A/42/PV.12 General Assembly

9.  (conti n ued) GENERAL DEBATE Ms. GRANT-WOODHAM (Jamaica) ~ Twenty-five years ago, following the a ttainment of its independence, Jamaica's first policy sta tement was made at the seventeenth session of the United Nations General Assembly, under the presidency of an illustrious citizens of Pakistan, Sir Zafrulla Khan, from the Group of Asian Countries. Today the presidency is in the able hands of a most distinguished representative of the German Deroocratic RepUblic. This is indeed testimony to the important contribution which the varying political, economic and cultural systems can bring to the global search for peace, development and stability. My delegation congratUlates you, Mr. President, and all the other officers on your election to the leadership of this Assembly. We anticipate that under your guidance there will be marked progress in the search for effective, durable solutions to some of the issues which confront us. The forty-first session of the General Assembly benefited from the expert leadership of Foreign Minister Choudhury of Bangladesh. We cannot overstate the value of h is con tr ibution to the ach ievements of that sess ion and we commend him for it. When we look at the sta tement we made at this rostrum 2S years ago we see that much the same issues remain. Of course, it would be too much to expect that within this arbitrary 25-year period, this quarter-century, human nature would have been so al tered as to make conflicts and wars and social and economic problems disappear. In fact situations which demonstrate the persistence in the in terna tional community of a lack of respect for the pr inciples of the Char ter concerning the peaceful resolution of conflicts, non-aggression and the non-use of force or the threat of force continue to abound. Nevertheless there have been improvements. The world has also experienced vast political, economic, scientific and technological changes, some of which today challenge man to cope adequately with the accelerating pace of the convulsions surrounding him. Today we contemplate a General Assembly agenda which is much larger than the one we looked at 25 years ago. SOme of the i terns are new, but all concern the persistent effort to use this Organization and the forum it affords to deal with living on this planet. Whether defined in political, economic, social, cultural or technological terms, they are all fundamentally related to the basic question: how do we cope or how are we coping? Today, after 25 years, the United Nations can proudly point to its record on decolonization. Since 1962, when Jamaica and five other countries took their seats as States Members of this Organization, 49 others have broken the shackles of colonialism. This is a great achievement; yet we still have a little way to go. SOuth Afr ica's continued defiance with respect to the independence of Namibia is a major blot on the record. South Africa has maintained its oppressive rule over Namibia the better to facilitate its plundering of Namibia's resources, in defiance of the international community. South Africa's policies are as unconscionable today as they ever were. ' Yet the failure to deal with them rests squarely on those cOlmtries whose policies have ,prevented the implementation of the enforcement measur es possible under Chapter VI I of the Char ter. Jamaica reitera tes its call for Security Council action under Chapter VII to ensure the implementation of resolution 435 (1978). We reaffirm ou~ total rejection of the concept of linkage and restate our firm belief in the legitimacy of the struggle of the SOuth West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), the sole authentic representative of the Namibian people. In 1962 Jamaica proposed to the General Assembly that an in terna tional year for human rights be declared. This was observed by the international community in 1968. Since 1962 much work has been undertaken in the Uni ted Na tions system, resulting in the adoption and entry into force of several very important conven tions for the promotion and pro tection of human rights. My delega tion notes wi th satisfaction the work of the several commi ttees established under the var ious human rights instruments and of the united Nations Commission on Human Rights. Nevertheless, flagrant violations of human rights continue in many regions of the world. How can the world continue to tolerate the vicious system of apartheid - a gross example of human rights denied? For our 25 years as an independent country, despite several changes of Government, our people have supported the Government's stance against the apartheid system. During those years we have seen the inhuman situation which is the result of this abhorrent system grow steadily worse as it claims the lives of thousands of innocent victims, including children~ as it allows thousands, including children, to languish in jail without trial~ as it leaves further countless thousands, including children, both physically and elTOtionally maimed~ as it denies 25 million persons who constitute the black population some of their most fundamental human rights - thus seeking to impose on the majority population a kind of modern-day serfdom for which Pretoria's only justification is the colour of a person's skin. We have seen the growing resentment and anger of an oppressed population. We have watched with deep concern as the situation has developed with a frightening inevitability to the point of explosion. We have seen the way in which this racist regime wilfully and cynically manipulates all efforts to negotiate a peaceful solution to the growing crisis. And we have watched with dismay as the (Ms. Grant-Woodham, Jamaica) international community has un·animously condemned the apartheid system but nevertheless has failed to agree on measures to bring that system to an end. But we have also seen the influence which economic pressure has on that regime and we maintain and remain convinced that the implementation of comprehensive mandatory sanctions is the only option for a peaceful solution of this intolerable situation. Strong and concerted international action against apartheid must match the int~national condemnation which is so freely expressed. The front-line states against which Pretoria has committed acts of aggression and sabotage must be able to rely on the effective solidarity of the international community as they seek to eliminate the dependence on their economic linkage with South Afr ica and imprOl1e their capaci ty to defend themselves aga inst Pretor ia IS continuing aggression. The situation in Mozambique and Angola cries out for concerted international attention. will this be just another General Assembly from which only strong an ti-aear theid resolu tions emerge? From time to time we ask our selves what is th e use of the Un i ted Na tions? Bu t we know that whatever its shortcomings that the past years have revealed it is an indispensable institution. Whether in the Middle East, where the central issue of the right of the Palestinian people remains unfulfilled and the right of Israel to a peaceful existence within safe and secure borders must be assured, or in Kampuchea, or Afghanistan where we call for the wi thdrawa1 of foreign forces to enable the peoples to exercise fully their right to self-determination, the United Na tions mus t have an increas ing role to play. Jamaica con tinues to suppor t an international conference under United Na tions auspices to design a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East. The same is true of Kampuchea. In Afghanistan the un tiring efforts of the Secretary-General and his representatives must continue to be supported by all. In the Gulf Jamaica believes that the United Nations has an important role to play in the achievement of a peaceful solution. We support security Council resolution 598 (1987) and the continuing effor ts of the Secretary-General to fashion a settlement in the area. Jamaica is of the view that a cessation of the war between Iran and Iraq is a vital pre-condition for stability in the region and for peaceful passage of maritime traffic. It is therefore essential that both Iran and Iraq comply with the demands of the international community for a speedy solution to their conflict. We are