A/43/PV.95 General Assembly

The forty-third session of the General Assembly is r.esumed. TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY Of' ANDREI ANDREYEVICH GROMYKO, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE PRESIDIUM OF TUB SUPREME SOVIET OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

I Rhould like to invite the Assembly to join in a tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Andrei Gromyko, former President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union or Soviet Socialist Republics, one of the original signatories of the Charter of the United Nations, who passed away on 2 July 1989. The very special role the late Mr.. Gromyko played in the creation and n'Jrturing of our Organization needs no e1ahoration. Nor do I need to dwell on his qingularly oistinguished contribution as a statesman and diplomat to the evolution of international relations, a contr.ihution which spanned most of the last half century. On behalf of the General Assembly, I reauest the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Repuhlics to convey our heaTtfelt condolences to the Government and people of the Soviet Union and to th~ her~aved family. I now invite memhers of the Assemhly to stand and ohserve a minute of silence in trihute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Andrei Gromyko. ~~mhers of the General Assembly ohserved a minute of silence.

I now call on Mr. DeniR Dangue Rewaka, Per.manent Representative of Gahon, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States. Mr. DANGUE REWAKA (Gabon) (interpretation from French): The Group of Afr.ican States, on whose behalf I have the sad duty to speak t.oday, learned with deep sorrow of the passing of the former President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, Mr. Andrei Gromyko. There are people who, because of their personality and talent, play a pre-eminent part in the life of their country and 1n xelations between States. He was such a person. Mr. Gromyko hegan his career at an early age, and stood out becau~e of his intelligence and his hard work. He was very soon entrusted with responsihilities as weighty as that of signing in San Francisco in June 1945, as a memher of his country's delegation, the Charter of the United Nations. After he became Foreiqn Minister, his country put him in charge of all the negotiations that gave form and life to detente. We recall that on the Soviet side he was the great artisan of the first agr.eement on strategic weapons in 1972 and a leading figure in all disarmament negotiationl'l. Before IPBving the post of Foreign Minister in July 1985 to assume the very imPOrtant duties of President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet he drew up with his United States counterpart a new framework for negotiations on systems of space bases and on strategic weapons. To those who knew him Mr. Gromyko was a memorable man, a great professional of diplomacy, who had complete mal'ltery of his suhject. In particular, we recall that in moments of tension he had - to quote his own words - "sufficient patience to continue negotiations". On hehalf of the Group of African States, may I convey to the Government and peDple of the Soviet Union and to Mr. Gromyko's family our sincere condolences and sympathy. Thp. PRESrOENT: I n~w call on Mr. Ahmad Fathi AJ-Masri, Permanpnt Representativ.. of the fiyrian ~rah Repl)~lic, who wiJI spE"i'k on hehalf of the Group of A~ian Statp.s. Mr. AL-MASRI (Syrian Arah Rp.puhlic) (interpretation from Arabic): The Group of A~ian StAte~ receivE"d thp. np.ws of the death of Mr. Andrei Gromyko, former President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet SocialiAt Rp.puhlics, with great grip.f and sorrow. Mr.. Gromyko was a grp.at man, who dedicated his lifp. to defending the causes of peace and liheration and huilding a better f~ture in international relations, to he developed on principles of sovereignty, equa'ity and mutual r.espect. He was always ItnxiouFl to support the causes of people Rtruggling for liber.ation and independence. As representative of the Syrian Arah Republic, I wish to pay tribute to the dedicated efforts Mr. Gromyko made to huild and promote friendly relations of co-operation hetween the Syrian Ar.ah Repuhlic and the Soviet Union and to develop those r.elations in the interests of both countries. The world has 10Flt an outstandinq man whose personal qualities enabled him to attain the level of a world le~der who played a prominent role, crowned with many outstanding achievements. He will, of course, he r.ememhered as a prominent man in modern history. On behalf of the Group of Asian S~tes and on my own behalf, I wish to expreFls to the Sovipt delegation and tc\ the Govpr.nment and people of the Soviet Union, as well as to Mr. Gromyko's family, our heartfelt condolences. The PRRSIDENT: I now c~ll on Mr. Anatolfy ArReenko, of the Ukrainian Soviet Rocia)JAt Repuhlic, who will ~peak on hehalf of the Eastern European StateR. Mr. ARSEP.NKO (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Repuhlic) (interpretation from Russidn): It iA my honour to ~peak on behalf of the Group of EaBter~ European States, which deeply mo~r.n the lo~s of a major politician and statesman of the Soviet TJnion, the former President of the Presi.dium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, Andrei r.romyko. Mr. Gr.omyko enter.ed upon his diplomatic career half a century ago, in 1939. During the Second Worl~ War. and immediately thereafter he was Ambassador of the Soviet Union to the United St~tes, and at the heginning of the 1950s he was Amhassador to the United Kinq~om. He was also the Soviet Union's representative in the Security Council and was later a Deputy Foreign Minister and then First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union. For 28 years, from 1957 to 1985, he headed the Ministr.y of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. From 1983 to 1985, he was also the First Deputy of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union. In July 1985 Andrei Gromyko was elected to the responsible post of President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, which he occupied until October 1988. The diplomatic activities of Andrei Gromyko became widely known in the Soviet Union and ahroad. He participated in the work of the Ya1ta and potsdam Conferences of Heads of Government of the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. His signature on behalf of the Soviet State is affixed to the document that created the United Nations. Andrei Gromyko headed the delegation of the Soviet union at many sessions of the General As~embJy, as well as at international conferences and negotiations, thus making a considerahle contrihution to the strengthening of the peace-making potential of the United Nations. Andrei Gromyko was actively involved in meetings of the Political Consultative Committee of the States Parties to the Warsaw Treaty and meetings of the Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of those countr.ies, promoting policies for the preservation of peace and security, the strengthening of friendship, and co-operation and mutual assistance among peoples. The Gr.oup of Rastern European States, on whose behalf I speak, expresses its profound condolences to the Government of the Soviet Union, to the Soviet people, and to the family of the deceased on their grave loss.

