A/42/PV.46 General Assembly

I request the Rapporteur the First Comm~ttee, Mr. Kazimierz Tomaszewski of Poland, to present that Committee's report on agenda item 62. Mr. TOMASZEWSKI (Poland), Rapporteur of the First Committee: In my capacity as Rapporteur of the First Committee for the current session, I have the honour to introduce part I of the report of the First Comm~ttee on agenda item 62, entitled "General and complete disarmament", as contained in document A/42/669. Il that connection, I wish to draw attention to a typographical error in paragraph 9 of the English version, where the word "resolution" should read "decision", The report contains the recommendation of the B'irst Committee with respect to a draft decision entitled "General and complete disarmament" which was proposed to the Committee by its Chairman following intensive consultations undertaken by him on the subject. The draft decision was adopted by the Committee at its thirteentt meeting, on 20 October, without a vote. • In recommending this draft decision, which is set out in paragraph 10 of the report, the Member States of the United Nations would urge the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and of the United states of America to spare no effort in concluding, in accordance with the ayreement in principle reached at the meeting held between the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet SociaList Republics held at Washington from 15 to 17 September 1987, at the earliest possible date a treaty on the elimination of their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles to be signed at a summit meeting to be held in the autumn of 1987 between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev, as agreed, and to make a similarly intensive effort to achieve a treaty on 50 per cent reductions in their strategic offensive arms within the framework of the Geneva nuclear and space talks. It has been emphasized that a treaty abolishing intermediate-range and Shorter-range nuclear weapons is a treaty stipulating real reductions in nuclear armaments and could hence constitute a turning-point in the efforts relating to nuclear disarmament. Its political impact would be of great significance to the international community. I am confident that I am expressing the general sentiment of the entire membership of this Organization when I state that a positive outcome of the summit meeting would greatly contribute to the pro"~tion of overall international peace and security in the world. In view of the importance and urgency of the subject matter involved, this report is being presented to the General Assembly at this stage so that expeditious action may be taken by the Assembly. Accordingly, on behalf of the First Committee, I submit the draft decision as contained in document A/42/669 for adoption by the General Assembly.

I thank the Rapporteur of the First Committee. 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 First Committee. It was so decided.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of the First Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind Members that, in paragra~h 7 of its decision 34/401, the General Assembly decided that, when the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in ~lenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee. I have no speakers in explanation of vote before the vote. May I now invite Members to turn their attention to the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 10 of its report in docwuent A/42/669. The First Committee adopted a draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft decision was adopted.

The General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the First Committee, has just adopted a very important and timely decision. Tnat decision reflects, indeed, the aspirations of all the peoples of the world. It will be transmitted to the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America. ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES IN PRINCIPAL ORGANS (b) ELECTION OF EIGHTEEN MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

The Assembly will now proceed to the election of 18 members of the Economic and Social Council to replace those members whose term of office expires on 31 December 1987. The 18 outgoing members are: Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Guinea, Haiti, Iceland, India, Japan, Morocco, Nigeria, Romania, Senegal, Spain, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimhabwe. These 18 States are eligible for immediate re-election. I should like to remind the Assembly that as from 1 January 1988 the following States will continue as members of the Economic and Social Council: Australia, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, BUlgaria, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, China, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, the German Democratic Republic, thE Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraa, Italy, Jamaica, Mozambique, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan. the Syrian Arab Republic, the Union of Soviet Socialist RepUblics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay and zaire. The names of these 36 States should therefore not appear on the ballot papers. Paragraph 4 of General Assembly resolution 2847 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971, provides that the 18 members should he elected as follows: five from African States, three from Asian States, four from Latin American States, five from Wester European and other States and one from the socialist states of Eastern Europe. Th ballot papers take this pattern into account. The candidates which receive the greatest number of votes and the majority reauired will be declared elected. In the event of a tie vote for the last seat, there will be a restricted ballot limited to those candidates which have obtained an eaua1 number of votes. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to that procedure? It was so decided.

