A/42/PV.112 General Assembly

34.  THE SITUATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA: THREATS 'ID INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY AND PEACE INITIATIVES SPECIAL PROGRAMMES OF ECX)NOMIC ASS ISTANCE (a) NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/4 2/949) (b) DRAFT RESOLUTION (A/42/L.49) Mr. ADOUKI (Congo) (interpretation from French): The situation that has exis ted in Cen tr al America ever since, around the 1970s, there emerged the first symptoms of the weakening of the type of developnen t pur sued by the Sta tes of the subregion, now calls for swift action. The crisis has many different forms, but it is becoming gangrenous and draining the life-blood of the Central American economy and in all its stages it i~ fraught with dangers for the subregion. But because it jeopardizes and compromise" so ser iously the freedom and independence of the peoples mak ing up that power ful entity comprised of Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador, it is also liable to have a deplorable effect throughout the world - so much so that international peace and secur ity cannot but be jeopardized. In its fight for peace and development, Central America, like other comparable regions in Afr ica and As ia, is not alon e; nor can it rema in alone. Its economy is affected by a serious crisis, large sections of the population are being cast out of the mainstream, and grave political tensions and resulting social inequalities are indeed characteristic of so many situations peculiar to other States or groups of States in the third world. < Let us emphasize this point: the situation is first and foremost a temporary one because of the turbulent and immediate effects of the international crisis. From the point of view of structure, it is felt particularly keenly because of the effect of complex social political factors which determine the type of development that had been pursued hi therto. This challenge is of considerable importance and the various Central American peoples wi th obvious ethnic, historic and cultural affini ties are determined to meet it by their joint efforts and the efforts at subregional integration. The international community has been called upon to guarantee these approaches and efforts and lasting peace in Central America - and it cannot shirk this respons ibili ty • What, then, could be more natural than that other peoples and other States should also pause to ponder and to work, and that other continents should join in the chorus which is being mobilized, aware as they are of the interdependence of nations? It is in this conviction that the Congo raises its voice~ it is behind the States of Centr al America and proclaims its sympa thy and the whole-hear ted support of our people for the special plan of economic co-opera tion for the sUbregion. The Congo welcomes the resumption of the forty-second session of the General Ass embly, because it provi des an oppor tuni ty to the inter na tional communi ty, in a spirit of openness and active solidarity with Central American problems, to discuss solutions to those problems. My delegation notes that the special plan was carefl1l1y prepared entirely in keeping wi th the provisions of General Assembly resolu tion 42/204 of 17 December 1987. Apart from the Secretary-General of the united Nations, Mr. Perez deCuellar- to whom the Congolese delegation is so grateful for his tremendous efforts undertaken on behalf of us all to submit a special plan of economic co-operation - Mr. Roberto Carpio Nicolle, Vice-President of the Republic of Guatemala, reaffirmed that yesterday from this very rostrum, in his statement made on behalf of the Central American Vice-Presidents, who are protagonists in the special plan. Like so many other speakers, he reminded us in a most timely fashion of the results of the unprecedented regional effort, including the activities of the Contadora Group and its Support Group, of the process which must be followed to bring about a lasting and stable peace in Central America, that is, the Esquipulas II agreements. In a word, all these Cen tr al American peace initiatives and development have enjoyed my country's support at each succeeding stage, particularly within the framework of Congo's membership in the Group of 9 of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, a Group charged with the task of following the si tua tion in Cen tral America. My delegation will therefore not expatiate on the alarming vulnerability of the Central American economy, which has been so eloquently described in the note distributed by the Secretariat for the purposes of this discussion. We note that the spec ial plan of economic co-opera tion for Cen tral America is an emanation of the ambition and will of the countries of the subregion itself. The joint efforts of the United Nations and the Governments of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, the special plan champions a policy of coherent economic co-operation. With the seal of approval of the peoples of those countr i.es and the wisdom of their leader s, it advocates solutions which must be embraced by the international community. Having presided over the Organization of African Unity (OAU), my country is profoundly aware of the need to promote and aoopt an active policy of international co-opera tion. Consequently, my delegation is keenly aware today of the importance and the vital need for approval by the General Assembly of the United Na tions of the special plan of economic co-operation for Central America. I must also add that this plan is equally crucial for the northern countries because of their dependence on primary comnodities. However, it is to be feared, as in the previous case of the United Nations Programne of J:lction for Afr ican Economic Recovery and Development, that the inadequacy of measures taken so far means that for a long time to come there must be support from the United Nations and the industr ialized coun tr ies. The internationaal oomrnunity must provide Central America with the support it needs. That is why Congo has co-sponsored the draft resolution before the Assembly. Dame Nita BARRCM (Barbados>: The Government of Barbados welcomes the reconvening of the forty-second session of the General Assembly to consider the situation in Central America, and specifically the plan of economic co-operation to support the efforts of the Central American countries to bring peace and to reactivate eoonomic developnent in the subregion. Barbados, and several other Caribbean countries, share strong ties with the people of Central America. These ties are born not only of geographical proximity but are rooted in the intertwining history and culture of the Central American ana Caribbean subregions. We share a special kinship with the people of Central America. 'lbday in countries of the subregion there are people who trace their roots to the Caribbean. In Limon, Costa Rica, and Bluefields, Nicaragua, one can see the sights and hear the sounds which remind one of the dual identity of these nations. It is evident that we have a special bond wi th Bel ize forged in the history of a common colonial past and strengthened through our economic and political ties wi thin CARICOM, the Car ibbean subregional integra tion movement. It is against this background that Barbados has felt all too keenly the suffering of the people of Central America. Like the rest of the developing world, the countries of Central America have been burdened with the effects of a hostile international environment. These effects have perhaps been more pronounced because of the comparative underdevelopnent and lack of diversification of the eoonornies of Cen tr al Amer i ca. Barbados agrees with the assessment of the Secretary-General that political tensions have been both the cause and the effect of the plight of Central American States. Political turmoil and military conflict in Central America have disrupted the condi tions necessary for unmolested economic development. This has, in turn, reduced the capaci ty of several of the Gaver nmen ts to create for their people the economic and social conditions on which stable political systems are founded. The signing in August 1987 of the Esquipulas II agreements by five of the countries of Central America has given new impetus to the search for a way out of the vicious cycle in which the subregion has been locked for too long. Any lasting solution to the political problems of the sUbregion must come from within the subregion itself. Bar bados firmly bel ieves that the best solution to the problems of Central America will come only when the people involved, encouraged by the efforts of the Contadora and Support Groups, take their destinies into their (Mn hands. This support for regional solu tions to regional problems is a corner-stone of our foreign policy. We firmly believe that given the chance the solemn commitments of the Esquipulas II agreements can take hold and flourish. The economic plan before us has several elements which recommend it to the international conununity. The plan is above all born of the assessment of five of the Governments of Central America regarding the measures necessary to address their economic problems. Barbados believes that in principle all measures of economic development should bear the stamp of approval of the people directly affected. We are pleased that among the participating Governments there is sa tisfaction wi th the parameters and goals