A/42/PV.115 General Assembly

Before we take up the item on the agenda for this afternoon, it is my sad duty to inform the General Assembly of the untimely and tragic death of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq. It is wi th deep sorrow that I learned a few hours ago of the death of President Zia-ul-Haq, who was known for his support for the cause of peace and in terna tional understanding and who had deep faith in the United Nations. On behalf of the General Assembly, I request the representative of Pakistan to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Governmen t and people of Pak istan and to the bereaved family. I wish also to express deep sympathy to the families of the persons accompanying him who lost their lives in these tragic circumstances. I now invite members of the Assembly to stand and observe a minute of silence in tr ibute to the memory of His Excellency General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq. The members of the General Assembly observed a minute of silence. I call on the The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Russian): Secretary-General.

It was with a senSe of deep shock and sorrow that I learned of the tragic death today of President Zia-ul-Haq. President Zia was a statesman and a far-sighted leader who commanded wide respect throughout the international community. I had the privilege of working closely with him on a n~mber of issues over the years, most recently on the situation relating to Afghanistan. I also had the pleasure of receiving him on several occasions at United Nations Headquarters, and was looking forward to his visit to New York again in the near future. President Zia's deep convictions and directness, his high intelligence and profound grasp of international affairs made of him a most valued and trusted partner in our endeavours to confront common problems. His unwaver ing faith in the United Nations and his unfailing courtesy were equally a source of constant enoour agemen t to me. As we face this immense loss today, I am sure I voice the feelings of the entire international community in expressing the hope that peace and stability will prevail at a critical time for that sensitive region. In this hour of mourn ing, I should like to -express my most sincere condolences to the Government and people of Pakistan and to the bereaved family of President Zia-ul-Haq, as well as to the families of those who so tragically lost their lives with him.

I now call on the representative of Tunisia, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African Sta tes. Mr.GHEZAL (Tunisia) (interpretation from French): The African Group has learned with great sorrow of the tragic death of President Mohammad zia-ul-Haq of Pak is tan. President Zia-ul-Haq, who was a man of faith, a devout man, throughout his life, was born on 12 August 1924. In his youth he gave his support to the movement for the establishment of a sovereign, Muslim State of Pakistan. He entered the army in 1945 and had a brilliant career, rising to the highest ranks and to the highest levels of military responsibility in his country. He had presided over the destiny of Pakistan since 1977, and in so doing confirmed his country's distinguished role on the international scene and in particular at the United Nations, in the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and in the Organization of the Islamic Conference. President Zia-ul-Haq played an important and active role in the international effort to restore peace and stability to his region, and in the cause of world peace. On behalf of the Afr ican Group, I extend our sincere condolences to the delegation of Pakistan and to Pakistan's Government and people. We express our condolences also to the families of the other Pakistani victims of the tragic accident and to the families and countries of the persons of other nationalities who lost their lives in the same accident.

I now call on the representative of Japan, who will speak on behalf of the Group of As ian Sta tes. Mr. KAGAMI (Japan): On behalf of the Group of As ian states, I wish to offer our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to the bereaved family of President Zia-ul-Haq, of whose sudden dea th we learned wi th profound shock this morning. We mourn the loss of this leader of a fellow Asian State and pay tribute to h is memory. I also wish to express our heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the families of all the other passengers who were on the plane with President Zia and are feared to have per ished. It was only in May this year that the international community rejoiced at the news of the entering into force of the Geneva Accords. These Accords, the culmination of the lengthy and difficult negotiations conducted through the good offices of the United Nations, signaled what· all hoped would be the beginning of the end of the tragic conflict that had visited such misery on Afghanistan. A large share of the credit for the succeSs of this international effort to date must go to President Zia and Pakistan, which became one of the principal parties to the Accords. Faced with this tragic conflict in a neighbouring State, it was essential to Pakistan to help bring about peace. President Zia, pursuing this goal with strength and determination, helped to make it a reality, and for this the whole world will remember him. It is our hope that his untimely death will not endanger the great progress that has been made, and that a comprehensive peace - surely the most fitting memorial to President zia - will soon take hold in the region. Finally, allow me to express, in the capacity of the representative of Japan, the sincere condolences of my own delegation on the demise of President Zia-ul-Haq, a great statesman of Pakistan, who contributed greatly to the strengthening of the friendly relations between Pakistan and Japan.

