A/41/PV.48 General Assembly

I invite members to turn their attention to document A/41/595/Add.2, which contains a letter dated 21 OCtober 1986 from the Chairman of the Committee on Conferences to the Presiaent of the General Assembly. As menbers are a,.;rare, the Assenbly, in paragraph 34 of its decision 34/401, decided that no subsidiary organ of the General Assembly would be permitted to meet at united Nations Headiuarters during a regular session of the Assenbly unless explicitly au~orized by the Assembly. As indicated in the letter I have just men tioned, the Commi ttee on Conferences has recommended that the Commi ttee itself should be authorized to meet during the current session of the General Assembly. May I take it .that the General Assenbly adopts tha t ,recommenda tion? It was so decided.

In this connection, the Assembly has before it a draft resoiui7ion in Cbcument A/4l/L.7. I call on the representative of Ben in, current Chairman of the Afr ican Group, to introduce dr aft resolution, A/41/L. 7. Mr .. OOOWA (Benin) (interpt'etation fro. Prencb) " I bave the hooour and pleasure of introducing, on behalf of the sponllCCS, Waich include lIlY own country, draft resolution A/41/L.7, entitled'lIlCO-Operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African thltyOl. This year' again, in keeping witb a hap'n tradition, we Blre dealing with a draft resolution which el7aluates and takes stock of the _tually advantageous co-operation between the Organization of Afr iean tlftity (OAD) and the United Nations. That co~peraticn, which inereaes _et! year, ccwers all the activities of the United Nations, as may be seen froll the emaustive resort of the secretary-General (A/4tl/542). All the African delegations to the Olited Nations welcome the fact that this is so. The adoption this year of a resolution on oo-operation bfttween the OAU and the Oti ted Na tions is particularly important, in our opinion, because of the very beneficial work carried out during the fortieth session of the Gener:al Assembly in the cause of Afriea by the Oti ted NIl tions in clme collabClCation wi th the OAU. As members are aware, the United Nations responded very favourably through resolution 40/40, of 2 Decemer 1985, to the appeal _de by the OAU, and the General Assemly met in special session from 27 May ~ 1 June 1986 in order, for the first time in its history, to discuss exclusiVely the eccncalc problems of a specific region, Afr iea. The adoption by the special session of the tJnited Nations ProgralBe of Action for African Eccnomic R!ccwery and Dcwelopraent 1986-1990 as a plam1ng base for fruitful co-operation between Afr:Lea and the rest of the international ool'lllunity was possible cnly because of the un~ecedented spirit of solidarity shown by the latter with regard to the Afr iean continent. p For that reason, while we welcome the efforts made within the Organization of African Unity and among African States and also in the united Nations Secretariat and all the agencies of the system to ensure the effective implementation of the Programme, the follow-~p process and.mobilization of the practical s~pport of the international community, I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of the African Group ae the United Nations, to reiterate'our gratitUde and appreciation to the whole international community for the praiseworthy efforts it has m~de and is continuing to make towards the attainment of the objectives set at the special session of the General Assembly on the critical economic situation in Africa. The question of the total decolonization of Africa and the eradication of the abject system of apartheid in South Africa is another SUbject of major concern foe our continent. (Mr. Ogouma, Benin) Bere again, we welcome the close co-operation which has neve~ been lacking between the OAU and the United Nations. It was at the reauest of the OAU that the United Nations and the OAU organized jointly in Paris in June 1986 the World Conference on the adoption of comprehensive mandatory sanctions against racist South Africa. The OAU also took an activ~ part in the work of the United Nations International Conference for the I~diate independence of Namibia, held in Vienna from 7 to 11 JUly 1986, and also the work of the special session of the General Assembly on the same auestion in September 1986 in New York. We are aware that the grave deterioration of the situation in South Africa, which is attributable to the mindless, stubborn insistence of the Pretoria regime in !ts pursuit of the inhuman policy of apartheid in South Africa, its illegal occupation of Namibia and its persisent acts of armed aggression and destabilization against neighbouring front-line countries, remains one of the major issues to which the General Assembly has not failed to accord top priority. The draft resolution which we are submitting deals with the relations of close co-operation between the united Nations and its specialized agencies and the OAU. It contains 16 paragraphs in the preambular section and 26 operative paragraphs. In the preamble, as is c1lstomary, the General Assembly recalls previous resolutions on co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU. It takes note of the resolutions and decisions adopted by the OAU at the ordinary summit session in July 1986 in Addis Ababa and of the important statement by the current Chairman of the OAU at the forty-first session of the Geperal Assembly. It expresses concern about the deterioration of the economic situation in Africa and of that in southern Africa, caused by the apartheid system in South Africa. The General Assembly also takes note of the Declaration on the Economic Situation and Africa's Priority Programme for Economic Recovery 1986-1990, adopted by the OAU, and notes with satisfaction the support shown by the international (Mr. Ogouma, Benin) communit.y to the apecia1 ae.aion of the Ceneral A••ellblyon the critical economic situation in Africa. It a180 up~e.... ita continuing concern at the grave situation of the refugees in Africa and e~hasi.ea the urgent need for increased internat.i.onal assistance to the countriell of aaylUli. In the operative section, the Gemra1 Asae!llbly takes note of the report of the secretary-General on co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU and congratulates the Secretary-General on the efforts to strengthen that co-operation. Xt reaffirms the Organization's determination to co-oper~te closely with the OAU towards the establishRent of the new international economic order, and welcomes the efforts of the CAU to prcmote multilateral co-operation among African countries. The General Assembly calls upon Member States and regional and international organizations, to implement fUlly its resolution S-13/2, adopted at the special session on the critical economic Bituatlon in Africa, and to give their" maximum support to Africa's Priority Progr_e for BconClllic Recovery 1986-1990. In this context it reauests the Secretary-General to ensure that the agencies of the united Nations system give the widest possible publicity to all matters relating to the social and economic development of Africa. The General Assembly expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the timely initiative he had taken to alert the international community to the critical economic situation in Africa, and to United Nations agencies for providing emergency assistance to the African Statea that needed it. The General Assembly also requests the Secretary-Genera' to take the necessary measures to strengthen co-operation with the OAU in all fields, especially with regard to the victU.8 of colonialism and apartheid in southern Africa, and urgeJ the specialized agencies of the united Nations to continue their assistance to the liberation movements recognized by the CAD. It also reauests such United Nations (Mr. 9gouma, Ben!n) organs as the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Committee of 24, the Special Committee against Apartheid, and the Council for Namibia to continue to associate the OAU with all auestions concerning Africa. Finally, the General Assembly requests the secretary-General to report to the forty-second session on the implementation of this resolution and on the development of co-operation between the two Organizations. We are sure that, as with eimilaz draft resolutions in the past, the General Assembly will adopt draft resolution A/41/L.7 by consensus. Mr. WU~~IMOV (Syelofussian Soviet Socialist Republic) (interpretation from Russian): I have the honour to address the General Assembly on this agenda item as Chairman of the Group of Easter~ European States. The peoples.of the whole world, inclUding of course the peoples of the African contin~nt, are now confronted with the following major tasks: removing the threat of nuclear war, preventing the spread of the arms race to outer'space and establishing equal security for all States., The joint efforts of the united Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) must alao be directed to promoting the fullest possible extent the elimination of racism and apartheid from the African continent and the eradication of the vestiges of colonialism and the policy of nee-colonialism, as well as to strengthening the national sovereignty and economic security of States. The struggle towards these noble ends i~ the principal basis of the expanding co-operation between the united Nations and the OAU. The activities of the OAU, as the recognized spokesman for the interests of the peoples of Africa for the more than 20 years of its existence, have been an important factor in the struggle to improv~ the situation in Africa and eliminate focal points of colonialism and racism, and for the economic decolonization of the continent. An important contribution to those activities was made at the twenty-second ordinary session of (Mr. Ogouma, Benin) the ~ssemblf'of Read, of State and Governme~~of theC?rganization of Af~ican unity . . . . ' this summer. The ~orces of aggression, taking;advantage\of tl:1e diff~culties being experienced by the African countries, including their difficult economic situation, have used all possibl.a means against the African ~oples, ranging from political and economic pressure to acts of state terrorism a~ outright armed aggression, as, for example, has happened with regard to Angola arid the other front-line states. (Mr. Maksi~.Byelorussian SSR) All of this is being done in order to prevent them from building a new life, in order to-deny the peoples the historic gains which they have achieved, in order to hinder the elimination of ~he r~gi~ of apartheid which could not exist at all without the support of the united States and other western countries. In these conditions, there is a need for even closer c~operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity. O~ly a short while ago, at the International Conference on Sanctions against t~e Racist R~gime of Pretoria, the special session of the united Nations General Assembly to consider the cri~ical economic situation in Africa, the International Conference on Namibia and the special session of the General Assembly on that same question, imPOrtant decisions were adopted which are in keeping with the fundamental interests of the African States and peoples. Close co-operation betwee~ the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity is a pledge of the implementation of these decisions. In present conditions, the solution of the vital problems of the African continent, inclUding its ecoftomic development, ie inseparable from the struggle for disarmament and the strengthening of the security of peoples. In this regard, success in the activity of the Organization of African unity (OAU) would be enhanced by the implementation of the proposal made by the socialist countries at this session of the General Assembly for the establishment of a comprehensive system of international peace and security, encompassing the military, political, economic and humanitarian spheres of relations between Statee. This can be seen from the report of the Secretary-General on this agenda item in document A/4l/542. The different organizations of the united Nations system maintain permanent contacts with the OAU, in particular the partici~ation of the Secretary-General of the united Nations and his representatives at meetings of the Heads of state and Government of member States of the OAU and also in the work of the exceedingly (.Mi. Maksimov" Byelorussian SSR) important conferences~ sessions and meetings of tbe General Assembly of the united Nations, the Security Council and other bodies at which the most pressing problems of the African continent are discussed,.enabling the United Nations to take account in its activities of the pressing political, economic and human".tarian needs of the countries of Africa. The socialist countries have a very high opinion of the work of the OAU and the active efforts of the member States of that Organization to strengthen the . j political independence and economic autonomy of the countries and peoples, and their struggle against imperialism, colonialism and racism, their struggle for peace and international security, not just in the African continent but indeed in the whole world. The socialist States will continue to build their relations with the African countries on the bas:Ls of equality of rights and strict respect for their sovereignty and national interests. In resolutions of the Gene~al Assembly adopted previously on this agenda item, the importance of constant close participation of the United Nations and its specialized agencies in efforta of the OAU to promote socio-economic development and strengthen co-operation am)ng the African countries is recognized, together with the.need for joint efforts to establish a new international economic order. The delegations of the socialist countri~s, as ia well known, have supported'such resolutions ~n the past and will support the draft resolution now proposed in document A/4l/L.7, which was submitted today by the representative of Benin. The unity of the Af~ican countries is an effective political tool in efforts to resolve problems facing the African continent. That is precisel~ why efforts are being made by the forces of neo-colonialism and racism to bring about the collapse of that unity and to cause schisms among the African countries. to split them into contending groups, theteby weakening the efforts of the African peoples (Mr. Maksimov, Byelorussian SSR) in order to resolve the pressing political, economic and social problems .of Africa. The s09ialist countries are deeply convinced that the present situation most emphatically demands the further intensification of the efforts of the OAU, the United Nations and all peace-loving forces, the strengthening of their mutual efforts in their common struggle for peace, economic and 90cial progress. There is a need for a further intensification of co-operation between the United Nations and the OAU in the implementation of the purposes and principles of the Charter, the strp.ngthening of international peace a~~ security, disarmament and the eradication of racism and colonialism, in all their forms and manifestations. We are convinced that the OAU will prove able to make full use of its acclaimed authority in the international arena for the attainment of those noble goals. Mr. BIRCH (United Kingdom): Before I make my statement on behalf of the European Community, I should just like to make a national comment. We are here today to discuss the very important subject of co-operation between the United Nations and the organization of African unity (OAU). There were moments during the last speech when I wondered whether I had come to the wrong meeting. I think it is very sad that in a debate on this important SUbject we have to hear introduced remarks about the comprehensive -ystem of international security, the military use of space, neo-co10nia1ism and a number of other propaganda pronouncements. I shall now speak on behalf of the European Community and its 12 member States. The Twelve are pleased to speak once again in the debate on co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The inclusion of this item on the agenda of the General Assembly gives us the opportunity to reaffirm the impor.tance which we attach to the relationship between the two Organizations. As the Secretary-Genera1's report demonstrates, the links between them have intensified over the years, pa~ticu1arly in the economic and (Mr. Maksimov, Byelorussian SSR) social fields. I do not propose to touch Oil' thOse',activities in detail today, sinca our position on thel'l'w~s set out in depth during the debate on tM critical econollic' ~ituation in Africa ¥bicb haS just concluded. 'rhe OAU of course played a key part in the'prepar~tion8 for the special·ses.ion on tbat sUbject which took place earlier this year. (Mr. Birch, united Kingdom) The Twelve believe that the organization of A~rlcan unity has an important role to play in. consolidating the national independence of its members, both politically and economically. We ourselves have practical experience of regional co-operation and of th~ ver~ great benefits it can bring. Where there are conflicts we believ~ that the countries most directly concerned should be encouraged to find solutions to those conflicts. This applies whether the pr.oblerns are political, economic, social or environmental. African problems ~re best settled oy African solutions. We are pleased to note the work of the OAU in a number of such difficult areas. We particularly welcome the close co-operation between the secretary-General of the United Nations and the current Chairman of the OAU over Western Sahara. In general the OAU has an important role to play in ensuring that African peoples are able freely t~ determine their own future without outside interference. The Twelve believe that the way in which African countries are working together to deal with the serious and complex problems of the continent deserves the support of the United Nations. The close historical and geographical links between European countries and Africa give that continent a special place in our considerations. In spite of its vast potential resources, Africa still contains more than half the world's economically least developed countries. We wish to co-operate to the fullest extent possible with all African countrip.s, particularly in finding ways to cope with their present economic and social problems. In recent years the European Community and its member states have contributed almost 50 per cent of the total aid received by African countries. We played our full part in the discussion at the United Nations special session on the critical economic situation in Africa earlier this year. The Programme of Action adopted by the special session shows (Mr. Birch, United Kingdom) that all concerned are determined to tackle the problem of long-term development in Africa. African countries face particular difficulties and need additional external resources. At the special session the international community committed itself to making every effort to provide this support. We fully associate ourselves with that decision. We intend to use our 80mmitment to Africa in all these different ar~as to safeguard the stability of the cnntinent and to broaden our co-operation both 'Iith African Governments themselves and with regional organizatior~ and the Organization of African Unity. We are convinced that the OAU will continue to play an important role in African and world affairs, consistent with the principles guiding the united Nations and in pursuit of the goals of that Organization. The OAU's influence is not only to be seen in issues directly affecting Africa; it extends to all areas of internatio~al life. We are confident that the close ties of friendship and co-operation w~ich exist between the Twelve and all members of the Organization of African Unity will be even further strengthened in the yea~2 ahead.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/4l/L.7. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Assembly adopts draft resolution A/4l/L.7. Draft resolution A/4l/L.7 was adopted (resolution 41/8).