of the plan as developed through the United Nations Secretariat and specifically the offices of the United Nations Developmen t Progr amme (UNO P) • Also implicit in the plan is an indication that the United Nations system, in addressing the economic development needs of its Members, has fully recognized the need for sensiti~ity and responsiveness to subregional concerns. The progranune of assistance to five of the countries of Central America is a product of in-depth consultations with the Q:lvernments of these countries and is intended to attract assistance over and above that to the Latin American and Caribbean region as a whole. We see this as an appreciation of the fact that while analysis of the region's economic problems will suggest certain broad areas for assistance, there must be a fine-tuning of all programmes to reflect subregional priorities. This is a principle that we in the Caribbean appreciate only too well. Barbados notes the conclusion in paragraph 78 of the Secretary-GeneralIs report that the establishment and indeed the expans ion of ties of economic interdependence among the five countries of the subregion is a priority. In our view, however, it is a futile hope that the economic development and security of one or more countries of the sUbregion can be guaranteed while the critical problems of one country, Bel ize, are ignored. Barbados I exper ience over the past 20 years has strengthened its commi tment to the process of economic integra tion. wi thin CARICOM we have supported efforts not only to deepen but also to widen the integration process. It is against this back.ground that my delegation is of the view that the full possibilities of the plan of economic co-operation for Central America will be realized only if the plan is extended to all countries of that subregion. In doing so the full potential of economic development through integration would be wi thin reach. Barbados believes that the implementation of the plan of economic co-operation for Cen tr al America provides a un ique opportunity to give substance to the undertakings in resolution 42/11 on co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of American states (OAS). In that resolution the General Assembly, inter alia, underlined "the need to strengthen the co-operation that already exists between the United Nations and the Organization of American States, especially in respect of economic and social developnent". This co-operation is all the m::>re relevant in this instance, given the co-operation between the Secretary-General and his counterpart in the Organization of American States in encouraging the peace process in Central America, which this economic plan is intended to support. It is all the more necessary since regional institutions, such as the Inter-American Development Bank, may be called upon to play a critical role in the implementation of the plan. In the final analysis, the true success of this resumed session will be measured by the response of the international community to the needs of the Central Amer ican countr ies. What we need now, as in other issues before us, is not so much an exercise of our skills at producing constructively ambiguous statements. Rather what is vital is a true indication of the political will of Member States to support the efforts to bring peace and economic recovery to Central America. Mr. HITAM (Malaysia): Mr. President, this is the third time that the forty-second session of the General Assembly has been convened. Permit me, therefore, to express my warm appreciation to you for your untiring efforts and dedication to the discharge of the responsibilities of your office. At the same time, my delegation is gratified that at this session the General Assembly has once again demonstrated its timely responsiveness towards critical and urgent international developments. This is as it must be, as the Organization assumes its central role in safeguarding the peace and well-being of the international community, indeed of mankind. Four years of diligent and painstaking effort brought to fruition the Esquipulas II agreements, signed on 7 August 1987, ini tia ting a process of peace for the region torn by conflicts. As the conflicts continued, we saw once again the classic interference of forces from outside the subregion as well. As a result, the economy of the Central American states has been devastated. Industrial and agricultural productivity have almost come to a halt as national priorities shifted to the question of keeping the peace and security. These crucial issues and the burden of debt and the most unfavourable external economic environment have compounded the problems to a crisis proportion. The Esquipulas 11 agreements signed between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica was a timely development. Malaysia had from the outset welcomed the Contadora peace process as a realistic and viable approach, for it represents a regional effort to resolve regional problems. We believe that only through such an approach can the peoples of Central America attain durable peace and development. At the same time, in this interdependent world, regional efforts alone cannot sustain peace and development; the entire world must be concerned and appropr ia tely involved. That is why we welcome the involvement of the Uni ted Nations in these efforts, as we have insisted for other regions. We would be dishonest in our pursuit of international peace and development if we rejected this crucial role of the united Nations. The objectives so clearly enunciated in the Esquipulas 11 agreements are indeed realistic and attainable. They manifest a measured and responsible response to a crisis of historic proportion. We are heartened by this response of the concerned Governments in laying the groundwork for international collaboration to address simultaneously all the components of the problem - at the national, regional and global levels. This is indeed an important step, a step we believe to be in the right direction. Putting an end to hostilities would facilitate the process of national reconciliation and dell'Ocratization and the return of peace and The General Assembly, in adopting resolutions 42/1 and 42/204, not only took cognizance of the Central American accords, but also agreed to lend support to the efforts to implement them. The linkages between regional efforts for peace and development are again graphically demonstrated in this case as they had been in others. My delegation hopes that these systemic responses will characterize the responses of the international community to international developments even before they reach crisis proportions. My delegation subscribes to the principle that peace and development are indivisible. This applies to both national and international life. But stability would also require additional ingredients. We therefore welcome the draft proposals contained in the special plan of economic co-operation for Central America prepared by the Secretary-General in document A/42/949. This plan contains the other vital ingredients of social justice and international co-operation. We would like particularly to commend the Secretary-General for this concise, yet comprehensive, plan of action. The identification of specific areas for action merits close examination and detailed negotiation by all the parties concerned. For their keen foresight and vision, my delegation would like to extend its appreciation to the Vice-Presidents of the five Central American countries and to members of the United Nations fact-finding mission, whose excellent work has provided the structure for this special plan of economic co-operation for Central America. The emphasis given in the plan to the central role of the United Nations system is, to my delegation, particularly important and commendable. We strongly believe that this approach could provide for a balanced and sustainable effort for peace and development in Central America, not only to the five countries, but also to others which share this important subregion. The Secretary-Generalis proposed plan has listed several priority areas for action and I should like to comment on some of them. On the emergency programme to alleviate the effects of armed conflicts, Malaysia fully appreciates the problems created by the movements of refugees and displaced persons. For countries that have to provide even temporary asylum, the dislocations and disruptions caused to the host community and the strains on its resources can be an unbearable and extended burden. In our part of the world, Malaysia, too, has played host to numerous refugees and illegal immigrants out of humanitarian considerations. What was initially perceived to be a temporary phenomenon turned out to be a decade-01d tragedy with no early end in sight. Resettlement has trickled and "compassion fatigue" is now an accepted term in the refugee vocabulary. Our experience has taught us that it is essential to address the root causes of the problem, for no amount of money or compassion can in the final analysis be a solution to the refugee problem. For these reasons, Malaysia understands the desire of the Central American countries urgently to address the refugee problem, to address its root causes and, in the meantime, to seek the support of the international community and the United Nations system to obtain relief for the estimated 830,000 refugees straddling the countries in the region. We also feel that such efforts should not neglect