A/43/PV.21 General Assembly

The AsSenDly will now hear a statement by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of SWaziland. Mr. Sotsha Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland, was escorted to the rostrum.

I have great pleasure in welcoming the Prime Minis~et' of the Kingdom of Swaziland, His Excellency Mr. Sotsha Dlamini, and inviting him 00 address the General Assembly. Mr. DLAMI~ (Swaziland): Sir, it is my honour and privilege~ on behalf of the Government o~ Sis Majesty King Mswati III and the peace-loving people of the Kingdom of Swaziland, to convey our profound appreciation and congratulations on Mr. Dante Caputo's well-deserved election to the presidency of this historic forty-third session of our Organization's General Assembly. This delegation is not only convinced of his outstanding diplomatic skills and sense of duty, but it is eoually confident that under his stewardship our proceedings will indeed again be marked with histo~ic excellence and constructive results. Our tribute and profound gratitude also go to his outstanding prebecessor, His Excellency Mr. Peter Florin, a noble son of the German Democratic Rspublic, who safely guided the Assembly's affairs with rare excellence. Indeed, his tenure in office was characterized by some of the most problematic scenarios in the annals of contemporar.y international affairs. My delegation notes with a sense of pride and humility that the international situation in which the current session is being held is not only politically favourable but also holds some optimistic promises for mankind. It is an e~a influenced by new political thinking as well as by bold diplomatic initiatives to resolve current conflicts. We further take pride and draw inspiration from the fact that we are witnessing positive trends towards a new epoch of effective mechanisms for global political-crisis management, largely inspired by the united Nations system. My delegation therefore welcomes the current relaxation of tensions between the super-Powers and their initiation of a meaningful dialogue on numerous important global issues, especially in the field of disarmament, and including some hotbeds of conflict of both regional and international dimensionso We believe that to be fundamental and consonant with the united Nations Charter by promoting international ~ace and security. (Mr. Dlem!n!, Swaziland) His Majesty's Government and the people of Swaziland have followed with keen interest the unfolding events in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. we too share the sentiments of the international community, Yhich, under United Nations auspices, has spared no effort in seeking an amicable political settlement to resolve one of the most protracted post-Second-World-War crises, whose dimensions have tested the strength of the Organization. We continue to share in the guarded optimism that United Nations initiatives to resolve the Spanish Sahara and Kampuchea conflicts will further enhance its future role and our resolve in multilateral diplomacy. At this juncture, I should like t, pay a tribute and express gratitude to the secrotary-General of the united Nations, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuel1ar. His Majesty's Government and the people of the Kingdom of Swazi1and continue to follow his reports and recommendations that chart our multilateral processes in international relations. We therefore note with pride the fact that the secretary-General and all Members of the united Nations have brought their good jUdgement to bear on many international crises. In their continued search for solutions to some very intractable conflicts they have played a pivotal role. We further salute the apostles of peace for having made it possible to defend the cause of freedom and hGman dignity under the umbrella of the united Nations peace-keeping forces. On the other hand the delegation of the Kingdom of Swaziland is forced to note the painful analysis that for far too long has unfairly regarded the United Nations as a non-functional world body and characterized it as a talk shop. To the surprise of the prophets of doom, evidence that such is not the case ~as dramatically emerged. The United Nations has managed to initiate successful (Mr. Dlamini, Swaziland) negotiations towards a solution in Afghanistan, in the Iran-Iraa war, in Kampuchea, in the Angolan conflict and in Western Sahara. However, many other issues remain partly or totally unresol\ad in spite of the efforts of the United Nations. The Organization continues to struggle with the elimination of the last vestiges of colonialism ~rom the face of the earth. The external-debt burden is worsening by' the day, and that is an indication of the gap that still exists between developed and developing countries. The united Nations is fully aware that millions are faced with hunger and starvation in many parts of the world. Many Member states, like our beloved country, Swaziland, are faced with an influx of refugees and displaced persons. At the end of 1987, Swaziland, which occupies an area of only 17,364 sauare kilometres, with a population of about 750,000, had 350 registered urban refugees and approximately 45,000 rural refugees. The numbers are increasing rapidly on a daily basis, and the critical situation faced by the refugees involves the shortage of food and the inadeauacy of land, which limits the scope for productive agricultural activities. The complex situation in the Middle East is cause for great concern, for it has reached an explosive stage where strife between Palestinians and Jews cointinues to prevail. SW8ziland encourages the United Nations to redouble its efforts towards the attainment of a peaceful solution to that critical issue. The Koraen peninsula is still characterized by tension between the North and the South. That unhealthy atmosphere has promoted distrust and hatred in the peninsula, which was unfortunately divided by differences in ideology. We strongly recommend that all external forces cease forthwith from interfering in the internal affairs of both Koreas, and, in this regard, we believe that the people of the (Hr. Dlarnini, SWaziland) peninsula have the tremendous responsibility and capacity t:tJ enter into direct in ter-Korean negotia tions themselves. We also oomend the effor ts of. the United Na tions in br ingin9 about speedy and genuine self-determination and independence to the people of New Caledonia. We wholeheartedly support United Nations initiatives to oonduct an unbiased referendum, which will Wldoubtedly indicate the true aspirations of the people of New Caledon la • In Central America and the Caribbean we continue to note with great concern that a nunbar of countries are increasingly strife torn by reason of their deteriorating economic situations, social unrest and polit ~al instability. Nicaragua and Panama, foe example, have been and are still being subjected to pressure by military and paramilitary activities, as well as by economic enbargoes. Consequently, the economies of those Statea, which are suspected of importing foreign ideologies, have been hard hit, to the social detriment of their peoples. we appeal to all MelOOer States in the region to resolve their problems by peaceful negotiations, as advocated byHi.s Majesty King So~huza II and currently by His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland. This year marks the forty-third anniversary of the beginning of the arms race. The horrendous events that occurred at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in the deaths of millions of people and in massive destruction of property, are an indelible part of the annals of history. ~at mankind nO".1 faces is the enornous production of highly sophisticated nuclear weapons that are capable of destroying manic lnd many, many times cver • (!.Ir. Dlamini, Swaziland) My delegation views wi th utmost CQ'lC6rn the currently escalating arms race, which ftllst of necessity be stopped in order "to save succeeding generations '!rom the scourge of war·. The outbreak of another world war, which would certainly lead to nuclear holocaust - a situation that would mean unprecedented disaster for mankind - ::'Dust be totally avoided. It is the restJOnsibility of the international oolllllunity to promote oorId peace and security for purpcses of global development and co-operation by moving in the direction of complete disarmament. The Kingdom of SWaziland therefore colilllends the efforts of the United Nations in organizing three major conferences in 1978, 1982 and 1988 aimed at sensitizing Member States to the need to reach a common consensus in the area of disarmament. Although all these conferences have failed to attain this ID/lIjor goal, it must be realized that they have, to a great extent, already stirred the conscience of the world community. The seriousness of the arms race was demonstrated by the heads of State or Government of the non-aligned countr les at the seventh summit conference held in New Delhi in March 1983, at which it was ooser ved that; " ••• the greatest peril facing the wrld today is the threat to the survival of mankind from nuclear war. Disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament, is no lmger a moral issue; it is an issue of human survival•••• Nuclear weapons are more than weapons of war. They are instruments of mass annihilation." (A/38/132, para. 28) It is our humle view that the excessive expenditure on weaponry suffocates the development of the wotld ecooomy, thus perpetuating the misery and poverty afflicting lDOt'e than two thirds of mankind. We therefore call for the il1lllediate conclusion of a convention on both chemical and conventional weapens, not only to prohibit their developnent, production, stockpiling and possible use, but also to (Mr. Dlamini, SWaziland) The people of the Kingdom of S'ilaziland has learned with great lIhock and alar.. that certain nuclear--possessing States have resolved to dump their nuclear wastes on the continent of Africa. ttlat we find disquieting in this rather sinister epi.sode is their justification of this act by the following reasons: first, that their nuclear garbage is devoid of potential chemical or toxic risks to the people and the environment, ~Gt they are not: prepared themselves to dump it inside their countries) and, secondly, that COI'ftpensatory financial aid follows the dUl'iping exercise. We in the Kingdom of SWaziland remain ardent believers in the norms of international economic co-operation end in the positive spirit of multilateral