot see the real facts that are creating euch frustration and sooial calamity. ’ The only thing Nicaragua did wrong ~88 to carry out a radical revolution under the banner of the Sandinieta Front, in order to ahange the face of a country for which the Scam3 dictatorehip promieed neither slocial reforms nor true independence. Thus N!.catagua ie living today in a state of undeclared war -, undeclared, but prcklaimed by a neighbouring Super-Power which does not even seek to hide that fact. That Power, not content with providing total support for the Somozietac, whom it trninc ‘and equips, in May last declared a totab embargo on trade and transporation between itself and Nicaragua, oEtcr having unilaterally suspended, in January 1985, direct negotiationo in the talko.in Mnnzanillo, Mexico, between the two eountaies. (MC. Gayama, Congo) Congo cannot approve of ouch a u6e OE economic oo6caion on the part oE a vecy great Pcnmc agafnet a slnall” developing country which can in no way con6titut.s a credible threat to its intererrts or its oecurity. Furthermore, euoh a poxicY is oleacly not inspired by respect for the pcinciples of the non-use of force and the settlement of disputea by peaceful means, principles enshrined in the Charter along 4th the principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the internal affairs oE other sovereign States. My country ha6 always made the PlioY of co-operation and good-neighboucliness one of the cornerstones of its Eoceign relations and has endeavoured, especially over the course of the last ten years, to establish an atmo6phece of understanding and peace between the countries and peoples of Central America2 and we have no greater wish than to see established in Central America, and especially in Nicaragua , El Salvador and Honduras, a dkente which alone can guarantee progress for economfc, social and cultural plans, between the eraternal peoples of those States, as advocated in Swucity Cauncif resolution 562 (1985) adopted on 10 May this year, which called for the cessation of political, economic or military actions of any kind against any State in the subregion and reaEEirmed the right of each freely to decide on its own political-, economic and social system. In its admirable initiatives the Contadora Group has always been guided by those principles, hence the universal support which the Group receives throuyhout the world. Tn its tireless efforts to reduce tension in Latin America and promote the coexistence of States in the sub-region, on the basis of the fundamental principl.es of peaceful coexistence, the Contadorti Group has always diatlnguished itself by the judiciousness of its proposals, which have all been in conEormitY with the fundamental provFsic,ns of the Organization of fimerican States and other internat iotla 1. convent ions. ~upp-,rt For the iniativcs of the Group ic. all thG (Hr. Guyana, Congoj greater in Latin AJilerica and we can only welc<xne the establishment by the Lima Group supporting the Contadora Group, thufa reflectfng a common destiny among most of the countries of that hemiephere. Latin A&erica, like the Caribban region, Lo made up of develaping countries, for the most part members of the Non-Aligned Mcwemnt, the Governmenta and peoples of whiah are endeavouring, in the midst of a partioularly difficulty econamic and social situation, to develop original approaches in order to overcume obstnclefl in the path to their development. Xt is only fair to allow them to assess by themselves the ways and meanu of promoting the political., scxial and other conditions conducive to meeting the innumerable chiallengee facing them. Any interventionism oriented less towarda Latin American priorities - for examples reducing the debt burden - than eowards ideolcw~lcal as well as geographical considerations would, my delegation fears , only have the effect of perpetuating outdated doctrines such as the Monroe DoC$trin@, justifying the division of the world, aa well as other crimes which can be committed in the name of likrty and in the final analysis would have the effect of tcansforming peace and security themselves into 1#ere slogans at the service of State terrorism. Smiw major Powers , and not the least Ipowerful among them, have recently been justifying their withdrawal from multilateral institutions and their choice of isolated individual iniatives by a desire for pragmatism and harmony between political morality and reality. Following that concept it would be only just. and normal to apply alIsan~tioi~, including the most extreme, against Nj.caragua to destabilize its rkgimo, but the international community, paralyzecl by that Ioqic, 1s wondering why South Africa , where a racist: minority ia oppressing a majority by the odious uyfitem of apartheii, has been free from nny sanctions oc any of thC other coercive meafiurec applied against klicari!qkJa, (Hr. Gayma, Congo) Peace and f3wwity ace indivisible. It would be tantamaunt to betraying the cause of peace and security if we were to aklou their achievemnt to be ruled by partisan eubjectivo feelings, in total disregard fsr the system of collestfv@ sMUrity established by the United Nations Charter. Mr. EL-FATTAL (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic): At fts thirty-ninth session the General Assembly adopted without a vote a resolution OR the situation in Central America with a view to making it possible for aii Parties concertled to let the Contadora peace initiative run its coume. At that time we held out gmnt hopes for seeing Central America move towards pacer coexistence and co-operation , the bases and details of which have been enshrined, after arduous negotiations, in the provisiom of the revised Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America dated September 1984. The dangerous course of events in that part of the war Id has dashed our hopes, urk this suggests that peace, security, co-operation and ooexistance are far from thieved, and indeed, much further away than the international ccmnunity had thought. The rapid deterioration of security, economic anal