I call on the representative of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, who wishes to speak in exercise of the right of reply. (Mr. Birch, United Kingdom) Mr. MAKSIMQV (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) (interpretation from Russian): In connection with the remarks of the representative of the united Kingdom, I regret that he is unwilling to give an opportunity to the African countries, in co-operation with the United Nations, to assure themselves of equal security, so that through joint efforts with the united Nations they may eliminate policies of racism, colonialism and neo-colonialism and help to prevent a nuclear war. The only positive element in what the representative of the United Kingdom said was that he was speaking only .on behalf of the United Kingdom at that point.

The Genel'al Assembly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 27.

I should like to propose that the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed today at 5 p.m. If I hear no objection, it will be so decided. It was so decided. . I The PRESIDENro I ask representatives wishing to participate in the debate to inscribe themselves ~s soon as possible. The ~irst speaker is the representative of Costa Rica. Mrs. CASTRO de BARISH (Costa Rica) (interpretation from spanish): It is indeed an honour for me and a cause of special satisfaction to be opening the consideration of the item entitled WInternational Year of Peacew and the implementation of the corresponding programme since tomorrow we shall be . . commemorating the first anniversary of the Gene~a~ Assembly's formal proclamation by resolution 40/3, of 24 October 1985, of 1986 as the International Year of Peace. That was a highly significant event, which highlighted the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the united Nations. My delegation has listened with great interest and satisfacUan, during the , general debate at this session, to the eloquent and impt"odssive statements of those who spoke on the International Year of Peace. The response to General Aesenbly resolution 40/10 of 11 Novemer 1985 on the ProgralllDe for the year exceeded all expectations. It is encouraging to note how 41mly replies there have been f!:om Governments and their high quality~ these have been published in the Secretary-General's reports ClI'l the activities ~der the programmes of the various countr ies, the activities of the united Nations system, and those of non-governmental organizations, all of which shows the interest aroused by the proclamation of the International Year of Peace. Various academic ihstib.1tions and bodies have also responded, including the University for Peace, whose head;Juarters are in my country, and whic:b has sponsored important activities and p:ogrammes en the i tern. 9.lc:b eminent pe£'sonalities as His Holiness John Paul 11 have alGo contr ibuted, and he issued an ecumenical call to observe a day of p:ayer for peace, which will be held in the city of Assisi on the 27th of this month (Xl the feast of St. Francis of .\'8sisi. His Holiness has urged all politica~ leaders and parties in conflict in the wocld to observe, at least during 27 October, a oonplete armistice. Be said\ "Our common prayer for a peace~ul future for mankind will be all the more fruitful if those who are today waging war would decide to join actively in this celebratioo. If the political and military leaders of nations and groups in armed conflict could, ~s a sign~ficant gesture, support the prayers of almost all religious forces in the wocld, they would be reco«;J\izing that for them, too, v iolence does not have the last word in the relations among individuals and nations." (Mrs. Castro de Barish, Costa Rica) We have been eloquently reminded that the General Assenbly, in proclaiming the Year of Peace, called upon the peoples of the world to join the united Nations in carrying out specifie activities and plans to help to safeguard the peace and the future of mankind through continuous and positive action by Memer States, by peoples, and by individual men and womE!;l\, in order to prevent war, eliminate threats to peace, settling disputes by peacefUl means and promoting human rights and fundamental freedom for all wi thout exception in every ca::ner of the globe. At the international level the united Nations has undertaken and is still undertaking, even after 40 years of action, intens ive efforts to prollDte peace by trying to rewce the anbitions, prejudicing passions and fanaticism which make war appear as inevi table, acceptable or justi fied. The world Organization has striven to do all it· could to prevent conflicts, ideological and religious differences, and the lacunae in international law, which can always be imprOl7ed upon. perhaps we have not achieved everything that we would have liked to achieve or could have achieved, wi th the co-operation and full political will of Memer States, but even so the United Nations has brought to international relations some additional measure of justice, order and tolerance. It has tr ied, and at times has succeeded, in resolving the confl icts that break out despi te its efforts to prevent them, sometimes by arranging a cease-fire and ensuring that it is observed by means of peace-keeping operations, and promoting settlements by negotia tion. In many fields of activity, not ooly the United Nations, but the entire united Nations system has acted together to achieve those noble aims. The International Year of Peace has made a great contribution to making individuals, Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, educational bodies and institutions for peace studies and research more aware of the potential of the Ulited Nations as an instrument to prollDte peace. It has been (!.fr s. Castr 0 de Bar ish, Coota Rica) li~e a rediscOl7ery of thte possibilities for the world organization to ac:tlieve one of its pr imary goals. The International Year of Peace has given valuable momentum to the channelling of international cO-operatiCl'l towards those ends~ Costa Rica has wanted to give proof of its oolllllitment to the InternatiCl'lal Year of Peace. My country's part~cipation in this celebration has involved all sector s of our p;-ople. These activities began on 1 January 1986 with a 're Deum at the metropolitan Cathedral with the attendance of the President of the Republic, members of the Cabinet and of the other two branches, that is, the legislative and judicial powers, headed by their respective presidents", the diploma tic corps in Costa Rica and representatives from academic institutions and universities, and all Costa Ricans or residents of the country MlO wished to join in this ecumenical act. In the prograDme for the Year we have had the participation of the gOl7ernmental, mmicipal, m iversity, intellectual, academic and pr iva te sector s which have arranged a great variety of important activities. But there was a special em);ilasis on the participation of young people, including school-age children, beginning with the third grade of primary school, both in the capital and in the provinces and rural commmi ties. On the basis of that representation, I now come here to call for the support of all delegations in proJlDting the aims of the International Year of Peace, which is now drawing to a close. The progralllne includes some valuable proposals for carrying on wi th the arduous task of seeking the peace we all des ire, a peace not confined to the absence of war or to disarmament, but a peace involving enduring coexistence among all human beings, an act of conviction, the fruit of the human persoo's developnent~ this is what will bring about peace among peoples, Governments and nations. (Mrs. Castro da! BariSh, Cootll Rica) I shall as to speak again later to introcl!ce the ~aft rescluticm cClntained in document A/41/L.9, which we have prepared with the co-oper.stion of aelegations~ Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroal, Colowia, Congo, Costa Rica, c&te d'Ivoue, cyprus, Ibminican Republic, Fcuador, El salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Guinea, Hmduras, Malta, Morocco, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Samoa, senegal, Sierra Leone, SI: 1. Lanka, Suriname, 'l'haUand, 'lbgo, uruguay, Vsezuela, and mare recently Australia, Belize, Canada, Nepal, New zealand, the Philippines and SingaPore. It is our hope that the draft we shall introduce tomorrow will be generally supported so that we my adopt it wi thout a vote. ~Mcs. Casuo de Barish, (".Q8"ta Rica) ru. IroLlIUEC (CzedloelOVakia) (interpretation from Bussian); At its fortieth amiversary session, '.:he General Assenbly solel'lllly proclaimed 1986 as the International Year of Peace. Its· theine - the call for joint efforts to safeguard the peace and tllle future of human!ty - has become the central requirement of our age. The Czed:1oslovak Socialist Republic has placed questions involving the protection of peace at the f«efrmt of its foreign policy, since it realizes that, for its people, peace has the highest priority and is a vitally important questioo. That is why we welcomed and supported the adoption of General Assenbly resolution 40/10 of 11 !bvember 1985, dealing with the progranme of the Interna timal Year of Peace. By a decisioo of the Czechoslovak Government of 13 June last year, a Commission was established to deal vi tit the observance in Czechoslovakia of the Year of the united Nations and the International Year of Peace. The Chairman of the Commissim was the Foreign Minister of Czec::hoslmak 18. It was given the task of promoting the implementation of the goals of the International Year of Peace in my cow try , by, inter alia, 8CX1uainting the broadest circles of Czecnoslovak public , opinion with the important role of the United Nations as a collective instrument for safeguarding peace and security. throughout the world. The meubers of the conmissioo included representativ~ of various spheres of political and pUblic life in my comtry, persons wo work actively to disseminate the vitally important peaceful initiatives designed .pr !mar 11y to eliminate the threat of nuclear war, prevent the mU!tar ization of space, achieve progress in the field of disarmament and strengthen tr ust among States • It is a fact that the present rapid developnent of science and technology has led to an en~irely new situation. A new spiral in the ar:ms race can have a decisive impact, leading to a severe deterioration of the situation. It is essential that the Int~natiatal Year of Peace serve as an impetus to a new Plase, in which there will be a genuine peace-loving policy among all countries Members of the Ulited Nations, indeed anta\g all States of the world, regardless of their social strucb.1res. Observance of the International Year of Peace should also help to ensure that, together and unrelentingly .. we reflect; 00 the state of efforts to solve the pr incipal pcoblems affecting peace, in order to ensure the unswerving mobilization of the activities of f?tatea and broa~ circles of public opinion in order jointly to prevent the threat of "nuclear war and a new spiral of the arms race, and thereby ensuring for the present and future generations durable peace, secur ity and stability, and developnent of mutually adlTantageous co-operation in all spheres. The arms race has a clearly negative impact at the economic and social development of States and impedes the solution of all global problems. Any objective scientific analysis confirms that as the arms race continues, radically new types of weapons make their appearance,; the strategic balance is upset; and decis iats adopted depend to an increasing extent at computer technolOgy. As a result, there is far less time to recti fy error:s. The real facts of today require that we promptly seek a way out of this dangerous situation that has arisen. The basis exists to move ahead in that direction; hence the need for unswerving compliance with international agreements and treati~s - primarily those between the Soviet (bion and the Ulited States dealing with the limitation of anti-missile defence systems, SALT-I1, the raon-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the prohibition of nuclear-weapon tests in the three environments, and so on. Czechoslovakia is anxious to ensure that international agreements are not lmdermined but, rather, are strengthened and that new, ,effective agreements are concluded' that wOluld block the path to a further escalatiat of the arms race. (Mr. Kulawiec, Czechoslovakia) we are convincecithat all the peoples want to live in peace. For that reason, their Governme~ts munt show the p:)litical courage and the political will to put an end to tile cootinuing dangerous process of the arms race and to proceed to disarmamen'i.. The International YeaH: of Peace has opened up a unique opportunity to do that. Truly radical measures to ac::hieve that goal can be foun.d only through the joint efforts of the Governments of Member States as well as the efforts of the tbited tetions itself and non-governmental organizations. Socialism has made and continues to exert the maximum effort to achieve a breakthrough in this respect. It has been obliged, how€lver, to react to the challenge of imper ialism. It has shown determination and the ability to neutralize, in a timely and effective way, any attempts by the thited States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to achieve military superiority. The military and strategic balance has been preserved. Nooe the less, its level is constantly rising. That is an exceedingly alarming state of affairs. The Soviet lhioo has proceeded to implement steps that are a proper response to the new situation that has arisen. In the past, it had assumed the obligation not to make the first use of nuclear weapons, as well as the obligation not to send anti-satellite systems into space so loog as other countr ies did not do so. At the 'l\rlenty-Seventh Congress of the Soviet Commtnist Party, the Soviet thioo put fa:ward a compr:ehensivesystem of international security. Within the framework of that system there is, in partiCUlar, a programme for general security through disarmament, proposed by Mikhail Gorbachev at 15 January this year. Its basis is a highly realistic programme for the phased elimination of nuclear weapons, accompanied by a ban on space str ike weapons. Moreover, the SOviet union has declared a mora tor iwn en the fur ther deployment of mediwn-r ange nuclear miss iles in Ellrope • (Mr. Kulawiec, Czechoslovakia) It has 'e.vera.1. times extended its lDilateral mocatorium on nuclear tests in all .,' . environments. The obligation assumed by the Soviet Union over a year ago has been strictly· respected since that time and in accordance with that obligaticm the Soviet Unim will not conduct nuclear tests until 1 Januar~' 1987. That decision by the Soviet O1ion is a far-r~ching and important step which gives the wodd yet another chance to eliminate the serious threat to human civilization posed by the relentlessly increasing nuclear arsenals. In this way, the Soviet thion has again demonstrated that the maintenance of peace and the elimination of the military threat are the fundamental principlee of its forei911 policy. In the most important issues of the struggle for peace and the prevention of the spread of th'= arms race fran Earth into space we find that there arE) common approaches with the developing arad nm-aligned States and also with certain western countries. The joint C~ec:hoslovak COltlllission for the unii;;Qd Nations