I now call on the representative of Poland, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States. Mr. NOWORYTA (Poland): On behalf of the Group of Eastern European States, I wish to express our deep sorrow at the tragic accident today which has taken the life of the outstanding statesman of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, President Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq. The acciden t brought dea th also to many other people. We fully associate ourselves with the feelings expressed by the preceding speakers. We wish to convey our most sincere condolences to the delegation of Pakistan to the United Nations, to the Government and people of Pakistan and to the bereaved families of all the victims of this tragic accident.

I now call on the representative of Cuba, who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group. Mr. DRAMAS OI,IVA (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanish) : In my capacity as Chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean states, I am here to express our profound condolences at the tragic passing of General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haa, President of the Islamic Repuhlic of Pak istan. We express oor profound sorrow to our colleague Ambassador Shah Nawaz, the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United Nations, at the event that occurred so hriefly after the take-off of the transport plane that was carrying President Mohammad zia-ul-Haa and some of his colleagues, and the Ambassador of the United States of America to Pakistan, Mr. Arnold L. Raphel. As we stand here, we remember the occasions on which we heard President zia-ul-Haa express the position of Pakistan on major international problems, and we know that peoples are always able to transcend pa infu l. events and to build for the future. We extend our condolences to Paldstan, and know the Pakistani people have the strength to continue their country's struggl.e for peace and development. On behalf of the Latin American and Carihbean states, we extend our most profound condolences to the relatives of President Mohammad Zia-u1-Raa, to the Pakistani people, and to the relatives of all those others who lost their lives.

I now call on the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States. Count YORK van Wartenburg (Federal Republic of Germany): We were deeply moved and indeed shocked when we heard only this morning of the tragic news of the accident that took the life of the Head of State of Pakistan. On behalf of the members of the Group of western European and Other States, r express to the people and the Government of Pakistan, as well as to our colleagues in the delegation of Pakistan, our sincere sympathy. President Zia-ul-Haa was a national leader of great stature. His dedication and his incessant work for the well-being and the development of Pakistan will never be forgotten, and neither will his tireless efforts for peace in the region is felt with pain not only in his own country but far beyond. We share the grief of the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, of their Government and, above all, of his bereaved family. Others have died in the same accident with the President - high officials and officers and also our colleague, the Ambassador of the United States to Pakistan. We wish to extend to all of their families our heartfelt condolences for their sudden and so painful losses.

I now call on the representative of Mauritania, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Arab States. Mr. OULO BOYE (Mauritania) (interpretation from Arabic): The Koran says: "Every soul shall have A taste of death~ And only on the Day Of Judgment shall you Be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved Far from the Fir e And adrni tted to the Garden Will have attained The object (of Life): For the li fe of th is wor ld Is but goods and chattels Of deception." (The Holy Kor an, 11 I :185) Today the world is shocked and deeply grieved to learn of the death of President Zia-uI-Haq. It is indeed a great loss for the fraternal people of Pakistan, who have enjoyed considerable stability under the Government and leadership of President Zia-ul-Haq. His sudden passing is a major loss to the Islamic world, as well as to the Non-Aligned Movement. On behalf of the Group of Ar ab Sta tes, over which I have the honour to preside, I must say that I cannot find the appropriate words to express the genuine feelings of the Arab peoples and leaders, including the Arab Ambassadors here at the United Nations, in connection with the passing of this great Islamic leader. (Mr. Ould Boye, Mauritania) I should also like, on behalf of the Group of Arab States, to extend our sincere condolences to all the families of those who have died in this tragic accident and particularly the family of the united States Ambassador to Pakistan. I reaffirm here the sincere condolences of the Arab Group and extend them to the delegation of Pakistan at the united Nations, as well as to the great people of Pakistan.