I now call on Mr. Alejandro Serrano Caldera, Ambassador of Nicaragua, who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Car.ibbean States. Mr. SERRANO CALOERA (Nicaragua) (interpretation from Spanish): As Chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, I am speaking to p~y posthumous tribut0 to Andrei Gromyko, who passed away recently. First we would express the condolences of the Governments that form our Group, including of course the Government of Nicaragua, to the Government of the Union of Roviet Socialist RepuhJics on the loss of one of the moRt outstanding diplomats of recent times. Andrei Gromyko was, inter alia~ President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his country's representative to the United NationR. He embodied, as few have, an entire era. From the post-war pp'riod until our day, in a time marked by realities and illusions, hope and di&anchantment, he was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding of personalitieR. In the ebb and flow of world events, here and there are finally appearing new ~nd encouraging signs that a better future will soon he with us. The world is cautiously observing a softening of ideological positions, the onset of dialogue and certain fundamental agreements hetween the major Powers, hest known as arms-reduction agreements. The cold war is now on the wane, which might lead to the settlement of regional conflictR. In addition the world geems to be moving from confrontation to coexistence and co-operation. We are also witnessing the growing interdependence of the world, the internationali7-ation of the world economy, the emergence of new economic centres in Japan and the European Economic Community, the economic awakening of China, and profound changes in the society, politics and economic and social structures of the Soviet Union. However, while in the developed North we see signs of hope, and while it would even appear that the threat of nuclear catastrophe is lessening, on the other hand, in the poor, exploited South, the doomed of the Earth, as Franz Fanon called them, are seeing their poverty worsening, their opinions heing devalued and their hope being undermined. The gap hetween North and South has widened. The international econoMic situation is increasingly unfavourahle, tariffs are excessive, there is InadeQuate access to the markets of the j,nduetrialized countries, prices of export products have fallen, and exter.nal debt resultA from the need for resources to meet the social and internal economic needs o! countries. Interest on that debt is usurious and lmaoral, ahd mortgages uur peoples' future. At the same time the deterioration in the internal Bituat.ion in various countries and the political and 80cial explosions in some countries darken our fu"ture. Not so long ago Andrei Gromyko, speaking at the United Nations, de~lored the situation I have just described, and he devoted his energies to bringing at~ut change. Therefore I think the best tribute we can pay to that distinguished personality is once again to recall that p~ace is not the mere absence of wer hut a free and diqnifip.d Ufe for one and all abd respect for moul values and for the self-determination of peoples. It is recognition that the peoples of North and SOuth, notWithstanding fundamental differences, share a common destiny. Today more than ever hefore we must pursue development in a common world-wide effort of solidarity. The future must heen view~d as a concept, and mankind must he viewed as a whole. In the difficult period in which he lived, Andrei Gromyko forged international rel~tions. Let our tribute to his memory be an expression of our common will to fight for peac~, for democracy and for development.