those who have found temporary refuge in Belize. Malays ia is also in full symJ;:e thy wi th the des ire to seek rel ief for the region's huge debt burden. The region's aspiration to attain the essential step of economic reactiva tion cannot be realized if there continues to be a signi ficant drain on the already modest resources remaining. Thus, there has to be relief for the present burden of debt servicing which was a phenomenal 40 per cent of the region's export of goods and services in 1987. Reducing the debt-servicing flow would still be inadequate wi thout increased financial flows into the reg ion - financial resources that must be provided at very generous concessional rates. It is significant to note that the countries in the region have refrained from seeking conversion of their debts into grants. The Secretary-General's report proposes alter natives and options to deal with these problems and to seek increased resources flows to reinvigorate the economy. Malaysia joins in the call, particularly to the more affluent countries, to meet this challenge to restore financial and economic health to the Central America region. We wish to acknowledge the positive indications given by the European Economic Community and the Nordic countr ies in this regard. The Secretary-GeneralIs report has also dealt in some detail with the need for economic reactiva tion and social development. We wish to note that the Uni ted Nations system is placed in the forefront of this effort. It is heartening that a co-ordinated approach is contemplated for all involved parties to attack this crisis. The participation of all in a o:H1Ul\on purpose is essential to reactivate economic development in the subregion, par ticularly in indus tr ial rehabili ta tion and reconversion programmes and in agriculture. I have spoken in support of the special plan in the firm belief that it would guarantee stability for the region. This enterprise on which the countries in the region have undertaken to embark cannot be achieved without the full sup~ort of members of the international community. It would also be more realistic if this plan involved all countries in the subregion affected by the crisis. I am convinced that individually and collectively there must be aspects of the programme where we can participate meaningfully - thus my delegation has chosen to urge the Assembly to support the Secretary-General's proposals. In contributing the evolution of peace in Central America, it would be desirable for all parties to the programme, either from within the region or from the outside, to be fully involved from the inception of the plan. It is especially important that the common objectives be fully appreciated by all parties in order to allow the programme to be fully sustained. We have noted that the urgency of the Secretary-General's efforts had not made this possible earlier; but we would urge that this be achieved at the implementation stage. As a Member of the international community and of the Organization, my Government remains available to play its part within our means and capability. It is also our understanding that the concerns of peace in Central America are the concerns of all nations. Mr. VRAALSEN (Norway): I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. The conflicts in Central America have for several years caused deep concern in our countries. We have closely followed the efforts to reach a peaceful solution to these conflicts and have consistently expressed our Support for the initiatives taken by the Contadora Group and its Support Group. We fully support the Esquipulas II agreements signed in Guatemala City on 7 August last year, which have given the regional peace process a new impetus. In our view, these agreements re flect the political will of the Central American Presidents to create a climate of mutual trust and to lay a solid base for lasting peace and true democracy. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Costa Rica's President, Oscar Arias, for his initiative in the peace efforts has served to make the international community more aware of the peace process. It must also be seen as an expression of encouragement and hope that the agreements will be translated into a firm and lasting peace in Central America. A peaceful solution to the conflicts in Central America can only be found t11," '\,..\)h IW~') i: i,~'l. tions between the countries in the region and a development process ~here the rights and needs of individuals can find their expression and fulfilment. We therefore confirm our stand that all non-regional countries with links and interests in Central America should contribute to the region's efforts to achieve peace, democracy and economic development. The Nordic Governments particularly welcome the fact that the region at this juncture has taken its future into its own hands, to consolidate a common foundation for its development. We realize that the task of establishing a lasting peace in the region is a formidable one. Many obstacles still have to be overcome. Nevertheless l we hope that the positive forces now at work in the region will maintain the momentum created, with appropriate support and solidarity from the international community. These positive forces deserve the support of all Members of the United Nations - political as well as economic support. Our Governments see the political crisis in Central America as closely related to the economic and social problems in the region. Clearly, peace and development are intrinsically interlinked, and it is important that work on peace and development should proceed in parallel. What is important is that the momentum be maintained in both areas. There has for several years now been fairly extensive Nordic development co-operation in various forms with Central America. In addition to bilateral programmes, Nordic support to reg ional activities is increasing. One aim of our assistance has been to help to remove the underlying causes of the conflicts through support for social and economic development. As we all know, the challenges facing Central America are enormous. Solutions must be found through concerted efforts by the countries in the region, with the support of the international community. We therefore welcome the United Nations plan for economic assistance to Central America, which the Secretary-General has presented to this resumed session of the General Assembly. This plan will constitute an important framework for concerted action by the international cOllU1luni ty. We agree wi th the conceptual basis of the plan, that it must focus on those economic and social aspects which are directly linked with the task of achieving, preserving and strengthening peace. It must be ensured that the co-operation it succeeds in attracting for this purpose supplements that which the Central American countries are already obtaining bilaterally from the international community. We have noted that the plan has been formulated on the basis of an extensive dialogue with the countries in the region, thus reflecting the development priorities of the region as a whole. We also note with appreciation that the plan stresses the need for assistance to measures seeking to revitalize and develop further co-operation and integration among the countries of Central America. We for our part stand ready to use the plan as a frame of reference for our assistance to the region. We encourage other donor countries to do the same. We are ready to discuss future co-operation with the region as well as with other donors and institutions on the basis of suggestions in the plan before us. At their meeting in Troms~, Norway, on 23 March 1988, the Ministers for development co-operation of the five Nordic countries discussed a number of recent developnent assistance policy issues, inter alia, Nordic co-operation with Central America. It was agreed at that time to increase and to intensify Nordic co-operation in the Central American region, as a contribution to strengthening the ongoing peace process. High priority will be assigned to support for the co-operation initiatives originating in the region itself, that is, in the areas of environment, the co-operative movement, health, women, as well as other initiatives which proltOte democracy. CMr. Vraalsen, Norway) At the Pan American Heal th Organization Conference, "Heal th, a Bridge to Peace in Central America", which was recently held in Madr id, the Nordic countries join tly expressed their preparedness to continue and to expand the ir support of the efforts of Central Amer ica in the health sector. Our contr ibution to the plan for joint health activities in Central America has served as an important opportunity for us, and for others, to support a development alternative based on regional integration and on in terna tional solidarity. Through national assistance programmes or through joint Nordic progranunes addi tional to the more tradi tional development activi ties, the Nordic countries are also ready to channel support to efforts which will strengthen co-operation and the integra tion process in the reg ion, as well as denocra tiza tion. We are fur th ermore ready to assist in activities that will strengthen the legal system, the electoral process, and which promote human rights and non-governmental organization activities, in particular the trade unions and the co-operative movement. We have a continued interest in supporting vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and