Year and the International. Year: of Peace regards the canpliance ,with General Assenbly resolution 40/87 pertaining to the ptevention of an arms race in outer space as extremely important. In- the present complex international climate we also attach great importance to wide dissemination of the cmtent of the appeal by the States parties to the warsaw Treaty Organization to the States members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and to all European countries for a programme for the reduction of armed forces and conventional armaments in Europe, which was adopted at the meeting of the Political Consultative Committee of the States parties to the Warsaw Treaty in Budapest in June of this ~ar. This new initiative of the socialist States, together wi th a programme for the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destructi0n proposed by Mikhail sergeiyvic:h Gorbachev at the beginning (Kr. Kulawiec, Czechoslovakia) of this year, is convincing proof that the sOcialist States are fully prepared to conduct n&gotiations on the reduction 9f any type of armaments and to do so on the basis of the principle of e~ality and identical security. By their readiness to conduct "egotiations on the proposals which have been made, bot~ as a group and individually, they have demonstrated to the whole world that it is fully possible to prevent the threat of a nuclear disaster and assure a stable, lasting peace. What has already been done and what remains to be done by the Czechoslovak Commission for the United Nations Year and the In~ernational Year of Peace has been reported to the secretary-General by its Chairman, Mr. Buhuslav Chnoupek, the Minister for Poreign Affairs of my country, in his letter of 28 March of this year, which has been distributed as document A/41/283. In this connection, I must emphasize that it is our basic belief that the struggle for peace is indissolUbly and dialectically linked with the W?rk of the United Nations as a collective instrument of mankind to find ways to bring about comprehensive, stable peace. We fully support United Nations efforts to strengthen international security and solve the unresolved problems of mankind. The Czechoslovak peace movement has given the idea of the International Year of Peace concrete substance. Everywhere in our country, practically every week, events have been held in support of the purposes of the united Nations connected with the International Year of Peace, there have been seminars, exhibitions and rallies proclaiming the triumph of peace and friendship. Events have been organized by the component parts of the National Front of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, which combines all political parties and civic organizations of our country. I am convinced that the necessary conditions and possibiliti~s exist for us to bring about the essential breakthrough in European and world affai~s. (Mr. Kulawiec, Czechos~~vakia) CzechoslCNakia will spare no effort to ensure that the tullest use is ~~e of all of these possibilities.· All our foreign policy activltiesdll be direqted towards that end and we shall make use of all.opportWlities in.both bilateral,and multilateral forums, primarily the united Nations, which we consider to be an irreplaceable instrument for the solution of the gldoal problelD$ affecting mankind. It is our belief that today this unique univer sal forum is required to play a decisive role, primarily in the generation of a new t;ype of political thinking in keeping with the realities of the space and nuclear age. This underlying necessity accounts for the submission to this session of the General Assenbly by the SOCialist countr ies of a joint proposal concerning the establishmerlt of a canprehensive system of international peace and security such as would ensure a safe future for the whole of mankind, just conditi"=lns of peace and justice for all peoples of the wa:ld and the development of wiil" . ~ fin9, peaceful international co-operation. Hr. RANA (Nepal); Even a cursory sw; ~l y of the present-day international situation brings to mind the frequently-quoted Jt..'!tement of the late 8ecretary-General Dag Bali.lllarskjold that the greatest prayer of mankind today is not for v·ictory but for peace. If the quest for peace led to the birth of the thited Nations, the colllllitment to peace has been the source and support of its continued existence. Wi~ some notable exceptions, peace, however, still continues to elude the international conmunity. The observance of the International Year of Peace 1986, in response to a call by the fortieth session of the General AsseJli:)ly, must therefore be seen as yet another effort to enhance international awareness concern ing, and the env ironment for, peace. It would be naive to expect that peace , will flourish all over the world afl a result of the observance of the International Year: of Peace. It has, however, helped in generating a mch better appreciation of the very' important. fact· ·thatpeace ,'is-not merely the ;absence of war, that it. ~ust be nurt:Ureo cOntinuously ana that its, rela.t.ionship ·to such key issues as. disarmament· and arms cmttol, eCalomlc' and'j80cial d~~~oPIDent, decolmization, human rights, racial equality, -disaster relief and the prote.ction of· the environment must be clearly lDderstood by all, and especially by today's youth• Ch the basis of these criteria and, as the report of the secretary-General (A/4l/586) makes clear, it appears that implementation of the Programne of the International Year of Peace has been both memCX'able and successful. As that repoct bears out, the Year has focused timely attention on the role of the United Nations in the pronotion and maintenance of peace as well as on issues of international secur ity and confl ict resolution in a var iety of ways and means around the globe. I should now like to call attention briefly to some of the highlights of the implementation of the International Year of Peace, 1986, in Nepal. In keeping with the relevant General Assenbly resolutiat, a nunber of special activi ties have been, or are being, held. These have been des igned to encourage practical efforts on behalf of peace by providing a variety of opportmi ties for giving expression to ser ious reflection on the multifaceted dimensions and imperatives of peace. A National Co-ordinating Committee was set up, tnder the chairmanship of the Minister for Foreign Affa ir s, to plan the observation of the Inter national Year of Peace in a maMer befitting its lofty objectives. Amoog the activities that have already taken place are p'licy statements relating to the International Year of Peace by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister and the wide. dissemination of the stateme~ts through radio and television broadcasts and by the print media. A special postage stamp commemCX'a ting the Year was issued on International Peace Day, 16 September. Similarly, a special oomnemorative coin is to be issued tomorrow, on thited Nations Day, 24 OCtober. Symposiums, seminars, essay and logo-design competitions related to the theme of the International Year of Peace have also been organized with success. I must mentioo Nepal's keenly awaited participation in the First Earth Run, which among other things, will be highlighted by the ignitfng of an eternal peace flame from the First Earth Rtm peace torch at Lunbini, the birthplace of lord Q1ddha, the Prince of Peace. Similarly, I wish to recall that a (Mr. Rana, Nepal) peace torch lj.t by ais Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in Aug~t 1986 was carried by an ~nte~national expedition- to M::>unt Everest, the highest point on ear th, and is expected, in a few days' time to be united wi th the First Ear th Run flame, whidl began its lmg journey round the world right here from the rose garden of the thi ted Nations. I fed that a mere listing of some of the main activities relating to the observance of the Internatialal Year of Peace in Nepal nay not be sufficient to underline my country's deep colllllitment and contributions to the cause of peace. I will therefore avail myself of this opportunity to express my satisfaction that me of the achievements of the International Year of Peace activities, world wide, is the enhanced awareness of the intimate relationship between peace and development. This is a nexus that lies at the very heart of our proposal that Nepal be declared a zme of peace. Similarly, in a year that has seen little peace in West Asia, Nepal is honoured to have contributed, hO\'lever modestly, to the prevention of a major Arab-Israeli cooflict in Lebanoo, through participation in thited Nations peace-keeping operations. We are aware, however, that wor king for peace is a continuous process. Hence, we welcome the Secretary-General's decisioo to establish a Panel of EXperts on Preparation of Life in Peace to identify continuing activities relevant to the pronotion of peace. Nepal, fa: its part, stands ready, as usual, to co-operate with that or any other body in the promotion of peace. It is therefore pleased to be a sponsoc of draft resoluticn A/4l/L.9 on the International Year of Peace. In conclusion, my delegation proposes that the United Nations consider instituting an annual peace medal to be awarded to deserving individuals and institutions, including those outside government, for their contributions to the prolOOtion of peace. In our view, it would be a cmcrete ootcome and a visible annual reminder of our observance of the Inter national Year of Peace. Miss ABRAHAMS VEITIA (Venezuela) (interpreta ticm from Spanish): ! should like first, on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, to congratulate our sister Republic of Costa Rica, a coontry well known for deJlDcracy, for having taken the initiative of introduc~ng the item on the International Year of Peace for consideration at plenary meetings of the General Assenbly. The examination of this question has 'led to an exchange of ideas among Members of the Organization and has increased the international community's awareness of the need to attain and maintain peace. I should like to point out that Venezuela is doubly pleased at the Costa Rican initiative, first of all because Venezuela is also a democratic country well knCMn for its peace-loving attitude and, secondly, because that initia tive has come from a la tin American coun try. !4oreover, I should like to address this important forum on the occasion of the celebra tion on 24 OCtober of the In terna ticnal Year of Peace as procla imed by the General Assembly in resolution 37/16 dated 16 November 1982. In that resolution the Assenbly invi ted all Menber Sta tes, all organ iza tions in the tl'li ted Na tions system, interested nm-governmental organizations, educational, scientific, coltural and research ins ti tu tions ae; well as the news media to co-opera te wi th the secretary-General in the atta inment of the objectives of the Year. That. resolution also called upon the secretary-General to ensure that the proclamation shool'd be publicized as much as possible. Also at its fortieth session the General Assenbly, in its resolution 40/10, requested the secretary-General to report to it at its present session on the implementation of the programne of the International Year of Peace. That request was also included in the r esolu tim r ela ting to the Declaration on the Ri ght of Peoples to Peace, whim was issued at the same time as resolution 40/11, dated 11 Novenber 1985. (Mr. Rana, Nepal) On 1 January 1986 the Secretary-General sent a New Year's message to the Organization in which he stated the following: "Today marks the beginning not only of a New·Year but also of a very special year: the International Year of Peace. This year offers to Member States, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and other sectors a unique opportunity to deal fully with the problems and prospects of peace." The Secretary-General added: "The International Ye&r of Peace can constitute a very valuable framework for the purpose of encouraging investigations leading to the necessary conclusions on reducing the probability of war." Furthermore, the Secretary-General, on his election by acclamation for a new term, made a number of statements before.;,! General Assembly, among which I should like to emphasize the following: "There are new opportunities to reduce substantially the nuclear threat, to co-operate in overcoming the deadly dangers posed by terrorism and illegal drug traffic, to renew prodQctive international dialogue on issues of great significance to all countries, and to strengthen this Organization so that it can make its full contribution to a peaceful world." (A/41/PV.33, P. 12) During the commemmOratt?n of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations the President of Venezuela, Mr. Jaime Lusinchi, speaking before the Assembly, stated the following: "Venezuela comes to this session of the General Assembly with a strengthened determination to achieve peace, justice and understanding among the peoples of the worldJ with the same determination with Which, together with 50 other countries, it signed the San Francisco Charter, in circumstances unprecedented in the history of the world." (A/40/PV.14, p. 3) (!!!!.S Abrahams Veitia, Venezuela) The President went on to say that Venezuela was committed to peac~ in Latin America and throughout the world, along with the promotion of democracy, freedom, well-being and the defence of human rights. