A/44/PV.12 General Assembly

The Assembly will first hear an address by the President of the Arab Republi~ of Egypt and cur rent Chairman of the OrQanization of Afr ican Unity, Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak.. Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of EQypt, was escorted into the General Assembly Hall. The ~RESIDEN~: On behalf of the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to the United Nations the preside~t of the Arab Republic of Egypt and cur rent Chairman of the Orqani7.ation of Afr ican Unity, Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, and to invite him to address the Assembly. President MUBARAK (interpretation from Arabic): It gives me pleasure at the beginning of my address to the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly to extend sincere congratulations to you, Sir, upon your election to the presidency of this session, as a faithful son of the glorious continent of Africa and as a representative thereof to this forum. Your election reflects the high esteem in Mlich the international community holds your sisterly country, Niqeria, and your creative qualities and acumen. We are confiden.t that you will discharge the onerous responsibili ties of your hiqh office successfully and enrich the tradi tions established by this great Orqanization. On th is OCC'3S ion, 1 wish to pay tr ibute to your pr edecessor, th e former Foreign Minister of Argentina, for his qreat effor·ts durinq his term of office as President of the forty-third session of the General Assembly. Since the opening ot the forty-third session last year, the world has witnessed important and cardinal developments, both at the international and regional levels. Such developments presage a new era of interna tional r ela tions and make it incurrbent upon this qather inq to prepare itself for it and follow it up throuqh the crEation of an appropriate environment that would preserve the riqhts of States, great and small alike, and safequard their security. Such an environment should enSlJre a role for everyone in this process, which does not concern the great Powers alone but is related to the future of mankind at large, I particularly at a time when the problems facing the th ird world, especially in the ea)nomic domain, are still awaiting agreement on an acceptable framework to cope with them effectively. Therefore we should seek toqether to broadel\ our vision of the world in this new era and to aefine the role each one of us should play in order to contribute to shaping this era and laying down its foundations. Without such collective participation by the family of nations, the era of detente will remain lackinq in coherence and be susceptible to vacillation and retrogression, t"hieb would adversely affect our vision of the future. My brothers, the A.frican Heads of State or Government, have conferred on me the honour of electing me Chairman of the Orqanization of African unity at its present ~ession. My country and r highly value this confidence. Egypt was in the vanguard of the liberation movement during an important phase of world history. As ever, Egypt is determined to pursue the struggle until the African continent is totally liber.ated from racism and oppression, until it rids itself of poverty and want, until it is able to tack le the ser ious challenqes with wh ich it is confronted, and to overcome the numerous problems impedinq its dr ive along the pa th of developnent and proqress. We firmly bel ieve that, however acute those prob lems and challenges nay be, the African community, with its rich reservoir of historic struqgle and a capacity for collective action conducted on the basis of solidarity and team spirit, is amply capable of l'lurmJuntinq those obstacles with stronq resolve. (President lo'l1barak) If our first prooccupation is to tackle our domestic and reqional problems and issues, we are also aware of the interrelatedness and interdependence of those problems and international conditions. Consequently, we are willinq to play a primary rol~ in laying down tile framework of a new, transformed world in which dispute and controversy give way to common interests and in which natural and human resources are qeared to servinq the objectives of development and progI::ess, instead of war and destruction. A cursory glance at the challenqes facinq us at the African level reveals that foremost among them is the issue of confren Hnq the policies and practices of the racist regime in southern Africa. The international conununity is unanimous in consider ing those policies as the main cause of the outbr eak of acts of .violence in that vital region of the continent and of the absence of political and social stability and security therein. We must also constantly bear in mind that what t.he racist Gaver nment in South Africa describes as "reforms" are mere superficial measures of form, which do not touch the substance. Moreover, they emanate from a racist outlook that aims at perpetuating the domination of the white minority and misle2dinq the world into believing that steps are being taken in the right direction. If that reqime were serious in its move, it would realize that denncratic tiialoque with the b~.ack majority is the only course for reachinq a ju~t settlement that would restore the