sooial amditions in that part sf the world man6 that the General Assembly has a heavy responsibility to bear in dealing with this agenda item. The situation means that we have to display determination and a sense of seriousness in ccming to grips with this issue, especially since the peace and the security of peoples are interdependent in today’s world where the distance between tension and war focal points is continually shrinking. The irony of the situation is that all the peoples of Central America aspire to peace , whereas the policy of the heavy hand is pushing @vents in a direction which is contrary to the interest of these peoples in pursuit of security, integrity and stability. Central America ttiay is witnessing the application of the most dangerous ideologies and practices resulting from an approach pursued by an imperialist super-Power which, ever since the nineteenth century, has never stopped pursuing a policy of military and other forma of intervention in the affairs of that region under the pretext that its peoples, their system of government and social and econo!aic structure are the prqperty of imperialism which decides their fate as it wishes P and deals with their affairs as if independence, the right to self-determination, the principle of non-intervention in the fntarn~l. affairs of States, and that of the territorial integrity of States do ncit exist, either in internationri law or in the norms of relations among ~~3opleo and States. It is a6 tksugh geographic proximity gave the giant the right to crush the freedom of others and to impose economic, pollcical and social. systems consistent with its interests in Uvyions which its considers are within its zone of influence. The crisis in Central America did not arise with the explosion of the vickorious Sandfnista revolution against the despotic Somoza r&be. That crisis was the result of unequal economic and social relationships that were imposed bY the stronger on the weaker in that region. The real crisis in that part of the world therefore reflects the continuous struggle between the peoples in their effort to achieve self-determination, to consolidate their independence, and tQ defend the integrity of their territory, on the one hand and, on the other, reactionary sorces which are insisting on perpetuating the relations of dependence which the United States has been accustomed to impose. Tension and crises are accordingly the unawoidable result of situations which are at variance with the indepndence of peoples and countries and their aspirations for liberation and self-determination. The policy of hegemony and domination in various economic and political fields where relationships are unequal is contrary to the basic principles underlying the modern international system, and to the logic of the history of human civiliZatiOn. The United Nations Secretary-General has mentioned, in some of his reports, the malady that prevails in Central Amrica. In his latest report contained in document A/40/737 - Security Council document S/17549 - dated 9 October 1985, we ai tGld that thi? ZGGt6 Gf the CftGiii in CerltrQl ABleriCil are to be r”OUtd h iniquitous economic and political structures and internal policies. The Secretary-General’s report affirms that the crisis in Central JU?erica has become xxe complicated , contrary to what we had expected earlier. Despite the efforts made by the Contadora Group , the Secretary-General. indicates that the situation 6teaddLy deteriorated during the year and draws attention to the growing number of incidents which have taken place between countries of the region, and wt1 i.,h, besides hampering the acti of the Contadora C;rc~p, have given rise to (Mr. El-Fattal, Syrian AraS Republic) In this connection, the Secretary-General, as an iPlustrntion, notes the tension between Coeta Rica and Nicaragua, on the one hati, and between Nioaragua . and Horiduras, on the other in spite o2 the fact that Security Councils resolution W2 (1985) inter aMa calls upon all State8 to refrain from carrying out any political, economic or military autione aimed against any State in the region which might irapede the attainment of the peace objectives of the Contadora Group. That resolution was adopted as a result of an emergency meeting held ky the Security Council in the wake of the arbitrary imposition by the United Stakes of trade and other economic sanctions against Niaaragua I whereas the Waited States has keen and still is against the iaPposition of sanctions against the racist colonialist r6gimes which are enslaving millions of our African brethren in southern Rfrica. Referring to the deterioration of the situation and the fncreaeing tension in Central America, the Secretary-General mentioned the suspension of bilateral negotiations between Nicaragua and the United States, which are required because ‘of the responsibility ixumbent on the Vndted States and its role in that part of the world, and added that *as of now there is no sign of their being resumed”. These developments striks serious klowe against peace efforts in the area* The exacerbation of the crisis in Central America at the same time a6 the Contadora Group was making sincere efforts to put an end to it is the result of overt United States irlterference in the domestic affairs of Nicaragua. That interference began the ..^CS. d-.. that the rsry “X 5 8andinfsta ECVG?L!t!X eucceedGa in o*.l.e4n" sn nna ,-*r-e...