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of my country, Mr. Simon Alberto Consalvi, in a statement to the Assembly on 27 September of this year, stated: "We are speaking of a peace based on the principles of a deeply humanistic ethic, on the values of tolerance, dialogue and international co-operation. This is how we see the mission of the United Nations - as an effort that is for ever renewed to give peace the support of ethical values, of agreements freely entered into, which will ma~e it possible to coexist free from hegemony. We do not believe that to be an illusion." (A/4l/PV.l4, p. 47) At the conclusion of his statement the Foreign Minister stated: "In this International Year of Peace, we reaffirm our confidence in a more promising future for all the peoples of the world. We shall not falter in our efforts, as a country which yearns for peace and development and is struggling to achieve them." (p. 58). In those statements are clearly defined the principles of our foreign policy in regard to the attainment and maintenance of peace. We believe that peace has always been and continues to be the supreme goal of mankind. It is an aspiration as old as mankind itself. As a democratic country, Venezuela considers dialogue to be the best means for the attainment of peace. Peace is dialogue. Thus in order to attain peace it is essential to create the necessary conditions for dialogue. There will be peace when every human being is prepared to share and understand. Bringing about conditions for peace means educating for solidarity. The rest will follow automatically. (Miss Abrahams Veitia, Venezuela) Now I should like to refer to the programme developed b¥ the National Co-ordination Committee for the International Year of Peace established in Venezuela in response to the invitation by the United Nations in document A/41/583, concerning agenda item 21. That Committee was established by the President of the Republic of Venezuela by Decree No. 966, dated 8 January 1986. Its members are the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who presides over it, the Ministers of Education and Youth, the Minister of State for Culture, the President of the National Academy of Political and Social Sciences, the President of the Autonomous Institute of the National Library and Library Services, the head of the Central Information Office and the President of the Latin American Foundation for Human Rights and Social Development (FUNDALATIN). The Committee is responsible for formulating, co-ordinating and developing activities in Venezuela in connection with the International Year of Peace. Among the programme's objectives are the stimulation of action by educational, cultural and academic institutions and the communications media in the promotion of peace, international security and co-operation on the basis of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Organization. Moreover, this programme is intended to increase the flow of information to the Venezuelan people concerning united Nations activities in this field and the Organization's support f.or these activities. The various inter-institutional activities under the national co-ordination programme for the International Year of Peace ~nclude prOVision in scholastic programmes, in both basic and specialized courses and on a continuing and specific basis, of instruction on the purposes of the United Nations with regard to peace and international co-operation. The establishment of the National Family Council for Peace is among the activities of the Ministry of Youth. (Miss Abrahams Veitia, Venezuela) As far as the Foreign Ministry is cmcerned, its participation in the progralll1le includes the following activi~ies~ first, an information campaign on the ,( struggle against apartheid~ secondly, an invitatioo to Mrs. Winnie Mandela and/or Bishop Tutu to come to Venezuela~ thirdly, the publication of a special editim of the journal Analysis of the Institute for Fcxeign Affairs COl'ltain,ing tbcuments emanating from the Cmtadora Group~ and, fourthly, ensuring that the lectures to be given at the Institute for Fcxeign Affairs fall within the ccntext of the International Year of Peace. We should also mention the activities in connection with the dissemination of infornation being carried out by the Central Infornation Office through state radio and television and the press. I should like now to refer br iefly to the report o~ the seeretary-Gener al in cbcument A/4l/586 and Add.l, the purpose of which is to inform Memer States about the measures acbpted by the seeretary-General, subsidiary organs and agencies of the tbited Nations system, Gcwernments and non-gOlTernmental orgCllizations. This document also conta ins information concerning the activities carried ·out in the fields of science, the fine arts and the infornation media. It is important to nota the efforts made by the secretariat and United Nations agencies towards the attainment of the objectives set forth for the commemcxation of the International Year of Peace. The seeretary-General has repeatedly referred to the Internatimal Year of Peace in his statements in various international forums, among which we might mention the seminar held in Rome on 4 and 5 July of this year. The purpose of that consultative meeting was to exchange infornation on the activities of national oomnissims and consider the preparation of the secretary-General's report to be introCklced during the debate on the agenda item (Miss Abrahams Veitia, Venezuela) .. on the Internati«:mal Year of Peace, which is now under way. Venezuela was among the 44 Member States that participated in that seminar. Furthermore, the sec~etary-Generai'srepOrt mentions as a significant fact that, despite the serious financial limitations faced by the Organization at present, the co-operation previously established with the secretariat has continued. He also mentions as an important point the holding of conferences by the Department of Political and Security Council Affairs and the activities of, among others, the United Nations Information Centres and the offic~s of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund, which have actively promoted observance of the Internationol'Year of Peace. We are pleased to note that, while the Year is to be formally commemorated tomorrow, meetings will continue to be held on this subject at Headquarters in New York and Geneva. We consider that the activities relating to the International Year of Peace should go beyond the Year itself and as far as possible become part of the medium-term and long-term national plans of countries, thus giving the importance they merit to the promotion, attainment and maintenance of peace. (Miss Abrahams Veitia, Venezuela) MY delegation considers it relevant to note that the Security Council of which my country is currently a member held a meeting on 11 January 1986 at which the president of the Council issued a dec1aratlonO(S/11145) in which the members reaffirmed their commitment to the united Nations Charter, which conferred on the Council the primary responsibility for the maintenance of internat~ona1 peace and security, and affirmed that the inauguration of the International Year of Peace provided an added impetus for the members of t~e Council to enhance the effectiveness of the Security Council in discharging its principal role of maintaining international peace and security. We view with eaua1 satisfaction the resolutions of the Economic and Social Council adopted in May 1986, as was a Declaration from the information Committee in the same year. We should like to point out that all resolutions, decisions and statements relating to the International Year of Peace have been adopted by consensus as indeed they should have been. We hope that the matters raised in the above-mentioned documents will be dealt w~th successfully and contribute to achieving the aims of the Year, thus realizing the aspirations of the international community. The delegation of Venezuela views with concern that, according to the Secretary-General's report, as of la September, only 55 States, approximately one third of the membership of the Organization, have replied to the note verba1e of the Secretary-General requesting information on national programmes. At this time we should like to call upon all delegations to increase their co-operation with the Secretariat to this end. We feel that the support they may lend will be extremely useful in implementing international co-operation plans aimed at achieving and maintaining peace. Furthermore, support by States of their respective national programmes will create a universal sense of awareness, thus encouraging them to change their attitude to enable peace to be understood as a value of our contemporary society and a legacy for future generations. It is also of concern to my country that, according to theSecretary-Gener~l'sreport, only 61 Governments - that is, 38 per cent _I informed him about the establishment of national co-ordinating committees in their countries. In conc1usion v Venezuela pledges to continue to work, as it has done in the past to consolidate peace in the world, and we will therefore co-sponsor draft resolution A/41/L.9. Mr. FLORIN (German DemOcratic RepUblic) (interpretation from Russian): The German Democratic Republic and its citizens welcomed the decision of the united Nations to proclaim 1986 WInternationa1 Year of Peacew• ~he Year is to be an occasion for the mobilization of millions of people in support of international security and lasting peace, and an appeal to political leaders to act accordingly. It will be recalled that the German Democratic Republic, like the united Nations, emerged from the struggle of peop1e~ against fascism and war. Never a~ain must war start from German soi1J peace alone must forever come from its territory. This is the aim an4 the essence of the policy of my country. Our peace policy derives from the character of the socialist system of society, wherein the foremost concern is the well-being of the working people. . It is no exaggeration for us to say that everyone in the German Democratic Republic belongs to an alliance of peace and life encompassing all countries and continents, all social classes. and strata, all ideological and political currents, all generations, both men and women, an irresistibly growing world-wide coalition of political realism and human reason. (Miss Abrahams Veitia, Venezuela) Mankind is going through a new stage in its development, characterized by extreme responsibility and complexity. It is facing, as the letter of 5 August 1986 of the Foreign Ministers of the socialist countries to the united Nations Secretary-General says, an historic opportunity "either to allow the descent along the path of confrontation and the arms race towards the abyss of nuclear self-destruction to continue, or to adjust its thinking and actions to the realities of the nuclear and space age and to restructure international relations on the basis of co-operation and joint action for the preservation of peaceB • In the International Year of Peace, and consequently in this year's General Assembly session, many countries have responded with concrete initiatives to the vital question: how to live in order to survive. May I draw your attention to the comprehensive proposals put forward by the Soviet Union and the other socialist States regarding the non-extension of the arms race to outer space, and disarmament on Earth, including the prdgramrne to rid the world of nuclear weapons by the year 2000, the programme for the reduction of armed forces and conventional armaments, and the initiative for the establishment of an all-embracing system of international pe~ce and security. The Mexico declaration by six States and the political declaration of the Non-Aligned Summit at Harare contain clear statements in favour of a peaceful future for mankind. On record are developments which are to be welcomed, such as the repeated extensions of the Soviet Union's unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing, the successful conclusion of the Stockholm conference, the signing of conventions to ensure the safe development of nuclear energy, the progress in negotiations on a chemical-weapon ban, and the results of the Second Review Conference of the parties to the bacteriological (biological) weapons Convention. (Mr. Florin, German Democratic Republic) All these facts testify to the extremely positive role which multilateral diplomacy can play in the evolution of new political thinking. At this point, I should like to stress the role of the United Natio~s as a forum of collective reason and of the will of the international community, as a unique centre where an understanding can be reached by States on joint action that will benefit all mankind. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the Organization in every possible way and to enhance its international authority. In our time, particular' importance must be attached to the far-reaching proposals submitted by the Soviet Union at Reykjavik, which were endorsed by the Warsaw Treaty States at.their recent meeting of Foreign Ministers in Bucharest. As the communique stated, these proposals, if implemented, "would make it possible to bring about within a short time a fundamental breakthrough in international affairs and in all spheres in the struggle for disarmament, to avert the danger of nuclear war and to set in motion a real movement towards a world without nuclear weapons". It is to be regretted that these proposals were not accepted by the other side. (Mr. Florin, German Democratic aepubl.!£) In the view of the German Democratic Republic,the following should be elements of a new way of thinking and ac~ion in the nuclear and space age: co-operation rather than confrontation; security with each other rather than agains~ each other; negotiated political settlements rather than military solutions; the preservation, strict observance and reinforcement of existing agreements rather than their destruction; military and strategic balance at the lowest possible level based on the principle of eauality and eaual security ~ather than striving for military superiority. Those are the parameters for a new way of thinking and action in the nuclear and space age. We believe, liKe t~e overwhelming majority of States, that the immediat.e cessation of preparations for ·Star Wars·, indeed of all activities for the militarization of outer space which increase the threat of nuclear war, and the halting of all nuclear tests are key issues in the struggle for peace. The present situation reauires common sense, responsibility and a constr~ctive approach to the crucial questions facing mankind. In the opinion of the socialist States it is essential, first, actively to continue the dialogue, the efforts to halt the nuclear arms race and to establish a comprehensive system of international peace and security; secondly, to ensure that all States, big or small and irrespective of their social system, join forces and work with a sense of responsibility for the cessation of the arms race on earth and for its prevention in outer space. Like the other warsaw Treaty States, the German Democratic Republic is firmly resolved to continue and intensify its policy of dialogue with other States in order to strengthen confidence and understanding and to arrive at concrete agreements on auestions of disarmament and the securing o~ peace. (Mr. Florin, German Democratic Republic) The German Democratic Republic will support all endeavours which are designed to ac~ieve as soon as possible the conclusion of an agreement eliminating Soviet and united States medium-range missiles in Rurope~ The German Democratic Republic will further pursue. its constructive policy to set up a zone free of chemical weapons in Europe and its efforts to establish a corridor free of nuclear weapons in Central Europe. In connection with this auestion, I wish to refer to an important event in recent days when an agreement was reached between the leading party of the German Democratic Republic - the Socialist unity Party of Germany - and the Social Democratic Party in the Federal Republic of Germany on principles for a nuclear-weapon-free corridor in Central Europe which provides for the establishment of such a" corridor along the dividing line between the countries of the Warsaw Treaty and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The document is an appeal to all Governments, in East and West, which maintain armed for~es in the envisaged corridor to start negotiations on the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free corridor at the earliest possible date. I wish to confirm that my country is r~ady to inclUde its whole territory in a nuclear-weapon-free zone. On 1 September 1986 - World Peace Day - a delegation of the country's peace movement presented to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Chairman of the COuncil of State, Erich Honecker, a peace chronicle entitled -The German Democratic RepUblic in the International Year of Peace-, which describes the wide-ranging activities undertaken by millions of our citizens during the Year. The United Nations initiative to proclaim the International Year of Peace was warmly welcomea by many millions of people in my country, from its leadership to all workingpeO[>les and each and every family. The Year of Peace is seen not merely as a proclamation but, in fact, as an occasion, a task and additional encouragement to work with even greater energy and commitment for the safeguarding of peace. My COlmUy'S peace mO'lement.,~,s ac.