in improving the situation for refugees and displaced persons. We believe that our region, the Nordic region, may have a role to play in assisting Central America in its challenges in forging a more united region. The Nordic coun tr ies have exper ience as nei ghbours and as partners in co-operation which could be of interest for the Central American countries to study as they themselves embark on the task of defining a lasting relationship based on co-operation and on mutual respect. Lastly, I would like to state that in the question of implementing the United Nations plan, we feel it is important that provisions be made for follow-up through the establishment of a mechanism that can assist the countries of the region in this task. Our delegations are ready to participate in discussions on the rnodalities, but I would like to indicate eVen at this point that we can support the concept of a follow-up mechanism linked to the United Nations Development Programme, as suggested in the plan. Mr. PAOLILW (uruguay) (interpretation from Spanish)~ We are attending the resumption of the forty-second session of the General Assembly, encouraged by the tremendous significance of the sUbject we are discussing and in the hope of seeing in the very near future the fruits of the important decis ion whi ch the Assembly is to take th is after noon. Our hope is solidly based. In fact in the last few months the peoples and Governments of Central America have, despite so many large internal and eKternal obstacles, succeeded in coming together behind common ideas and proposals, thus br ing ing abou t the tr iumph of solidarity over discord, the collect ive des ire for peace over individual objectives, and shared interests over ideological and political prejudices. In overcoming differences, in forgetting old grievances, acting in good faith, in the assumption of often very costly commitments, the five Governments of Central America, in August of last year, came forward with the Esquipulas peace plan and since that time have been engaged collectively in confronting the difficult problems involved in its implementation. This is a rare example of solidarity and co-operation triumphing over obstacles stemming from an economic, social and political situation which could not be worse. Wi th regard to Esquipulas Il, the Presidents of the countr ies members of the Permanent Mechanism for Consultation and Concerted Political Action, meeting in Acapulco in November 1987, sta ted that: "This is the sovereign express ion of the poli tical will of the Central American countries to solve conflicts by means of dialogue outside the framework of the East-West confrontation and respecting the legi tima te in teres ts of all States." Both before and after Esquipulas, the Gover nments of Central Amer ica were aware of the fact that achieving a lasting and final peace depended largely on promoting economic and social development in the region. They stated to the world clearly that peace, del1Pcracy and development were but three aspects of a single indivisible objective, shared by all~ and that while the achievement of the first two should be the primary responsibility of the five countries of the region, economic and social development required the assistance of the international community. Faced with this call, the international community responded positively by approving in the General Assembly resolutions 42/1 and 42/204, whereby it recognized the need to increase technical, economic and financial ass istance to the Central American countries, and to allocate this assistance in accordance with a special plan of co-operation prepared by the Secretary-General. We now have the special plan before us. This is the time for us to direct our gratitude to the Secretary-General and also to Mr. Augusto Ramirez Ocampo, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commiss ion for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECIAC) and the various organizations within the system which helped prepare the plan. I thank them for the speed and efficiency wi th which they prepared the plan. The plan possesses, among other things, the following characteristics which will ensure its success: first, it was based on the needs and priorities laid down by the beneficiary countr ies themselves last January in Guatemala, when they approved the immediate action plan, which constitutes a kind of advance instalment of the special plan in the fields of food assistance, setting up an emergency fund for economic recovery, energy security, external debt and assistance to refugees and displaced persons. Secondly, it has sufficient flexibility to make it possible for it to adapt in the course of its execution, both in terms of setting priorities and in terms of quantifying resources and the use of operational machinery. Thirdly, the support which is mobilized to execute the plan should be addi tional to the assistance which those countr ies already enjoy from the in terna tional commun i ty • Fourthly, the actions and projects which may emerge should have a short-term impact and according to the plan their execution should begin wi thin the next three years. Finally, we agree that a proper balance must be struck between the Central American demands and the international community's capacity to provide assistance within a multilateral and non-discriminatory framework. Clearly, the implementation of the plan will not be enough of itself to solve all the problems of Central America, but it is a sine qua non in helping the countries of the area to consolidate a just and lasting peace among themselves. Consequently, we feel that the international community bears responsibility for supporting it and committing itself to its implementation. In past years Uruguay has committed itself to the cause of Central American peace as a member of the Contadora and Support Groups. In this capacity we believe that we have contributed to the creation of the opportunity and the conditions to enable the Central American countries in the full exercise of their sovereignty and free from outside interference to formulate and set in motion a plan for peace and development. The Acapulco Commitment also commits our countries to co-operation for the development of the reg ion and vigorously supports the implementa tion of an emergency programme which would include measures for the reconstruction of the Central American economies. In the field of trade, we have undertaken to adopt measures to stimulate intra-regional trade in Central America, and we shall certainly be able to activa te the machinery provided for by the Latin American Integration Association to make it possible to tighten trade bonds between both regions. On the financial level, it is vital for Central America to allocate financial resources to regional machinery 1uch as the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. Similarly, the lCperience accumulated by our countries in negotiating external debt should make :vailable to the Central American countries information on the subject, which will ndoubtedly be of great utility to them in their own negotiations. There is also a rich field of co-operation in specific areas such as that of emergency food assistance. In this regard I should like to stress the great importance - and the impact which it will undoubtedly have on the region - of the treaty of mutual assistance for food emergencies deriving from a joint initiative of the Presidents of Uruguay and Argentina and recently signed by 16 Latin American countries. This series of measures proposed by the Presidents of the countries members of the Permanent Mechanism for Consultation and Concerted Political Action should be properly co-ordinated within the special plan which the Secretary-General has produced and also with the other efforts which are being undertaken at the regional, subregional and bilateral level, among which I should like to mention particularly the programmes which the economic system of Latin America has been undertaking through its action committee in support of the economic and social development of Central America in order to produce action for co-operation linked with the priorities laid down by the Central American Governments in their immediate action plan, as well as the assistance programmes offered individually by various countries in the region. There can be no doubt, however, that the success of the special plan depends fundamentally on the support given by those States which are better placed to make substantial contributions to its implementation. This is an endeavour of concern to us all, and not only the countries of Central America or the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, because the peace of Central America is the business of all and its strengthening or weakening will have an impact in all parts of the world. Therefore, the implementation of the plan is a task to which we must all contribute, not only because this is what is dictated by the principles of morality and solidarity, but also because Ultimately this is also dictated by the interests of each State. This endeavour wi th which we should all associate ourselves is reminiscent of other rescue operations which have been mounted for economies ruined by the Second World War and which were undertaken during the post-war period. The countries which at that time benefited from external aid know better than the rest of us how important external assistance was in enabling them to