encouraged to hope tha.t violation of the territorial integrity of Chad will be pu t to an end soon now that the Organization of African Uni ty (OAU) has again become very actively involved. In our region, the conflict of Central America did not exist in its present form 25 years ago. But the seeds were there. The longstanding social and economic disparities have given rise to conflicts into which, more recently, ideological differences have intruded. We have followed closely and have supported diplomatic initiatives to bring about a negotiated settlement acceptable to all the parties involved in that reg ional conflict. Time and time again our expecta tions have been dashed as an effective solution elUded these efforts. We were, however, encouraged by the Agreement signed on 7 August in Gua temala by the five Cen tral American Presidents as a demonstration of their determination to resolve their differences through dialogue. The Government of -Jamaica wishes to commend the longstanding and painstaking efforts of the Contadora and Support Group and their contribution to this latest developnen t, and also the role of Pres ident Ar ias of Cos ta Rica, whose proposal formed the basis for the Agreement. It is our hope that the parties to the Ag reernen t will respect those commi tlnen ts and that implemen tation will follow the agreed schedule. We urge the international community to support this endeavour to generate peace, stability and development in the region. In particular, we would urge all those States external to Central America and which have interests in the region, to support fully this noble endeavour and thus allow the Central American States to resolve their conflict without external intervention. Whatever the regional confl ict may be or wherever it is, one major issue overhangs us all, and that is the thr ea t of nuclear war and the pers is ting race between the super-POW'ers to acquire more sophisticated nuclear weapons systems. The united Nations has been strenuous in its efforts to put a stop to this madness. In 1962 Jamaica expressed its concern at the escalation of the arms race. Today, 25 years later, the si tua tion is infinitely more dangerous. We continue to urge and support the adoption of measures for the achievement of general and complete disarmament. We expressed our optimism at the news of the agreement between the two super-Powers to eliminate one entire class of nuclear weapons. This is a major event for the international community. But we should not be euphor ic. There are still enough nuclear weapons to destroy civilization several times over. Hence, we must persist in maintaining the pressure on the nuclear Powers·. At the same time, the race for the accumulation of conventional armaments must not become a substitute for the race in nuclear weapons. A few weeks ago the Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development ended. We deeply regret that all States did not participate, but we believe that the message which emanated from the Conference will find a ready, positive response among peoples of the East and West, of the North and South. The par adox of mill ions of dollar s spen t in weapons of mass des tr uction, in order to maintain peace and security, while millions of people remain in abject poverty and deprivation, cannot continue. We have had occasion to refer to new kinds of problems with serious international impact, among which were international terrorism, illicit trafficking in drugs and the debt cr is is. Jamaica condemns international terrorism whether it be state-perpetrated or from any other source. We are concerned and appalled by its random and destructive natur e ~ by its abil i ty to weave a web of fear, hos til ity and dis tr us t among nations and peoples, th us gnaw ing away a t the fr amewor k of peace, stabili ty and good will which the United Nations has so painstakingly sought to develop. We are fully committed to the adoption of measures to eradicate international terrorism and will continue to support efforts to this end. The international corranunity has recognized the need to close ranks in the fight against drug abuse and the illicit traffic in narcotics. Conferences at global, regional and subregional levels have fostered action by the large major ity of States to wipe this evil from the face of the earth. Not only are we concerned about the irreparable damage to our people that can result from drug abuse, but we are gr avely troubled by the security implications, as the illicit traffic is inevitably linked with international crime, which respects no frontier. The multilateral plans of action which resulted from the various conferences, in particular, the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which was held earlier this year, reflect our commitment as sovereign nations to co-operation in the relentless struggle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs. We believe the development of in terna tional law, through the adoption of a convention on this matter, could greatly enhance this international campaign. On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of our membership in the United Nations, my Government would have liked to be able to state unequivocally that considerable progress had been made in promoting the goals and principles of this Organization in economic developnent. Regrettably, we are unable to do so. The challenge of development is even more pressing than it was 25 years ago when the world economy was vibrant. Despite the significant advances made during the last two decades in liv ing standards to which the United Na tions system has made valuable contributions the developing countries have been facing unprecedented economic difficul ties in the 1980s. These difficul ties threaten the economic and social gains made by, and the stability, of our states. Developing countries are being encouraged to pursue export-led growth but, at the same time, the very industrialized countries which encourage this path to growth are seeking to erect protectionist barriers around their own uncompetitive domestic industries. This leads to a reduction in the level of exports from developing coun tr ies to developed country markets, to a fall in foreign exchange earnings, and therefore to a reduction in the capacity to import goods necessary to sustain our economies. The imbalances wi thin the world economy are thus perpetuated. The new round of mUltilateral trade negotiations which was launched at Punta del Este, Uruguay, in September of last year, emerged in response to the overall continued deterioration in the international trading environment and the need to halt this trend by restoring international trade to agreed mUltilateral discipline. The contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), face new challenges as they negotiate a wide range of trade related issues during this round. Jamaica attaches much importance to these negotiations as we feel that agreed rules and principles, which seek to provide a stable, practical and secure international trading environment, not only ,help trade, but foster the climate for foreign investment. The burden of external debt has now become the greatest obstacle to economic development. The gap between average living standards in developing countries and those in the developed wor Id has widened and there are growing dispar i ties between different parts of the developing world. We believe that our creditors are now fully aware of the need for creative and positive action on their part with a view to alleviating the situation. The view that the external debt problems of developing countr ies would become manageable within a brief period is no longer realistic. The focus on short-term stabiliza tion programmes supported by the In terna tional Monetary Fund and the rescheduling of bilateral obligations through the Par is Club and commercial debt directly wi th commercial banks have to be re-examined. New thinking must take into account the capacity to service the debt and the situation of small middle income countries with high debt service burdens and limited room for additional indebtedness. The resumption of a growth path must be a fundamental objective. The Prime Minister of Jamaica has put forward a proposal which, we submit, can assist in