~ivities range from meet~ngs, discussions, demonstrations ana ralUe,' to public readings by writers, poster e2lhibitions, solidarity bazaars, panel discussions with scientists, artists and cultural workers. They also include church servioos for peace, sports and musical events, and many other helpful initiatives. The German Democratic Republic prCNided information on its national activities in a let ter addressed to the Uti ted N!lt.ions secretary-General. That is also mentioned in the sec:retary-General's report (A/4l/586). My delegation would like to stress the need for an OI.'erall revie", of this significant Year that could be the subject of a subsequent report to be smmitted to the General Assembly at its forty-secmd session. The German Democratic Republic welcomes the idea of adopting a plan of action for peace up to the year 2000. Slch a plan would be an appropriate step further to promote the lofty goals and purposes of the International Year of Peace and the various activities undertaken, inclUding those lmder the auspices of .the lhited Nations. In his message of 30 January 1986 to the Peace Council of the German DellOcratic Republic at the begiming of the Internatiooal Year of Peace, the lhited Nations secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, stated, inter alia: (Mr. Florin, German Democratic RePublic) "Efforts must be intensified to remove the threat to all mankind of a nuclear catastrophe. Striving for those objectiv~s in this International Year of Peace is of the highest importance precisely because peace remains far from assured. The we11-being\and even the survival of humanity in future years will depend heavily on what is done now. Full advantage must be taken of the opportunities offered by this International Year of Peace.- Let me assure the Assembly that this is also the unswerving will of the citizens of the German Democratic Republic. Mr. RODRIGUEZ (Colombia) (interpretation from Spanish): Colombia, loyal to its political tradition of support for all actions of peace programmed and developed by the United Nations, adopted enthusiastically and optimistically the resolution which proclaimed 1986 to be the International Year of Peace. Our Government and people have followed with interest and with hope all efforts made in the united Nations to promote a wide range of intensive activity for peace in all reqions of the world. The Secretary-Generalis report (A/41/586) is clear evidence that peace programmes have been successfully undertaken throughout the world, with the participation not only of Governments but also of many non-governmental organizations and personalities from the fields of science and the arts, organizations of women, of youth, of children, political parties, parliamentarians, intellectuals, writers, musicians, paj"nters, churchmen and sportsmen•. The item of peace was present in all international meetings of a political, trade union, religious, scientific or cultural nature. Many important books, newspapers and magazines were published and recordings made. There were issues of postage stamps, innumerable speeches and conferences. (Mr. Florin, German Democratic Republic) The activities undert~ken by the Secretary-General and by the secretariat of the International Year of Peace to carry out their enormous task deserve the unreserved praise of all Governments and peopies of the world represented here. We wish also to stress the personal activities of Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar as a world leader in the search for peaceful dialogue in all areas where there are military conflicts. There can be no doubt that all the activities I have mentioned contributed to makinq considerable progress in this International Year of Peace towards universal awareness of peace and that makes it possible for us to say that this battle has been won in the United Nations and that it has been useful for all mankind. Furthermore, the ultimate commitment of avoiding world war has been met. The year 1986 will come to an end without there having been a nuclear conflagration. That means that mankind has had one more year of survival for mankind and that new possibilities and opportunities for avoiding atomic confrontation have been opened up. Colombia considers that it has done its duty to the international community not only because of its firm participation in the activities of the United Nations but also because in the international military conflict closest to our own territory - that of Central America - Colo@bia, as a founding member of the Contadora Group, has played a decisive role, together with Mexico, Panama and Venezuela, in defending the peace of the region, with the valuable co-operation of the Support Group made up of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay. While it is true that, under the banner of the united Nations, people all over the world have worked hard for peace, it is also true that the results are in no way satisfactory. Although we have avoided a world war, there have still been local wars in important parts of the world and none of the military confli.cts existing at the beginning of the International Year of Peace has come to an end as (Mr. Rodriguez, Colombia) we enter the two last months of the year. Where there was war a year ago there is war today~ where there was fire there is fireJ where there was danger there is danger.* In the view of'Colombia there has been no change in this situation because the whole of mankind is affected by the tremendous underdevelopment of most of the countries of the world, members of the United Nations. Poverty and backwardness bring to the lives of human beings pain, anguish and despair which are incompatible with peace. When we look at the magnitude of the social problems in the underdeveloped world, which continue to increase, and think of the r,esources necessary to resolve them there are some who believe that these situations are as serious as the nuclear threat - and they are probably right. The President of Colombia, Mr. Virgilio Barco Vargas, speaking in the Gpneral Assembly on I october, referred to peace and related it directly to development, reminding the world that absolute poverty, understood as the inability to meet with individual income the basic needs of life - food, health and education - is a problem that also affects the'countries of Latin America. Our President offered several examples, saying that the problem was to be found in all countries of the underdeveloped world and gave rise to violence and war and he reauested the economic co-operation of all nations, partiCUlarly those of the industrialized world, as a specific means of fighting for peace. The President stated: "The enormity of the sums of money States devote to developing new technologies of annihilation and to manuf~cturing instruments of death and destruction makes even the strongest spirits fearful. The resources used up in this endeavour could well be devoted to alleviating the sUfferinga of mankind and speeding its development and progress." (A/4l/PV.l8, pp. 8-10) * Mr. Thompson (Fiji), Vice-President, took the Chair. (Mr. Rodriguez, Colombia) (Mr. Rodriguez, Colombia) ... "War and peace, development, human rights, the rational use of outer space and of the oceans, all these are matters for which the United Nations provides a natural forum for international discussio'.1'l and for the attainment of effective compromises, through negotiations, in order to move forward. "But side by side with those interna~ional problems, there are others, seemingly domestic, that call for the solidari~y of the international community. I refer to the increasing dispari~y between those who share in the benefits of civilization and those who are inexorably shut off from them. "The poor, the victims of discrimination, the unemployed, peasants who cannot produce what they need, children who perish daily because of hunger and disease that could, without too much effort, be cured, ~efugees, South African blacks: those ar-e injustices, those are inequalities that become more intolerable with each day on a planet which - and this is true - is able to overcome them. "Alone, a way out of such situations cannot be foundJ together we can create a better world. Mankind, if it wishes to do so, can alleviate hunger, poverty, disease and ignorance. The means exist. The technology exists. However, resolve is lacking." (A/4l/PV.l8, p. 11) What was said by the President of Colombia authorizes our delegation to reauest the President of this Assembly, the Secretary-General and the representatives to base the universal awareness of peace which we are forging in the united Nations on the inspired purpose that everyone all over the world, from children to adults, should call for understanding on the part of the developed countries that there can be no absolute peace and happiness unless they help the rest of the world to overcome underdevelopment, or at least to overcome the stage of dire poverty in which most of the people live. In all our peace activities we should renew our call to the nuclear Powers and to the industrialized developed world ~or the vast sums spent on nuclear arms to be used to support and prollDte the progress of the developing countries, without ';" interfering with their own developnent plans. The Colorrbian writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who woo the Nollel prize for literature, made one of the most beautiful speeches on the subject in this Internatiooal Year of Peace last August, at Ixtapa, in ~xico, in which he gave the following information~ -For the cost of only two Trident atomic submarines, out of the 25 which the present GoITernment of the thi ted Sta tes intends to manufacture, 01: of a similar number of Tifon submarines being built by the Soviet Union, we could at last undertake to make the dream of world literacy a reality~ for the cost of 10 Nimitz nuclear aircraft carriers, out of the 15 which are to be built by the year 2000, a preventive programme could be carried out to protect, during those same 14 years, over a billicn people against malaria and thus save the 1 ives of OYer 14 millicn ch ildren in Africa alooe." "Wi th respect to food, for example, the Food and Jlgr iculture Organization of the Ulited Nations (FM» estinates that last year there were some 575 millioo people suffer ing from hunger. The total cost of supplying their minimum caloric requirements would have been less than the cost of 149 MX rockets out of the 223 which are to be deployed in western FA1rope~ for the cost of 27 of them we could buy the necessary agricul tural equipment to make the poor countries self-sufficient in food within the np.xt four years." Although thus far the end results are not altogether satisfactory, the delegation of Colombia wishes to express its gratification that the United Nations; has fulfilled its commitments in the Internatiooal Year of Peace, and has succeeded in mobilizin9 a 9reat clJIllpaiCJl\ for peace in all countdes of the world. We urge that the action be<JUn should be continued with the same enthusiasm and intensity. C01011bia is a supporter and sponsor of the draft resolution in dJcument A/4l/L.9, which has been prepared by a 9rOUP of count!: ies, on the initiative of Bahamas, Bangladesh and Costa Rica. The stru9gle for developnent seems more difficult than the stru99le for peace, but it is essential because development is the oo;Ly sure road to peace. All 'is not lost for mankind so 1009 as the will to fi<;l1; remains. This is our ardent appeal to the interna tional community) as loog as we go 00 'fi9hting, we shall keep our hopes alive. Mr. TERNOV (Byelorussian Soviet SOcialist Republic) (interpreta tion from Russian): The thited Nations decision to proclaim 1986 as the International Year of Peace was adopted with cite regard for the previously adopted Declarations on the Stren9thEning of Internatiooal security, the Preparation of SOcieties for Life in Peace, and the Right of Peoples to Peace, and other pr09ressive decis ions of the General AsseJlbly. It received the active support of the Byelorussian SSR. The purposes and tasks of the Year and their human~stic philosophy fully corres~ds to the forei9D policy of our country, and the interests of the peoples of the whole world. The concern and alarm of the peoples and the mounting feeling of responsibility OI7er the majority of States for the fate of the world, have taken the form of actions, on the part of the public and of many Governments, designed to turn the year of peace into peaceful nuclear-free decades, and decades of disarmament~ and till t is how Byelorussia under stands that decision. This approach has d'laracterized the work of our national commissim for the bservance of the Year. The conmission, which includes representatives of official (Mr. Rock iguez, ColoJrbia) and civic organ iza tions, has been carrying out a broad plan of pl'actical actions based 00 the progranme of the united Nations International Year of Peace. In that plan attention is concentra ted on the need to impress on each pecson in society the purpose and essence of the progranme - the fiC#lt for peace and disarmament, and to encourage people to take an active part in its implementa tion. It is essential to fight against war before it starts. That is the motto of the anti-war activity conducted in our republic. The efforts of the commission and its measures have met with broad support among the p:>pulation, the mass media and official and civic organizations. This is ooly to be expected. The SOviet people, including the Byelorussian have, as a result of their history, which has been harsh and heroic, with a great deal of bloodshed and fighting to survive, always been active in the fight for the ideals of peace, co-operation and friendship among the peoples, as the highest attainment of civilization. In the republic many large-scale events have taken place as part of the Interna tional Year. Among these we should mention in particular such mass actions as the holding of a week of action against war and for European security and co-operatioo, with the participation of ooe fifth of the p:>pulation of Byelorussia, a week of action for disarmament, and a day of trade" union actions for peace. On 1 septerrber, there were peace lessons in all insti tu tes of learn ing ~ and as a tradition, among milliats of SOviet students and children, the new school year star ts from tha t point. The mass med la publ ished the message of the secretary-General on the occasion of the peace lessoo. One important area of the work of our commission is the issuing of publications. The International Year and its purposes and talks have been the subject of var ious brochures, posters and publications. The delegations can (Mr. TernOV', Byelorussian SSR) familiarize thenselves with some of these, mich are available 00 the table at the f,) '. back of the ball. ~ng ooq:leti tions and competitions for ch11dren IS ~ awings and poster s encouraging people to act to defend peace, have been held. In this connection we can report with satisfaction that at the eleventh international poster competition in the ~olish People IS Republic, which was held in the spring, the special prize of the United Nations secretary-General for the best.poster devoted to the Interna tiooal Year of Peace went to Byelor uas ian artists for their wor k • The events arranged in oonnectioo with the International Year of PeaCE! have been accanpanied by numerous large ga ther ings and mani festa tions, rallies ,,/nd meetings. Prom 30 July to 6 August, in the heroic city of Minsk, capi tal of Byelcxuasia, the ninth internatiooal student workshop, devoted to the International Year of Peace, were held. These involved the participation of representatives of natiooal student mions, student and youth organizations from almost 100 countries of the world, and representatives of many international organizations. The campaign for peace and disarmament, and the participation of students in that campa ign, became the dominant themes of the wor kshop. Public opinion in Byelorussia supports the aims of the Internatiooal Year of Peace and urgently demands the elimination of the nuclear threat, the implementation of ~actical measures for real disarmament and the strengthening of international security. (Hr. 