> U.. W.IY tc? k!?c? puppet Somoza r&gime. Ewe since the popular revolution broke out and undertook reform6 in all. fields to put an end to what the Secretary-General called unjunt economic structures, the United States decided to wage its covert: and overt war with a view to toppliry t’,~ rQgime there. Thus it created crk.seo between Nicaragua -7nd ita neighbours and threatened to use force, wktich iC: actually did wjien it laid cwraial W.ffocstion. The whale warld denoyaced this nut. The Un;lted States also used foroe when it remuited ssctrcanariea rend supplied the@ with arm and funds with which to parpetrstr large-mzale acts of aggression inside t?Bcamgua. WashPngton has &opted the sabotage movement cumsfsting of Central fntelligence Agency (CIA) elements, which the President of the united States has called a “national liberation mmment*. All mankind laughed at thie mockery and nobody believed it. Xasbington has allocated millions of dollars uader the heading of *humanitarian aid* to finance this eubvereive war being waged against a peaceful people, thus inciting the nrercenarie8 to destroy the social and economic structuree of that developing country, which is threatened by invaeion and aggression. ’ Washington has imposed starvation on that people and a heavy burden on the development efforts to which the Sandiniet revolution aspires. The United States has encouraged its agents and puppets, k&ably Israel, to supply equipment and arms to the anti-revolutionary and other elements , thus helping Israel to di8poue of its excess military production. It has equipped the saboteurs with arms tested on the bodies of childrenr women and old people in Lebanon and other parts of the world. The sabotaging role of Israel in Central America is well known. President Ortega declared on 8 August 1985, according to an Israeli broadcast: (spoke in English) *We must take into account that the Israeli Government wao a major partner in th@ United States support for Somoza. I do not know to what extent the Israeli people supported ita Government*s policies, but the fact is that Israel supplied Sotmza and continued to do so even after the United States itself stopped. kron after our revolutionary victory Israel. did not learn its lesson and continued to support Governments which served United States interests in Central America. OTI this issue one only need mention Ariel Sharon’s visit to Honduras in Decmeber 1982.” (continued in Arabic) The United States supported the saboteurs when it made of terrorism a culture and a political and social system. The CIA has distributed the manual entitled Pnychokqical Operations - in Guerilla Warfare which ir will and indicative of blood --- (Hr. El-Fattal, Syrian Arab Republic) lust. Xt is but an encyclopaedia designed to teach murder, assassination and kidnapping and how to carry out assaults against individuals and institutions. It contains instructlous on hou to commit okhor erimo that violate international law0 as well as the laws of the United States itself, partioularly Ehcecutive Decision 12333, of 4 Ducembes J.981. The Wuited States learnt a great deal Emu its war against Viet Nam. Thus, it was able to prepare a complete code of conduct for terrorism against States, and this has been distr%buted as an official document of the United Nations .8/39/596-S/16789, dated 22 October 1984. At the same timer Washington, which has appointi& itself the trustee of peoplesc interestso the preacher of democratic valuea, the &fender of basic human Pibertfes and rights, and the champion of the supremacy of law, refused to recognize the canpetence 02 the International Court of Justice and rejected voluntary acceptance of its obligation in this regard as soon as Nicaragua submitted its just case to the Court. The United States persists in rejecting the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, pratesting that Nioaragua’n complaint is political, although every international complaint involves political and legal factors. Washington has thus damaged of the credibility of the oldest world court that mankind has known since the advent of the modern international system. Washington has not only sought to diminish the preotige and the attributes of the Court, to which countries attach grezt importance in settling their disputes by peaceful means, but has also Launched and is pursuing a campaign a.gairiat United Naticmn n*yctcaa as a wholes with a vieu to sllr?nc$ng the voice of the peoples, although in every instance it raises itc voice in condemnation of acts that v!.olate the Charter and international ethical values D (Hr. El-Fattal, Syrian Arab Republic) The International Court of Justice, however, rejected the United States objection ta the jUdiCfa1 prwedure and adopted provisional measures against the action and violations of that majsr Power. The first measure, which was adopted, unanimously reads: ‘The United States of America should tiedlately cease and refrain from any action restricting, blocking or endangering access to or from Nicaraguan ports, and, in particular, the Laying of mines.Y (S/16564, para. 41 B 1) The second measure was a resolution adopted by a majority of 14 votes in favour to 1 against ” that of the AmeuLcan member of the Court. It reads: ‘The right to sovereignty and to political independence possessed by the Republic of Nicaragua, like any other State of the region OIC of the world, should be fully respected and should not in any way be jeopardized by any military and paramilitary activities which are prohibited by the principles of international law, in particular the principle that States should refrain in their international relatima fmi3 the i&east of ucjte of force againnt Lhe territorial integrity or the political independence of any State, an6 the principle concerning the duty not to intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdictiork of a State, principles embodied in the United Nations Charter and the Charter of the Organization of American States.” (para. 41 J 2) All signs indicate that the situation in Central America is deteriorating and tht the daiiger of d genetai war exists. The Unitea States hypocritieaPly dec,Iares its support for the Cmtadora Group’s course of action while covertly or overtly, using money and weapns, it is striving to destroy Nicaragua from the inside and preparing direct aggression against that independent country, which we respect for fmperialicm. (Mr. El-Fattal, Syrian Arab Republic) )Iqrwvez=, countries throuqhout the world stand in solidarity with the Nicaraguan people and denounce and condemn the aggression by a major Power, a permanent me&m of the Security Gomail, with a view to destroying the revolution OE the Nicaraguan people, which is a