ism. HCMev6':, my delegmtion continues to view with added concern the plight of our hard-hit fragile economies in the many developing countries, and particularly the grave agony of Africa's economic crisis. Indeed, it is our strongest observation that, in spite of the economic recovery experiencad in some industrialized countr ies, developing countr ies continue to be confronted with an adverse external environment whose dimensions have devastated our strenuous efforts towards achieving the goal of economic self-reliance. These countries continue to suffer from a comination of serious economic problellS, inter alia, declining COIll'nOdity prices, sharp exchange rate fiuctuations" a severe debt crisis pranptea by excessively high interest rates, and stagnation of official developnent assistance. It may also be observed that studies conducted by world financial institutions do predict that the situation is extremely blea~ for the sub-Saheran countdes Which, over the years, have been experiencing the worst economic declines in history, particularly in per capita incolle, investment and consumption. Por instance, while growth in output was estimated at 3.2 per cent in 1987 compared to (Mr. Dlamini, Swaziland) 4 per cent in 1986, the grim reality is that debt servicing has assumed crippling proportions, ranging from 30 per ~ent to 100 per cent of exports. The World Bank, on the other hand, also estimates an annual resource gap of more than $2.5 billion for these cou~tries for the period 1986 to 1990, that is, if import levels of 1980 to 1982 are achieved and the necessary structural reforms are carried out. This is certainly not an encoura9ing scenario for North-South and South-South economic relations. We further wish to observe that the Kingdom of Swaziland is a small land-locked country whose economic development solidly depends on external trade. Thus, such unprecedented declines in commodity prices and the unfavourable international economic outlook represent a ~ajor collapse of our fragile economy. Above all" for us in SW8ziland the agricultural sector plays an important lole in our economic development. It generates 71 per cent of our export earnings and provides 75 per cent of our labour force. It is therefore the policy of His Majesty's Government to intensify our industrial hase development in order to enhance the auality of life and the betterment of living standards for our citizens. Thus we are active members of the Southern African Develo~ent Co-ordination Conference, whose cardinal principles and purposes remain aimed at nothing other than the modest consolidation of our hard won socio-economic and political independence. My delegation has no illusions about the task that lies ahead, but we do have confidence in the modern technological institutions, headed by the United Nations system, that seek to harmonize the activities of our global village. We therefoLs, pay our highest trihute to the donor community, the United Nations system, and our partners in economic development for all the generous assistance rendered to improve our country, Swaziland. Respect for human rights is of cardinal importance in our world~ It is a.pity ,. ':. that we still learn of torture, disappearances and wanton killings in different Parts of the world. His Majesty's Government strongly condemns such sinister practices, and urges the international community to reaffirm its fundamental duty and encourage respect for human rights and freedom. Pr-actices such as racism and racial discrimination have no place in the evolution of international law and modern civilization • .... ; ... ,I ....; The Government and people of the Kingdom of SW8ziland attach great significance to the long-drawn-out conflicts in southern Africa. In our view, they do not augur well for the progress of human civilization, and, as members of that ~~latileregion, we certainly cannot afford the conseauences of indulging in the luxury of standing by with folded hands when our future is at stake. Equally, we have no illusions when analysing the events unfolding in our political backyard, but we are fully determined to pursue resolutely our mission of peace. Swaziland is on record as haVing initiated some bold diplomatic steps in the now historic Manzana Diplomacy, whose fundamental aim and objective is to build ~ridges of peace in our region. Above all, it seeks the promotion of direct, peaceful dialogue among leaders in southern Africa. Furthermore, we note with great admiration the important role played by the Adminbtration of tne'United states of America in bringing together the Governments of Cuba, Angola and South Africa in an attempt to find a peaceful solution to the Namibian and Angolan problems and conseauently to the chronic problem inaide south Africa. We eaually applaud the continued United NatiOns diplomatic initiatives in seeking a genuine and permanent political solution for the problems facing southern Africa, and we urge all towards peace in our region. My delegation also wishes to reaffirm in the strongest possible terms that the policy of His Majesty's Government is based on concrete factors of pragmatism rather than narrow political and ideological expediencyo We are, therefore, committed to the sacred principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and those of the Organization of African unity and the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly the principles pertaining to the right of self-determination and independence of peoples under colonialism, neo-colonialism and other pernicious forms of human oppression. Above all, Swaziland i$ committed to the settlement of international disputes by pe~ceful negotiations and the non-use of force, as envisaged in Chapters I and VI, particularly Articles 1 (2) and 33, of the Charter. My delegation notes with satisfaction the tremendous role played by the United Nations in the comprehensive formulation, development and shaping of the law of the sea, which transcends the limits of national jurisdiction ~nd accommodates the international uses of the sea and its resources. We are confident that the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will continue to make effective progress, in the interest not only of the common heritage of mankind but also of the maintenance of peace and justice for all peoples in the world. It is particularly heartening that even my small, developing country, SW8ziland, stands to benefit immensely from the successful implementation of the united Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We in the Kingdom of sW8ziland are greatly perplexed by the spread of international terrorism, whose victims a~e innocent people, inclUding women and ~hildren. We hUmbly urge all parties concerned to exercise both moral and political restraint in resolving their differences. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to pay a glowing tribute to the evolution of the united Nations system. This Organization is uniaue and remins -the last:: best hope for mankind-. The people of swaziland are only too proud to be assooiated with this noble Organization that has galvanized mankind into new and fresh concepts, guiding our onward march to a more peaceful and stable world of multilateral diplomacy. Thus, only a few weeks ago, the Kingdom of swaziland celebrated its twentieth anniverr~ry as a sovereign State, and, like many new States in the family of n&tions~ we cannot forget how grateful and indebted we are to the international community for having made our national dreams possible. We further salute and honour the men of vision and wisdom whose Yalta and Dumbarton oaks negotiations ushered us into this new world of the United Nations. .......... However, let us be realistic: the challenges that face us are daunting ones, but they are not beyond t~e ingenuity of humanity to surmount. We must, therefore, agree. that we have not done sufficient. We must, therefore, move from words to deeds and make sure that together we can create true common security and peace for our peoples. His Majesty's Government and the people of the Kingdom of Swaziland wish to reaffirm their faith in and adherence to the principles of the Charter. They look forward to continued and f~uitful co-operation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I wish to thank the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of SW8ziland for the important st~tement he has just made. Mr. Sotsha Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of SW8ziland, was escorted from the rostru~. .- Mr. FlLALI (Morocco) I interpretation from French) : On behalf of the delegation of the Kingdom of Morocco, I am particularly happy to express our most heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Dante Caputo on his election to the presidency of the forty-third session of the General Assemhly. His outstanding personal aualities and deep knowledge of international issues augur well for the success of his work in discharge of the important responsibilities entrusted to him by the General Assembly. He may be assured of the complete readiness of our delegation to co-operate with him for the success of our deliberations. I would also wish to extend to his predecessor, Mr. Peter Florin, all our thanks and appreciation for the dedication he brought to his mandate in the course of the last session during a difficult period in the history of the United Nations Our Organization has reached the years of full maturity, strengthened by the experience acauired over its 43 years of existence and tempered by the tests it has undergone in the midst of profound upheaval on the international scene since its establishment. The United Nations, which began a process of reform over two years ago, may well be prOUd today of the decisive and significant results achieved. In this respect I should like to pay a warm tribute to the secretary-General, who has spared neither his time nor his energy to ensure the continuity of the work of the United Nations in spite of the financial crisis, while making it perform more efficiently and effectively•. Of course any social entity must be ready to respond at all times to the demands of its environment, and in this respect reform will remain an ongoing concern. But it is also up to us, as Member states, to abide by the rules of the game we agreed to and the decisions/arising therefrom. This attitude is necessary more than ever now that a climate of harmony, detente and openness is emerging and real prospects are taking shape for the settlement of many international