take the first steps towards recovery. Those countries in particular, but also other developed countries, will undoubtedly heed this cry for help uttered today by Central America. Mr. VILLAR (Spain) (interpretation from Spanish): In recent years Central America has become a subject of frequent attention in this Assembly for reasons offering scant cause for optimism. Open political crisis, the worsening of its long-standing economic crisis, internal conflicts, the growing tension between some of the countries in the region, degenerating on occasion into armed clashes, are circumstances which have all accumula ted untU the reg ion, unfortuna tely, has become a focus of rising concern. For a long time now, neither the Central American nations themselves nor the rest of the international community has known how to or wished to consider this global state of crisis from a radical standpoint, that is, to focus on its roots. All too often causes and effects have been confused, frequently resulting in an interpretation of Central America's reality from the standpoint of consequences rather than that of origins of the situation. That is why solutions to the problems in the region have been sought by focusing exclusively on the most visible and immediate manifestations, failing to approach the Central American crisis as a whole. From the end of the Second World War until the middle of the decade of the 1970s, Central America experienced a relatively sustained and dynamic rate of economic growth that with few exceptions fa iled to foster a ex>rresponding increase in pal! tical and social stability. When that trend began to reverse early in the 1970s, the fragility of the political, social and economic structures became more apparent, worsening tensions daily. The crisis being experienced in Central America today is to a ex>nsiderable extent a reflection of the failure of a rodel of growth wi thout au thentic development, a model of growth practically devoid of social progress, incapable of adequately underpinning open, pluralistic and stable political institutions and a social fabric that could fully guarantee justice for all on a continuing path towards the drastic reduction of enormous inequalities. The fate of the countries of Central America, which are interlinked by so many factors that make them interdependent, is being sorely tried, as it has been for many years now. The crisis is profound and complex, the suffering of its peoples ex>nsiderable. This resumed session of the General Assembly, which could not be more timely, is taking place in circumstances which, in contrast to the picture I have just given, we consider to be very encouraging. Even in the midst of considerable difficulties, we see growing affirmation of the resolute determination of the Central American Sta tea themselves to use dialogue to resolve the differences between them and their determination to lay the foundations for a just and lasting peace in the region. The agreements signed last August by the Presidents of the five Central American countries in Guatemala, and the entire process that has been developing in the region since then, testify to the political determination of the participants to meet their collective responsibi,lities and to work deliberately to resolve the problems of the peoples they serve. For those such as ourselves who have long been convinced that only a co-ordinated response by the Central American States, free from outside in ter ference, can offer a sol ution to the confl icts affl icting the region, the brave assumption of responsibility for their own destiny by the peoples of Central America deserves the determined support of those of us who wish to see peace restored and justice and derrocracy firmly established. That is not the only cause for encouragement, however. The presentation to the Assembly of the special plan for economic co-operation for Central America makes it clear that the international community as represented here is prepared to contribute tangibly to the creation of circumstances that will bring closer the objective of peace, and once that has been atta ined it will ser ve to ensure that peace and delIPcracy can become the normal background to li fe in Cen tral America in the future. The conjunction of a genuine desire for peace, stability and development of the peoples of Central America and the international community's willingness to contribute to making that a reality is no coincidence. Without the former no extra-regional effort could br ing about the des ired solution, since qui te clearly it is the Central Amer ican countr ies themselves that bear primary responsibility for the resolution of their disputes. However, without the latter the scale oE the problems - both those inherited and those generated in recent years - would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to attain the ambitious objective of a That is the starting-point for the special plan inasmuch as it recognizes the close in terrelationsh ip between peace and development. As the text states, the plan for economic co-operation represents a response to the initiative for peace by the states of the region. The Central American economic crisis is not simply the result of adverse external circumstances, inadequate structures or an economic policy that has failed to respond adequately to the challenges before it. It is also the result of the climate of tension which frequently has resulted in a high percentage of available resources being devoted to military activities, which has destroyed fundamental elements of the infrastructure of some Central American nations and resulted in massive movements of population from one country to another. Hence we fully agree with the focus of the plan, which concentrates on economic and social aspects directly linked to the attainment and consolidation of peace. Last year Spain co-sponsored General Assembly resolution 42/204 on special economic assistance to Central America. TOday we are once again co-sponsoring a draft resolution: that in document A/42/L.49, which is before the Assembly. My delegation wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his presentation yesterday of the special plan of economic co-operation for Central Amer ica, wh ich is the fruit of the intelligent endeavours of a skilful and dedicated team led by Augusto Ramirez Ocampo, to whom we wish to express our warmest appreciation. We are prepared to co-operate and make our special contribution to its attainment. The Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, speaking this morning on behalf of the European Community, referred at length to the significant assistance that the Community and its 12 member states have been providing to the States of Central America. Let me add a few words in connection with Spain'S co-operation. Both bilaterally and at the regional level, my country maintains close links of friendship and co-operation with each and everyone of the countries of Central America. By way of example I might refer to the existence of the Plan for comprehensive co-operation between Spain and Central America, which dates back to 1984, whose budget has grown from the initial 700 million pesetas to 1,200 million pesetas in 1988, and will increase in the years to come. The Plan for comprehensive co-operation focuses basically on agriculture, sanitation, local and public administration, education and employment. We have opened offices for co-operation in all the countries of Central America for its implementa tion. Together with bilateral technical co-operation, Spain is actively involved in a series of regional programmes, among which I might mention the programme "Heal th, 1\ Bridge for Peace", also known by the name "Contadora Sanitaria", the second conference of which has just taken place in Madrid; the Plan for electrical interconnection in Central America and Panama; and the Programme for the strengthening of the co-operative movement, in co-operation with the European Economic Community, with provision for an investment of one million ECUs for a guarantee fund, together with 2.5 mill ion ECUs in technical assistance over a six-year period. The total technical assistance offered in one way or another by Spain to the countries of Central America should in 1988 amount to some 2 billion pesetas. Likewise, one might mention the financial assistance that my country has been providing in the form of concessional cred! ts to the var ious countr ies in the area, together with the food assistance provided for in kind under the 1980 Food Aid h;J r eement. As I have said before, the philosophy underlying the special plan of eoonomic co-operation for Central America is fully consistent with the thrust of the co-operation we are providing to the States in the region: on the one hand, the link between economic and social development and the viability of the peace process; on the other, the need for integrated regional develo};ment. In the view of the Spanish delega tion, the special plan contains three elements which should be emphasized. First of all, eoonomic aid is directed solely and exclus ively to serving the interests of the countr ies of the region. secondly, primary responsibility lies with the peoples and Governments of Central America themselves. Lastly, it is appropriate to emphasize the subregional solidarity that inspires both the objectives of the Plan and the elements for its implementation. My COWl try will carefully consider the priority areas of action