'ler nOlT, Byelorussian SSR) People welcome the active quest for new approaches to the' solution of these problems, and ~e important concrete actions and proposals of the SOviet Union and other Sta tes of the socialist comml.l'li ty dur ing the In terna ticnal Year of Peace, to achieve these ~nds. Information on measures taken in the SOviet Union in that regard has been sent to the thi ted Na tions and is referred to in the repcxt in document A/4l/586. Expcessing its attitude towards the Intern!!ltional Year of Peace and its understanding of the tasks and purposes of· the Year, as well as its support for them, the standing COJllUission on International Affair s of the SUpreme SOviet of the Byelerussian SOIriet l:bcialist Republic issued in July this year a statement that was published in the press and was also transmitted to the United Nations secretariat. That statement included the following passage: -The main tasks of the International Year of Peace are to ensure the convergence of the efforts of peace-10l7ing states, peoples, political parties and tendencies, indeed of all people of good will, in the struggle to maintain peace and rid mank ind of the threat of nuclear war, and to place the 8U thority of the thited Nations behind these efforts-. we attach the greatest importance to the process of expanding and intensifying the campaign to involve broad circles of the population in the peace lIOI7ement and to strengthen their influence a\ the acbption of political decisions as well as the pr amotion of concrete actions for pt}ace. I wish now to quote the following words of Mr. Mikhail sergeiyvidl Gor bac:bev, General secretary of the Central Committee of the Caomunist Party of the SOI1iet UniQl~ -The mass movement for peace has enormous and as yet not completely utilized possibilities fer imposing cm world politics a new, anti-war, anti-nuclear mode of thinking, der ived not from the image of the enemy stimUlating (Hr. TernOlr, Byelorussian SSR) confraltation but from the need for joint efforts to build a eanprehensive system of international secur ity-. From that point of view, the. International Year of Peace declared by the thited Nations plays a.positive role. 8lt it should also serve as a wM'ning against complacency. The situation imperatively demands that in the struggle for Peace both GCRernments and social forces should act resolutely and purposefully. The Declaration proclaiming the International Year of Peace states that the Year ·prCRides a timely impetus for initiating renewed thought and action for the promotion of peace-. (resolution 40/3, annex) It is becoming evident now that questions of war er peace require new attitudes and approaches, new political thinking, a new political philosophy that refutes age-old notions about the permissibility and acceptability of war and armed conflict. It is not enough now to recognize that there can be no victcrs in cs nuclear war. ,The facts of the space and nuclear age are such that the destruction of civilization in a nuclear war would be all-embncing. A nunber of States have accepted this new mode of tbinking and have taken into account .the cbjective facts of today's wcrld and based on their actions and proposals on them. It is that new approach that imbues the initiatives of the ScNiet U'lion and the other socialist comtries, initiatives that have been widli!!ly disseminated. They have created a palpable and real opportunity for clear, unswerving and effective mcwement, on an agreed bas is and in phases, towards the recilction and elimination by the year 2000 of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the prohibition of nuclear-weapat tests, the prevention ot the spread of the arms race to space, and a significant reduction of armed forces and <$l convention~l armaments. (Mr. '!'er nCR, Byeleruss lan SSR) Progress along that path would make it possible to Jay the foundations for a coup:ehensive l;1ystem of international peace and security and for the establishment of a world wi thout wars and weapons - the ancient dream of manic ind. That is coq>letely feasible if those to whom the proposals of the socialist states are addressed discard their outmoded mili tary and poli tical stereotypes and start moving along the path of constructive co-operation towards disarmament and the strengthening of peace - not in words, but in deeds. That is the spirit of the Proclamation of the International Year of Peace, which affirms the need to "express in practical terms the common aspira Uon of all peoples for peace". (resolution 40/3, annex) The socialist States are doing their utmost to put this approach into practice. New, tangible confirnation of this is to be found in the meeting held in Reykjavik by the leaders of the SOviet union and the united States, on the initiative of the SoIl'iet thion. Despite the fact that ale of the sides was not ready to renounce the unleashing of an arms race in space and the meeting therefore did not produce the expected results - although we know that such results were close at hand - the meeting wa'::) an important event in the struggle against the arms race and for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons, in order to rid the war ld of the threat of war. The meeting created a qualitatively new situation and moved the fight for nuclear disarmament to a new, higher level at which it will ilOW be possible to increasi) efforts to achieve radical reductions in, and then the complete elimina tion of nuclear weapons. Our delegation is pleased that more than 60 countries from three continents set up national co-ordinating bodies for the holding of various events in their coun tr iea dor ing the Inter national Year of Peace. That demonstr ates their ser ious apptoac:h to the historic task of preserving peace ~"'ich now faces mankind. But (Mr. '!'er nov, Byeloruss ian SSR) those 60 countries form ally a part of the mell'bership of the thited Nations. We must note with regret that many countr ies that are very im1»lt'tant militai:' ily, including certain permanent mell'bers of the security Council, are missing from the list of States which established such co-ordinating bodies for the International Year of Peace. SUch an attitude towards the purposes of the International Year of Peace - purposes set forth in the resoluUon adopted by consensus - can only eVoke astcrnishment, disappointment and alarm. At the consultative meeting in Rome this sU!ll11e:r between the secretary-General and representatives of natiooal commissions estabU.shed in connection with the International Year of Peace, several delegations, including my own, proposed that the Internatiooal Year of Peace should not be allowed to disappear into history without a trace, that the time remaining before the 1:'aginning of the next century should be declared a period of active efforts for peace. It is essential to move to constructive co-operation for the attainment of the goals of the In terna tional Year of Peace a fter the Y~ar ends and to call upon States to act in such a way that, with each succeeding year, the ideal of peace will be brought closer, a new oode of thinking will be a?opted ar..d actions contrary to peace will be abandoned. We note with satisfaction the following conclusion in l'he secretary-General's report 00 this question: "The International Year of Peace will pE'ovide a continuing occasion to focus attention on actioo for peace, including that of the thited Nations". (A/4l/586, para. 60) In the context of this question, the delegation uf the lobngolian People's Republic, joined by a grOtJp of countries including the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, submitted a draft resolution entitled "Right of peoples to peace". Tha t resolu tioo took in to account the urgent des ir~ of peoples for a ~Mr. '!'er nov, Byeleruss ian SSR) peaceful fut\3re, and called upon all States and int~nat:J.onal cxganizations to do their utmost to impl",went the pt'ovisims of the Declaradon on the Right of Peoples to Peace and to ensure their right to'live and work in pEace and freedom. OUr delegation feels that we should maintain the fur!d that was established for the In terna tional Year of Peace, as a volun tary fmd to promte the purpeses of peace. Hence, we support the pt'oposal that activities to implement the purposes and tasks of t':le Internatia'lal Year of Peace should be <:1eveloped further after the end of the Year. My delegation considers it essential that the resolution to be adopted by the Asserrbly this year 00 this item should" caltain such a provision. The Byelo..-ussian delegation is convinced that the sincere and businesslike co-operation of States "in U1ited N!ltions efforts to achieve disarmament and es tablish secur i ty for all can and should lead to the Inter national Year of Peace becoming a decade of peace and to the appcoacbing twenty-first century becoming a century of peace. To that end, a responsible and honourable attitude towards the future mUJElt be taken by all peoples~ (Kr. '!'er nov, Eyelor usa ian SSR) Mrs. C\RRASQ) (Bolivia) (interpretation from Spanishh The delegation of Bolivia was ale of the sponsors of the resolutions leading to the celebration of the International Year of Peace, since it recognizes that promoting peace is the fundamental purpose of the Tlli ted Nations and attaining peace is the common ideal of all peoples. We have read with special interest the report of the 5ecretary-General (A/4l/586) on implementation of the Programme of the Internaticnal Year of peace. It shows that by means of various activities undertaken by Governments, non-gOlTernmental organizations, private institutions and personalities of the intellectual and acaderoic world, the obstacles to peace have been identified and a clear relationship has been established b2tween Peace and development, Peace and disarmament and peace and human rights ~ A very important chapter in the research which has been dale no doubt is eci1cating societies to live in peace. Indeed, there is no more important topic, no question more intimately linked to the future of mankind, than peace. In this comectial, the delegation of Bolivia cannot but state its concern at seeing that the celebration of the Internaticmal Year of Peace has not canmanded the interest which was expected by some coun __~ ! 'JS • Paragraph 8 of the secretary-General's report mentions that after he addressed a note verbale to all states in Decellber 1985, mly SS Sta tes have prOl1ided informatim on progrsllllles and activities undertaken in observance of the Year. However, non-gOlTernmental organizations, to which we wish to convey our gratitude, carried out a great deal of activity, thus showing the wish of peoples to encourage and duly promote the cause of peace. Paragraph 26 of the secretary-General's report mentions that in total, 61 GoVernments have informd the secretary-General about the establishment of naticmal co-ordinating comnissims or mechanisms for the International Year of Peace, 1n accordance wi th General Assemly guideline:s. It is true that a good nunbef of Gc:wernllEnts referred to the Intcnatimal Year of Peace and renewed their support for to the cause of peace in sporadic messages or spa:adic statements. SUch an attitu~ is plausible but sh«t of Ylat is required. Bu 11ding peace is a alOll and arduous task whim requirestbe firm and continued supp«t of Galernments. The fact that the United Nations has to proclaim a special Year devoted to peace when the quest for peace is the very reasQ'l for: our Organization must come as a sw:prise to plblic opinim. There should not be any International Year of Peace. Every day and every year should be devoted to the cause of peace. However , haVing proclaimed 1986 as the International Year of Peace, Governments should have made use of the oppcxtmtity to express in concrete act1Q'l their willin~ess to serve peace. Coming to the end of 1986 as we are, mankind more than ever, is perplexed by the lack of sensitivity on the part of its leaders, faced with a world ridden by conflicts and d:\ngerously divided into ideological camps. There is Cl need for appropriate negotiations to avoid distortions of peace. I wish to re~at what was stated by the Bolivian Foreign Minister during the general debate: "Bolivia firmly supports all disarmament initiatives aimed at preserving internatimal peace and security, and it urges the world Powers to do everything they can to maintain dialogue and creative thinking that could lead to general and canplete ~isarmament under effective international control. &we also support the strengthening and consolidation af a new international global order of peace and well being for all the PeOples of the world, an order in which the goal of international social justice is an attainable goal and not merely a utopian dream.