crises in respect of which the United Natior , already involved, will neces§arily be called upon to play an increasingly important role in the finding of solutions~ guaranteeing and implementing them. In such a context, characterized by agreement and dialogue, with respect for the fundamental principles of the Charter, everyone is becoming aware of the irreplaceable role of the United Nations as a centre for harmonizing efforts towards shared goals• and the work of the United Nations, has always demonstrated a pragmatic and responsible approach, strongly tiupports the secretary-General ~s appeal, in his re(X)rt of 14 September 1988, for avoidance of rhetorical inflation in General Assen'bly deba tes and the acbption of ineffective, stock resolutions, and for t~" ~ strfmgth~n109 of the essential effectiveness of the secur ity Council through tt." unreserved support of all Member states for its decisions on given disputes, by n('l·... sLaply accepting a text but supporting it resolutely at the diplomatic level. We must not loae sight of the fact that all these mechanisms 'Jolhich have to reconcile diverging interests, must be based on the ethical foundation that is the guarantee of the durability of the Otganization - that is, the Pt"; )s!Jl:)tion and safe9'l~rding of dignity and the fundamenbll ::i9hts of the human person. It is our duty, alS we celelxate the fortieth anniversary of the universal Declaration of Human Rights, to work together in all international bodies to guarantee the <development of man 's full [X)tential, eliminate all discrimin& tion, condemo:. unreser vedly the odlous er ime of apar theid, and denounce viola tions of human dignity of any kind. The remarkable contribution of the United Nations to the establishment of the conventional and institutional framework for the definition of, and respect for, human rights must be accompanied by the widest possible support for international covenants, so that there may be full observance of the universal humanist values that are the foremost prerequisite for and the objective of peace. The unbridled arms race and the c:ootinued development of weapons of mass dC!lstructiOI'iI constitute a d!!'nger to international peace and secur ity and a: tl'~lt'~: (: e.',) the very 8unival of mankindG This is why the international commmity, whit::h noted ""81th satisfaction the conclusion by the two major Powers, in DeQel'lber 1981, of the INF Treaty - is justified in expecting that other agreements will be reached, e&pecially in connection with strategic weapons and denuclearization, in order to preserve whole regions from the danger of nuclear oonfrootation. We regret that the special session of the General Assel\t)ly devoted to disarmament held last June did not achieve the expected results. We hope that none the less it cootr ibu ted to encolli.ca,;ing the big Powers to reduce s tra tegic weapons and promoting the ear ly adoption of appropr ia te rules and mechan isms for the prohibi tion of the production and use of chemical weapons, and the destruction of existing stockpiles. The building of a peaceful and just society undoubtedly depends on the efforts of all countries, regardless of size or strength, and on the commitment of all concerned to take additional measures, in a spirit of solidarity, to prevent conflicts, extinguish hotbeds of tension rapidly and establish rela tions of good-neighbour linese on a stable and mutually advantageous bas is. My country, which works unceasingly for the peacefUl settlement of displtes and the developnent of co-operation at the bilateral, regional and international levels, welcomes the new spirit that inspires this session and the favourable atmosphere in which it is talc ii'\9 place. The well-deserved award of the Noble Peace Prize to the United Nations forces and observers if< timely coofirllBtion of the expanding role of the Organization and the recognition of its efforts towards the establishment of peaceful, just international relations. We commend the sacrifices nade and the courage shown by the missionaries of peace, and we hope that, as their field of activity widens, they will be given the unanimouG support of the in terna tional community so they may discharge their noble task in the best possible conditions. For the past eight years a conflict of exceptional violence has left two brother ltllslim countries - Iraq and Iran - in lOOurning. Throughout these years we have appealed from this rostrum, and in other in terna tional forums for a cessation of hostilities so that the conditions may be created for a cxmstructive dialogue and a final settlement of this crisis. My country therefore welco:.~d with great satisfaction and relief the Secretary-General's announcement, on 20 August, of the cease-fire and its acceptance by the two parties. Wi th the unanilOOus and sustained sUppclrt of the Security Council, Mr. Perez de Cuellar was succeeded, through his intensive mediation efforts, in bringing to an end one of the most devastating conflicts since the Second Wor ld war, thus paving the way for appropr iate discussion of all outstanding problems and to the working out of a just, honourable and lasting sattlement. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan was the p17erequisite for genuine national reconciliation and for the assumption by that country of control over its own future. Thanks to the patient work and constant readiness of the Secretary-General, that is, day by day, becoming a reality. The process of good offices set in motion, and the political will shown by the par ties, made poss ible the conclusion of the Geneva Accords, on 14 April 1988, guaranteed by the two big Powers. We are convinced that the implementation of that agreement in good faith .. ~ and under the supervision of the United Nations will be the prelude to a new era in Afghanistan, in which that suffer ing country will be able to heal its wounds and begin the crucial wcrk of reconstruction and deve}' pment, to the benefit of its entire population. We hope, therefore, that in the near future Afghanistan will be able to resume the place it had always held in the Islamic community. 'there are some glimmers of hope in ether regions of the wald. These must be encouraged and supported to make poElsible the beginning of the peace process and the remoyal of all obstacles to the self-determination of the peoples concerned. This is the case with regard to the Brazzaville talks, the aim of which is the creation of catditions conducive to the prompt implementation of security Council resolution 435 (1987), which concerns the peace plan for Namibia. -Pending the successful conclusion of these talks, we shall cootinue to give our full support to the Namibian people in seeking the fulfilment of its legitimate aspiration to independence and unity. We are also pleased that there has been substantial progress towards ensuring the terri tor tal integrity and sOI7ereignty of Angola. 8lt the etability and secur ity of that brother country can be definitively guaranteed ooly through true na tiona 1 reconcU lation. Mococco, wich has spared no effort to that end, will continue to work side by side with other brother African countries towards a s'~ttlement, through dialogue, of the problems that remain between the parties to the conflict in Angola. In Asia, the Jakarta meeting last July, convened at the initiative of the menbers of the Associa tion of SOUth-East As ian Ha tions, for the first time enabled all the parties directly involved in the question of Kampuchea to meet. It is important that these efforts be cQ1tinued to get under way a comprehensive political solution by organiz inq the withdrawal of forei~ troops and, thereby ensuring that the lCamp.u::hean people has control of its own destiny. In Cyprus, the mission of good offices gave both parties the framework for the constructive dialogua that began in Nicosia last month, the purpose of which was to smooth out the difficulties that were still pending and to arrive at a global and mutually acceptable settlement plan. This new breakthrough in favour of peace will, we hope, be the first step towards harmonious relations between the two Cypriot communities. With regard to Central America, the Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its support for the action taken by the Contadora Group end the plan proposed by Presiden Arias of Costa Rica to enable the region at last to enjoy peace and stability, free from any foreign interference. Unfortunately, these happy breakthroughs towards peace did not benefit the Middle East, a J:'egion which for more than 40 years has been sha!;en by a cycle of violence and war though it is of crucial importance to t~e balance and stability of the world. While the witbdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories is essential, no lasting paace will come about in that region of the world without the recognition of the Palestinian people's right to an independent State. That people is exp.,iencing the tragedy of occupation, exile and deprivation of its most fundamental rights. To the poignant &ppeal of the Palestinians for justice, Israel has responded BO far only by increasing repression, imprisonment, expulsion and assassination. Now that all energies are focused on the peaceful solution of conflicts and the safeguarding of the rights of the human communities concerned, it is unacceptable that the tragic fate of the Palestinian people should be ignored and the future of its children be at a total impasse. , It is no wonder therefore that this generation of despair has no alternative but daily to face danger, unarmed, in order to affirm in the eyas of the world its right to freedom and to an independent homeland. The int!fada~, which has lasted almost a year now in the occupi&d Palestinian territories, should awaken us to t~~ urgent need for a solution to this crisis, which ia gaining in intensity and cruelty with each passing day. Every effort should be made to hold an international conference on the Middle East as soon ss possible, under the auspices of the Unit~d Nations and with the participation of the permanent members of the Security council and of all parties concorned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as th~ sole and authentic representative of the Palestinian people. The tragic situation prevailing in the Middle East did not spare Lebanon, which, because of foreign interference, was plunged into disarray, instability and the horrors of civil war. ~he Kingdom ~f Morocco reiterates its solidarity with the Lebanese