leqitinate riqhts of the oppressed majority, that would safequard the interests of all parties and put an end to the escalatinq violence in the South. (President Mubarak) Since its establishment, the United Nations has assumed a primary role in working for the independence of Namibia. Several resolut.ions have been adopted regarding the termination of South Africa's manda te over Namib ia and the assumption by the United Nations of direct responsibility for its ad\\inistration. The efforts made by the international Organization were crowned by the adoption of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). This move was concomitant with the bitter struggle waged by the brotherly people of Namibia, under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), to liberate their soil and reqain their freedom. Allow me from this rostrum to pay a tribute! to that heroic people which have given the greates~ e:lCa""les of sacr iHce, and have demonstrated to the wole world the true mettle of the African peoples. Despite our certainty of the inevitability of victory for the Namibian people and of their success in achieving independence on schedule, the situation calls for much caution and viqilance vis-a-vis attempts by the racist minor ity regime to sabotage th is independence and undermine it from the inside, to fake the will of voters and to intimidate them. The Committee of African Heads of State or Government entrusted with following up the situation in southern Africa therefore mE::~ in Harare on 21 August 1989 to draw up plans to confront and foil these attempts so that the sun of freedom can rise again on that good land and we can celebrate this great event together next April. The Committee also issued a declaraticn containing its conception of the Afr iean strategy required to confront moves by the racist regime of Pretoria. The strateqy affirms equality of rights and obliqations among all peoples, irrespective of colour, race, sex or ideology. It issued an appeal inviting peace-lovinQ forces to adopt the call for the release of political detainees and prisoners in south Africa. Such a call des~rves the wolehearted attention and support of the Assembly. We cannot tolerate the continuation of this ignominious disgrace in the history of humanity, nor can we be lax in dealing with the destructive effects it engenders. Therefore p it is the duty of the Uni ted Nations, which was established to uphold the right of all peoples to freedom and self-determination, t.o resist the perpetuation of that regime, to work for its further isolation, and to intensify pressure agains~ it by all possible means so that it <:an bow to the will of the international community and renounce illusions of b0ing able to continue crushing the vast majority throqh intimidation, imprisonment, or detainment of intellectuals and freeaom fiqhters. Besides these crushing problems, the Afr iean countr iea suffer especially from the debt problem which has assumed serious dimensions. It also threatens to abort development programmes and is pr~1entinq the African countries from modernizing their systems of production and acquiring advanced technology, thereby perpetuatine;t the vicious circle that caus es poverty and underdevelopment. In view of the intensity of this problem and the growing awareness of its seriousness, some countries have made praiseworthy initiatives aimed at arrestinq its effects and containing its complications. However, the ideas put forward are, in our view, inadequate for coping with the problem, its ramifications and its repercussions Q"l the economic and social conditions in various countries of the continent. Therefore, I participated with the leaders of thrt:e friendly developinq countries - Senegal, Venezuela and India - in proposing an initiative last July designed to reactivate the North-South dialogue and to enrich it by discussing the debt problem in its context. My colleaques, the brotherly African Heads of. State or Government, at the recent Afr lean summit conference, blessed this initia tive. They have mandated me to make the necessary international contacts to push the dialogue forward in the hope that it will lead to the convening of the international conference Q'l debt, in accordance with the resolution ac10pted at the first extraordinary Afr iean surnmi t confei."ence, held in Decenber 1987. There is no doubt that the problem of indebtedness is part of a larger and more comprehensive problem, namely, the existinq imbalances in the international eccnomic order. These imbalances have reached proportions that cannot be over looked or condoned. Constquently , the Ninth Summi t Conference of Non-AI iqned Countries, held in Belgrade earlier this month~ pai~ particular attention to this problem and placed it at the foret(ont of the Mov~ment's priorities. The participating Heads of State or Government, who represent more than two thirds of the world Imders, agreed on the need to deal with this problem in a pragmatic, effective manner, given its aggravation and deterioration in recent years. This came as a result of the deterioration of terms of trade, the decline' in primary commodity earnings, tariff and non-tariff barriers imposed Q'l dp.veloping countries' exports, stagnation of financial flows for investment and development, increase