set in the special plan, in particular the emergency programnes: assistance to refugees and displaced persons, food aid, and assistance in the field of energy. Both the emergency programne and the plan for immediate action and eoonomic recovery are based on ini tia tives already under way in Central America. As we have said before, we consider that henceforth it will be necessary for the Governments in the region, together wi th the interna tional communi ty, to step up their efforts to ensure greater integration of regional prograrrmes and a clear identification of pr iority sectors which can make possible a more effective management of resources. Spain is prepared to support this important Central American initiative and, within its means, wishes to offer all the aid and co-operation that may be necessary. At the same time we hope that the international (x)llURunity and international organizations will demonstrate political sensitivity and solidarity with the countries in the region and co-operate with them in the implementation of the plan and the attainment of its objectives. We hope also that the plan can become a decisive factor for stability and peace in Central America. Mr. ABDOUN (Sudan): It is a great honour for me to address the General Assembly at this resumed session on behalf of my delegation and in my capacity as current Chairman of the African Group. We have been greatly impressed by the thorough and comprehensive report submi t ted by the Secre tary-General on the special programme of economic assistance for Central lImerica in oocument A/42/949 of 26 April 1988. We pay a special tribute to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to the UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Augusto Ramirez-Ocampo, and his colleagues for a job very well done. We admire the courage and high sense of responsibility shown by the signatories to the Esquipulas agreements in finding their own approaches to peace and developnent in Cen tral 1lmer iea and their determination that the peace they were after had to be a lasting one that would put an end to all hostilities, ensure democratization and free elections, terminate aid to insurrectionist movements, and ban aggression by States in their region against one another. The Esquipulas agreements are exemplary achievements that pave the way to civilized and peaceful coexistence between various ment:>ers of the international convnun i ty . The state of war, chaos and devastation that has prevailed in some parts of Central America for some years now has given lessons that cut deep into human exper ience. It has led to PJPula tion oisplacements and economic disloea tion. It has caused the oestruction of the economic and social infrastructure to such an extent that lano communications in Central America have become much oore dangerous and costly. It has made it impossible for large segments of the population of Central America to meet their most elementary needs. Armed conflicts and political upheavals have compelled some Central American States to allocate as much as 40 per cent of their pUblic spending to the security and defence sector. It is therefore most gratifying to note the keen des ire on the part of the countr ies of that region to revert to peace and development rather than continue with war and destruction. However, as the report rightly points out, progress in the peace process requires the elimination of 80cial injustice and the reduction of the enormous social debt that has accumulated. It requires adherence to principles and practices of genuine democracy: democracy that prevents the proliferation of social injustice, democracy that would allow various groups to join in drawing up and actively implementing policies and strategies for action and development. The report went into considerable detail as to how regional and subregional co-operation would benefit the countries of Central America. It also drew up promising guidelines for the strengthening of economic ties with the Latin American markets. However, we note that there was no mention, in the recommendations, of the lofty aspirations of the South/South co-operation or of the technical co-operation among developing countries (TCDC) previously endorsed by this world body as a means of enhancing economic development. It is our conviction that South/South co-operation and technical co-operation among developing countries can play a humble role in alleviating the economic and social burdens of the Central American region. We also believe, for instance, that a progranune of economic co-operation between Central American States and members 01 the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is feasible and mutually beneficial in developing new mar keting techniques and increas ing exports to third countr ies. Before concluding, I wish to make an observation on the absence of the Sta te of Belize from among the countries included in the special programme of economic assistance. Perhaps that is so because Belize was not a co-signatory of the Esquipu1as agreements. None the less, Belize is a country of that region and a full Member of the United Nations; furthermore, Belize, as the report briefly mentions, has been affected by the influx of refugees from neighbouring countries in the reg ion - a problem which, in accordance with my own country IS exper ience, creates a negative impact on the infrastructure and development of refugee- receiving territories. Mr. ORAMAS OLlVA (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanish): The forty-second sess ion of the General Assembly has been resumed to consider the question of special programmes of economic assistance for Central American countries at a time when it is more necessary than ever for the international community to take urgent concerted action to help the peoples of that region to raise their standards of living. It is becoming ever clearer that instability and economic backwardness an the source of political instability. Suffice it to look at the situation in which our brother countries of Central America find themselves. Peace and development are being called for by all our peoples in our part of the planet, and that we should be allowed to devote all our energies and intelligence to creation and development for the attainment of social justice as the essential prerequisite for stable and lasting peace. We have said many times from this rostrum that we are all entitled to life and the enjoyment of life and the scientific and technological progress that mankind has created. The Central American peoples which have been the victims of endless interference in their internal affa irs are also entitled to work in peace, and to labour for the solu tion of their economic, social and political problems. But that is not possible in today I S world unless we all pool our efforts to co-operate wi th them for the solution of the prolonged economic crisis which began in the 1970s and so that they can bring about the structural social changes necessary for development. My country welcomes the initiative sponsored by a group of countries which wish to make a real contribution to peace in Central America, as reflected in document A/42/L. 49, and with which we wish to be associated as a sponsor. We consider that the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in close co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Governments of Central America, has been doing an excellent job supporting the developnent of the special plan. Consequently, we feel that ECLAC should be included in the machinery for co-ordination, promotion, supervision and follow-up of the plan, as has already been said by other speaker s. From this rostrum we now voice the hope that the intention of assisting in the developnent of the Central American subregion can prevail. From this rostrum we also express the hope that those who, in recent years, have acted contrary to the wishes of the international community, and have fostered military intervention in the region, will now become genuinely involved in this crusade for peace. There must be an end once and for all to intervention, diktats, pressure or blackmailing of the peoples of Central America. There must be an immediate halt to the economic blockades and coercive measures directed against our peoples. The politics of interference must become a thing of the past, so that the conditions can be create( whereby our peoples can work feverishly for development and peace. If they really want to make a genuine contribution to peace in our region, let thel seize this opportunity and lift the blockade and other coercive measures that generate tension and suffering among the peoples of the region. Now is the time to look forward, with history as our guide, and follow the example of Mexico wi th its initiative to provide assistance to the Central Americal sub-region through economic co-operation programmes. As stated in the draft resolution, they should "take immediate steps to mobilize additional financial resources and to participate actively in the implementation of the activities supporting the goals an9 objectives of the special plan". This can be a historic moment if we all work for peace in Central America, add our grain of sand and assist the peoples of Central America to achieve peace. We would thus be consistent with the desires of the peoples of the region. No petty interest shoul serve to block this process. My delegation notes with satisfaction the Joint Political Declaration and the Joint Communique issued by the European Economic Community (EEC) and the countries Party to the General Treaty on Central American Economic Integration and Panama, adopted at the Ministerial Conference in Hamburg on 29 February and 1 March of thi year. Cuba hails the serious efforts made by Nicaragua to comply faithfully with th provisions of the Esquipulas peace accords. If this is the moment of truth and one must look only towards the light, as the father of our independence, Jose Marti, said, let us all work together to make a reality of the proposed resolution. Let us all work jointly for real peace in Central America; peace, so that the peoples can determine their own destiny for themselves; peace, so that never again will America have episodes such as the gunboat diplomacy and diktats imposed by the North which are the genesis of the problems we are facing today in the economic and social fields.