peopl~ ior the safeguarding of its territorial integrity, national unity and sovereignty. My country calls for the cess~tion of all foreign interference which re~~esents a real threat of partition for this Arab land, once a model of tolerance and coexistence among communities and religions. Because of it~ gaopo1itical location the Kingdom of Morocco attaches great importance to the stability and security of the Mediterranean. Our constant concern to see this area freed from the nuclear threat by the elimination of missiles on naval fleets in the Mediterranean is therefore understandable. We remain convinced however that the development of harmonious relations between the two shores is a necessary element in the establishment of genuino regional peace and security. Por that reason the Mediterranean policy of my country stresses co-operation with Europe and so last April Morocco signed agreements with, the European Economic Community (EEC) following its expansion to include Spain and Portugal. It is Undeniable, however, that this relationship, which we should like to be an exe~lary ~ne, will not ccoe to fruition without an abatement in some of the sources of tension remaining in the Mediterranean. Thus it is important to resolve the dispute concerning the enclaves of senta and Mellllia and other MO!OCCan islands and islets under Spanish occupation, in order to prevent this anachronistic situation - remnant of a past era - from affecting the harMOny that should preside over the relations between the two shores '. of the Straits of Gibraltar. We are convinced that the recent agree..nt8~ signed at bilateral and EEC levele, will facilitate the settlement of these territorial disputes in the mutual interest of the two countries. We in Morocco would like to preserve the manifold ties which throughout history have existed between the Moroccan and Spanish peoples. security and development are indivisible. Unfortunately, in the field of development this decade has been one of disenchantlTient an' the failure of the North-South dialogue. Global negotiations to counter the crisis and bring about balanced economic growth did not go beyond sta:ements and declarations. In this regard, even though political stability in Africa hinges on real development and in particular on the settlement of the crucial debt problem, the special session devoted to that continent did not measure up to expectations• . Standing a8 we are on the thr~8hold of a new century, it is essential that we meet the unavoidable challenges faci~g us and focus all our energies on the establishment of glohal patterns of develo~nt that take account of existing complementary factors and fundamental needs in order to guarantee fer all a decent auality of life based on respect for aceia-cultural differences. While pursuing this great ambition we shOuld, at the same tt-e, seek urgent solutions to the most pressing problems. Therefore it is important to deal as soon as ~s8ible with the external deht crisis in its political, economic and social dimensions. This calls for Gn innovat1v~ strategy since the conventional appro8Qh based on annual rescheduling alone ia proving to be ineffective. While acknowledging the merits of bilateral and multilateral initiatives taken in favour of low-inco.. debtor countries, it Is tiNe to recognize the i~rtance of reducing the outstanding debt and the debt servicing of lIMH!lium-ineedebtor countries and of resolutely tackling the co...rcial debt of heavily indebted countries. In this context, my country supports the recent additional proposals made by Ris Righness Aair Jaber AI-Sabah of Kuwait, by President Fran90is Mitterrand and by Prime Minister Takeshita, aimed at alleviating the public ~nd commercial debt burden. At the same time, we must take advantage of the forthcoming multilateral talks, especially the Uruguay Round, to improve the International economic environment in the sphere6 of the flow of.net resources, trade and the atahilization and raising of commodity prices. MY country intends to shoulder its -share of the re8ponoibi~ity and make its contribution to the solution of problems at the regional and international levels. Thus, Morocco recently hosted the conferences of the Non-Al1gned"Mo~ementon food and aCJricul~ure arad on the forei9n debt cJ:'isis, as well as the. first meetin,~ of African experts on geophysical threat8 in Africa. In order-to mobilize all resources and involve th~ count~ies concerned in the struggle against the danger of . ......, l~ust infestation, Ris Majesty King Bassan 11 has taken the initiative in convening an international conference at a high level, which will be held in Morocco on 2S OCtober. It is also on Morocco's initiative that the first ainisterial conference on co-operation with regard to fisheries between African countries bordering on the Atlantic OCean will be held at Rabat next March~. ,We hope that these meetings, in addition to creating a spirit of solidarity, will make it possible to establish complete and lasting co-operation, especially in Africa. Given the impasse in the North-South dialogue, 'co-operation and regional integration are increasingly felt to be a vital necessity. In the Maghreb, the huilding ofa unified area is not a new idea, it is something that from the outset has been part of the struggle of our country for national liberation. Thus, in his statement in Tanglera in 1941, Bis Majesty Mohammed V appealed for the independence of Morocco within·the framework of the unification of the Maghreb. since its independence Morocco has worked unceasingly, with faith and determination, for the construction of a Maghreb whose peoples are united by ties of brotherhood, that stem naturally from their history, culture and shared religion and from their united struggle for liberation. We are pleased to be able tO,say that the Maghreb project is now gaining ground. strengthened by our respective experiences, we are now making realistic, considered progress towards a regional integration that can be a source of co-operation and development and a factor of stability and peace for the peoples of the Maghreb. Thus, in June of 1988, for the first time since my country's independence, a summit meeting of five Maghrebi Heads of state was held in Algiers and agreed on the establishment of a Maghrebi High Commission, which during its inaugural meeting distributed responsibilities eauitably among the five countries of our region, each being responsible for a commission on the economic, financial, socio-cultural, institutional and ~uman aspects of regional integration. A second session of the Maghrebi High Commission will be held in Rabat at the end of this month in order to continue the already well advanced work of integrating the Maghreb. Morocco solemnly reaffirms its cOll1?lete readiness to do all in its power to fashion at a steady pace a peaceful, united Maghreb that responds to the profound aspiration of our peoples. My country is especially pleased by the climate of peace that has characterized inter-Maghreb relations over th~ past few months, in that the beneficial impact of this now is apparent with regard to the final settlement of the auestion of western Sahara. I wauld remind members that as soon as Mr. Perez de Cuellar took the initiative of extending his good offices for the " settlement of this question; we expressed our complete confidence in him and our lMr. Filali, Morocco) determination to co-operate fully for the success of the process that he was preparing tounder~ake. This process has now made decisive progress. Thus, a technical Mission of :he united Nations visited the region in November 1987 to gather at first hand all the necesoary data for the establishment of a cease-fire and the organization of a referendum on self-determination. A decisive step was taken on 30 August last when the parties accepted the proposals made by the secretary-General, in co-operation with the Chairman of the Organization of African Unity lOAU). These proposals, which are based on the principles and the practice of the united Nations in. this field, constitute a final settlement plan for the problem of the Sahara. The plan provides for the appointment of a representative of the Secretary-General, the proclamation by the secretary-General of a cease-fire, under the guarantee and supervision of United Nations Observers and verification by means of impartial and objective procedures of the persons entitled to participate in the referendum. Lastly, under the terms of this plan the referendum will be prepared . I and organized under the authority of the repres~ntative appointed by the secretary-General for that purpose. When presenting his peace plan to the Security Council, on 20 September, the secreta:'y-General indicated that the progress achieved towards a settlement of the auestion of Western Sahara constituted -8 preliminary ••• result, which it is extremely important to consolidate in order to preserve the momentum of the process.- (S/PV.2826, P. 8) Morocco, which attaches great importance to the establishment of a genuine climate of peace and trust in the region, welcomes the support given by the Security Council to the good offices mission by its adoption, on 20 September 1988, of resolution 621 (1986), in which the Security Council (Mr. Filali, Morocco) "1. Decides to authorize the Secretary-General to appoint a special representative for Western SaharaJ "2. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to it as seon ae possible 'a report on the holding of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara and on ways and means to ensure the organization and supervision of such a referendum by the United Nations in co-operation with the Organization of African Unity." The unanimous support of the Security Council for the proposals made by the Secretary-General in co-operation with the Chairman of the OAU is of great importance. The good offices process has now entered its last and practical stage, leading in the near future to the establishment of the c~aae-fire and the organization of the referendum on self-determination. We were particularly pleased by the unanimity in the Security Council in adopting resolution 621 (1988). That unanimity is reflected in the extremely favourable way in which the entire international community has welcomed the Secretary-General's peace plan. (.!.r. Filali, Mor~) Since the various regions of the world, through unprecedented progress in c:onnunic:ations, are well tuned to eadl other and simultaneously share the same emtions, it is time to emphasize the positive factors of unity and harmony. The United wations provides us with a unique forum for the hM'monization of views and the establishment of W1iversal consensus, so loog as unity of purpose pr~rails over the outdated reflexes of ster!le distrust. The current situation inevitably invites us to the dialogue and I1I1tual understanding that led to the noble ideals which inspired the drafters of our Charter and which must now guide our approach to the evermore complex reaU ties of our. pcesent wor Id 0 Mr. IWimou (Niger) (interpretation from French) ~ I am pleased to convey to Mr. Dante Cap.!to the heartfelt cCXlgratulation of the delegation of Niger on his election to the presidency of the forty-third session of the General Assembly. His ele~tion is a well-deserved tribute to a seasooed polltician and a talented, exper lenced diplomat. It is also testimony to the Assembly's recognition of the positive role played by his COW1try, Argentina, in international affairs. Naturally, we wish alse to congratulate the other menbers of the B.1reau. I am confident that under his guidance our work will be successful, and I wish to assure him of the full c:o~peration of my delegatien • The change in world affairs since the previous session of our Assenbly is a source of satisfaction because of prospects for the settlement of conflicts. Nevertheless, there are still grounds for concern. In Africa, the racist Pretoria regime continues to defy the international community and to disregard all decisions taken by the {hi ted Hations and the Organbation of Afr iean Unity (OW) demanding the abolition of apartheid and independence for Namibia. (Kr. Habihou, NiCJ!r) Niger has been c106ely following efforts being made in southern Africa to set in motion, as of 1:. November 1988, the process of independence for the Territory of Namibia, in keeplngwith security Council resolution 435 (1978), and to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict between Angola and SOuth'. Africa that has been going on for so many years. My country is not only very interestQd in the mgoing talks between the parties concerned but also particularly hopeful that they will lead to a lasting agreement. However, given the fact that South Africa has time and again presented the international community with underhanded manoeuvres, delaying tactics and other repeated about-turns, Niger is suspicious and intends to maintain vigil, 1ce~ hence it calls upon the Assellbly to keep up constant pressure on that country until it heeds reason and complies with its decisions. Wi thin South Aftica i tself,<-Niger will continue to demand the dismantlement of the abh~rrent policy of aparthell,:£! and the unconditional release of all IX>litical prisoners, including in particular N~lson Mandala. Finally, my country reiterates its support for the just, legitimate struggle of the freedom fighters of the African National Congress (ARC), the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and the south West Afr iea People's Organization (SWAR». In the, far eastern part of our continent, the Horn of Africa is starting to enjoy a climte of peace and security. We hope that guns will forever be silent in that region and that reconciliation and mutual trust will be strengthened between the fratetnal peoples concerned. In Chad, an ert.. of peace is being established. Niger is both relieved and grati fied, for it has always called for dialogue and a return to necptiation. My cou.,try hopes that the ground swell of peace we are witnessi,ng throughout the ·t«)l'ld will reach Afr lea too, and in particular ChJld. In this respect, we are very happy to witne!..J the pro"'":eBB of normalization of relations between Chad and r.ibya, whleb was initiated by the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In the far west of Afric:a., a serioua prcblem still peLsists~ I refer to the ecnfiict in the Western Sahara between peoples whCl8e origlr., history, culture and rQlt~ion have tended to bring them ~l08er towards linity. The acw"mlent and th~ people of Niger have be.ei'l t:'ollowing vi t.:: keef~ il"terest the d!plcaatie efforts I118de In the region to narrow the M:>roocan and Algerian pc!.'Ii ti~ on thll! me hand Md to have Mor:occo and the lOLISARIO accept, on the otbl2r, united Nations (X'oposals on the organization of a referendum on We inVite the opposing parties to avoid any action that might compromise the current peace process and to redouble contacts to narrow their differences. I Acco~dlngly, we emot'l all parties to continue to trust in our messenger of ,)HC8, Secretary-General J~ier Perez de Cuellar, Md to give him their full :0-0peration. Theret is another source of concern in Afr iea that cannot be ignored. I refer .0 the 6 aUU,on refuge4tu anCii other disp!&('!l!!d persons and to the fact that the 1r (~r. Babibou, Niger) The plight of these unfortunate people deserves special attention by the General AssemblYJ this tragic situation cries out to the conscience of the world. We sincerely hope that recolumendations adopted on this auestion, especially those adopted at the recent Oslo conference, will be implemented as soon as possible in order to end forthwith the untold daily suffering of these throngs of exiles. In the rest of the world, other threats to international peace and security continue to be of concern. Of these, the foremost is the Iran-Iraq war, wbich is among the most fratricidal since the end of the Second World War and has lasted eight long ye~rs. Niger has followed, supported and encouraged the efforts of the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and, especially, the Secretary-General, Mr e Javier Perez de Cuellar, towards the conclusion and signature of a cease-fire agreement between the belligerents, followed by the convening of peace negotiations. My country is happy that Iran and Iraq have accepted secu~ity Council resolution 598 (1987) as a basis for preliminary negotiations in Geneva. My coun~ry appeals to those two members of the Islamic ummah to put aside past rancour and continue to show a political will as determined as that which led to the cease-fire, with a view to attaining the ultimate goal, which continues to be peace. Another deadly conflict, that in Afghanistan, is also of concern to us. But the withdr~wal of foreign troops from the territory of that country that began a few months ago following the 14 April 1988 Geneva agreement between the super- Powersr reached under the auspices of the Secretary-General, is a sign that peace will soon return to that countr!i. Niger encourages Mr. Perez de Cuellar to cor'inue his efforts to enable the Afghan people freely to exercise their right to sftlf-determination. (Mr. Babibou, Riger) Turning to the lsrael-Paleetinian conflict, Niger regrets that peac~ remains remote. There is a reason for this: Israel's continued total disregard for the many United Nations resolutions rejecting and condemning the ill~gal occupation of Palestinian territories as well as the alteration of their demographic nature and their legal, cultural and religious status. We in Niger are convinced that an overall just and lasting set.tlement of the Israel-Palestinian problem necessitates scrupulous respec~ for Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which recognize, inter alia, the inalienable riqh~ of the Palestinian peopl$ to self-determination. It goes without saying that Riger also supports the idea of convening, under united Nations auspices, an international conference on peace in the Middle East witb the participation on an eaual footing of all parties to the conflict. The situation in Lebanon is worrisome. That country has been ravaged by war for almost 1f years. Riger believes that an end to outside interference, particularly by Israel, could help end bloody confrontation and enable the Lebanese people to restore their un!ty. In South-East Asia, the Korean peninsula has been in a B~ate of neither war nor peace since the 1953 armistice. We hope that all countries that, like Riger, have relations of friendship and co-operation both with the RepUblic of Korea ar~ with th~ Der~ratlc People's Republic of Korea will step up their efforts to help them bring about a peaceful reunification of their country. In that sue region, we continue to follow closely the situation in Kampuchea, whose people ls struggling for 89lf-deteraination and liberation from foreign domination. In Kampuchea 88 in Afghanistan "e concJe.n the illegal oc.Jupation of territories by foreign troops in violation of the nor. of !"ternational law. ~he national indepeMence anJ~ non-aligned status of that country 1lU8t of necessity he .afeguarded and guaranteed by the international co.-unity. (Mr. Rabibou, Niger) Let me say a few words about di,'armaMsnt. Niger is pleased that the two super-Powers were able to conclude an agreement on the dismantling and destruction of a category of missiles. For our part, we hope that all weapons - nuclear, biological or chemical - will be covered by a futur~ treaty prohibiting them once and for all. Only this will bring peace and security to mankind. My delegation believes further that it would be pointless to destroy the weapons amassed on our beloved planet Earth if the arms race were to be moved to outer space and pursued there. Disarmament is the concern of all States, so let us mobilize all our efforts and resources to protect the human race. with respect to the economy, we wish to say that the gap between the rich industrialized countries and the countries said to be developing is widening. Recently a conference was held at New York under United Nations auspices to carry out a mid-term review of the united Nations programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990, adopted 1n 1986. It notea that political meas~res and initiatives under the Programme have not yet re~ulted in any economic recovery for African States, which despite the expense have instituted structural adjustment measures and economic reform programmes. To permit economic growth in developing countries in general, and in the poorest countries of Africa in particular, we believe the international community should continue action on the three fronts of debt, trade and raw materials and on the development of human resources. with respect to debt, the crushing burden of debt servicing constitutes a brake on the development of our States. We believe that sustained joint effort involving a comprehensi.ve, honest view of the problem by all is the only way to bring creditor and debtor countries together for a