revolution against backwardness, Samozksrrr and all forfns of hegemony. It is the revolution of a State which has opted for non-alignment in its foreign policy. Nicaragua has repeatedly and steadfastly declared its firm determination to bring peace to Central America. It has co-operated sincerely with the countries mem.bers of the Contadora Group and has welcomed the efforts of the Lima group of countries - Aqentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay - in their effort to bring peacer coexistence and harmony to that part of the world. We all heard the statement delivered by President Daniel Brtega at the General Assembly on 21 October, when he said: (Hr, El-Fattal, Syrian Arab Republic) Wicnragua respects the principles of the Charter, and we wish to live in peace wfth a%1 hations of &he Rarth, including the United States. k&thing in our mvolutionary project is incoaqatible with normal and friendly relations with the United States. ‘Nicaragua therefore apgsals from this Lafty rostrum to the Gwmment of l the United States truly to abide by the normfz of peaceful coexistence among States enshrined in the Chazter, to cease its policies of aggression against Ricaragua . ..I W4019V.42, P. 9) backed by actimc the United States respnded negatively not only in terms of President Reagan’s speech during the canmemorative week here at the United Nations, but also in terms of the 31 October statement of Mr. Fred XkPe, United States Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy, wherein he said that the United States Govertmeut might find itself obliged to use force in the near future to bring dtxm the Nicaraguan r&ime. AS B iZXikZ2r Of th2 tiiWalfgil& group of ecsuntries, Syria is ccuuaitted to the Luanda stateraent of the Ministerial Meeting of the non-aligned countries. It is a declaration which stresses solidarity with Nicaragua and the need to put an end to all threats and aggressions by the United States agaitret it. xt calls for can end to all financing Of mercenaries as well an for the lifting of the united State economic sanctions against Nicarayua, deeming those to be acts which are designed to bring down the Nicaraguan Government, samething which night lead to a heightened risk of a genenalized war in that part of the world. We are convinced that peace and security cannot cake &out ~sl;r long aa ur?%tzpd State8 military action continues in Central America. He believe the crisis indeed has 3’ruwr1 steadily wutser inasmuch as we know having learned recently that the Un i. %r% States will k fu~nirri-iirq sophisticated afb v.zc3px1ry to one of the countrir-8 (Mr. El-Fattal, Syrian Arab Republi,c) in that part of the world. That would disrupt the balance there aud encourage large-scale aggrearsion againat Micaragua. Given these aggressive trends, it ir: fncm!bent upon the Gmeral Assembly, over and ahove the support to be given to the Cmtadora Group, to consider making Central tirica a denuclleatized peaceEu1 ate6 free from foreign military presence iu accomdauce with the revised Contadora Act of 7 August 1984. My delegation fully hacks the proposals contained in President Daniel Ortega Saavedra’s letter dated 11 November 1985 addressed to the Freeddents of the States ;ags&ers of the Contadma Group and of the Support Group. P should like to point out that we support those principles set forth on 11 November 1985 distributed in document A/48/894. We hope that the proposals contained in those documents will in fact be adopted since they would advance the efforts of the Contadora Group. That document is the litmus test of the pslitizsl will of the United States, the need to resume bilateral negotiations between the united States and Nicaragua because in the absence of negotiation8 the United States would not deviate from its aggressive aims. We are convinced that all the peoples of the world will stand by the people and Government of Nicaeagua, convinced that they are able to stand up to and defeat Mr* WALW (United Statea of Anerica)s The United States is vitally Irl-+l.?~+.?n a.r. .NCCrllCI --.a .wb-C1ldt-** a.- raiuw..rMrul .I. pura “II” -ruvrii** ill es--h-m’ Illr‘cI& aiid:s&. e”,--*.n.n, w,,b‘o* &se;:can C*)rr;rr I”” -,.,crdem are our neighboura. Central America is a critical tasting ground for whether the future will belong to the advocatee of peaceful change and democracy or to revolutionary violence and totalitarianism. Earlier this year the people of El Salvador held elections for the, fourth time , in only three yearo. Julot three weeks ago Guatemala voted in free and fair elections to determine which among’ fourteen competing political parties should govern that nation. The prooess will be aompleted in a run-off election next month. This Sunday the people of Honduras will exeraise this same right of political self-determination. And early next yeart the oldest dewracy in Latin America, Costa Rica, will demonstrate its continuing canmitment to democratic ideals and practices. Xn contrast, Nicarcagua on 15 October officially suspended the most basic civil liberties including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the right of assembly, the right to trial, freedom from arbitrary imprisonment, the right to organise labour unions and to strike, and the right to habeas corpus. The subsequent reinstatement of the right& to trial and to habeas corpus did not alter the thrust of that aotion. Speaking before thia Assembly, and in a 11 November statement in Managua as well., President Ortcga sought to blame the imposition of that emergency upon my Governmet-& because we provided humanitarian aid to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance. Few found this explanation convincing. These include the more than 120,000 Nicaraguans who have fled that r&gime to a safer place abroad. ‘I?hFe unhappy juxtapositior HY trends tel.1~ much of the story of what has happened since this bcdy Last n:.