of debt buraens and the net reverse transfer of resOurces. The problem for many third wor Id countr ies, especially the Afr ican oountr ies, is no longer one of growth and development, but rather one of survival in the literal sense of the word. In this context, we have to decide that wor Id attention to the economic pk:oblems of third-world countries should not be Hmi ted to providing emerqency relief in cases of natural di.sasters or famine, but should extend to genuine contributiQ'l to accelerating the developm€llt process. As was the case at the African summit Conference last July, the Non-Aligned sumrni t meetinq underlined the importance of enqaginq in fruitful df.aloque with the industrial developed countries about fundamental ~eonomic issues. The sul'lltlit meeting welcomed the quadripartite initiative proposed in the French capital durinq the sunwnit meeting of the swen industrialized countries. The leaders of the non-aligned countries called for the need to transla te the measures and initiatives aimed at debt relief into a ool\13rehensive confrontation of the debt probltem, through debt and debt-service reduction, provided such comprehensive tackling embraced all categories of indebted developing count~ies and all types of debt, both official and canmercial. The Non-Aliqn~ Conference pa id specia 1 attention to the critical economic situation in Africa. It called m the international community to speed up the implementation of the United Nations Progcanme of Action for African Economic Recovecy and Development by adoptinq policies conducive to acceleratinq growth and development in African countries. The Conference also urqed the developed industrialized cOWltries and the financial and development institutions to seek to increase financial flOil7s to Africa and to improve the condi Hons of transfer and disbursement of these floWS. It proposed that Africa's Alternative Framework to Structural Adjustment Progranmes consti tute a basis for constructive dialogue between African countr ies and their development par.tners in the implementation and financing of country prograllllles. Related to the international economic problem is the issue of the environment, whether at the ~rld level or on that of Africa. In this reqard we have to state two basic facts: first, that African countries are the least responsible for the disruption and deterioration of the environment in comparison with the responsibility of developed countries; secondly, that the deterioration of the environment in Africa is due mainly to poverty, and that an effective resolution of environmental problems resides in environmentally sound development, refrainment by developed countries from duq:>inq nuclear and chemical debris in the territories and Ql the shores of African countries, and in helpinq those coWltries to use clean technology • We have fOWld in some of the developments on the international scene in recent years a glimmer of hope, ~ether those related to detente in East-West relations or the achievement of tanqible progress in the field of disarmament. We are also witnessing the onset of a settlement to a number of regional problems within a limited span of time after long years of escalation and political and military confrontation. The progress made in this context cannot be accidental. Rather, it is a direct reflection of this improvement in the international climate because international political, economic and strateqic conditions have become so intertwined and interrelated that each affects, is affected by, and interacts with the others, whatever the! distance that separates the si tes of events. (President Mubarak) A scrupulous obsl~rver can rPoach the conclusion that, after our hav inq been faced by challenqes, hardships and common dangers that jeopardize our future, these positive developments usher in a new renaissance for all peoples of the war Id, character bed by dialogue between var ious cotmluniti ea towards coexistence and fruitful co-operation between East and West, North and South, rich and poor. While the peoples of the th ird wor Id welcome this positive development which heralds a new era in the history of international relations, they still have many fears and suspicions. This is due mainly to the fact that the detente we witness at present is still largely focused on super-Power relations. Its positive impact has not yet affected the international situation in general. It has not extended in a tangible manner to conditions in the third world, especially economic conditions and related serious social, environmental and political problems. It .is true that the super-Powers have concluded significant agreements in the field of disarmament. However, we deem it important for the world to make substantial progress in the field of comprehensive disarmament everywhere. Failinq that, no actual development or qenuine peace can be ach ieved. Nor can the results of disarmament be reflected in the enhanced security of third world countries or the prosperity of their peoples. Third wor id countr ies also cOlTPla in that th(1 1imi ted proqr ess made in settl inq some reqional problems has not embraced other, no less important and ser ious issues, and possibly even more crucial to the security, peace and stability of the whole wor Id. All this Imds to