co-ordinating and improving approaches to the debt crisis. The proposal is for a new type of policy-based lending programme which directly addresses the need for both debt service and secure economic growth. This facility, to be offered by multilateral financial institutions, would be conditioned on the basis of a targeted reduction of debt service ratios to sustainable levels over a programme period, geared to release sufficient disposable resources to achieve targeted growth. As a parallel programme, the Paris Club and commercial banks would also condition their multi-year rescheduling to the targeted debt service ra tios. We would welcome discussion on this proposal in the Second Committee, and we solicit the support of Members of the United Nations for what we are convinced is a useful and constructive initiative in the complex search for solutions. I am convinced that there is wide agreement that a solution to the debt problem will not only assist in improving the economies of developing countries, but will also form part of a broader solution of the problems which together contribute to the present stagnation of the world economy. The seventh session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD VII) which was recently held in Geneva, was eagerly awaited by the countries of the developing world. It presented an opportunity for the international community to seek concrete solutions to the many problems which beset the world economy. We looked to that forum for policies and measures which would revitalize development, growth and international trade and foster a more predictable and supportive environment. UNCTAD VII was not the resounding success for which we had all hoped. The decisive action that the current world economic situation required was not forthcoming. However, it was an im£X>rtant advance in multilateralism and interdependence. It was a renewed commitment to UNCTAD. The incernational community recognized that the four-yearly UNCTAD conferences continue to provide an opportunity for frank and useful discussions of development issues. The final act of UNal'AD VII, that consensus document which brings together the assessment of world economic trends, pOlicies and measures in the areas of resources for development, commodities, international trade and special measures for the least developed coun tr ies, will remain an impor tant policy document for implementing reforms to the international economic and financial systems. Jamaica remains fully committed to multilateralism and will continue to play a positive role in the programmes and projects sponsored by the insti tutions of the United Nations. We expect that these programmes will complement those introduced at the national and regional levels. We believe that our efforts, coupled with those introduced and developed by the wider international community, will assist us in achieving our national goal of a better life for our people in a peaceful, secure and stable international environment. We note with great satisfaction that major progress has been made in the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority on the problem of overlapping claims. This good news should help to convince the remaining doubters about the viability of the regime that the members of the international community fashioned by consensus. We expect the meeting in December to be successful. It continues to be our hope that ratification of the Convention will move speedily along. Jamaica recognizes that the United Na tions can be effective only to the extent to which we, the Member States, seek to make it so. There have been recent indications of a disposition to do that. We are encouraged by this. The United Nations is all of us. We all share the responsibility to use it to help make a better wor Id. Mr. 'JX)'!'U (Romania): Your election, Sir, to the high post of President 0: the forty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly gives me the pleasant occasion to extend to you my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes fo full success in the accompl ishment of the miss ion entr usted to you. I feel especially honoured to present from the rostrum of this high forum the considerations and proposals of the President of Romania, Nicolae Ceau~escu, on th ma in issues of international life and on the ways to solve them, in accordance wit the interests and aspirations for peace, independence and progress of the Romaniar people, and indeed of all peoples of the world. ~nalysis of the evolution of international life reveals a picture which is utterly disquieting. The world situation continues to be particularly serious and complex. The arms race has assum~d disturbing proportions. Nuclear tests aimed at the steady development of weapons of mass destruction are still going on. This has harmful effects on the natural environment and, in fact, on life on earth. At the same time, far from diminishing, the conflicts, crises and hotbeds of tension in various regions of our planet have even worsened, thus generating new threats to the peace and security of mankind. The policy of force, of threat of force and gross interference in the internal affairs of other states continues unabated. These manifestations are incompatible with the principles and norms of international law, morality and ethics. Furthermore, the world economic crisis has become more serious and more profound, affecting all States. Its adverse effects are being felt primarily by developing countries, Whose situation is already tragic. In the view of Romania, and President Nicolae Ceausescu, the sole, compelling alternative at present is to reverse the dangerous course of events and bar the road which leads to a nuclear catastrophe. A new world war is inconceivable, for it would mean the practical annihilation of life on our planet. Hence the need to renounce, once and for all, the wrong and outdated conception upheld by some nuclear-weapon states that nuclear weapons strengthen security and contribute to the maintenance of peace. Romania considers that the fundamental problem of our era is to halt the arms race and pass on resolutely to disarmament, in particUlar nuclear disarmament, to defend the supreme right of peoples and individuals alike to peace, life, and a free and dignified existence. In its overall international activities Romania devotes all its efforts to a permanent dialogue and wider and more diversified contacts with all States, (Mr. Totu, Romania) irrespective of their social system. Firmly underlying all its relations are the principles of full equality of rights, respect for national independence and sovereignty, the non-use of force or the threat of force, non-interference in the internal affairs and mutual benefit. In view of the unprecedented scope attained by the arms race, in particular the nuclear-arms race, and the need for determined measures in the field of disarmament, we deem it necessary for the Assembly to give these issues top priority at the present session. We believe that all States must intensify their endeavours and actions in order to achieve this objective. Romania and President Nicolae Ceausescu propose that the General Assembly launch an appeal to the Soviet Union and the United States, since their positions are very close, to conclude without delay, as of this year, an agreement on the elimination of all medium- and shorter-range missiles from Europe and the whole world. At the same time, the General Assembly should call upon the countries that have nuclear weapons on their territory to renounce them and refrain from raising obstacles of any kind to the achievement of an agreement. Furthermore, all countries in Europe and elsewhere in the world should be called upon to act resolutely in order to achiev~ such an agreement this year. We welcome the recent Soviet-American understanding in principle in this respect and express our hope that the accord will be signed at the summit meeting to take place in the autumn of this year. Taking into account that nuclear tests are stepping up the arms race while having damaging effects on the environment, the General Assembly should address an appeal, primarily to the United states and the soviet union, but also to the other nuclear-weapon States, to halt nuclear testing and any other activities designed to develop and improve nuclear weaponry. Similarly, all the States of the world should be called upon to undertake to use nuclear 1 . 