more just and eauitable solution in keeping with the spirit and letter of the recommendations set out in resolution 42/198 and the decisions of the seventh session of the united Nations Conference on Trade and nevelopment (UNCTAD). Unfortunately, the damaging effects on our countries of the world economic crisis are not the only difficuties our hard-working peoples have had to face. Many disasters - drought, desertification, flooding, infestations of locusts and jerboas, and cyclones - hit us year after year, reducing to naught all our efforts and sacrifices in the name of self-sufficiency. In Niger our rural populations face adversity with dignity andcourags. Their efforts alone, unfortunately, are not 6nough to let them overcom9 these terrible disasters, and support from the international community is indispensable. Niger cannot remain silent but must highlight the important and very worrying auestion of the toxic and radioactive industrial waste that is dumped in Africa, secretly and criminally. As members know, this question was thoroughly discussed in June 1988 at the Organization of African unity, which recommended finding a solution through negotiationB with the industrial~zed nationg responsible for exporting these dangerous wastes. Niger'intends vigorously to denounce and condemn this reckless behaviour and to demand a halt to all transfers of toxic wastes to our continent. Africa cannot let itself be turned into a dumping ground: the su~vlval of our peoples is at stake. The question of human rights has always been a major concern of this Assembly. The United Nations has spared no sacrifice to proMOte, defend and guarantee human rights throughout the world. The fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whi~h we are celehrating at the end of the year, oht>uld be .!In opportunity for us all soleDly to reiterate our unswerving, irreversible commitment to the noble principles and ideals of that Declaration. Niger will do so unreservedly because it is enjoying an era of freedom thanks to our Head of State, General Ali Saibou. Since his accession to the Supreme Court in November 1987, he has taken important steps attesting to his determination to promote and guarantee pUblic rights and freedoms. These inclUde the release of all political detaineesJ the proclamation of a general amnesty authorizing the return to their homes of all citizens of Niger exiled abroad for political reasonsJ acceleration of the process of constitutional normalizationJ and, finally, the estahlishment of a national movement for society in development Which, according to the Head of state, will be Ra special forum for political expression within which citizens of Niger, men and women, will fight to reaffirm and defend their political, economic and social rights-. The United Nations, in addition to being an instrument for promoting and defending human rights, nations and people, is a special, irreplaceahle instrum~nt for the guarantee of international peace and aecurity~ Niger therefore believes that it Is the duty of all Members of this Organization to give it unreserved support. As far as we are concerned, we intend to dO so despite t~e enormous difficulties we have to confront, and we fully intend to respect the commitments we have entered into as a sovereign State. with regard to the recent successes of ou: Organization under the stewardshi~ of our very competent indefatigable Secretary-General, Niger does not hesitate to issue an urgent appeal to all Member states to meet their financial obligations under the Charter thereby renewing their full confidence in the Organization. . This gesture ie particularly necessary since the united Nations has auite rightly just been awarded the prestigious Hobel Peace Prize for 1988 thanks to the exemplary devotion of the peace-keeping fo~ces. Peace obviously has a price, that is a fact ~e must all accept. Allow .. now to convey to Mr. P.rez de Cuellar the admiration of Nigor for his diploaatic successes in various delicate missions in the service of peace and international solidarity. They certainly redound to the honour of our Organization. We would simply say to him, RThank you·. In conclusion, Niger hopes the United Nations will continue to enjoy the trust and constant support of all Mo.bers 80 that it can better di8Ch~~ge its noble and lofty .i8sion of the pro.ation of peace, co-operation and international solidarity. Mr. JAMBBj! (MalcU,ves): It gives me great pleasure to extend to Mr. Dante Caputo the warmest greetings of ay delegation on his election as the President of· the forty-third 8esalon of the General Assembly. I am fUlly confident thmt under his wise and able leadership this Assembly will make 8ubstantive progress and further consolidate the gains achieved during the past ~ar. May I also take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to his predec••8Or, Mr. Peter plorin, for his leadership afid the able and exemplary manner in which he.di.ctNlrged hie du~ies a8President of the forty-second .ses8ion. . . A abort time ago the world lost one of ita outatDnding statesman, General MOhamMad zia ul-Haa, President of the IB1~mic RepUblic of Pakistan,wbo not Qhly contrihuted immensely to the caus. of peace and justice in the world, but was also a pioneer of regional ~operation in South Asia, and a great supporter of . freedoa. We are meeting this year with a note of renewed opti.ism. This note of cpt~.i.m is largely due to the constant, ti~eleB8 and patient efforts of the United Nations in resolv'ing outstaMlng international'~disputesand tensions through peaceful ....r~s. We have witnessed .:'posiUve 'change in the global political environment. The commendable efforts of the Secretary-General have brought a cease-fire to what seemed to ~ an unending war between Iran and lraa, the Geneva Accords have melted away the tension over Afghanistan, there are signs of an early end to the ka~uchean crisisJ and, with the Angelan accord, resolution of the wamibian issue ..... .:' :., .. , '. I appears to be in sight. Bauipped with those positive developments, the Secretary-General is continuing his efforts for the resolution of the cyprus~issue and also the auestion of western Sahara. ' The United Nations has again asserted itself as the single most important forum, representative of mankind as a whole, capable of tackling and solving major international issues. The General Assembly of the United Nations is the widest representative organ of the international community. The powers of the General Assembly encompass a very wide area and cover the entire gamut of international relations. The decisions of the General Assemhly set forth in its'recommendations and,re~lutions over the last 43 years have amply demonstrated the very wide range of subjeCts that it covers. Members of the United Nations have the obligation to treat resolutions with respect and a sense of commitment. We are disappointed that there are several reeolutione on such impo~tant i8sue. as human rights, the dismantling of apartheid, disarmament, prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, the call for a new internat~onal economic order, and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor that have still not been implemented. We would reiterate, though it h~rdly needs emphasis, our firm conviction that the United Nations is the only forum that has both the legal and political capacity to address the manifold i8sues that confront the world today. We reaffirm our stand that all-out efforts Must be made to further strengthen this great institution. The weakening of the United Nations would amount to the weakening of world security, peace and stability as a whole. The prime objective of the United Nations today is to devise and sustain meduUlisms to preserve world peace and save future generations from tha! scourge of war. Qle of the moat important steps towards that noble objective is disarmament. At the special session of the General Assembly on disarmament we had the opportunity to review the· issues rela ted to disarmament, freely and frankly, from all perspectives. Arms control, especially the prohibition of nuclear arms, must be considered wi th the utmost seriousness. $imllarly, any trends towards developing more conv~t1onal weapons, producing chemical and biological weapons and militarizing outer space should remain a matter of concern~ they must be' prevented by all possible means. A reclJction of arms will greatly re&.1oe tension and promote greater stability and confidence. The ratification of the Treaty on the El imination of Intermedia te-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles - INF Treaty - between the United States and the Union'ot' SOviet Q)cialist Republics shows that oomprehensive disarmament is no lQ'lger a Utopian oonoept and that, given the political will and determination required, a better tomorrow in a new world could be built. We have witnessed a breakthrough for the increased use of outer space because of the rapid progress in science and tec:bnology. It is therefore essential that strQ1g ~afeguards be laid down well in advance, so that outer space is used only for peaceful purpceeso Agreements and medlanisms on a global scale should be ..' devised urgently in order effectively to set down ':he guidelines, formulate th~ safeguards and regulate the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. We are firmly convinced of tlif: usefulness of the concept of nucl.ear-weapon-free ZQ'lGS in various parts of the world. That concept implies regional harmny and peaa!• Settin9 up suc:b zones woul.d faci.l-iti:te the re&1ction of the tension and mistrust that often exist amalg countrie~/Qf a .