In accordance with rule 92 of the rules of procedure, the election shall be held by secret ballot and there shall be no nominations. The Assembly will recall that in the past chairmen of regional groups have been allowed to speak at this stage to clarify the status of the candidatures. I call on the representative of Madagascar, as Chairman of the African Group. Mr. RABETAFIKA (Madagascar) (interpretation from French): I should like simply, in my capacity as Chairman of the African Group for October, to remind members of the General Assembly that the candidates for the five seats reserved for Africa in the elections for the Economic and Social Council are the following: Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

I call on the representative of Antigua and Barbuda in his capacity as Chairman of the Latin American Group. Mr. JACOBS (Antigua and Barbuda): On behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, I wish to inform the Assembly that there are seven candidates to fill the Latin American vacancies. The candidates are Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

Ballot papers marked A, B, C, D, and E will now be distributed. I request representatives to use only (The President) those ballot papers and to write on them the names of the Member States for which they wish to vote in each group. Ballot papers containing more names than are assigned to that group will be declared invalid. Names on a hallot paper of Member states which do not belong to that group will not be counted at all. At the invitation of the president, Mrs. de Incera (Costa Rica), Mr. KarbucZky (Hungary), Mr. Prodjowarsito (Indonesia), Mr. Kandie (Kenya) and Ms. Haga (Norwa~ acted as tellers. A vote was taken by secret ballot. (The President) The meeting was suspended at 3.55 p.m. and resumed at 5.35 p.m.

The result of the voting for the election of 18 members of the Economic and Social Council is as follows: GROUP A Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Required two-thirds majority: Number of votes obtained: Ghana Lesotho Guinea Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liberia Benin Tunisia Algeria Burundi Kenya Mauritania Uganda Chad Zambia o Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Reguired two-thirds majorit~: Number of votes obtained: India Japan Saudi Arabia Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Required two-thirds majority: Number of votes obtained: Cuba Colombia Brazil Trinidad and Tobago Venezuela Ecuador Guatemala Argentina GROUP B o GROUP C GROUP D Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Required two-thirds majority: Number of votes obtained: Greece Ireland France Federal Republic of Germany Portugal Austria Spain Sweden o GROUP E Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Required two-thirds majority: Number of votes obtained: Yugoslavia Albania The following countries, having obtained the required two-thirds majority, were elected members of the Economic and Social Council for a period of three years beginning on 1 January 1988; Cuba, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, India, Ireland, Japan, Lesotho, Liberia, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Yugoslavia.

I congratulate the States which have been elected members of the Economic and Social Council. There remain three seats to be filled from the Latin American States. In accordance with rule 94 of the rules of procedure, we shall proceed to a second ballot, restricted to the six candidates which have obtained the largest number of votes. These six countries are Colombia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Ecuador and Guatemala. Ballot papers will now be distributed. I ask members to write on the ballot paper the names of the three States for which they wish to vote. Ballot papers that contain the name of any State other than the six States I have listed or more than three names will be declared ioval! , At the invitation of the President, Mrs. de Incera (Costa Rica), Mr. Karbuczkx (Hungary), Mr. prodjowarsito (Indonesia), Mr. Kandie (Kenya) and Ms. Hags (Norway) acted as tellers. A vote was taken by secret ballot. The meeting was suspended at 5.55 p.m. and resumed at 6.30 e· m•

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: 156 Number of invalid ballots: 3 Number of valid ballots: 153 Abstentions: 0 Number of Members voting: 153 Required two-thirds majority: 102 Number of votes obtained: Trinidad and Tobago Colombia Brazil Venezuela Ecuador Guatemala

Since no candidates have obtained the required two-thirds majority, there remain three seats to be filled from the Latin American Group. In accordance with rule 94 of the rules of procedure, we shall proceed to a third ballot, restricted to the six candidates which obtained the largest number of vot~s in the previous ballot. These six countries are: Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Guatemala. Ballot papers will now be distributed. I request members to write on the ballot paper the names of the three states for which they wish to vote. Ballot papers that contain the name of any State other than the States I have listed or At the invitation of the President, Mrs. de Incera (Costa Rica) , Mr. Karbuczky (Hungary), Mr. Prodjowarsito (Indonesia), Mr. Kandie (Kenya) and Ms. Haga (Norway) acted as tellers. A vote was taken by secret ballot.