1 energy exc US1Ve y for peaceful purposes, for the benefit of humanity at large. While according priority attention to matters relating to nuclear disarmament, Romania holds the view that resolute and tangible measures are also needed to reduce conventional armaments, troops and military expenditures, which this year topped $1,000 billion for the world as a whole. Consistent with its proposals in recent years in this field, Romania proceeded to a unilateral reduction of its weapons, troops and military expenditures by 5 per cent, following a national referendum in which practically all the people took part. In this way, the Romanian people asserted its will and determination to act unflinchingly in favour of disarmament and peace. In our view, the adoption of unilateral disarmament measures by States would constitute a practical way of passing from words to deeds and making real progress towards general disarmament. In the same spirit of a new approach to disarmament problems which requires that all possible avenues be explored, Romania considers it necessary for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Warsaw Treaty countries to start as soon as possible negotiations on conventional disarmament, with the participation of other countries of the European continent. I Bearing in mind the increased role that the united Nations should assume, Romania proposes that the General Assembly take action to prepare and finalize a complex programme of nuclear and general disarmament, to be submitted for adoption at the third special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, Scheduled to be held in 1988. The programme should lay down measures for the phased elimination of all nuclear weapons and the substantial reduction of conventional weapons, troops and military expenditures, as well as for the prohibition of the production of chemical weapons and the destruction of existing stockpiles. We believe that this programme should specify the need for the various problems and issues relating to nuclear and conventional disarmament to be resolved independently, without some being conditional upon others. Following the same line of thought, Romania helieves that the preparation and adoption by the United Nations of an international document setting forth the principles that should gove,rn negotiations among States on freezing and reducing military expenditures would have a stimulating effect on the efforts of the world community in the field of disarmament. It is of special importance to halt a.ny measures designed to militarize outer space, which should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes in the interest of all mankind. As the grea t number of sa telli te launchings have harmful effects on the natural environment of life on Earth, we propose that the General Assembly address an appeal to all countries launching satellites to limit such launchings. Likewise, we propose that the General Assembly call upon all States of the world to start early negotiations to regulate the use of outer space for peaceful purposes only, and to establish a rational system for its use as an asset of all mank ind. The interests of international peace and security make it increasingly necessary to set up nuclear- and chemical-weapon-free zones, for developing good neighbourliness, mutual understanding and co-operation. It is in this spirit that Romania takes consistent action towards turning the Balkans into a zone of good neighbourliness, peace and co-operation, free of nuclear and chemical weapons, foreign troops and mili tary bases. In this respect, it is of special significance to recall the recent proposals advanced jointly by Romania and Greece to convene in Bucharest a high-lellel meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Balkan coun tr ies. Equally, Ibrnania upholds the setting up of n uclear- and chemical-weapon-free zones in nor thern and cen tral Europe, as well as on other continents. We consider it necessary for the United Nations to encourage initiatives designed to establish such zones, including nuclear-weapon-free ci ties and towns on various continen ts. Such moves are 1 ikely to strengthen confidence and secur ity at the regional and world lellels. Against the background of the ever-closer interdependence that characterizes today's world, and bearing in mind the evolution of international events, Romania proposes that the United Nations address a general appeal to all States in conflict . d It should also call upon all Sta tes to br ing their mili tary opera tlons to an en . to proceed to the settlement of all pending issues and disputes between them by peaceful means, through negotia tions. The General Assembly should call for the cessa tion of any form of mili tary opera tions dur ing negotia tions, from the ir beginning. The Security Council, or a United Nations special body, should be empowered b mooi tor the implementa tion of obliga tions assumed as to the cessa Hon of mili tary achy ities throughout the negotia tions and to ensure the solution of the issues through negotia Hons. As regards the situation in the Middle East, the stand and the actions taken by Romania and its President are consistently aimed at ensuring a global, just and durable peace, based on Israelis withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, on recognition of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to set up a Palestinian State, and on a guarantee of the independence and sovereignty of all States in the region. We consider that a realistic way of bringing peace to the Middle East is to convene an international conference on the Middle East, under the auspices of the United Nations, to be attended by all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Israel and the permanent members of the Security Council. We believe that such a histor ic Ghance for the much tr ied region of the Middle East finally to find its tranquillity and peace should not be missed. wi th regard to the Iran-Iraq conflict, Roman.ia welcomed the Secur i ty Council r esolu tion which favour s the cessa tion of the war wi thout delay and a pol i dcal settlement, by means of negotia tions, of all the issues between the two countr ies. We also support the action of the Secretary-General in this ma tter. We stand firmly for the renunciation of all acts conducive to an extension of the conflict. It is impera tive to wi thdraw all foreign mili tary ships from the Gulf, to step up efforts towards the cessation of the Iran-Iraq war and to ensure free navigation in that region, as well as in all other oceans and seas of the world. Similarly, Roman ia suppor ts any actions and ini tia tives favouring peaceful solutions to the conflict situations in Central America as, indeed, in other regions of the world. In this context, we believe it necessary for the General Assembly to work out the mandate for finalizing t.he initiative which Romania took at preceding sessions on resort to a united Nations commission of good offices, mediation or conciliation for the peaceful settlement of disputes. We also think it necessary to start the elaboration of an international document on the developnent and strengthening of good-neighbourly relations between States and to dev ise me thods conduc ive to the s tJ;: eng then ing of the Uni ted Na tions role and capacity to work for the maintenance of international peace and security. Consistent with its policy, Romania firmly upholds the peoples' national liberation struggle, and lends its active support to the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) in its fight for Namibia's independence. We strongly condemn the racist, apartheid policy of South Africa and that country's hostile acts against neighbour ing independent and sovereign States. We favour the taking of tangible and effective actions aga inst the pretor ia racis t minor i ty regime. We reaffirm our solidarity with, and active support for, the position and ini tia Uves taken by the Democratic people's RepUblic of Korea, and its political and diplomatic efforts and actions aimed at bringing about. the peaceful, delOClcratic and independent unification of