I now call on Mr. Relgi Gislason of Iceland, who will speak on hehal f of the Group of Westp.rn European and Other States. Mr. GISLASON (Iceland): On hehalf of the Group of Western European and Other StateR, I have the honour to express our sympathy at the passing of HlR Excellency Mra Andrei Gromyko, former President of the USSR. Mr. Andrei Groayko was an outstanding persnnality who left his mark on the scene of world politlcA over a long period, as the A~s8ador of the USSR in Washington and London, a~ the Per..nent Representative of the USSR to the United Nationa, as Minister for Poreign Affairs of the USSR, and, finally, as President of I his country until he retired last year. On behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States I reauest our Soviet COlleagues to convey our con~olences to hi. family and to the Governaent and people of the USSR. The PRESIDENT. I now call on Mr. Ismat T. Kittani, Ambassador of Iraa, who will speak on behalf of the Arab StateR. ~r. KITTANI (Iraa) (intp.rpretation from Arabic), On behalf of the Group of Arab States I have the honour to express the deep sadness we feel at the loss of His Excellency Andrei Gromyko, former President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, a great and eminent statesman. On t~is sad occasion we r.ecall ~is admirable aualities and the great role he played since the Second World War in the cause of peace and international coexistence based on co-operation in a world fraught with problems, crises and confrontations. Andrei Gromyko was indeed one of the great contemporary diplomats. In this forum where he stood many times to address, through the delegations gathered here, the world at large, we cannot find a better. expression of his (fualities and great talents than the words of the United Nations Secretary-General, Javier Per.e7. ~e Cuellar, who described him as one of the architects of post-war diplomacy. That phrase sums up the role Andrei Gromyko played in the field of contemporary international relations. I~ that connection we would make particular reference to the role he played over four decades in the estahlishment and development of the United Nations. His life and his uniaue role are now the property of historians and scholars, who will evaluate it and reveal ~ll its dlmensions. I am confident that his life will provide rich material and valuable lessons for the establiahment of a better world, one in which peace based on justic~ and proaperity will pr.evail and in which the Organization ~\ll play a major role. I would be remiss were I not to say that, while the Assemhly la paying a trihute to the memory of this qreat man, the Arah States would also like to recall the valuahle political efforts that Andrei Grcmyko, acting on behalf of the friendly Soviet Union, made for tbe cause of a JURt peace in our region of the world. We recall his support for. Ara~ causes, foremost among which is the just cause of the Arah Palestinian peoplp.. It was" uniaue effort, and one tl1at extended over a long period of time - indeed, since the very beginning af the conflict more than 40 years ago. The deceased was one of the few international political f!qures who dealt wi.th the problem in all its accumulated conpUcations, ~ith a clear vi~ion, with resolution, and wit~ a view to finding a just solution to the problem for th~ ~n~fit of ~ace and security in the world. Lastly, the memhers of the Group of Arab States would like to extend their sincere cnndnlences to the delegation of the Soviet Union and, through it, to the l~adership and people of that friendly country and to the family of the deceased. The PRESIDENTs I now ca)) upon the representative of the United States of America, who will make a statement on behalf of the host country. Mr. OKUN (United States of America)s Few statesmen have witnessed at first hand as many of the key events A.,I our turhulent century as did the former President of the Soviet Union, His Excellency Andrei Gromyko. As Amhassador to the United States during the Second World War, as one of the architects of the United Nations and a signatory to the Charter, as the Soviet Union's for.eign miniBte~ for. nearly three decades and, finally, as Chair.man of the Pr~sidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Mr.. Gromyko knew every Unit~d States President from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to George Bush and every Secretary of State from Cordell Hnll to James Baker. Mr. Gromyko's death marke the passing of a generation that sha~d our era. The United States Government extends its condolences to Mrs. Grornyko, to the family and to the Government and people of the Union of Soviet Socialist RepUblics.