‘c to consider the situation in Central America. On the one hand, we see a continuing prwnss of crkw8tion to and consolidation of (Mr. Waltece, United States) demoosatia tradition in Costa Rica. QI the other hand, we area witnessing a continuLng prooess of transition to n and consolidation, of totalitarian Government in Nicaragua. Froar the beginning, the Sandinistas wanted *a caaplete break” Procp the concept of western demmxacy. They sought to stage elections tu ap,peal to the Western democracies, to appear correlative and akin to demcratic system in countries whose original support for the revolution was waning, Yet the Sandinistaa prevented the large majority of their opposition from actively participating in those elections. This wafi ptiesaged on 25 August 1981 when Ccxzandante Humberto Ortega, the Minister of Defence, said, %arxism-Leninism is the scientific doctrine that guides our revolution*. Marxism-Leninism does not envisage powersharing with any other group anywhere. The root source of the conflict in Nicaragua is the political repression of this would-be totalitarian r&gime, which desires to contaminate its neighbours. AS Sandinista repression has grown and become institutionalized with the aid of totalitarian advisers, popular opposition of every kind has increased. That is what the conflict in Nicaragua is about. No amount of Sandinista talk about so-called Pnuntbr-rwo-r ___ I- 1 uCjnnL?ries can obscure it. (Mr. Walkers, united skates) And yet: hooes for peace die hard. The uurefsk ho&t of peace in f8ituEdkfOlM Of confliuk is to be Eound in dialogue. Dinbgue raeam kalko between Governmenks and the groups kh#k oppose them , ko eskablfeh condikfons in which cikizem dekeraino their form of government, in an akmmphers free of coercion. Thak approach can work. The hickory of khe paak five years in the weslkern hemisphere deumnskrak~~ that free elections are the only mean@ by which khose in power cm achieve khe moral authority and Iegikirnncy to justify their rule. We are encouraged that: more khan 90 wr cenk of Latin America IXBW lives and prospers under a democrakia system of governmenk. The Sandiniska Government of Wcaragua, however, approaches de)uocrakic national reconciliakion with a most: curious perspective, as though ik were an Outside conspiracy to undermine peace in the region. As Nicaraguan Foreign Minister D%Bcoko told the press here in New York lask month% *The subject of reconciXiation is a new element of obstruation intrc&aced by the Reagan Administration,. . ” And according to Nicaragua’s Vice-President Sergio Ranrirezr *We will never hold a dialogue with the counter-revolutionaries, because not even Contadora has proposed it.” well, we have newt for the Government of Nicaragua. National reconcfliatfinn through dialogue and elections ia a fundamental principle of the Contadora prOC?esfll and has bzen from the start. It wae explicitly accepted by all five Central Antsr ican States, including Mirlaragua, in th e September 3.483 Document of Objectivea. All. three driifts of a Contadora agreement, including the draft which section entitled: “Commitmsnt~ with rcqard to national. roconciliatlon”. Those Ok. Walters, United Statesp c3x8iiaiWent8 c&lfge States experiencing insurgencies to create zuechanims for dialwue with oppcmition groups. The drafts also prO\:Pde that the comitments of the parties “are of a legal nature and are therefore binding”. Let us recall that on 23 June 1979 the Oxganization of A&?erican States unanimously removed diplomatic recognition from the Somza rkglime and conferred it on the Sandinfetas and the genuine d-rats. That diplomatic recognition was condi’tional on the implemntation 3f democracy. The Sandinistas accept& that condition. The Goverrmenk crE NkJirragua does not oppose national reconciY.iation in other countr ie8. W year ago last month Daniel Ortega publicly statedr *Another evidence [of the peoples’ desire for peace] is the dialogue taking place in El Salvador. This dialwue was proposed many years ago by the Salvadoran revolutionaries and has been supported by the Nicaraguan GcmrnMnt.’ However, when the Sandinistas are asked to accept dialogue in their own country, they reject it as a foreign conspiracy- Let US recall that both the &vi1 opposition and the demcxzratic resistance have made concrete offers. On 22 February last, when Nicaragua was proclaiming its intention to hold a national dialogue, the civil opposition set forth the conditions under which such a national diaiogue could be conducted. They included the liftiny; of the state of emergency, freedom of expression, a general amnesty and pardon for plitical crimes, restoration of constitutional guarantees and the right of ha&as dorPu,g, guartintees OE tho safety of members of the resistance movement who participated in the dialogue anr3 the implementation of these measures under the Rupervisian sE guarantor Ccwernments. Paced with this specif;c proposal, the Sandinistas’ enthusiasm for nation; L d:ialcque quickly waned. They said no ma-F about it for months. (Mr. Walters, United States) On 1 March representatives of the Nicaraguan resistance proposed that the Catholic Church in Nicaragua mediate a nation&l dialogue. This proposal contemplated a cease-fire. although the resistance had been unable to particiPat@ in the elections of November 1984, the proposal accepted Daniel Ortega as President until such time a8 the Nicaraguan people dtcided to confirm or deny his authority through a plebiscite. The other major element of the proposal was to confer authority on the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference to establish a definitive agenda for talks, through mutual agreement by the parties concerned. On 22 March the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference reiterated its previously expressed support for a national dialogue, and declared its willingness to act a8 mediator. The Gandinistas immediately rejected that offer. No counter-offer was made, They have repeatedly rejected dialogue since then. On 4 April my own Government undertook an initiative to keep the possibility of dialogue alive. A key feature was the offer to refrain from providing military assistance to the demo. : resi&.dnce if the Sandinistas accepted the P March