the necessity of involving the developinq countries in the ongoing dialogue because they are main parties to international problems. (President Mubarak) Furthermore, they possess many human capabilities and natural resources. They also have social and cultural conoitions that shoulo be taken into account when Mcamininq major international issues. For exalt1P'le. no one can question the call for respect of human riqhts. We all share the belief in the riqht of the individual to a free diQnified life and his riqht to contribute to the fcrmulation of the political and economic options of his country. However, we in the third world see another premise for this issue, namely that human riqhts are adversely affected by hunqer, poverty and fear, by the unjust condi tions of interna tional trace, let alone foreiqn occupa tion of some of the territories of developin~ countries and the practice of a racist and exploitive policy against their ci tizens and their interests. Consequently, we ins ist on linkinq human riqhts as Qener<1l1y oefined with the riqhts of. peoples to freedom, proqress and self-determina tion. These notions were behind the objective discussion that took Dlace at the recent summit of the non-aliqneo countr ies about those issues which preoccupy peoples everywhere and affect their secur ity and safety. There was consS1SUS within the Movement to seek to reach a common concept to face these uraent issues on the bas is of comprehensive dialoque with developed countr ies. We ho}.)e th is consensus will meet with the approbation of those countries and that they will look upon third world countries as an equal partner in the manaqement of tomorrowls world, not a third party merely receivinq what was decided in absentia, benefitinq from the positive aspects, which it had not shared in forqinq, and sufferinq from the neqative aS1?"'cts, which it had not caused or helped aqqravat~. The United Nations has always assumed an important role in layinq down the bases of a settlement to the Middle East problem, par ticularly as reqards the Palestinian problem, which enjoys special attention by all Afr lcan and third (President Mubarak) world countries. A milestone 00 the path of a just and peaceful settlemen.t was Security Council resolution 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, which incorporated a perception of the ba lance tha t should be s truck between the riqhts and obliqa Hons of both parties. This was complemented by the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its consecutive sessions dealinq with the riqhts of the Palestinian people. The Middle East prob lem has underqone several developments that have brouqht the Palestinian questioo to the fore and demonstrated the importance of dealinq with it in all its aspects if the objective is to reach a historic oomprehensive reconcil ia tion between the Arabs and the I sraelis. Such a reconcilia tion would put an end to war, conflict and devastation. It would also pave the way for a creative coexistence between two parties which are not alienated by historical enmity or by theories based on racist or ethnic considerations. The two parties are bound by the same interest in consolidatinq peace, stability and development in favour of all the peoples of the reqion. (President Mubarak) Therefore, we have insisted that the Palestinian people participate directly in the settlement efforts throuQh the initiation of a Palestinian-Israeli di~loque supported by all peace-lovinQ forces. Such cHaloque is aimed .l\t brif~qi~q the existinq qap in positions, explorinq the way to eliminate the conflict once and for all on the basis of applyinq the principle of land for peace and attaininQ ooexisterlce and co-operation amonq ~ll the peoples of the reqion. The Palestine Libera tion OrqCll iza tion. as the sole and leqi tima te repl7esenta tive of the Palestinian people, has taken positive positions that will help to achieve those qoals. This deserves the full support of the inter-national commlUlitv. I am pI eas ed to sta te that th e effor ts we have been mak inq in th is r espeet in the past years have beqlll to bear fruit. Candi Hons are now favourable for la\Jnchinq such a dialoque without pre-conditions. It is hoped that the proposed dialoque would lead to a converqinq perception of steps that would pave the way for peace and for an overall aqreement on the conni tions and terms for a coQ)rehensive settlement. Therefore, we believe that if this opportunity should be lost it would be a qrave mlstak e certa in ly surpassinq all error s milde in the past wh ich led to the loss of historic opportunities to contain the conflict and to end its aqgravation. Needless to say. this dialoque will not start frt)J!'l a vacuum. Rather. it 'will be based on the resolu Hons and posi tions which q ive it, 'lllb!tna tional l~Qitimacy. in particular Security Council resolutions 242 (1961) and 338 (1973) and on the inalienable na tional riqhts of the Pales tin ian people. The dialoQue should be followed by steps that require wider international participation within the framework of an intecna tional peace conference so that a fiaal canprehens ive settlenent to that dispute. which has persisted for more than 40 years now, can b~ reached. (Pres ident Mubar ak) As far as the Iran-Iraa war is concerned, we