Korea. In the present condi tions of the world economy, which is beset. by continued cr is is phenomena both in the economic and the monetary-financial fields, the economic situation of developing countries has worsened considerably, while the economic, technical and scientific gaps separa ting them from developed countries We have recently witnessed a proliferation of protectionist and discriminator barriers to international trade, in particular to the exports of manufactured products from developing countries, coupled wi th a decline in the prices of their export commOdities. However, the most serious problem faced by developing countries is the burden incurred by their foreign debts, the value of which has ne r reached the colossal figure of 1,000 billion dollars. Therefore, President Nicolae Ceausescu considers that the General Assembly should adopt an appeal to be addressed to all creditor developed countries and to all banks and international financial institutions to the effect that they should establish a moratorium of at least five years on all credits given to developing countries by the economically developed countries and by banking institutions, inclUding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The appeal should include a demand that a ceiling of not more than 5 per cen be fixed for rates of interest on existing credits. It should also ask that the principle be established that rates of interest on future credits should not exce d 4 to 5 per cent~ that banks, in their turn, should pay interest of up to 5 per CE .t on the ir respective deposi ts; and tha t commercial credi ts should be repa id in compliance with such norms and understandings as are agreed between the parties. At the same time, the General Assembly should make an appeal to all States to renounce any protectionist and discriminatory measures, any artificial barriers and any restrictions and auotas in the field of international trade, and to apply firmly the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) on the granting of most-favoured-nation treatment. The situation of the world economy calls for a resumption of the dialogue between developing countries and industrialized countries. In this respect Romania has proposed that an international conference be convened within the United Nations, to be attended, with equal rights, by both developed and developing countries. Such a conference should have the purpose of seeking mutually acceptable solutions to the economic problems, including that of foreign debts, in order to eliminate underdevelopment and establish the new international economic order. To increase the United Nations role and contribution to the political nd economic settlement of the foreign-debt problem, on a global basis, it appears necessary to set up, within the framework of the United Nations, a special body on the foreign-debt problem which should discuss and make proposals on concrete and effective steps to be taken in this field. The proceedings of the recent International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development made it strikingly clear that, while at the world level there exist numerous unsolved economic and social problems of a most serious nature, the arms race absorbs huge resources every year, thus becoming an increasingly heavy burden on all peoples. The message which the President of Romania sent to the Conference contains a set of proposals designed to freeze military bUdgets at the 1987 level and to reduce them in the initial phase by 5 per cent. The resources thus saved would be (Mr. Totu, Romania) used both to meet internal socio-economic needs and to increase the contributions to the united Nations technical assistance programmes. Now, at the confluence of our century and the third millenium, science and technology have become a decisive factor of progress. But in this area of human endeavour also, yawning gaps have been created between economically developed countries and developing countries. Here too it appears both necessary and urgent to agree, within the united Nations framework, on the proper methods to be used so that all countries, primarily developing countries, may benefit from the major gains of human genius - hence the need to convene a second United Nations conference on science and technology for development. The complex and particularly serious situation of international life in the political, military, economic and social spheres requires the democratization of international relations and respect for the sovereign right of all States, irrespective of their size, their economic or military strength and their aocio-political system, to participate, on the basis of full equality and mutual respect, in the solution of all problems of concern to mankind. In that light, we stand for the strengthening of the role of the United Nations and the other international organizations, so that their activities may be focused on the settlement of the cardinal issues of today's world. Life and its realities call for strict observance of the principles and norms of international law in relations between States and for the establishment of a comprehensive system of peace and security in the interest of all peoples. We hold the view that there is a need to improve and simplify the machinery of the United Nations Secretariat. We are also convinced that the Organization's temporary financial difficulties should not result in a decline in its essential political and economic activities or in alterations of the democratic structures of the united Nations. The point of view of Romania, of President Nicolae Ceausescu, on the main issues of present international life gives expression to the constructive vocation of the Romanian people for peace and large-scale international co-operation. At the same time, it constitutes an ardent call on all States, peoples and realistic forces to join efforts in order to remove the danger of war, once and for all, to exclude force from international life and to establish a new world, a world of peace, understanding and co-operation. Mr. TREIRI (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (interpretation from Arabic): I should first like to extend to you, Sir, our sincere congratulations on your election to the presidency of this session of the General Assembly. I am absolutely sure that your long experience and your well-known skills ensure positive results by this important session. We are particularly pleased to see in the Chair a representative of your country, which is a friend of the Jamahiriya and linked to it by strong relations of friendship and understanding. I assure you of our readiness to co-operate fully with you as you discharge your high task. I express my country's appreciation also to Mr. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, who presided over the forty-first session of the Assembly with outstanding skill. We believe that his guidance as President played a large part in the success achieved by that session. I pay a tribute also to secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar for the efforts he has made and continues to make to promote the role of the Organization and to achieve its purposes and principles, particularly in the maintenance of international peace and security. I also congratulate Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed on his appointment to the post of Under-Secretary-General for Political and General Assembly Affairs. This is the forty-second session of the General Assembly of the united Nations, an organization which, despite its shortcomings and the loopholes in its Charter, remains the only hope that the international community has for the achievement of peace and security based on justice, and of the well-being and eauality of peoples. The peoples of the world - and it is they who are mentioned at the very beginning of the Charter - have always looked to this Organization to fulfil their hopes and aspirations, in freedom, justice and equality. When the Organization was established, everyone believed that that would be the beginning of the end of existing international struggles and struggles based ~ hegemony and racial and ethnic discrimination. The whole world opposed nazism and fascism as aberrant phenomena. The family of nations joined hands