· (A/4l/PV~12, W. 52-53) (Mrs. Carrasco, Bolivia) The vast amc.H.lI\l:s lllhic;h CCX1tinue b:? be spent <Xl the insme arms race say very little for thpse who hold the fate of mankind in their hands e In the meantime, poIIerty an'd hunget cCX1tinue to afflict a large sectoc of the world population. Almost at the end of the twentieth century, when mankind is proud of its scientific and technological corquests, we cmtinue to suffer from evils which should belong to the past. ThLJ sombre picture is even more negative if we take into account that. present trends do not lead to solutions to problems but ra ther to their gradual and sustained worsening. With all the progress which human society has nade, we cmtinue to witness the deplcxable spectacle of societies which deny man his right to freedom. Human rights are blatantly violated, taxing the pauence of an international canmmity Lmable to pl.llim those responSible for violations of human rights. This organization, since its inception, has been discussing the practices which deny man hJls dignity. Apartheid, and other odious forms of racial discr imination, ~:;ontinue to exist simply because rhetor ieal condemnation was never accanpanied by a sincere determinatial to end them. This state of affairs cannot continue without the risk of human beings being ultimately condemned to self- extermina tion as a result of a final world war. The delegation of Bolivia maintains that the International Year of Peace, as stated by the secretary-General in the cooclusions in his report, has brought about certain positive trends, enoouraging more international co-operation. Thus, despite the fact that in our view the Internatialal Year of Peace could have yielded many more benefits to the cause of peace and international understanding, it did have a certain impact which, albeit modest, is nale the less useful. (Mrs. Carrasco, Bolivia) For the delegatiOn of BOl.ivia, 'an essential p:erequisitefot peaCe is strengthening the United Nations. We sincerelY; believe that ~f we were to use the mechanisms established in the Charter, if we were. to 1Illp1.eilent the collective security system with which the Organization is pl:C'Nided, if we were to use the entire potential of the organizati~, we could make strides with confidence towards a better future. (Mrs.. Carrasco, Bolivia) Thus, the delegation of Bolivia believes that it is necessary for the promotion of peace to be a constant activity. To that end, we lUust maintain and strengthen contacts with non-governmental organizations and all institutions interested in the cause of peace so as to develop new programmes to increase international awareness and bring about the mobilization of human resources. It is also important for United Nations In~ormation Centres, as a means of disseminating information in the various countries,- to continue to develop programmes for the provision of information on the objectives of the Organization in terms of maintaining peace and bringing about international harmony. In the final analysis, ours is an Organization of peoples united in support of the purpose of saving future generations from the scourge of war. The delegation of Bolivia expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General for his reports and for what he has done to carry out the programme of the International Year of Peace. We ask him to convey to the secretariat of the International Year of Peace our gratitud~ for its efforts. In conclQsion, I should like to refer to the activities carried out by my Government in the celebration of the International Year of Peace, which began with the establishment of a special commission headed by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and made up of members from State organizations and non-governmental agencies. That commission prepared a wide ranging programme of activities, which have been carried out in various cities of the RepUblic. I need not list those activities since that information has already been distributed. Mr. NYAMDOO (Mongolia) (interpretation from Russian): The year 1986, proclaimed the International Year of Peace, is of particular importance for the mobilization of actions and efforts by all peace-loving forces to halt the arms race and bring about disarmament. In connection with the International Year of (Mrs. Carrasco, B~livia) Peace, all peoples have been called upon, together with the United Nations, to make resolute efforts to defend peace and the future of mankind. My delegation has read the Secretary-Genera1'.s report on the imp1eentatlon of the Programme of the International Year of Peace with great attention. While not anticipating the eventual outcome of the Year, we must say that many States, organizations and individuals have become very actively involved in the implementation of the Programme of the International Year of Peace. The report makes it clear that the struggle for peace has become the princ~pa1 concern of the whole of mankind. The conclusions and proposals contained in the report are worthy of further careful study. Having studied the'~lementationof the Programme of the International Year of Peace, we cannot fail to draw attention to such major initiatives, tailored as it were, to the International Year of Peace, as the Soviet proposal for the elimination of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction by the end of this century; the unilateral moratorium on all nuclear explosions, which has be~n extended until 1 January 1987, the joint proposal of the socialist countries for the establishment qf a comprehensive system of international security, and so on. The Mongolian people, like all peoples of the world, indeed, expected a great deal more of the Soviet-American summit meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland. However, my delegation considers that that meeting was a major political event, not only in Soviet-American relations, but also with regard to the whole question of the fate of the world in general. As a.result of the proposals and significant concessions made by the Soviet Union, the meeting came very close to achieving agreement on a broad range of questions relating to the limitation and reduction of nuclear armaments. These arrangements must be continued and the proposals enriched and implemented. Despite what has happened, we hope that the other side will show the necessary political will and flexibility. (Mr. Nyamdoo, Mongolia) We should also add that the spirit and substance of the Declarations adopted by the Eighth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, in Harare, in many respects were precisely in consonance with the purposes and tasks of the International Year of Peace o We welcome certain political trends discernible at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament and the outc~ne of the recent Stockholm Conference on Confidence and Security Building Measures, and Disarmament in Europe. The Mongolian People's Republic resolutely advocates the elimination of the threat of war, above all nuclear war. We advocate renunciation of the use of force in international relations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means on the basis of the provisions of the United Nations Charter. My delegation has made some specific proposals at the Conference on Disarmament and in the General Assembly designed to preserve and strengthen international peace, thereby seeking to make its contribution to this noble cause.· Representatives of all sectors of public opinion in my country have taken part in the events arranged pursuant to the Programme of the International Year of Peace. In particular, we wish to commend the work of the World Congress of Supporters of Peace, in Copenhagen, which we believe to be an important undertaking in the implementation of the purposes and tasks of the International Year of Peace and in the further development and consolidation of the peace movement among the world public and the movement for disarmament and social progress. As part of the celebration of the International Year of Peace, mass rallies and meetings of representatives of different segments of the workers have been held in my country. We have organized competitions and poster exhibitions on the theme of peace. We have he18 a concert of political songs and held athletic competitions under the motto "For peace". (Mc. Nyamdoo, Mongolia) Speci~l radio and television programmes have been regularly devoted to the International Year of Peace. Lessons on peace have been given in all schools and institutes of learning, and signatures have been collected from more than half the population of Mongolia. Radio, television and the press have been giving extensive coverage to the numerous events organized in other countries in connection wi th the International Year of Peace. Postage stamps and postcards have been issued on the theme of the International Year of Peace, and other measures have been planned and arranged. My delegation endorses the view that the International Year of Peace has become a major event in the context of the efforts by States and peoples to preserve and strengthen peace. It has significantly helped the developnent of support by the world public for the objectives of peace and disarmament. Wi th regard to the secretary-General's report on the implementation of the programme for the International Year of Peace, we are pleased to note that a nunber of States and international organizations have reported to the secretary-General on Ylat they have done at the national level. My delegation is most grateful to those States and organizations for the interest they have shown in the exercise (:~f the right of peoples to Peace. We consider that further efforts to prollDte the exercise of the ricj1t of peoples to peace would make a subi$tantial contr ibution to support for peoples in their fight for a peaceful life. It is gratifying to note that the spir it of the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace continues to receive growirag support from the world community. In this cxmnection, I wish to refer to the Mexico six-nation Declaration of 6 August this year. The Declaration begins with the following words: (Hr. Nyamdoo, lobngolia) ·We have met today in order to proclaim the right of peoples to peace, in order again to q,onfirm our dedication to the defence of that right and in ceder to guarantee the ca'ltinued existence of mankind.· The Declaration ends ~ith the words~ ·Each perscm has the right to peace and is obliged to fight for it.· It is the duty of each state to take acUm to pronnte the exercise of the ri9ht to peace. On this basis, many countries have manifested their willingness to participate further in the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration and to co-operate with the United Nations in this matter. The fobngolian People's :Republic considers that the pr:actical and steadfast implementation by all States of the pt'ovisions of the Declaration· on the Right of Peoples to Peace would help to strengthen international peace and security and help to eliminate the threat of nuclear war. We hold the view that the General Assembly of the United Nations should devote even more attentioo to the question of the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration to which I have just referred. In our opinion, the General Assenblv should cootinue to consider the q"uestion of the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration every ?ear cc every two years. In .the light of the f{,regoing, my delegation has the hmour of introcilcing draft resolution A/4l/L.lO, on behalf of Bulgaria, the Byelorussian SSR, Cuba, the German Denneratic Republic, the Lao People's Denncratic Republic, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania, Nicaragua, the Syrian Arab Republic, Viet Nam and my own country. As this draft resolution is procedural in nature and does not involve any financial implications, its sponsors hope that it will be possible for it to be adopted wi thout a vote. (Mr. Nyan'doo, lobngol la ~ Hr. PAWIJ\K (Poland) ~ In the view of the Polish delegation, the proclamation by the General Assel\i)ly of th is year as the Internatiaull Year of Peace was indeed a timely decision. It reflected the deep concern of the international commmity OI7er the present dangerous state of int6natiOl'lal affairs and the ever-growing nuclear threat. As we can see from the report of the secretary~neral, the International Year of Peace has prOl7ided momentum for a variety of activities in favour of peace, at both the national and the international level. The implementation of the programne for the Year has underlined the role played by the Ulited Nations in the proIlDtion and maintenance of international peace and secur ity. Most important, however, it has emphasized the fact that peace represerilts the Supreme value for the whole world. The preservation and consolidation of peace call for the conbined efforts of all States irrespective of their political and social systems. Progress can be ach ieved not by confrontation but only through meaningful dialogue and co-operatioo. This has been demonstrated, fot' instance, at Stockholm, and the meeting of the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States of America in Reykjavik also showed the great importance of these facta:s. It should be stressed that during the course of this year new and bold initiatives have been presented by the socialist and·non-aligned comltries with the I objective of halting the arms race and preventing its extension irito outer space. Unprecedented proposals have been put fot'ward by the SOI7iet Ulioo for ridding the world of all nuclear weapons by the end of this century. It is significant that dur ing the In terna tional Year of Peace not even ale nuclear test was coodlcted by the Soviet Union. in accordance with its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing. . ,; . The socialist <,States, including P01~.~. h.~ve subllitted for consideration at '" . . .;;" this session of the General Asselllbly a far-reaching proposal for the establishment " of a caaprehenslve system of inte£natimal peace and security embracing all nations. In putting forth this proposal, we proceeded from the assul'q?tion that in "I • ' • ~ " the nuclear age new political thinking is necessary in order to guarantee peace and secur lty for fiNery State. (Mr. Pawlak, Po'.and) ,. ... The secretary~General, in his thought-provoking statement at the Peace Bell . ~ ceremony on the International Day of Peace, indicated that action for peace in . . order to solve the world crisis -must go beyond the obvious but often superficial appeal of a bold or sweeping gestureR. I believe, therefore, that our debate concerning the Int~rnational Year of Peace during this year of ,serious difficulties of the Organizatian, should be concrete and action-oriented. Last year it took only a few minutes of the solemn commemorative session of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations to adopt by consensus a well~balanced Proclamation of the International Year of Peace. But the impact of this Proclamation is bard to overestimate. During the Year millions of people throughout the world joined together in various events to show their concern for peace. They 'now expect from us, the representatives of Member States, not a mere nod of recognition but further guidelines as to how to act for peace in a harmonious, co-ordinated manner. Only the United Nations can provide such guidelines and harmonize such action with the purposes and objectives of the Charter. The International Year of Peace is not just another page in the calendar of international eventsJ it is a broad commitment which we share today and for the future. In its history the Polish people had to pay the highest price for peace. Therefore Poland spares no effort to promote the cau~e of peace and cecurity. The observance of the International Year of Peace in my country has commanded the partiCUlar attention of the Polish people and authorities. Por us it was first of all an opportunity to take specific action towards the achievement of its goals. I believe that the Congress of Intellectuals for the Peaceful Future of the World, held in Warsaw last January, the wPeace to the Childrenw meeting held last February, the international poster competition in the spring, exhibited now at the United Nations headQUarters, have contributed to the objectives of the Year Oh a global scale. We took real pleasure in hosting a meeting of the panel of experts established by the secretary-General to discuss the process of preparing for life in pe&ce. The experts will soon meet again in Japa;.'1. We have also noticed vi th satisfaction that vari~us nCll-governmental activities have taken place, involving Polish sdlolars, religious groups, artists, and yduth. The Polish COI'Imlissim for the Observance of the International Year of Peace has been active in oo~rd:l.nating naUCIlal events and facilitating internatiCllal contacts. we appreciated the initiative of the secretary-General in oonv'aning a consultative meeting of the naticnal commissions in Rome last July. In the view of my delegation, several propo~aJ.s and statements presented in the cmtext of the International Year of Peacs will have long-lasting effects. The plan to eliminate nuclear weapons by the end of this century, which I mentioned earlier, was presented by General secretary Milchail G«baohev in reference to the Year. The 8ecur ity Council and the ~onomic and Social Council adopted special cbouments reaffirming a commitment to pe&ce. The Parliaments and the highest officials of many countr ies have referred to the Year as an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of Peace. His Holiness Pope John Paul 11 took an init!.ative to· devote a Day of Prayer for peace. All this indicates the need for a pranpt and si~ificant reaction by the General Assembly. Last year Poland sponsored retlolutions on the International Year of Peace based on a consensus. We regret, however, that the text submitted now as A/4l/L.9 has not met all the necessary requirements in order to be adopted without a vote~ but W8 welcome the opportWlity for further consultations. We call upon all dele<jations to reach a oonsensus as soon as possible. 