~~9itlJ\o The lepubUc of Maldives is strongly of the view that the creatio" of nuclear-weapon-free zones and zones of peace would contribute substantially to achieving the objective of the non-txoliferation of nuclear weapons. Maldives has always supported the General Assembly resolutions calling for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in South Asia. We reiterate our stand that particiPltion by all countries of the region and other countries concerned with the issue, as well as cOllsulta tions among them, is essential' for the establ ishment of an effective nuclear-we.tpon-free zone in the region. Maldives strongly supports the proposal for the establ ishm~nt of a zone of peace in the Indian C)::ean, free from outside interference, military activities and influence. ".aldives attaches great importance to the Declaration of the Indian Q:ean as a ZOne of Peace, whic:b was adopted by the United Nations in 1971. It is our firm believe that sincere bilateral and multilateral consultations will have a positive result. In that connection, we call for the implementation of the recom.'nendations of the lid Hoc Committee Cfl the Indian OCean, inclUding the call for the early convening of the pcoposed international conference on the issue. ltlUe most of the world is advancing towards the objective of sharing the benefi ts of our conmon heritage, it is disheartening to note that some people are mewing backwards wi th the remants of past ages. The pursuit of the policy of aparthei,g by the white minority regime in power in SOUth Africa is a disgrace to the world community.' South Africa's persistent disregard of the world condemnation of its racist policies leads us to believe that it is time to examint! and aoopt more str ingent measures and enforce the uni ted Nations resolutions on South Africa. Some nations' support, direct o~ indh'ect, for the racist regime of SOuth Africa, merely to serve their own interests, also deserves cr iticism. Let us collectively urge the Secur ity Council to resort to enforcement action under Chapter VII of the Charter, if necessary, and put an end to the apartheid regime and the illegal occupation of Namibia. we pledge our support to the front-line States in their difficult efforts to deal with the destabilization caused by South Afr iea and to cope with the, effects of comprehensive sanctions against South Africa. we appeal to the international (X)lIIIIunity generously to support the Action for Resisting Invasion, Colonialism and Apartheid (AFRICA) Fund proposed by the Non-Aligned Movement, which reflects the universal battle to achieve the total elimination of the system of apartheid. The situation in Angola and in southern Africa appears to be improving. We welcome the cease-fire declared by the parties concerned and their agreement on a sequence of steps necessary to prepare the way for the independence of Namibia in accordance with seour ity Council resolution 435 (1978), and to achieve peace' in south-western Africa. It is essential, however, that all parties directly (X)noerned with the issue, and in particular the South west Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), \llhidl is the legitimate representative of the people of South West Africa/Namibia, be included in the negotiations. The direct and full involvement of the United Nations in the talks and n~gotiations is also essential to achieving a lasting solution. One of the most positive developnents of this year has been the acceptance by the parties concerned of security Council resolution 598 (1997), which called for an end to the Iran-Iraq war. Maldives welcomed that new developnent, and strongly supports the subsequent cease-fire and the direct talks between the two countries which began on 25 August 1988. These developoents were particularly significant and commendable since they came at a time when this destructive war had assumed alarming proportions. We earnestly hO~1 that Iran and Iraq will exercise (Mr. Jameel, Maldives) constraint and continue to co-operate with the secretary-General until a lasting and honourable solution to the conflict is found. The situation in occupied Palestine continues to deteriorate. The Palestinian upr ising in the occupied west Bank and Gaza has only confirmed the sever ity and intensity of the situation created by the Israeli aggression. The upriising is a further demonstration of the popular will, another link in the long chain of resistance that began with the very first days of occupation - but it is IIIlch more persistent and intense, and peopl~ from all walks of life, young and old, are participating in it in a unified effort and a common struggle to achieve freedom and independence. The Government of Maldives stroogly condemns the use of brutal force and the abuse of human rights by Israel against the Palestinian people in the occupied territor ies of Gaza and the west Bank. We also deplore Israel's continued defiance of United Nations resolutions, against all norms of internatiooal law. We reiterate our full support for and solidarity with the people of Palestine in their just struggle for independence and self-determination and the liberation of their homeland from Zionist occupation. We also welcome the overwhelming international support for the uprising, which is being viewed as the just struggle of the Palestinian people for the restoration of their usurped legitimate rights and the attainment of full independence. we also support the proposal for the early oonvening of an international oonference on the Middle East,' with the full and independent participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PUl), which remains' the sole: and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Such a conference would, we believe, constitute a major step towards the solu tion of the question of Palestine. (Mr. Jameel, Maldivea) The situation in Lebanon remains tense and extremely dangerous. Lebanon's legal identity and sovereignty have been rewced to Cl sh&nbles. With about 13 years of civil and pt"o~y wars and the illegel occupation by Israel of. its territory, Iebanon now faces the disaster of a complete breakdown. Every day the toll of victims rises owing to the indiscriminate boming by Israel and other acts of violence. It is fervently hoped that with the developnents taking place in the region the question of Lebanon can be solved in a manner that will restore its sovereignty and allevialte the SUffering of its people. (Mr. Jameel, Maldives) With the signing of the Geneva Accords a peaceful solution to the problem of Afghanistan finally seems to be in sight. So far, the schedule for the withdrawal of foreign troops is being followed satisfactorily. It is hopad that a political sattlement will soon follow. we call upon all parties concerned to abide strictly by the ~rOl1isions of t:.'1e Accords in order not to frusuate the present opportunities to achieve a just and lasting solution to that complex problem. We hope that the Uni bd NIl tione. Humanitar ian and Ecalomic Ass istance Programme relating to Afghanistan will respond to the immediate need for relief and rehabilitation as well as to the long-term requirements for the reconstruction of the country. Similarly, initiatives to bring about peace in Kampuchea are also having positive results. The recent negotiations at 8Ogor, Indonesia, are a significant breakthrough, and we hope that a peaceful settlement, based on national reCalCilla tion and the wi thdrawal of foreign troops, will be for thcoming, leading to the restoLation and preservation of Kampuchea's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutral and non-aligned status and to the reaffirmtion of the tcampuc:hean people's right to determine their O'In destiny. History has revealed unequ ivocally that the arbi trary division of r~4tions does not preserve peace and stabUity but that, on the <;ontrary, it acts as a catalyst to caltinuing tension and agony. The Maldives has been consistently supportive of the efforts of nations separated by war to achieve reunification. The process of reunification should operate through peacefUl means and through the creation of conditions for reconciliation, peace and stability among peoples sharing the same aspira tions. We are optimistic about the prospects for reunification and national The Maldives rei terates its firm belief that that can be reconciliation in Kneea. (Mr. Jameel, ~~ldives) achielled only through peaceful and direct dialogue and negotiations between the peoples concerned, without outside interference. The good offices of the United 'Nations can be utilized in such peaceful negotiations. While supporting the independence and national integrity of ~prus, Maldives c0i.1siders that intercommunal talks are vital to a lasting solution to the Qiprus problem within the framework of national unity, justice and equal rights for all Qlpriots. we are encouraged by the posi tive atti mde displayed by the leaders of the Cypriot conmunitiss in their recent meetings in London, and we earnestly hope that a durable solution to that difficult problem will be found. In that regard we once again oonmend the vatui!lble efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to bring about a peaceful solution to the problem. The question of Wesmrn sahara is ~t another thai: is of concern to us. We hope that the recent ini tia Uves of the Secretary-Ganeral wi th regard to that issue will bring about Cl lasting solution to the p:-oblem. Although Central America is geographically distant fr(Jm us, the situation there continues to be a cause of oonoorn. We sU<Xlgly deplore the acts of &ggression and intervention that threaten or jaopardize the sovereignty, territorial integr ity and political stability of the peoplss of that region and their rights to self-determination and freedan. We support the GeorCjetown peace Appeal of March 1987, and we also welcome the initiatives of the Central1lmerican leaders and their peace agreement signed in August 1987. In that cootext we urge and appeal to all States to co-operate in the implementation of the Esquip.Jlas n agreement and to refrain from supporting sublersive activities and other acts of intervention in the internal affairs ef other countries, which ooly prooooa destruction and misery for the iMocent population• (Mr. Ja~el, Maldives) Forty-three years have gooe by since the ac:bption of the Uni ted Nations Charter, which, among other things r recognized the rights of peoples to self-determination and freedan. With regard to the question of New Caledonia we reiterate our broad support for the rights of the people to self-determination in accordance with international law. It will be recalled that at its forty-second session the General Assembly had noted that progress towards a latg-tarm political solution in New Caledonia required a free and genuine act of self-determination and the Assembly had called for resumption of the dialogue with all sections of the populd tion of the Territory. we welcome the initia Uvea announced by the French Government and hope that the proposed plans will guarantee fairness and equality to all sectors of the populatime The wor ld eoonomic situation continues to be gr!m. The gap between rich and poor is widening. Some of the industrial countries pursue policies that have a negative impact on the economies of the developing count!: ies. ~rthermore, in the past couple of years many of the developing countries have