I now call on the representive of Jordan, who will speak on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Mr ~ SALAH (Jordan) (interpretation from Arabic); "Among the Believer s are men who have been true to their Covenant with God; Of them some have completed their VCM to the extreme, and some wtill wait; But they have never changed their determination in the least." (The Holy Koran, KXXIII:23) It was with deep regret that we learned this morning in the press of the death of His Excellency the President of Pakistan, Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, as a result of a tragic aeroplane accident. While this was the will of God, we were none the l.ess shaken by this tragedy, which was a grave one for the fraternal country of Pakistan. Pakistan has lost a statesman, a man of law and order. It has lost a great man who built the country into a great edifice among the nations of the world. We in the Islamic world have the greatest respect and appreciation for the deceased, for his efforts to advance and defend the cause of the Islamic na~ion. Those efforts found expression in his work to find solutions to so many of ~he regional and international conflicts of the Islamic world. His soul is now in the hands of God and enjoys eternal life, but before his martyrdom the deceased saw a glimmer of hope for peace and security in the Islamic nation. This was the fruit of his efforts. The world can testify to his contributions to international peace and security. He worked tirelessly towards that goal, a goal we all want to reach without delay. Permit me to share my personal acquaintence with the deceased, when he was on a personal mission to Jordan following the 1967 war. I knew him well as a distinguished officer, deserving of the greatest respect and appr~ciation in my country. I respected him highly. I,.. On behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and on behalf of my country, I should like to convey to the family of the deceased our deep regrets and condolences. Our condolences go also to the people and Government of fraternal Pakistan. May his family find strength an(j his country recompense in his efforts. His memory, his work and his endeavours to serve his country are immortal. I extend our condolences to the fraternal delegation of Pakistan and to the families of all the victims of this tragic incident. May God bear all the victims to heaven. We are confident that fraternal Pakistan will overcome this tragedy with the patience and faith for which it has always been kn6wn. We pray God will endow Pakistan with peace, security and stability.

I call on the representative of the United States, Mr. Herbert S. Okun, who will speak on behalf of the host country. Mr. OKUN (United States of America): As representative of the host country, it is with deep' sadness that I express the profound condolences of the Government and people of the Uni ted States of }\merica, and the personal sympa thy 01 Ambassador Walters, to the people and Government of Pakistan for the tragic plane crash which took the lives of President zia-ul-Haq and others earlier today. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families of all the victims. We grieve also at the untimely loss of our colleagues, the united States ambassador in Pakistan, Arnold Raphel, and General Wassom of his staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have extended condolences to my Government and to their families.

I call on the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Mr. S. Shah Nawaz. Mr. SHAH NAWAZ (Pakistan): On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan I wish to convey to you, Mr. President, to the Secretary-General and to the representatives of the various regional groups our deep appreciation for their kind sentiments and expressions of sympathy and condolences at this moment of great tragedy for my country. The President of Pakistan, General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, lost his life today in an aeroplane crash which followed an explosion on board shortly after takeoff from an airfield in the vicinity of the city of Bahawalpur. President General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq was no ordinary man. He guided the destiny of Pakistan for 11 fateful years dur ing which Pak istan, under his leader ship, faced and over came formidable challenges, both to its internal stability and to its external security. The President was a deeply religious person and acted in total conformity with the precepts of Islam, in both his personal and public life. He was a man of profound convictions who felt as strongly committed to the welfare of the people of Pakistan as he did to the welfare and integrity of the Islamic world in particular and of humanity at large. To work for the unity and progress of the Islamic ummah was a passion of his life and a substantive contribution towards the attainment of that objective will remain forever engraved on the palimpsest of history. The President believed passionately in the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, and attended and addressed the General Assembly whenever he had an opportunity to do so. It will be recalled that he first came to this Assembly in 1981 in his capaci ty as Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and came again in 1985 on the occasion of the celebrations of the fortieth anniversary of the united Nations, addressing the General Assembly on both those occasions. The President believed that the forty-third session of the General Assembly, due to begin in September this year, would be a memorable session, which in his view would be one not so much of promises as of the fulfilment of promises. The President felt particularly gratified that the United Nations had been successful in bringing about peaceful solutions of the conflict in Afghanistan and of the Iran-Iraq war, and that it was on the threshold of similar successes with regard to the situations in southern Africa, Western Sahara, Cyprus and Kampuchea. The President had already made up his mind to address the General Assembly at its forty-third sess ion in order to salute the world body, and the secre tary-General in particular, for those achievements. Alas, he was cut down by the cruel hand of tragedy before he could fulfil his cherished desire. (Hr •. Shah Nawaz, Pak is tan) The President was at once a man of great strength and great humility. He was an upright man who never lost his equanimity and who was always kind and considerate towards his fellow beings. He was a charitable man, ever ready to forgive his opponents, to care for the needy and to comfort the poor. The example he set during his lifetime will no doubt serve as a source of everlasting inspiration and strength to the people of Pakistan. Before concluding, I should also like to express our deep sympa thy and profound condolences on the loss of the life of Ambassador Arnold Raphel, the Ambassador of the United States of Mlerica to Pakistan, who also perished in the tragic aeroplane crash which claimed the life of the President and a number of his close associates. Ambassador Arnold Raphel was an outstanding diplomat and a person of great charm and ability, whom I knew personally and whose friendship I grea tly cher ished. Mr. President, may I once again say, in conclusion, how deeply moved we are by the expressions of sympathy and the tributes paid to the President, General Mohammad Zia-uI-Haq, by you and the Secretary-General and by so many other friends and colleagues who have spoken today at this tragic moment.