* * Mr. Cafiete (Paraguay), Vice-President, took the Chair. associate myself with previous speakers and extend to the President, on behalf of the Tunisian delegation and on my own behalf, our great appreciation for the way it which he has presided over the proceedings of the forty-second session of the General Assembly, which has had such a heavy agenda. The session will continue to benefit from his well-known efficiency and devotion and his extreme courtesy and affability. On behalf of the Group of 77 the Tunisian delegation wishes to point out that as part of the natural extension of the praiseworthy efforts of the Contadora Grou and its support machinery the countries of the Central American isthmus in Guatemala last August, in the spirit of their age-old traditions, manifested their conunon will to overcome their difficulties and to work together with courage and determination to strengthen everything that binds them together and to consolidate everything that unites them. In so doing the Central American countries decided to stand shoulder to shoulder to meet the historic challenge of eliminating, in accordance with the profound aspirations of their peoples, violence and its vestiges as well as its train of suffering and misery in order, through renewed dialogue and the mutual respect which has been restored, to work to eradicate the causes and effects of discord. Thus, fully assuming their responsibilities, the signatories of the Esquipulas 11 agreement called upon the international community in its turn to shoulder its share of responsibility in clearing the way to reconciliation and the construction of the edifice of peace in all its dimensions. This session of the General Assembly, heedful of this urgent and legitimate appeal, decided to dedicate its very first resolution adopted in plenary meeting that agreement. By resolution 42/1, dated 7 October 1987, the Assembly expressed its eagerness to identify the terms of its commitment and to make its contribution ro the process which has begun, a process of translating this peace programme into tangible and lasting r eaUty • Because peace is indissoluble from economic and social development the Assembly devised this contribution in accordance with the provisions of resolution 42/204, in the form of a special plan of economic co-operation for Central Amer iea which is distinctive from yet supplementary to the other expressions of solidarity that have been manifested individually and collectively by members of the international community and, particularly, by those who belong to the standing ~chinery for political consultation and co-ordination. The time chosen by the General Assembly to give effect at this very session to resolution 42/204 endows this contribution with particular significance, as highlighted by recent developments of the situation in the region as well as the stage reached in the "Procedure for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in Central America ". The Group of 71 is convinced that while peace is an indispensable pre-condition for development it is not the only condition, because if we wish to prorrote peace we are bound to take into account a whole combination of complex factors of various kinds with internal as well as international dimensions. The Cancum Declaration on peace in Central America adopted by the members of the Contadora Group had already branded the economic lag as the major cause of POlitical instability in Central America. Indeed, political stability of the countries in the region, like that in the rest of the world, cannnot be conceived of in situations where the life of the most vulnerable peoples is constantly deteriorating and is exacerbated by the heritage of conflict and an economic environment that tends to reproduce the world-wide imbalances that underlie the growing isolation of the third world economies and is inexorably widening the gap between the North and the South. It is this very approach that underlies the spirit and letter of the special plan of economic co-operation for Central America , which, in accordance with the wish of the General Assembly, has been submitted to the current meeting and to which the Group of 77 is determined to give its wholehearted support. The fruit of intensive consultations, this veritable programme of international solidarity, falls wi thin the framework of the development pr iori ties laid down by the countr ies concerned. Its aim is to direct action towards the consolidation of peace by dealing with the economic and social aspects connected with the legacy of the past, and is also designed to lay the foundations for reinvigorating growth by reactivating the process of regional economic integration The Group of 77 ventures to hope that because of its intr insic mer its this support plan for peace will enjoy the unanimous support of all Member states. While the harmonious implementation of this plan calls for concrete manifestations of political will, the fact remains that the implementation of the plan and its success is not compatible with the persistence of structural obstaclE to international economic growth marked by the continued decline in terms of tradE the nosedive taken by commodity prices, the rise in protectionism, the proliferation of all kinds of discriminatory measures, the intolerable burden of external debt and its servicing, the constant drying up of external sources of financing, and even the reverse transfer of resources from the poor countries to the post-industrial countries. An integral part of what is known as the developing world and, as such, dependent on the current machinery governing international economic disarray, the Central American countries labour under the same economic, financial, monetary and technological constraints as those that have put the brake on the development process of other countries of the South and, in partiCUlar, the poorest of them in Africa and elsewhere. True economic recovery of the Central American countries, and hence the best contribution to the work of peace, must necessarily involve the restructuring of international economic relations, adjusted to the needs of all. It should also be stressed that in deciding to combine their efforts in a collective endeavour, the countries of the Central American isthmus have agreed to confront their common enemy, which is the common enemy, for that matter, of two thirds of humanity, that is to say, underdevelopment. Similarly, the SPecial plan of economic co-operation for Central America, which the General Assembly, we are convinced, will undoubtedly support, cannot be understood as an end in itself. This plan must form part of the whole long-term process of eradicating all forms of economic backwardness. While Central America has for a long time been the focus of attention of our Organization as a group of countries faced with various kinds of crises, the forthcoming examination of item 34 of our agenda should provide the Assembly with an opportunity to measure the progress achieved by the countries of the region as they move towards renewed entente and the beginnings of shared economic recovery. Mr. KORN (United States of America): The United States joins in congratulating President Arias for his stirring call to participate in the reconstruction of Central America. (Mr. Ghezal,Tunisia) The United States also welcomes and strongly supports the effort undertaken t ' the United Nations to assist the Central Americans to achieve peace, social progress and economic development. We would add the importance of democratic institution building to these objectives. The special plan of economic co-operation for Central America correctly poin out that the primary responsibility for the actions and activities envisaged fall to the Governments and peoples of Central America themselves. External co-operation should play only a complementary role to these efforts. To use external assistance and their own resources effectively, Central American countries must continue to carry out across-the-board reforms. In this regard, Costa Rica is to be congratulated for implementing a reform programme tha has generated external support. The General Assembly, in resolution 42/1 of 7 October 1987 and resolution 42/204 of 11 December 1987, urged the international community to increase technical, economic and financial assistance to the Central Amer ican countries aE a way of bolstering their efforts to achieve peace and development. The United States is pleased that the General Assembly is on record as supporting what the United