to eradicate those dangers and to stem their tide. Libya, which was one of the victims of fascist aggression lost more than half its population opposing and resisting that aggression during a long and bitter period of struggle, fully appreciates the importance of the world's and mankind's victory over fascism and nazism. In the field of decolonization the United Nations has achieved many successes and victories. The struggle of peoples in all the continents of the world, and in our African continent in particular, has been crowned by many victories, which led to the demise of colonization and the smashing of its chains. However, those victories in fighting fascism and nazism achieved by the community of nations have J encountered many setbacks because of the emergence of imperialism, racist Zionism and neo-colonialism. Today we see entire peoples facing extermination or dispersion. The tragedy of the people of Palestine, a tragedy caused by the alliance between imperialism,. world Zionism and colonialism, is seen in the attempts to eradicate the Palestinian people. That tragedy can indeed be considered the worst tragedy in our contemporary history. The united Nations, which was used as an instrument to legitimize the aggressor and deprive the victims of their rights I through the creation of the Zionist entity, has a moral responsibility to correct that histor ical mistake. The establishment of the racist regime in South Africa - the counterpart of the racist regime in Palestine - through the same instrument is but another example I of the historical tragedies being forced upon peoples. The violation of the rights of millions of African blacks in South Africa and Namibia and the inhuman treatment (Mr. Treiki, Libyan Arab Jamah iriya) meted out to them make this a shameful chapter in the history of our time. The racist regime in South Afr ica can be ended only if imper ialist sta tes ceaSe theil direct support for that regime. Furthermore, the independent of Namibia, to whic I imperialist Powers are attempting to create obstacles and which they are trying I prevent by creating new conditions, can be achieved rapidly only on the basis of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). We believe that the time has come to impose economic sanctions on the racis' regime to force it into line with the will of t.he international community. We further believe that the racist regime must allow the people of Azania to determ: ,e its own future in freedom and without any pressure whatsoever, so that we may at last hear the voice of the black majority, which has not been allowed to be raisl at any time in the past. Nor has that majority been allowed to participate in ruling its country. Stability and peace cannot be restored to Azania unless the national rights of the black majority are fully recognized. Despite the attempts by mankind and the family of nations to achieve peace, the savage campaign by the United States Administration against small countries .d peace-loving peoples cannot but make the picture a very depressing picture and underline the nature of the State terrorism practised by that Administration. Mi IY peoples have been in the past and continue to be subjected to that imperialist campaign, whether directly or indirectly, in everyone of the world's five continents. The Vietnamese people was subjected to mass extermination; Grenada' IS subjected to direct invasion and occupation~ Nicaragua has been the subject of siege and aggression~ Cuba is the SUbject of aggression; Libya was the victim of direct aggression from the north, while today it is subjected to the same aggression On its southern borders; Palestinian refugee camps have been and continue to be destroyedJ there have been and continue to be attempts at the mass extermination of the Palestinian people, inside and outside occupied Palestine, with the use of American weapons of destruction and with the support of the American Administration. That Administration has provided the Zionist entity with all types of weapons to commit aggression against the Palestinian people and expand, at the expense of neighbouring Arab countries, in the Galan and in Lebanon. Furthermore, American imperialism does not hide its enmity towards the Arab world and has widely proclaimed its stra tegic alliance wi th the Zionist enemy. Old, traditional colonialism, which was kicked out of the front door, is today trying by all possible means to return through the back door. French colonialism, which suffered many setbacks in the African continent, faced defeat in Algeria and was forced to leave its colonies in the African continent, is today attempting to return through the back door. French bases on the Afr ican continent, and in the Pacific and Indian OCeans are all a direct threat to and aggression against small countries and peace-loving peoples. The continuing occupation by France of a part of the African continent, is in the case of the island of Reunion, and other parts of the world, such as New Caledonia, where the will of the people is being misrepresented, are outstanding examples of the remnants of this abhorrent colonialism. Libya, which was one of the victims of aggression and direct French int.ervention, cannot but draw the attention of the international community and the world to the danger of French occupation, intervention and presence in the African continent, particularly in Chad. We have heard the Foreign Minister of France speaking of the "responsibility" of France. What responsibility is he talking (Mr. Treiki; Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) about? Is it the responsibility of the wolf to its victim? Is it the responsibili ty of the master to those he wishes to continue to enslave? What ri' has France to intervene in Africa? Perhaps it is the right of the wolf as compa to the lamb. We say to the French Government from this international rostrum th the time when colonialism could use its heavy stick has gone for ever. Algeria is no longer French. Viet Nam, following DienBien Phu, is no longer French. Libya is no longer part of the fascist empire of Mussolini. The age of colonialist and fascist treaties and conventions to divide the world and its people has also gone for ever. May I also recall that Libya, wh ich fough t fascism~ Libya, wh ich 106 t half its population defending its land and waters, will not give up any part of its territory under any condition. Aouzou is Libyan and will remain so. We do not need any French scrolls or documents to prove it is so. We believe in the inel7itability of the victory of peoples, despite all the tragedies and pligh ts to which humani ty has been subjected. The presence of such a large number of Member States which struggled in the past against colonialism and which struggle today against imper ial ism is resplendent proof tha this tory cannot be rolled back~ it is proof of the inevitability of the victory of peoples. Despite the attempts of imperialist Powers to divide peoples and to sow seeds of dissent among them, we can still say, and say emphatically, that the wor Id today realizes more than at any time in the past the true nature of colonialist-imperialist plots. What happened in 1948 when plots were made to par ti tion Palestine, disper se its people and legi timize the aggressor will not be repea ted in the name of the United Na tions. The United Nations today is very differen t from the Un ited Nations of yes teryear • For the United Nations to undertake its role fully, it must be changed in a way that will never allow the Organization and the mel'\i)ers of the international communi ty to ignore new poliHeal and economic realities that have emerged on the international scene. The paralysis of United Nations resolutions, the rejection of its will, indeed the flouting of the United Nations and the non-observanace by some major Powers of their commitment to the principles of the Charter and the Univen .1 Declaration of Human Rights must not be repeated. Certain rights and privileges of some States - the right of veto, for example - runs counter to the simplest rules of equality among Member States provided in the Uni ted Na tions Charter - are an obstacle in the way of a truly effective role for the United Na tions in the main tenance of inter national peace d security. The