been facea wi th such serious natural calamities as droughts, floods, torrential rains and earthquakes. Against such lA backdrop it is disturbing th~t there is a decline in official developnent aid to developing countries. It is also a matter for regret that the official development aid (ODA) target of 0.7 per cent of gross natimal product called for in the International Developnent Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade and the ODA target of the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countr les remain unfulfilled. It is therefoce essential to initiate a rethinking of the international development strategy and to implement the call for the new international eoonomic order. It is regrettable that progress towards the l!stabl ishment of a new international economic order has been unsatisfactory, owing ml\inly to the lack of political will on the (Mr. Jameel, Maldives) part of some of the developed countries b;J implement the decisions. In the mean time, the efforts of the developing countries in their own developnent processes have been commendablea Most of the developing countries face huge debts, declining colm\odity prices, reduced flows of development capitcnl and ~dverse terms of trade. For Cl heal thy global economy it is essential that developing oountr lea be given a fa irer opportunity fex economic rehabilitation and growth. we are optimistic that I technical and economic c:o"'Operation among developing countr ies will show a further upward trend in coming years and will go a loog way towards mi tigating the adverse economic conditions they face today. The 'promotion of South-South trade within the broader context of ecooomic oo-opera tion among developing countries, based on principles of collective self-reliance, has been stressed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. We urge the United Nations to take more effective and concrete steps to prom-lOte both ecooomic and tedlnical co"'Operation a11la\g developing countries in the course of its Pl'ogral1llle of action regarding the new international economic order. In that cmtext we welcome the decision taken at the ministerial meeting on the global system of tr&de preferences for developing countries at Belgrade in Apt'il 1988, which has given new impetus to the ongoing negotia tions. May I finally turn to a subject to which Naldi-,es attaches great importance and whic::b is of vi tal concern to us, namelYI' the protection and preserva tion ef the envirooment. Wi th allOOst blind faith in his ability and power to conquer naQ)re and equipped wi th ever more sor;bistic:ated technology, man, has unwittingly and to some extent unknowingly been destroying his basic life-support SlP8tem. OUr planet Earth can be compared to a small sp!cesh~p en mich we are all travelling together, dependent for surVival upont'.be'vulnerable !!upply of air, water and soil and their (Mr. Jameel, Maldives) balanced exploitatiaa. The delicate equilibrium of air, water and soil is being threatened by increasing pollution by man. I Ma~ 's action over the years has transnuted the natural order of the environment to the ·pointwhere the \\'bole world is ensnared in the consequences. As the scale of man's intervention in nature has increased, so have nature's repercussions on man. 'lbday the world is faced with risks of irreversible damage to the environment - land, air and sea - that threatens the very life-support systems of the Earth. Maldives is a small, archipelagic State entirely dependent upon its seas fo~ its liVelihood. Any degradation of the marine ecosystem or any rise in the mean sea-level due to the so-called greenhouse effect is a matter for grave concern to us. Last year, it may be recalled, the Maldives wi tnessed the fury of tidal eruptions three times, and suffered extensive darMge. Tidal waves, hurricanes and I typ.oons are becoming increasingly frequent p,enomena. Scientists may attribute such natural havoc as the consequence of man's unscrupulous tamper ing with the environment. It is already well established that the pollution of the atmosphere by industr lal effluents, by gaseous substanoea and especially by chloroflurocarbons is damaging the earth's protective ozooe layer. Damage to the ozone layer will result in greater heating of the Earth, melting the ice caps in the polar regions and leading to a consequent rise in the global mean sea-level. SUch a result can be disastrous to 101-lying island States like Maldives. The Maldives is particularly concerned about any damage to the marine environment and the question of ~he sea-level rise. The immediate effects and the threats of nature on countries like the Maldives may not be as frightful and gloomy as described and dramatized by some newspaper reports. Our tourist attractions and the fishing activities will remain intact,and these two vital industries may prosper for many decades to come without the fear of the country being drowned. Nevertheless we have embarked upon a programme of protecting the populated islands from possible natural calamities. We thank the friendly countries, particularly Japan, for assisting us in this initiative and for their interest in the problem. Maldives therefore strongly supports the call for 2nvironmental preservation and is already a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. We urge all states to care lovingly for the environment and we reiterate the old maxim that prevention is better th~n cure. In conclusion, allow me to express the sincere hope of my delegation that this session of the General Assembly will further contribute to consolidating world peace and maintaining the positive atmos~here and the momentum achieved during the past year towards the noble principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

We have heard the last speaker forthts afternoon. I shall new call on those representatives who wish to speak in enercise of the right of reply. May I remind members that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, statements in e~ercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to 5 minutes fo~ the second and should be made by representatives from their seats. tb~ .•tat_nt Md. ye.terelay by the Pereign Mini.t.r of Syria. pir~tf'" find it wholly 1nappropriat.,but not unexpected, that the poreign Mlnl.ter: of Syria .hould rai•• the utter of :l.lIP8ndlng .lectiaas in I.ra.l and .1....1'.' In the.. deUberations. The.e are cl.ady internal utt.rs beyond the OOftflne. of the work of the ~lted Nation... It t'OUld ...., however, that of late Sfrl. ha. beQo.. aoMeWhat of an .xpert in interfering in the inte~n.l d.-acratlc proc••••• of other countri••, •• it ha. done .in Lebanon, .eting with very little .ucce•• ana only contributing to the contItitutional turJlOll and uncertainty in that~ CNMIntry. In truth, r think this evident lack of aucr:••a Oft Syr1a'. behalf i. in no 8Ul~ part due to 'the funda.ntal u.ck of any Sydan under.tanding or appreciation , of'.•nydoeocratlc political proc.... in Syria there _re no real political partiesJ . , there ~r.e t;'O genuine electloncJ ana, 1IOre illlpOrtant, there h•• nev.r been any Qyrian ~litlc,l platforM accepting a viable political solution to the Arab-Israeli QC)l'lfllct. The Foreign Mini.ter of Syria, in his state..nt, called for an internatiCfial conf.renc. for peace In" the Middle Iaat. Thi. c.ll did not, of cour.e, even refer '"'\. to any dlrec:::t negotiations between, for .J'alllple, Syria and Isr.el, it did not .ntlon'autual recognition and the signing of peace treaties between Israel &nd its neighbours, or tbe .stablishaent of nor_l relation. between all the State8 in the " ar..... If this i.the eo-called peace whicWl Syria ..e~s, it not only delude. itself but ~l80:'att•.pt. cl.arly to .lislead this A••llbly. Syria ha. never fotJlUlated any political platfor. which entails peace with r.ra.~ within on. cone.ptu.l fraMework. In controst, .ucce••ive Israeli Governaenta have been co..itted and willing to negotiate directly, without pr...condltiontl, with l.raePs neiCJhbours on the basis of security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 318 (1973) in order to attain .. political solution to the Arab-Iaraeli conflict. Syria ia clearly unwilling to IICcept such a atraightforward and ai~le proposition. RecJardlng the re.rlea of the Par.ign Miniater of Syt>ill on Lebanon thllt Syria ia intereated in preHrving Lebanon'a unity and ..intaining ita independence, I find it curioua that he faUed to Mntion that Syria continue. to occupy GO per cent of Lebanon, with about 35,OUU Syrian troopa in that country. I aa aure this Muat ha". aUPPGd his Mind, 80 to apeale, though subconsciously when he. talleed of Lebanon and Syria aa having a ca.non d.stiny, a autual intere.t, an inter( lpendent aecuri ty, no one, lea.t of all the Lebane.., ahould ha"e any doubt a. to the nature of that ~n de.tiny, n...ly, unconditional Syrian control of Lebanon.. Ryria is perhaps the last country in this ASMllbly that should talk of Lebanon's unity and indepentdence. Syda ha. never recognised LebaftOll Aa an inde;wddent country and continues to vie. Lebanon as Mrely another part of Syria.. I would invite the Syrian representative to correct _ if r aa wrong, but I aa .ure that he will not. On 17 May 1983, Israel and Lebanon signed an agr•••nt which called fol' the autual resPeCt of each other's sovereignty, security Drrange..nta along our bordera l1 which were to be inviolable, ~nd the withdrawal of Israeli forces, to which we agreed. That agree_nt was not illlple.nted but was abrogated by LebAnon at the behest of Syria. Just as the Syda... would nevlir sign any much agr_.nt with. Lebanon, they prevented the i~l...ntation of the May 1983 agree..nt, which could have ad~ately r~ulated the Israeli-Lebanese border. The leS80ft of that la that Lebanon, in Sydan eye., can ha".. no independent I foreign or national policy carried out by • strong central Lebanese Govern.nt. This is the real tragedy of Lebanon o HI'. V1LLAR (Spain) (interpretation frOll Span:leh): The delet;ration of Spain ha. talr~nnot. o~ the references ...se to the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Mell11a in the stat...nt -.de this afternoon by the Mlnist~r for POreign Affairs of I Morocco. My delegation considers thet those referencee are inapprOpriate :.teeause they rals. a au••tion which i8 not on the agenda of the AIIs.JBbly. They a~e unt_Iy and, in the vie. of ay delegation f they are not in keeping with the good relations that now exist between our two countries. The ..tins! 1'0" at 6.20 p....