offer. Over the course of the summer and fall the United States further sought to encourage national reconailiation by affirming oux willingness to resume bilateral talks with “.he Sandinistas if and when they undertook an internal dialogue. On 29 October, in Washington, United States Ambassador-at-Large and Special Envoy to Latin America, Harry Shlaudeman , again reiterated to the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the United States, Carlos Tunnermann, that we would resume bilateral talks if the Sandiniatas accepted the I!. March offer of the Nicaraguan resistance. InCidentally, that offer, which was signed in San Jose, Costa Rica, did not conta’n aa a pre-condition the dissolution of the National Assembly, as the Sandinistas haa stiggested s Ambassador Shlaudeman made clear that progress in the internal dialogue PwouId lead to progress on bilateral issuea. Ambassador Tunnermann responded on 31 October that the Mqkch offer ~89 totally 1~~3ccept3bae. Wr. Walters, United States) we often hear in this EO~~UPI witicirrra that military sohtions are tmbng sought for SQCid, economic andi political problem. The record shorn, howeveg, that the united States has consistently backed economic and political reform in Central America. E’Or eXzLQpl@, our economfc aid to the region fop 1985 was $976 million. In contrast, security assistance was only $212 million. In other words, the United States spends four times as much on economic and oocial assistance to the Central American region as it does on military assistance. Secretary Shultz has said: “Our 3trategy proceeds fro0 an analysis that recognizes, in fact emphasises, that there are legitimate social, economic and political grievances in many parts of the region . . . our conclusion is that we face two related challenges: to help alleviate long-standing political, economic and social problems and to hslp counter a communist strategy which seeks to aggravate and exploit these problems and 80 seize power by force of arms.” President Reagan has said: “In response to decades of inequity and indifference, we will support democracy, reforn and human freedom . . . In response to the challenge of world recession and, in the case of El Salvador, to the unrelenting campaign of economic sabotage by the guerrillas, we will support economic development: l l l Pn response to the military challenge from Cuba and Nicaragua - to their deliberate use of force to spread tyranny - we will support the security Of the r@giol.‘s threatened natLons ,.. we will support cfialogu~ and negntiat ions - both cunong the countries of the region and within each countryon Fresidmt rteqgan*o wint.1 While the United States is actively promcting the aconumfa develqmmt of Cantrall Anmrfca by it8 assistarm and polfafea, other forcers are atteqting to destroy the ecmmfc base ementfaL for devcalopmnt and. progress. Fez example, o&-~ 8 July, the International Herald Tribune reported that the senior niZitary comander of the Salvadoran guerrillas, Mr. Joquin Villaloboo - and I quote here from the article - l outlir& what he said was the new guerrilla strategy of a war of attrition m.. a campaign of sabotage, assassinatAon an+? ~plbushes, backed by the increased use of mines and booby traps. The strategy, Mr. Vi3ilalobos said, is to . . . bleed the economy to the point of ‘collapse . . . m (Mr. Walters, United States) Often overlooked in the debate over United States polioy twards Nicaragua fs one fundammtally fmprtant fact. The Sandinistas began to intervene in Bl Salvadols, Honduras and Costa Rica within a year of seizing power in July 1979, and they have actively continued that aggression ever since. At the sam? time, Nicaragua &fes to sustain its carefully fostered image as an innocent and aggrbved viutdm of unprovoked aggression, by denying that it haa ever engaged in armd eubvereicm within neighbouring countries. The facts, hwever, show Ucaragua’s solemn denials to be untrue. By the same token, the Sandinistas charge that the defensive reactions of the Ilhited States, including support for the democratic resistance, constitute aggr es8 ion aga inst Nicer agua. This charge, of course , stands the facts on their head. ft is Nicaragua, and not the United States and its friends, that committed the aggression leading dicectly to the reactions about which the Sandinistas now complain. We often hear that the East-West conflict has produced the Central American crisis. But let us face facts: the actions CL the sandinistas bear the responsibility for the crisis, The Sandinistas have supported insurgent forces tied to Cuba and the Soviet UtliOll. The Sandinistas are today host to some f3,QOO Soviet-bloc and Cuban personnel, including about 5,500 oecurity and military personnel. The Sandinistas, with Soviet and Cuban support, have built the nosk powerful military force6 in the region, The Soviets art83 their allies have been &hipping weapons to Nicaragua since the early days of the Sandinieta Government. O we estimate that sov!et-bloc arms nhipnents tn the Sandi1aist.a Governrent have totalled gage than $500 milliorl. These shipments have included home 340 tar&n, and arr~mred veh.i.cle:;, 70 long-range (Mr. Walters, United States) howitzers and rocket launchers, and %I) helicopters, including half a dozen fast, heavily amed attack helicopters. This flaj oontinues. Even mu an Ancrease in arms shipments to the Nicaraguan Government is apparently under way. The first Soviet-m&e armour ercrived in NJScaragua in 1901, nhortly after the 200,000~nan militia build-up was announced, but abcn~t a year before the developmnt of significant internal, Sandinista opposition. The raainstafs of this armoured force are some 110 Scwiet-zaade T-55 raedium tanks. None cuf Nicaragua*8 neighbours has tanks with the T-55’s firepower. The SandPnistas have also rewived in the past year alone nearly 30 PT-76 light tanks. The I: fver-crossing capabilities of these tanks vastly enhance their usefulness and tend to inhibit internal dissent. Is it merely coincidental that new arms shipments are increasing just as the