11\ our opinion two ideas could indicate potential prospective acUCIl for Peace in the coming years. 'Ibe first is the process of the preparation for life in peace" which is clearly recoCiJiized today as an important factor in building peace. we are colIIDitted to securing the twenty-first century as the ~entury of stable peace for our children. we must start the necessary action now, not cnly in a diplanatic forum, but in schools, universities, seminars and courses, churches, in the mass media, sciences and the fine arts. Next year the General AsseJlbly will . review the implementation of the Declaration on the Preparation of societies for Life in Peace adopted on Poland's initiative in 1978. Taking into account the importance of this subject, and also recognizing the need to make General Assembly debates more efficient" my delegation is ready to act together wi th other delegations in making this review as concrete and meaningful as possible. The second idea was mentimed briefly by the Poreign Minister of Poland, Mr. Marian Orzec:howski, when, in the general debate, he submitted the idea of an International Year of the Family as an indication of a global cmce:n for the recognition of the basic social unit of human life. While considering this proposal it seems opportune to evaluate the important role of the family both in the bUilding of peace and in the pceparation far life in peace. These considerations further indicate an integrative approach by the tl1ited Nations to complex human concarns. Por the International Year of the Family we do not need, as was also tr ue in the case of the In ternatimal Year of Peace, elabora te international machinery, big conferences or ~ig expen,ditures. All \1e need are concerned families on all ccntinents and in all nations, and these families need abOl7e all peace in their life. Let us develop further the actions of this Qrganiz,stion, based on the consensus of the General Assemly that the strengthening of peace is the primary objective of the united Nations. Let us convert this Ye8\r of Peace into an everlasting Era of Peace, free from the scourge of nuclealt' holocaust and from all other weapons of mass "destruction. This optimistic perspective needs the decisive action of our Qrganizatim, the hard work and goodwill of 8\11 its Met1be= states and all peoples in the family of nations. OUr progrl!1lI1le of act:lon must create a world in which we will secure for every imabitant of our planet a life worthy of human beings. (Kr. Pawlak, Poland) Mr. aux XUAN NHAT (Viet ~m): Founded 40 years ago following the gruesome experience of the second World War the Ulited Nations represents mankind's .- aspirations to peace, international co-operation and social pl'ogress. The United Nations Charter declares in the most unal'lbiguous terms that the primary raison d 'etre of the organization is -to save succeeding generations from the scolu:ge of Owing to the strenuous struggle of the world's peace-10V'ing foo:ces,the WOrld has enjoyed the longest period of peace in th is century, wi thout a th ird world war •. Still, in the past 40 years mankind has many times been pushed to the brink of a nuclear holocaust and conflicts have reputedly taken place in various parts of the world. The negative side of the pictul.:'e of the world has been brought about by actions on the part of some countries that are always attempting to impose their will on other peoples. Those CO\D1tr ies have resorted to every possible means to achieve t:1eir end: a frenzied arms race, ecmomic blocKade, military inteIvention, war s of aqgression, and so on. Given the' prevaUing international situation, in whidl mank ind is confronted with growing arsenals of nuclear weapons capable of destroying the world many times OV'er, concerted and intensified efforts are LAl!.'Q urgently needed than ever before. The apprOV'al by the fortieth session of the General Assel'lbly of the Proclamation of the Intern3tional Year of Peace corresponds to the aspirations to peace of peoples all OV'er the world. As solemly stated by the General Assel'lbly at its thirty-ninth session in the Dec1~ration on the Right of Peoples to Peace, "the peoples of our planet 'have a saere'd right to peace" (resolution 39/11, annex). Life without war is the pr imary international prerequis ite for t:he mater ia1 well-being, deve10pnent and progress of countries and full enjoyment of the rights and fundamental hV'man freedoms proclaimed by the Un!f.;.$Q W~'!\tions. During the past year the peace mewement has surged on all continents, involving millions of people of diffeltent colours, ages, professions and political orientations. It is quite satisfying to note tha~ over 300 non~ovetnmental organizations have been involved in thle campaign to lEOlllOte the objectives of the Internaticnal Year of Peace. Throu~ their diversified participation in the observance of the International Year of Peace by sum means as Bike for Peace, the First Earth Run, inter-city meetings and mass rallies, the masses have expressed their ooncern about the issue of preventing war and defending peace and demonstrated their sup~rt for ccmcrete and constructive measures to that end. , ' The year 1986 has also witnessed tireless efforts by all peace-lowing comtries aimed at the adoption of concrete measures to halt the arms race and consolidate and strengthen peace, security and stability in the world. On 15 January 1986 General secretary Mikhail Gorbac::hev put fcx1fard a canprehensive and ti~ely disarmament prograllllle the aim of which is to eliminab.' step by step between now and tobe year 2000 all nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destructi~, thus opening up a realistic prospect of a world free from nuclear weapons. The non-al1~ed summit ~onference in Harare procilced numerous important disarmament proposals,. In &1rope, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, Afr,ica and the Middle East constructive propcsals have time and again been advanced t(,li recilce military as well as political confrontation and promote dialogue. For 1:he past 40 years, since the si~ing of the Ud ted Na tions Charter, SOuth-East ,Asia has been the oply place in the world never to have enjoyed peace. The Vietnamese people have been subjected to repeated wars of aggression by imperialist and reactionary forces. FOr the past 40 years, even during the period before Viet Nam became a full Mellber of the thited Nations, the Vietnamese people has waged an unyielding struggle not cmly for its independence but also for peace In the region. More than anyme else the Vietnamese people ardently des ire peace, , . .. CMr. Du i XU8n tIlat, Viet Nam) to reconstruct their COWltry. Viet NaIl ls ready to do everything possible to (Dna: ibute to. the consolidation of peace and stabUity in the region and thereby to the p:eservation of wacld peace. Throu9'out their history the Vietnamese people, like the Lao and Kampuchean peoples, have always been confronted with common enemies many times more powerful than the_elves, especially in military terlDS. Histol: ical real ib) has proved that the ailitant solidarity betwem the three peoples h.as been their most effective weapon against foreign aggressors and a factor guaranteeing peace for each people ..cS f« the region. No slmderous cClltentions, especially those IIBde by those that carded out wars of aggression ageinst the three Indochinese peoples or gave 8u1atance in thOl1e wars, can change that historical fact. This year, together with peace-loving people throughout the world, the people of Vlet Naa have respcnded to the Procla_tion of the International Year of Peace with 8'lthus18stic activities. This has really been an expt'ession of the Vietnamese people's aspira tion to peace. Back in 1985 the COlmci! of Min istEll: S of Viet Ham established the National Coaaittee for the Observance of the International Year of Peace, headed by Mr. Phan Anh, Vice-President of the Hationel AsselTbly of Viet Naa. Within their spheres of competence the different branches of the Government, 8S well as 11888 cxgmizations, «gmized divers! fied activities to mob11ize the peace movement and prolliOte information and education on peace. lictivities undertaken in Viet Na1lI to ebserve the International Year of Peace and to implement the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace were ear ly reported to the secretary-General of the tbited Nations and are now referred to in cbcument A/4l/586 and Add.l. A lIlor~ detaUed and up~ated report was recently t[7'nBmitted to the secretary-General and it is expected that it will be circulated ,as an official docu-ent of the united Nations before lalg. (Mr. Bui Xuan Rust, Viet Ham) Within the framework of the First Earth Run~ sponsored by the United' Nations International C~ildren's Fund (UNICEP), V!et Nu viII tate part in the international torch-bearing marathon for peace at the end of Nove~r. On that occasion a grand rally of tens of thousands of people vill be held in the capital, Banoi, in the presence of Mr. Pham Van Dong, Chairman of the COuncil of Ministers of Viet Nam. Peace has always been the deepest aspiration of mankind and its preservation re~ires the most resolute efforts by all PeOPles. In the face of the nev and dangerous development in the international situation,. !lOre creative thought and action are needed to defend 'lnd build on what ve have achieved over the past 40 years in the ~truggle for peace, sO.that a genuine and long-lasting peace may be established on earth. While the International Year of Peace has played a significant pact in that struggle, we should think of and act for -International Year of Peace and beyond: action for peace-. (Mr. But Xuan Nbet, Viet NU) Mr. WIJEWARDANE (Sri Lanka): We recall thut one year ago the General Assembly unanimously adopted the proclamation of the International Year of Peace. It is therefore very appropriate that at the end of that Year we should be evaluating its impact on people all over the world. ~he United Nations General Assembly very thoughtfully established, by resolution 40/10, a Programme of Work for the International Year of Peace. There have been responses at the national level to that proposal. Co-ordinating committees and commissions were set up in over 40,countries. other countries, which had already burdened themselves with programmes to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations, have arranged programmes to commemorate the International Year of Peace despite their other commitments. I must point out that such celebrations have not been confined to the national level but have extended to the international arena, through countries collaborating with each other. Such was the case when an international children's painting exhibition was sponsored by a Membe~ State and schoolchildren from other nations were invited to participate. We are aware also that there was a participating programme in Rome in July 1986, where statements of national commissions indicated that there had been broad participation in these programmes. Those activities included educational programmes and also resulted in countries' pledging funds on a voluntary ~\sis. My delegation is encouraged by those expressions of hope for' the concept of the International Year of Peace and we are greatly encouraged that attention was drawn to such subjects as disarmament r arms control, security measures, social and economic development, the environment and, above all, struggles against racism and apartheid. It is not surprising that there is such a wealth of unity in the international forum, particularly as people of all faiths and pursuits, colours and creeds, the world over, are increasingly committing themselves to work for the ushering in of peace. Conferences, public meetings and symposiums on such subjects as disarmament, education for peace, science and peace and the problems and prospects of peace indicate that both young and old are keen devotees of peace. It is therefore appropriate that on 27 October a day of prayer for peace will be observed in Assisi in Italy. This programme has been enriched by the participation of non-governmental organizations which have taken part emphasizing specific objects or have joined with each other to promote the concept of peace. A trust fund was created for that purpose, with independent pledges on a voluntary basis, and a sizeable sum of money has already been collected. This effort and the enthusiastic response received the world over from such organizations as the Million Minutes of Peace, the International Appeal and the First Earth Run starting from the United Nations grounds and ending here, :Lndicate that peace is a cOllcept which cannot be only an item on an agenda in the United Nations. It is a hope, a dream and a goal of all humanity, both past and present. People have long yearned for peace, sUffering both physically and mentally as their cherished goal eluded them. Peace is the soil in which humanity's flower can bloom. It reauires an atmosphere unpolluted by the strains and stresses of war and battle. Peace can be ushered in only if leaders in various fields of human endeavour come together to show the way to peace. If peace is to be established, war must be banished and that can be done only if the symptoms of that disease which afflicts the human mind is replaced by a commitment that peace must be won. A sens~ of spirituality must take over the mind of man. Our generation has that special responsibility, for it is only now that mankind is becoming aware of the fact that technological advancement does not automatically spell well-being and happiness, as (Mr. Wijewardane, Sri Lanka) was once thought. Mankind is now beginning to recognize that technological and 'material advantage is not the answer to the ever-deepening spiritual crisis which, if left to develop, may eventually lead to the total eradication and destruction of both humanity and its spiritual values. There is an urgency about this matter. We must bend all our efforts to suggest and develop practical ideas which touch upon the major spheres of human activity. Those ideas, on translation into reality, would regenerate peace on a global scale. The need, then, is to keep the sUbjec~ of peace in the foreground. We are now going through a crisis in the affairs of men which, if taken at the flood, will jolt us out of the psychosis which continues to spell in our minds doom and destruction as the ultimate and final destiny of all mankind. It is not beyond the capacity of this generation, which is befuddled by threats and calamities, to find its redemption. The effort to trace the path to peace is a peoples' effort. That is why, without placing burdens on an already over-burdened institution, the responsibility must be placed upon the peoples themselves. The meeting rose at 6.35 p.m. (Mr. Wijewardane, Sri Lanka)