right of veto has been continually used against the international will to defend the aggressor and justify aggression and occupation. The time ha, come for the international community to get rid of that privilege, which is clear y counter to the principle of equality among Member States provided for in the Char ter of the Uni ted Na tions. We welcome all agreements between the two super-Powers to achieve disarmamer and peace. However, as small peoples we have learned from our experience not to e over-optimistic. Imperialist Powers will not give up their ambitions or their objectives of hegemony and domination. Imperialist Powers exploit all attempts peace-loving States to achieve peace and use every opportunity to attack small peoples, usurp their riches, monopolize their wealth and destroy their economies, I have said that, despite the achievements of the United Nations, hotbeds 0: tension, dispute and war exist in many parts of the world. Those Powers which reject peace and justice feed those disputes and, indeed, they lead to the fannil of more such disputes in order to tryout their weapons and achieve their imperialist aggressive aims. The time has come for the United Nations to achiev peace and security, based on the interests of peoples, not on those of the monopolies. The war in the Gulf must be brought to an endJ it is a war between two neighbouring Muslim States whose resources must be devoted to the interests of their peoplesJ their joint efforts must be devoted to standing together with other Islamic and Arab countr ies in the region against the joint imper ialist-Zionis t threat. Only the imperialist Powers have an interest in the continuation of this war - a war through which those imperialist Powers attempt to gain a stronger foothold. By amassing forces' in the region they wish to inflame that war. We express support for the Secretary-GeneralIs efforts to end that war as soon as possible, in accordance with the relevant united Nations resolutions. The situation in Latin America and Central America cannot be improved and peace cannot be restored to those two regions unless the imperialist intervention is brought to an end. Imperialism is supporting mercenaries in the area. We salute the efforts of the Contadora Group and the Support Group in Central America as represented in the Guatemala agreement, which we believe is the only way to solve the problem. We should also like to emphasize our support of, and solidarity with, the peoples of Nicaragua and Cuba against imperialist intervention and aggression. I have mentioned attempts by imperialism and colonialism to sow seeds of dissent among African brothers. Allow me to say that the solution to the Chad problem can be found essentially - as has been emphasized by various parties and even by Mr. Habre himself - in an end to French intervention, the withdrawal of French and imperialist Powers from Chad, and achievement of national interests among all Chadian factions. The Jamahiriya has always expressed its willingness to help in solving the Chad problem. Libya recently declared, through the leader of its Revolution, that it would leave the Chadians to solve their own problems and that it no longer considered that there was any problem whatever between it. and Chad. Furthermore, (Mr. Treiki, Libyan Arab J amar ihi ya) Organization of African unity (OAU) and the good offices committee assigned b~ that organization at its most recent meeting held in Lusaka to deal with the Chad problem. To date, the problem of western Sahara has not been solved in accordance lith the resolu tions adopted by the Uni ted Na tions and the Organ iza t.ion of African Unity. We support the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations lnd the Secretary-General of the OAU' to solve the problem in accordance wi th the relevant resolutions and in a way that would ensure justice and equality. The Jamahiriya, which has 1,900 kilometres of coast on the Mediterranean, is very keen to see it become a sea of peace and security for all Mediterranean coun tr ies and for the world as a whole. Sea continues to be a region of tension owing to the presence there of imperii List ) :::::-f::.::-a::t:::esan:.::::r::l:::-:::::i::::tw:::i:::: ::::s~n.::: ::::::, an: the possibility of new conflagrations in that area. However - and most unfortunately - tl It f j ~ i t j ! Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library Libya has been the vic tim of treacherous American mili tary aggression dur ing which the waters and airspace of that sea were used. That aggression was directed against Libya in an attempt to abort the Libyan revolution and to kill its leader. In General Assembly resolution 41/38 the international community clearly condemned the aggression after having first agreed at its forty-first session to include an item in its agenda - item 142 - to discuss the issue. The solu tion to th e Cjpriot problem can be achieved through co-opera tion between the two communities in Cyprus, Greek and Turkish, on the basis of a united, non-aligned Cyprus and the elimination of imperialist colonialist British bases there. The Jamahiriya supports the efforts of the Secretary-General towards the achievement of a peaceful and just settlement of the question of Cyprus. In the Asian continent we notice many hot sp;:>ts of tension. My country, which enjoys excellent relations with the Asian States believes that efforts to solve the problems and eliminate these hot spots of tension must be continued. The agreement signed by the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia and viet Nam is likely to resolve problems in the area in a way that will guarantee the rights of their peoples and their socio-economic choices. We in the Arab wor Id have been subjected to effor ts to div ide us. We fUlly appreciate, therefore, the importance of the remification of Korea in a peaceful framework. We support dialogue and mutual understanding towards that goal and we call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Korean land. I cannot fail to mention here, hCMever briefly, the international economic situation and the economic crisis faced by the peoples of the world, particularly the third world. The international economic crisis is becoming more grave every year, and it is the developing countries, my country included, that are most seriously affected. Indeed, the peoples of those countries are already bearing th br un t of those consequences. In fact, the developing countries have begun experiencing the effects of economic stagnation, as reflected in their inability t achieve the economic growth needed to guarantee a minimum level of developnent and progress. The least developed countries face the spectre of hunger and poverty as well as deterioration in all sectors of their economies, particularly in the African and South-East Asian regions affected by drought. The international economic crisis can be appropriately addressed only if the world moves towards dialogue and attempts to eradicate the factors that have provoked it, in the forefron t of which is the flagr an t injus tice being imposed on the developing and the least developed countries because of instability in international economic affairs. The developed countries must restore balance if they are to avoid the effects of the current imbalance from spilling over into their own economies. Tariff barriers on imports must be removed. Furthermore, the developed countries must devote more attention to achieving real stability in the international monetary sys tem. The North-South dialogue will succeed only if the developed countries make concessions wi th regard to their selfish goals and exercise the moral responsibil i ty they bear towards developing coun tr ies. That dialogue can be enhanced by a genuine South-South dialogue and solidarity among third world coun tr ies. The world is going through a critical stage of large military blocs and many imperialist and cOlonialist interventions~ hence it is in dire need of the Non-Aligned r-bvemen t. The Jamah ir iya strongly suppor ts that M::>vemen t, for we are fully convinced that it has a constructive role to play to decrease tension and achieve in terna tional peace and secur i ty. We in the Non-Aligned Movement are this year celebrating its twenty-sixth