I call on the representative of Guatemala, who has asked to speak on a point of order. Mr. ARIS de CASTILLA (Guatemala) (interpretation from Spanish) : Guatemala is very grateful to all those who voted for our country, but we are now withdrawing our candidacy.

I call on the representative of Jamaica who has asked to speak on a point of order. Mr. BARNETT (Jamaica): I wish to point out that the representative of Guatemala has, in the midst of the voting, unfortunately, withdrawn the name of his country. Evidently he did so inadvertently while the process of voting was taking place. Ballot papers had been distributed and the President had stated that six States were still candidates for three vacant posts. Therefore, it would appear that in the interest of good order the request of the delegation of Guatemala should be treated as though it had come after this particular voting process was completed, that is, after the balloting referring to the six candidates for three vacancies had been completed, so that we would not, as would otherwise be the case, have five candidates for three vacancies.

Representatives have all heard the statement by Guatemala and, since the ballot papers have not yet been collected, everyone has the opportunity to make any correction necessary. Therefore, I believe that we can continue the voting process.

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: iS3 Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots; Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Required two-thirds majority: Number of votes obtained: Trinidad and Tobago Colombia Brazil Venezuela Ecuador Guatemala Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago, having obtained the required two-thirds majority, were electea members of the Economic and Social Council for a period of three years beginning on 1 January 1988.

I congratulate the States which have just been elected members of the Economic and Social Council. As one seat still remains to be filled from the Group of Latin American States, the Assembly will now proceed to a tnird restricted ballot to elect one State from that group. This ballot will be restricted to the two states of the Latin American Group which obtained the largest number of votes of those not o o elected in the ballot just held, namely, Brazil and Venezuela. This is in accordance with rule 94 of the rules of procedure. Ballot papers will now be distributed. I request representatives to write on the ballot paper the name of the State for which they wish to vote. Ballot papers containing the name of any State other than Brazil or Venezuela or containing the name of more than one country will be declared invalid. At the invitation of the President, Mrs. de Incera (Costa Rica) , Mr. Karbuczky (Hungary), Mr. Prodjowarsito (Indonesia), Mr. Kandie (Kenya) and Ms. Haga (Norway) acted as tellers. A vote was taken by secret ballot. The meeting was sus~ended at 7.40 p.m. and resumed at 8.10 p.m.

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abaten tions: 4 Number of Members voting: 147 Required two-thirds majority: 98 Number of votes obtained: Brazil 91 56 Venezuela

Since the third restricted ballot has also failed to produce a positive result, we must conduct another unrestrictred ballot. This is the fifth ballot being carried out in accordance with rule 94 of the rules of procedure. I should like to remind the Assembly that Members have the right to vote for any State from the Group of Latin American States, with the exception, naturally, of those States which are already members of the Economic and Social Council and the members just elected. For the sake of clarity, I shall list the names of those members for which the Assembly may not vote during this ballot: Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay. Ballot papers will now be distributed. I request members to write on the ballot paper the name of only one State. Ballots containing the names of more than one State will be declared invalid. o At the invitation of the President, Mrs. de Incera (Costa Rica), Mr. Karbuczky (Hungary), Mr. Prodjowarsito (Indonesia), Mr. Kandie (Kenya) and Ms. Haga (Norway) acted as tellers. A vote was taken by secret ballot. / The meeting was suspended at 8.20 p.m. and resumed at 8.35 p.m.

The result of the voting if as follows: Number of ballot papers: Number of invalid ballots: Number of valid ballots: Abstentions: Number of Members voting: Required two-thirds majority: Number of votes obtained: 68 Brazil Venezuela Ecuador Nicaragua Barbados Guatemala 2 Bahamas 1 Mexico 1

As no State obtained the required two-thirds majority, the General Assembly ought now, in accordance with its rules of procedure, to hold two additional unrestricted ballots. I propose, however, that further voting be postponed to a later meeting to be announced in d e course. May I take it that the Assembly decides to suspend the voting for the ti e being'? It was so decided. I I ~-'------~~~~------JI The meeting rose at 8.40 p.m.