I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Felix Aboly-Bi-Kouassi of Cote d'Ivoire, to present the Committee' s repor t on agenda item 145. Mr. ABOLY-BI-KOUASSI (Cote d'Ivoire), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee (interpretation from French): Yesterday the General Assembly decided to include on the agenda of its forty-second session and to allocate to the Fifth Committee for consideration the question entitled "Financing of the united Nations Iran-Iraq Today I have the honour to inform the General Assembly that the Fifth Committee has discharged its duties responsibly and in as timely a manner as possible, while giving the matter thorough consideration, as is always expected of it. I have genuine pleasure in this afternoon presenting the report of the Fifth Committee (A/42/963), which recommends that the General Assembly adopt a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). In the draft resolution the General Assembly decides to appropriate $35.7 million for the operation of the Group for an initial period of approximately three months of the six-month period authorized by the Security Council, beginning 9 August 1988. Paragraph 2 of the draft resolution sets out the special arrangements decided upon by the General Assembly for the way in which the cost should be apportioned among Member States. In the draft resolution the General Assembly also invites voluntary contributions to the Military Qbserver Group both in cash and in the form of services and supplies acceptable to the Secretary-General. Finally, the General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to submit by 1 October 1988 an updated report on the financing of the Group, including the status of voluntary contributions, so that it may consider the financing of the Group beyond the initial period of about three months for which, as I have already said, an appropriation of $35.7 million is requested. It is my duty to emphasize one point of clarification in connection with paragraph 2 of the draft resolution, concerning the composition of a group of Member States. It is based on the principle for the allocation of expenses followed so far by the General Assembly when financing peace-keeping operations, (Mr. Aboly-Bi-Kouassi, Rappor teur, Fi fth ·Committee) since the first financing of the United Nations Inter im Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), going back to 1978-79. In any event, the Fifth Committee will in. due course consider in more detail that matter, among others, particularly in the context of the updated report requested of the Secretary-General in paragraph 7. I have pleasure in recommending on behalf of the Fifth Committee that the General Assembly adopt the draft resolution contained in the report that I have just in troduced •

If there is no proposal under rUle 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall consider that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the report of the Fifth Committee. It was so decided.

Statements will therefore be Umi ted to explana Hons 0 f vo te • The positions of delegations regarding the var ious recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that in paragraph 7 of its decision 34/401, the General Assembly decided that when the same draft resolution is considered in a ma in Committee and in plenary meeting a delegation should, as far as jXlssible, explain its vote only once - that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended in paragraph 6 of the report of the Fifth Committe (A/42/963) • (The President) The pifth Committee decided without a vote to recommend to the General Assembly the adoption of that draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly adopts the draft resolution? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 42/233).

I shall now call on representatives who wish to explain their positions. Mr. NOWORYTA (Poland): Poland joined the consensus on the draft resolution concerning the financing of the united Nations Iran-Iraa Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG), as contained in document A/42/963, in spite of reservations concerning the principle of the inclusion of my country in the list of countries in paragraph 3 of the draft resolution. It did so on the understanding that final decisions thereon will be considered and taken at the forty-third session. Se ere tary- Gen er al. . The SECRETARY~GENERAL: Mr. President, the dispatch with which the General Assembly under your distinguished leadership has dealt with our urgent task of making financial arrangements for the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer • Group (UNIIMOG) has indeed been impress ive. It has swi ftly complemented Security Council resolution 619 (1988) and has created a sound basis for the functioning of UNIIMOG. With this step by the General Assembly the process we have initiated for lasting peace between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq will be further strengthened. The'PRESIDENT (interpretation from Russian): I should like to express my special appreeia tion to Mr. Conrad Mselle, Cha irman of the Advisory Commi t tee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, and to Mr. Henrik Amneus, Chairman of the Fifth Committee, for the very efficient and speedy manner in which they have conducted their work, thus enabling the General Assembly to deal with this urgent matter. I should also like warmly to thank Mr. Luis Maria Gomez, Assistant Secretary-General for Programme Planning, Budget and Finance, and Controller, for his very ef fective con tr ibu tion in facili ta ting our work through his comprehens ive and analytical assistance. I am sure I speak for the entire General Assembly in wishing the Secretary-General every success in his difficult task of bringing about a just and durable peace between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq. The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 145. SUSPENSION OF THE SESSION

I declare the forty-second 1session suspended. \ :\