Sandinista Government launches its latest campaign to intimidate its citizens and crush all opposition? One does not have ta be a Bophisticated politicaL observer to realize how the presence of tanks inhibits popular dissent. why are those tanks there? They represent the peculiar contribution to hunranity by the totalitarian political r4gimes of the world. I hope the General Assembly will support We continuation of the Contadora process for a peaceful settlement of the regional crisis. The Contadora mediation effort, in our view, offers the best hope t;o achieve peace in Central America. we will continue tm give it our full support. As President Reagan has said, we wish to bring about “the simultaneous implementation of all. Contadora & jectives wit-h effective verification*. The Ccliltadora process has encountered serious obstacles in the laet year. why? First, Nicaragua’s violation of the right of asylum earlier this year created a dispute with Costa Rica that prevented meetings from beinq held. In June, just ofk. Walters, rnited states) the agenda fzwsed negotbat.fcm to be swgiwrW for Sour mmtlarr. C-w3 within the Satin Amrfcan cm?mmllty tbat this action &d gut CorntaWa fn jeopardy led to the creation in July of a auppcxt grwp wide up of Argentintb Brao%I, Peru and Uruguerg. My Wvernnsent welamed the formation of that group and believes it has been and can continue to be a helpful influcnm. In Septetaber, in response to propmals put forward jointly by Costa Rica, Eicmduras arad El Salvador, the countries partfcfp3 ting in the WntadWa process agreed to reconvene negotiations in an effort to reach final agreewmt. Less than a week aLter talks resumed, h-ever, the Sandinista Government suspended Civil liberties. It bad hem agreed in SepterPber that incidents in the region wu2d neither ccnditicn participation in nor be subjects of discussion within Contadora. The deamxatic Central &erican states, true to their pledge, have not raised Nicaraguags suspension of civil liberties in Contadfxo councils. Yet can anyone pretend that the suspension of civil liberties in ?Gcaragua is not an obstacle to a Ccmtadora agreement? When President Ortega mys, as he did on 11 November that Wicaragw accepts draft treaty language on national reconciliation but rej@cts dialogue with the demwratic resistance, how can we canclu& that the Sindin istas are seriow in thhgir ap~oaf.53 to the negotiations? The Sandinistas have demanded tiat the internal insurgency in PJicaragua nest be ended as a pre-condition to a Contadora agreement. Their allegation is that they cannot accept the obligatiuno of such an agreement when they face so-called outside aggr 6x3s ion. They ignore the reality Chat any Cmtadora treaty would entail no more than an agreement to negotiate arm and troop reductions, Their demand is tht.18 exg~sed a8 a subterfuge obsmrlng the &ndiniE;taa’ refusal to Lake the one step that might lead to an end to the insurgency. That 5tq.1 is, of course, to participate in internal dialogue. (Irlc. WaXtecsc United Startee) Ny Govanarerot has &!#+&I clear sepsntedly , in ~lliu and in peivate, that we will abide by any agrewent the Central lhrer icans reach. Sn thra light of this position, the Sandinista demand that aqoaemt with the united States mst precede a Contadoca agreement can orrly be seen af$ an effcwt to thwart the Cantadora process and waste nearly three years of effort. The Sandinista demand is an atten@ to portray the Coasplew issue of peace in Central America as arerely a dispute witi the Uhited States. Xn reality, what Ps occurring in Central Attlerica is a conflict between the Sandinistas aud their neighbours as well a~ repression by the Sandinistas af their: fellw Nicaraguans. On a somewhat atore optimistic note, I should like to cococd rpy Govecnment*s satisfaction that in Luxedmurg on 12 Ncwenbec the European Emmom.i,c Community and the Central American States concluded an e#no&c assistance agcewnt. my Government has long favoured increased economic assistance to the Centxal American region. We ourselves are providing additional funds to Central. American regional institutions, such as the Central American Bzlnk for Bxmomic Integration. f should also like to note that, with reswct to Nbcacaqua, every proposal. that the United States has made during the last four years has included a stmnq economic component. Mcst recently, the President’s Initiative on Reqional Conflicts, presented to this body on 24 Octobes , contemplates substantial economic ass istance once proqr ess is mde towards resolution Of internal conflicts in Nicaragua. X should also like to note our satisfaction at ‘the political communkpd isslued in buxembousg. That ccmmm iqu&, in which Nicaragua joined, endot sed the Cuntadora process and expressed hope for a spxly and successful conclusion of negotiatims. ‘It called for full respect for civi% liberties, for national reconc il. ia 1: ion, and for demhxatic plucalifit political and social systems. The resol.uti.on this hr>3y will. seek to adopt should C&D no 1eg.a. Let us hope that this corntitnlent will be EulfIEld. (Hr. Wltere, United staten) tbL debate on central ltmBrfQ(So x hope that the Gcmerlrl Aueembly will eup&mrt'tbe rermin firm An 0~); cmwiction that the contadsra proaemr rspresctnts both the proper Ammmbly re8olkatiw 3237 (XXIX), Noptea on 30 &IOV~&ME l974, I I;KIW call on tie Observer of tbr pa&est&na Liberation OrgmizatiOng Mr. TE%ZI (Palestine Eiberatim Qrganization): In obssrving the fortieth anniversary of thiat OrganizatiCm, it is iuperative that we recall here and remember the psprcpows of the United Nations. Very often we hear statements drawing attentim to various paragraphs and articles of the Charter. Hare often than not A~~ticle 1 is Left in oblivion and yet more often the Preamb&e is totally diebgarded. Let us consider how it starts. It begins with a stateumt that arose , from the hearts and consciousness of the founding fathers, those who paid with their blood to defeat the Nazis and attempted to bring u5 peacao ‘EWe the peoples of the United Nations determind to save succeeding