anniversary. On this occasion we hail its many successes, some of which, unfortunately, have made many of its members the object of imperialist campaigns merely because they have held strongly to the principles and objectives of the MOITement as the sole hope for humanity. May I, in conclusion, say that prorroting the role of the United Nations - an Organization the imperialist Powers wish to weaken - will be a true guarantee for the achievement of its objectives~ international peace and security. Attempts to solve disputes outside the United Nations and dividing the world into blocs can only lead to undermining the Organization. Small countries, which make up the CllTerwhelming majority of the member ship of this Organ iza tion, bear the fundamental responsibility to support the Organization because small countries, inclUding Libya, can but consider their membership of the Organization as one of the best guarantees of their independence and freedom. For that reason we must foster mutual effective co-operation in order to enable our Organization to fulfil its role free from any hegemony or intervention. Mr. HALEFOGLU (Turkey)~ I take pleasure, Sir, in congratulating you on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-second session. I wish you every success in discharging this important task. Our goal should be a constructive session where moderation will pre'l1ail. I am confident that you will guide the wor k of the General Assembly wi th diligence and skill towards that goal. (Mr. Treik i, Libyan Arab Jamahir iya) I should also like to take this opportunity to pay a warm tribute to the President of the forty-first session, Mr. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, Minister fc Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. During the last session important decisions wer. reached, in particular on the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the united Nations. Mr. Choudhury personally contributed to the achievement of agreement on this vital issue, and the General Assembly was able under his guidance, to function effectively despite the constraints arising frol the financial situation of the Organization. I would equally like to pay a special tribute to our Secretary-General. T] United Nations and the Members of the Organization have continued to benefit fr. n his dedicated efforts on a wide range of international issues. I reiterate our confidence in him to promote greater international understnding and harmony. The tasks of preserving peace, resolving international problems, strengthe lng international security for all and creating a more equitable economic environme: continue to challenge our nations and Governments. Increased confidence-buildi: and international co-operation are the key to dealing effectively with many of those challenges. From our vantage point between the continents of Europe and Asia we have always appreciated the value of and given firm support to the efforts towards stabilizing and improving East-West relations. Mindful of our geographic locat )n, we have supported in the field of arms control and disarmament those initiative that have a chance of being translated into concrete, balanced and verifiable measures without diminishing the individual or collective security of any count ~ or group of countries. These considerations will continue to shape our approac to disarmament questions. ( We are pleased to note that there are at present new opportunities for genuine progress in East-West relations. Important steps have already been taken on the difficult road towards arms control and disarmament. We welcome the agreement in principle reached between the united states and the Soviet Union for the elimination of all their medium- and shorter-range nucl.ear missiles. We have always supported the idea of the complete eliminat ion of medium-range nuclear forces through the global application of the so-ca1led double zero option. The agreement will go down in history as a major step forward, since it will entail meaningful and reciprocal reductions in the nuclear forces of the two major Powers for the first time in the nuclear age. Chancellor Roh1' s declaration on the Pershing la missiles is an important and constructive step that facilitates that agreement. It is our hope that this agreement will pave the way for a treaty at the level of strategic weapons. The momentum that current1y exists in the arms-control field must not be allowed to ebb away. We believe that arms-control efforts should be considered as an integrated whole in all its dimensions, be they nuclear, chemical or conventional.. An agreement on medium-range nuclear forces in Europe will accentuate the urgent need to address the question of conventional forces in a meaningful way. It is not possible to deal with nuclear weapons in isolation if we are seeking enhanced security. If there is no progress in the near future in the area of conventional arms control, further reductions in nuclear forces may indeed prove to be very difficult to achieve. There is a pressing need to establish a conventional balance in Europe at the lowest level possible, from the Atlantic to the Urals. Turkey participates actively in the negotiations to this effect currently under way in Vienna. I wish also to stress, as we have done in previous years, the growing urgenCj of concluding an international convention on the general and complete prohibition world-wide of chemical weapons and on the destruction of existing stockpiles. The success of arms-control initiatives depends in the first instance on the establishment of an environment of confidence among the parties concerned. In thi connection I would underline the importance of the Helsinki process, which has contributed to bringing about an environment in Europe through which unprecedented progress in nuclear-arms reductions has come within the reach of mankind. All three dimensions of the Helsinki process, which deal, respectively, with security, economic relations and humanitarian issues, are of equal importance for the establishment of mutual confidence and fruitful co-operation in Europe. During the past year, as the attention of the international community has focused ever more on the continuing war between Iran and Iraq and the situation in the Gulf, that tragic conflict has caused further devastation and Buffering, and i poses a growing threat to regional and international peace and security. We are deeply concerned by this situation. We maintain the hope that rsolution 598 (1987) will provide a suitable basis for both countries to bring the war to an end. We hope that the Secretary-GeneralIs contacts in the region will contribute in concrete terms ~6 the peace process. Since the outbreak of hostilities between our two neighbours we have maintained friendly relations based on mutual confidence with both parties, while remaining strictly neutral. We believe that we can contribute to the peace process. The escalation in the Gulf and the tensions that have arisen in the region have further complicated the situation. In this respect, we have been trying to eliminate the misunderstanding caused by a lack of communication and to maintain a dialogue among the countries concerned. We remain ready to do everything in our power to be of assistance in this respect, white pursuing our friendly relations with all sides. In the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli conflict still awaits a just and lasting solution. There is a definite need to reactivate the search for peace. During the past year the idea of an international conference has gained ground. Turkey supports all initiatives which might lead to a just and lasting peace. Representation of the Palestinians in such a conference is an important issue. The views of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people should also be given due consideration in this regard. We continue to support full recognition of the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people and the withdrawal of Israel from the Arab territories under its occupation since 1967, including Jerusalem. The ultimate aim should bea just and lasting settlement which would create the conditions whereby all the nations of the region can live in peace and prosperity within secure and recognized borders.