express our satisfaction that the ce~s~-fire ha~ becom~ an estahlished fact. However, we cannot conceal our concern with the existing state of no peace, no war, and the probahilities of a new flare-up as a result of the n~n-completionof arrangements that would lead to the end of belligerence and all its related claims as well as the removal of all its complications. We truly consider that Iraa has declared its willingness to honour ita ohligatior,s in the context. of the sincere implementation of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) and in conformity with the August 1988 agreement. It has demonstrated its good faith to participate in the achievement of a just and la$ting peacp in that region. We hope that Iran - which is hound to the Arabs by deep-rooted historical and spir.itual ties - will adopt a decisive position in favour of peace and will seek to establish normal good-neighbourly relations with its Arab neighbours, especially with Irao, so that Arah-Iranian relations can return to the situation maintained throughout history - a situation that is necessitated hy geQCJraphical neighbourliness and a similarity of perils and interests. We have also followed thelloody tragedy in sisterly Lebanon for years now with qreat regret and sorrow. We believe that the suffering of the Lebanese people must he ended. The threats to which they are SUbjected, which endanger their national and territorial unity, should he halted. This will he achieved only through the cessation of all forms of occupation and foreign intervention in its affairs, the removal of all restraints imposed on its independent national decisions, respect for it~ sovereignty and ri«;1ht to free choice and the elimination of aspects of partition which have intruded on Lebanon in these years of agony. We therefore support the sincere efforts made hy the Arab tripartite committee towards achieving those objectives. We hope that those efforts will succeed, thus leading to the adoption of the decisive steps we anticipate within the few coming weeks. {President Muharak) Any sethack in these efforts would have the mo~t serious conseauences to all parties, even if thpy are unahIe to qrasp this indisputable fact. I need not emphasi?e our full support for the United Nations and our adherence to it~ purposes, principles and Charter. They are entrenched in the hearts of our peoples and have heen a source of inspiration for our peoples in formulating the framewor~ that governs their domestic and international actions, particularly with respect to the Orqanization of African Unity, which was estahlished to liberate Africa from domination and exploitation, and to apply the principle of eauality among individuals and States, irrespective of their share of power or might, to achieve co-operation amonq the African States, which face the same dangers and challenqes, to spread a hum~n and noble messaqe hased on adherence to morality and ~ublimp ideals in transactions, respect for thG rights of others, rejection of the theories of supremacy or discrimination hetween human heings and on building hridges hetween all nations and peoples. The third world countries stand firm with all other countries in the world in expressinQ their confidence in the United Nations and their app~eciation of its role, lookinQ to the future of collective life on our planet with great hopes and aspirations. They have resolved to assert their will for the option of peace, to mobilize their resources to serve the objectives of development and progress, to .. orient their potential towards safeguardinq SeCIJrity and stahility and to open up vistas of hope for generations to ccme~ Through ohjective and constructive action, armed with clear vision that does not miss the tarqet, with faith in the unity of human destiny and through adherence to legitimacy and the rule of law, we ~hal1 forqe ahead towards a better tomorrow, nurturing the growth of freedom ana hoi~ting the hanners of peace, building glory and spreading civili7.ation. With enlightened thinking and determined action, we (Presi~ent Muharak) shall overcome hardships, surmc,unt obstacles and barriet's, place riqht before miqht and civilized discourse above the harsh qr~!l of cannon. The PRES'IDENT: On behalf of the General Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Arab Republic of Eqypt and current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity for the important statement he has just nade. Mr. Potohamed Hosni Mubarak, Pres ident of the Arab Republic of EgVpt, was escorted from the General Assembly Hall. (President Mubarak) AG:~DA ITEM 9 (continued) GENERAL DEBATE Mr. NWACHUKWU (Niqer la): It is with qreat pleasure that I conqratulate you, a compatriot and comrade-in-arms. on your unaniltlOus election as President of the United Nations General Assen'b1y at its forty-fourth session. On behalf of my President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Farces of the Federal Republic of Niqeria, His Excellency General Ibrahim Badamasi Babanqida, and the Govet'nment and the people of Niqeria, I want to thank the Menber States of this auqust As~embly for electinq Major-General Joseph Nanven Garba, our Permanmt Representative, as President. In particular, I wish to pay tribute ~o the African Group and to place on record the