I now call upon the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Repuhiics. Mr. LOZINSKIY (Union of Soviet Socialist Repuhllcs) (interpretation fro. RusSian) a I ~hould like to express my delegation's sincere 9ratlt~de for the wor. and sincere wurdn of condolence on the paRsing of an e~inEnt Soviet politician and ~tateR..n, AncSrf'i, Andreyev1ch GrolllYlco, that have heen voiced by you, Mr. President, and hy the Chal~men of the Group of African Statea, the Group of Asian States9 the Group of Eastern European State~, the Group of Latin ~rican and Carihhean States, the Group of Western European and other States, as well as by the representative of the United States of Aneriea, tha host country for. United Nations Headauarter.s. Half a century ago, Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko e.har.ked upon his diplomatic career. As an eye-witness to and direct participant in epochal events in international 11fe he stood as an example of how to serve the cause of peace. As Aahassado~ of the Soviet Union to the United StatES of A.erica, he was actively involved in the work of the Yalta and Potsda. Conferenaes a-eng the leaders of the Soviet Union~ the Unit@d States and the United Kingaom, and, at the San Francisco Conference he participated in the drafting of the Charter of the United Nations. As Is well known, Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko was the fir.st Permanent Representative of the SOviet Union to the United Nations Security Council ~nd hea~ed the df'leqatiQn of the Soviet Union at numerous sessions of the United N&tions General Assemhly, always atte~ptin9 to ensure that the Organization ~uld become an authentic centre for reaching COrtMOn ground in the actions of States and in striking a halance of int&restR. As Mi,ni8ter of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union from 1957 to 1985 he attended SOMe of the most i~ttant internatio~a1 conferences and negotlationR, Baking a signal contrihution to developing co-operation aaong States and to strengthening th@ rights of peoples to self-determination and international peace and security. During the last years of his lif@, as Chairman of the PresidiUM of the Supre.e SOviet of the Sovi~t Union fro. 1985 to 1988, he vas an aetive society, hringing to th~t task all his experi.nee aa ~tateaMen and ~lltici~n. We regard the expressions of respect offer.~ hy r~presentatlv~e ftOD -.ny States aa reflections of their high eo.endation for the peace'·10vin9 pnU~le. of the Soviet Union, in the i_pleMentation of vhlch Andrai GrOMY.o played • aajor role. The Soviet delegation vill trans.lt the condolences expressed here to the Govern.ent and people of the SOviet Union, a~ vell as to the fa~ily of the dteeaeed.

I now invite members to turn their attention to the letter from the Chairman of the Speeial Committee against Apartheid contained in the ann~x to document A/43/l010. A~ speeified in the letter, the Special Committp.,~ against Aparth~id, after consultations~ reeommends the postponement of the speeial session on apar.theid and its destr.uetive conseauences in southern Africa to Decemb~r 1989, on the understanding that the General Assemhly ~t its forty-fourth session would hold its dehate on item 28 of the preliminary list, entitled "Policies of apartheid of the Government of South Africa", three to four weeks hefore the date of the special session. The dates for the special session agreed to in consultations bet~een the Secretary-General and the Special Committee against Apartheid are f~om 12 December to 14 Decem~r 1989. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the special session will take place ,on tho~e dates. May ! t~ke it that the Assembly adopts that recommendation? It was so decided.

The Assembly has thus concluded itR consider.ation of agenda item 36. SUSPRNSION OF THE FORTY-THIRD SESSION

I hereby declare the forty-third session of the General Assem~]y suspended. The meeting rose at 11.55 a.m. (The Presi~~)