States has been doing for the past decade in this troubled area of the world. Since fiscal year 1995, my Government has responded :0 this critical need by providing $4 billion in bilateral economic assistance and, least $1 billion !TOre as our share of contr ibutions to the various international organizations providing resources to Central America. In response to comprehensive reform programmes, these organizations have demonstrated their willingness to increase substantially their level of assistanl as demonstrated in the case of Costa Rica. We are proud of this record and we pledge our continued assistance. We have provided a substantial level of assistance to this regionJ a level which may not be continued indefinitely because we, too, are facing budgetary constraints. The United States also welcomes the willingness of others to pledge more of their own scarce resources to financing reforms. We also pledge to work closely with those organizations and countr ies that become involved in this task. The plan reflects a great deal of work and thought, and we support its objectives of peace and development for the region. However, we have serious reservations about several of the specific recommendations in the plan, including those on external debt, trade, refugees, energy and reviving the Central American Common Market, particularly its ,payments system. The plan also fails to note the many positive efforts already being undertaken in these areas. The comprehensive international debt strategy being implemented by the International Monetary Fund and the WOrld Bank should remain the basis for action in the debt area. Proposals for restructuring private sector debt should appropriately be negotiated with private creditors. Therefore, we cannot endorse the specific proposals outlined in the plan in this area. We request that any resolution of support adopted now or in the future contain a fUll explanation of costs and funding sources, identifying which united Nations programmes and activities will be reduced in order to reprogramme the funds. Our strong pre ference, of course, is tha t all resources inves ted in th is progr amme should come from new donations pledged specifically for this purpose. With the reservations noted above, the United States is pleased to join in the adoption by consensus of the draft resolution before us today. In doing so, we must also note for the record that the uni ted States interprets the reference to additional financial resources in operative paragraph 4 to include only those flows controlled by donor Governments and not private sector sources. (Mr. Korn, United States) Again, the United states applauds this effort to help Central Americans help themselves. They deserve our strong support and assistance. Mr. 1NSANALLY (Guyana): These are proud and historic times for Central America. Peace has finally prevailed over conflict. Dialogue and negotiation have been preferred to the use of force. This happy outcome is a tribute to the determination of all those who have laboured to bring it about, more especially to the Contadora and its Support Group of countries and of course to the Central American countries themselves. We congratulate them on their successful perseverance in the search for peace. The Esquipulas 11 agreements, which were signed by the five Central American Presidents, reflect the ir commitment to eschew further violence and to seek peaceful coexistence and co-operation. Equally important, they are based on the recognition that the problems of Central America stem not so much from exogenous factors such as the East-West confl ict, but rather from the weak infrastructures and anachronistic systems that have plagued these countries for centuries. They represent, therefore, an endogenous attempt to remedy the serious deficiencies which exist in Central America and to plan for their future development. The special plan of economic co-operation for Central America which has been prepared pursuant to General Assembly resolution 42/204 of 11 December 1987 and which is now before us as document A/42/949, offers a comprehensive programme of I I support to the countries concerned in their effort to pronote the ir economic rehabilita tion. Designed by the Secretary-General in consultation with the Central American States themselves, it provides a basis for determining those areas where assistance is cr i tically needed and those measures which are required to secure I In the light of the technical examination which has been made of the improvement. situation, the plan appears to be feasible and worthy of endorsement by the international community. The success of the plan depends largely on the goodwill and generosity of th entire international conununity which must, in the final analysis, provide the wherewithal to make it work. Developed countries have a special responsibility t create an economic and social environment in Central America which is conducive t progress. They are therefore urged to respond posi tively to the requ irements of the plan. It must be borne in mind, however, that financial and food aid, while desperately needed to satisfy urgent requirements, is not enough to develop Cent! 1 America. Opportunities for trade and wider economic co-operation must be createc to allow the reg ion to 5 tand once aga in on its own feet. The onus is, of course, on the Central American countries themselves to takl full advantage of the opportuni ties created by the plan. Accordingly, they woul( be expected to make the necessary internal arrangements to ensure the plan's efficient operation. It would be well, we believe, for them to concentrate on tI consolidation of the Central American Common Market which, if strengthened, coull go a long way towards reducing the region '5 dependency on external assistance. Above all, however, they must be prepared to submerge their differences in the interest of mutual economic co-operation and benefit. This is, in fact, the premise on which the entire plan has been constructed. My delegation is particularly pleased that special provisions have been extended to Belize, a Central American nation which is also our sister state in le Caribbean community. Although not directly involved in the regional conflict, Belize is nevertheless a victim of its consequences. Hundreds of refugees, flee tg the hardships of war, have crossed its border s in search of asylum. Needless to say, such an influx has placed great demands on Belize, a small nation whose own resources are severely limi ted. The arrangements which have now been made to he ? Belize in coping with this problem are therefore commendable. They recognize th t j !. , Belize is an integral part of Central America and must be treated as such. This recognition should pervade all future action taken on behalf of the region. In advocating increased international support to the countries of Central America, we would be ungracious if we did not acknowledge here the appreciable assistance which some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are already providing. The San Jose facility, for example, represents a significant contribution by Mexico and Venezuela towards satisfying the developmental needs of Central America. These efforts, though undertaken in a regional context, reflect the spirit and value of South-South co-operation. Such initiatives are worthy of emulation and should induce others who are in a position to assist to do likewise. As the forms of co-operation mUltiply, however, it would be important to ensure that institutions which are charged with the implementation of the plan function in a coherent and effective fashion, avoiding unnecessary duplication and wastage of effort. It would therefore be desirable to allow relevant regional bodies to bring their particular experience and specialized capacity to bear in a clear and unambiguous manner. On concluding its meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, last year, and in the belief that peace in Central America is essential for peace in the entire region, the Co-ordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned Countries launched an appeal to all States, international organizations and world public opinion, to strengthen and expand their solidarity with the Governments and peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in their efforts to achieve peace in Central America, consolidate national independence and democracy, promote economic development and integration and be masters of their own destinies. We believe that this appeal has found full (Mr. Insanally, Guyana) reflection in resolution A/42/L.49 upon which the Assembly will shortly be callE upon to pronounce. As such, it will receive the positive vote and support of m~ delegation. The launching of this special programme of economic assistance coincides happily wi th the preparation by the Assembly for the th ird special sess ion on disarmament. It is a good portent for those important del iberations since it e ows that peace is indeed attainable without continuing recourse to arms. Because c this, the plan cannot be allowed to falter or fail. 'rhe international COllU'l\uni1 . ,.. must therefore immediately assume its obligations and help Central America to j .nd peace and stability. The people of this embattled region are deserving of our Eull sympathy and support. We cannot afford to frus tra te the ir expecta t ions, for i we do so, we deny everyone everywhere the possibilities of peace and development. {