qratitude of my Government to the Governments of Cameroon and Eqypt for facili~ltinq the African consensus which led to your unanimous election. I also salut~ the Caribbean Group for its support. Your election to this esteemed office at this time is as nuch a recoqnition of Niqeria's role in international af.fairs as it is a tribute to your sterlinq qualities. '[ al">O pay tribute to your predecessor in office, Mr. Dante Caputo of Arqentina, for the exemplary manner in wh ich he qu ided the affa ir s of th is Assenb ly durinq the forty-th itd sess ion. I !;hould also like to take this opportunity to express the qratitude of mv deleqatioo to the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Perez deCue11ar, who has, once again, piloted our Orqanization throuqh the rouqh waters of international r ela tions in the past year. The tasks before you, Mr. President, are many and challenqinq. You have the responsibility of buildinq upon the rich traditions and challenqes associated with the conduct of the General Assembly. We are confident that under your quidance our Orqcnization will rekindle the hopes and aspirations of mankind for a peaceful world. We have witnessed siqnificant chanqes in international relations in recent years. There is need for us~ as the United Nations, to respond to th is emerqinq situation in a manner that offers opportunities in resolvinq problems in the critical areas of international peace, security and development. At no time in the recent past has there been qreater hope for peace than now. Super-Power relations have become less frosty. There has been modest proqress in disarmament neqotiations. "''hUe tensions have not been completely eliminated, the ser ious threats ot a major conflict have receded. This improvement in the international political climate must, however, be simultaneously accompanied by an equal emphasis on urqent and effective solutions to the non-military threats to the securii y of the developing countries. We must ensure that no section of the international cotm\unity feels excluded from the benefi ts ar is inq from the new spirit of interna tional co-opera ticn. The African oontinent, where the qeneral situation is deteriorating at an alarminq rate, has that feelinq of exclusion, and justifiably so. National economies have been gravely weakened, especially by the cripplinq debt burden, settinq in revuse the livinq standards of our peoples. While we have nade courageous structural adjustment sacrifices, the expected international support has ei ther turned out to be a trickle or even non-exis tent_ The vital sector s of healt't, education and other social infrastructure have suffered immeasurably. The consequence of all this is the increasinq impoverishment, marQinalization and alienation of the African continent. We do not believe that this auqurs well for international pmce and security. It is a sombre situation that must not continue into the last decade of this century. The response to this challenqe calls for a new imaqina tion and resourcefulness, new approaches and a new resolve an the part of us all. (Mr. Nwachukwu. Nigeria) There continues to be a marked contrast between the sense of rela tive accomplishment and proqress on international political questions and the lack of proqress in international economic issues. While the economies of the industrialized countries have enjoyed unprecedented qrowth, the economies of developinq countries, as a qroup, have continued to staqnate and decline. (~. Nwachukwu, Nigeria) On the cri tical question of the exter-nal debt of developinq countries. there has been some movement from preoccupation with short-term crisis manaqement to the recoqnition of the need for reduction of the staqqerinq debt stock and its servicinq. As promis inq as the debt reduction process seems, we are concerned not only about the in~dequate resources committed to it. but also that some Governments and commercial banks are hesitant to participate in it. Universal participation by the Gover-nments of such industr iaUzed countr ies and their commercial banks is essential if the benefi ts of debt reduction are to be spread to all indebted countri.es. But today, substanth 1 resources needed to promote qrcwth and development have been used up to service debt. The debt er is is has been transformed into a arowth er is is. tn the heavily indebted countr ies, qrowth has faltered as have investment and per capita consumption. The appalling economic conditions of the indebted countries leave us in no doubt that there is need for stronq inter-national support for those countries. It was for these reasons that my ['resident, General Ibrahim Babanqida. put f~rward at the ninth summit meetinq of the Movement of Non-Aliqned Countries, a nuntler of important proposals reqardinq the debt question. wh ich I now col1lllend to the Assembly. as follows: "(a) All official debts owed to creditor countries in bilateral transactions, sho~ld qualify for outriqht cancellation by the creditor. o.'luntr ies involved. This proposal has been made to take account of the qeneralbec'l poverty of developinq countries which is manifested in the weak and persistinq primary structures and monocultural nature of their economies; (Mr. Nwach ukwu. Niqer la) to (b) Reqardinq debts owed to the Bretton Woods institu