generations frora the scourge of war” and so onp it also expresses OUK determination “to promote social progress and better standards of life Sn Larger freedcm: and Ear these ends” the peoples determined “to enploy international. machinery for the pronotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples”. Nowhere in the Holy Scripture of the sacred Charter is the perpetuation of banana republics envisaged. What is to be saved are the peoples, the human beings, their dignity and theif ire&em , arid the eolloatfve endaa9ours to improve tine standard of life. Central America is no longer the backyard of the United Fruit Company. Central Armrica Lo a territory where human beings exist, live with aspirations and hopes for improving theie lot. Unfortunately, it is the existence of people, of human beings, whom the Administration in Washington, D.C. insists on forgetting or ignoring. The “Macho” in the White douse cannot and should not be permitted to manipulate the mode of Iif@ and behaviour of the pecrpbes of Central. hmerica Or, for that matter, oE any other place in the world. % develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen un&versal peace.9 Yet Washington, D.C. atill insists on denying sow peop&, including the Falestinian people, their right to self-determination. Dy its deeds, Washington# D.C. has launched an abcmfnabPe mxmade, through a poPicy of gunboat dipbxnacy and mercenaries , and it is the duty of this Organization to act imediately and take effective collective measures to suppress the acts of aggression ccuwitted by Washington, D.C. against a Central American State Member of this Organisation, namely. Nicaragua. It is the Nicaraguan people who brought the Sandinistas to power and entrusted the defence of their freedom and the social and economic dsvslopnwnt of the Nicaraguan people to the Sandinistas. Naturally sorae circles - transnational and others - have decided to arrogate to thertselves supta-national powers to deprive the Nicaraguan people of their inalienable right to self-determination. Article 2 of the Charter tells us that: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territoriab intsglrity or political independence of any state”. But c&s not United States financial , overt action and its millions oe dollars constitute interference and intervention in the relations between the two nations, Nicaragua and the United States of America? Honouring its commitment to the Charter, in particular under Chapter VI, Nicaragua hao brought the dispute with the United SLaten befote the United Nations Sx!urity Council x well a6 the International Court of Justice. ._ (Mr. Terzll, PhD) The Deputy RxePgn Ministar of Nicaragua fnformd us this Irorniw of all the peaceful proc.*sr for r~pacific aattlemant of the disputa with +he Unfted States0 Sbr e~pxem-ed a rincerr desire to participate in the guest for a poorPpt solution of t&a pmblalrr which are ooslfmnbd by the mplas of Central I\rrerica and which eatanger world p4tace. ollp the other b&i, we know that the Uni$ed Statm ir adwant snd, 68 #le have just heard, imists cm the applicatim of its cwn concept and maniieertatiovr of Wertrm demxracy, without regard to the free will of the paapl@s WSt dirctctly oo~pcerwd, k&k BP, the Nicaraguan people itself. The other day, thrz !Mited Statesl Amdatarnt Seclcetary of Defence, Fleet3 CL lM@r ojmly declamlo *If demaratlc forces are not aided mu, a future Adrninistratlon my have to us8 foece directly.” Since when did the dfvim puwer entrust the Washington Administration with the task of defending i&stern dtswracy? Apparently in the Adminfstrstion in WaehingtOn, D.C. it is the Defence Departlamt that decides what is deraocracy and whap: are demaratic forces. That faat in itself is revealing. The Contras, Like their counterpatte, the Judeo-Nazis in mxupied Palestine, depmd exclusively on the aterial support they receive fraa the authorities in Washington, I).@. In addition to moral and diplacaatic support, the Contras receive aircraft, helicopters and Reawy-duty vehicles for their insurgent and anti-Nicaraguan activities. If Washington, D.C. had really been intent can helping the developmmt and improving tk& standards of life of the Nicaraguan people, could ft f’~t have Offered tractore and expertise? It muld have lifted the economic e.&wgo to help the ecsnosfy and not ta attangLe the country by a blockade. (Nr. Terzi, PW) #undreds of thouaando of Wioaraguane are the viatime of the direct overt and covrrrt intecvmticm of’ the United State@. The dead, the injuced and the homelee appeal to this Amwmb~y tea put an end to their plight and to help them to live in peace in their own coo;ntry. The general tone bf and hope expresleed in these deliberations here fully support the endeavours and g&i offices of the Cbntadora Grou;? and the Support Group. As w% learned this mocnfng, Nicaragua welcomes the enorppous efforts of the &ntadora Group in its noble and important task. We were told that: *This unprecedented Latin mrican peace initiative has [enjoyed] the enthusiastic sup&xxt of the international community”. (A/40/PV.88, P* 8). The question is whether Washington will respond in concrete terms, or whether it will maintain its Up-service and rhetorical supportp yet maintain its subversion, intervention and contempt? A political solution is possible through dialogue and negotiation between the parties directly concerned without foreign bayonets or gunboats. It is the will of the Nicaraguan people that the world must recognize and respect, and the Nicaraguan people want to live and prosper in peace and tranquility. After years of depr ivation, exploitatiion and denial of human, social and economic rights, the peoples of Central. America deseeve our attention , and effective steps should be taken by this Organization and its Members. The Nicaraguan people lees a hope of developing into free human beings and recognize&‘that the Sandinistae are worthy of their conEi.dence, so Let us give them a chance. 1t ie not an easy task that ia being shouldered by the Sandinistas; we admire their courage.