tions, that is, the IMF and the World Rank, a few devices shoulq be considered to brina relief to debt-distressed developinq, particularly, sub-~aharan African, countries: (1) 50 per cent of the resources under the IDA-9th Replenishment should be made available to African countries. (2) Resources under the Structural Adjustment Fund (SAF) of the NF, and f".he sub-Saharan African Facility of the World Bank, should be nede available to countries with overdue debt service obliaations to the two institutions. Repurchases ("..an then be undertak6'l by the affected countries, with the advantaqe of enjoyinq the relief inherent in t~ose facilities; "(c) Reaardinq debts owed to commercial banks, an international debt purchasinq institution or aqency should be set up under the aeais of the IMF and the Wor ld Rank to purchase the eKistina debt of develoPina countr ies Git substantial discounts of up to 80 per cent. The transactions could be financed partly with voluntary contributions from developed countries and also wi th uncommitted resources under the specialized facili ties of the World Bank and the IMF with low or no conditionality attached." The economic situation in Africa is particularly qrave. African countries remain hiqhly vulnerable to adverse trends in weather and the international economic environment. They did not benefit from the price surae and expansion of world trade in 1988. hi qeneral, Mrican countries have faired badly in the 1980s. The cumulative trt1de d~ficit stood at $57 billion as of 1988. l\frica's external debt rose from $128 billion in 1982 to ~230 billion in 1988, ''lhic:h is .'lpproximately 82 per cent of ! I total reqional qross rlomp.stic product anri represp.nts 314 per cent of exports of I I I I IL --- qQods and services. (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) That Africa's economic situation has worsened at a time when many Afric~n countries have enbarked on economic policy reforms, is evidence that policy reforms are, by themselves, no quarantee of qrowth and development, unless they are adequately financed. That the international economic environment continues to be harsh on the African countries is further proof that the commitments .made by the international community to support Africa in the context of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development are far from being fuHi lled. I submi t that both the premise and the practice of international co-operation for development would be most severely tested in Africa in the 1990s, as medium-term prospects for the continent appear less briqht than in other reqions. Sustained international support for the economies of African countries is most urqent if we are to resume growth and development. In this reqard, Niqeria welcomes, as part of th~ solution to the problen, the recommendation of the Independent Group on Financial Flows to Develapinq Countries, the Schnidt Commission. that major surplus countr ies in the Orqanisa tion for Economic CQ-.Operation and Development (OECD), should establish a $1 billion Endowment Fund to be admin istered by the African Development Dank (ADS) to provide debt relief measures and further increase official development assistance to the reqion. The international commlD'\ity - particularly the industrialized nations amonq us - must utilize the opportunity afforded by the special session of the General Assembly devoted to international economic co-operation in ~pril 1990, to qive fresh impetus to development co-operati,")n. The environment<11 deqradation consequent upon rrodern technoloqical and industrial developments has been causinq qreat concern. Indeed, there are some who are aIr eadv pos i tinq that env iroomental issues lTlay well domina te the decade of the -~~_-----I (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) 19905. However. the problem cannot be solved by shiftinq environmental deqradation from one Part of the world to other unsuspectinq parts. Nor "'ill a neqlect of the r9Juirements of one part, while concentratinq en those of another. provide an effective qlobal solution. In th is connection. the dumpinq of toxic wastes in developinq countr ies, especially in Africa, constitutes a serious danqer to the lives of our people ann to the environment. My deleqation calLc; on the international coJmlunity to intensify its effort to prohibit this unwholesome practice. We urQe the United Nations to adopt the Dump Watch for effective action aqainst indiscriminate waste dumping. On the subject of international efforts to clean UP the environment. I should like to underline the need for a qlobal vision that does not neqlect the developinq oountries. International co-operation for preventinq and counterinq the devastatinq effects of floodinq. desertification. sudden we:lther chanQes, water pollution, to mention a few, can be as important in some countries as are measures aimed at the restoration of the ozone layer. Countries are now beinq urQed to pursue the path of environmentally sound and sustainable development. Adequate financial resources, as well as technical and technolaqica 1 assistance. need to be provided to the developinQ countr ies to en "lble them to reinforce their policies of environmental orotection. It is equally impOrtant that policy prescriptions ann measures for alleviatinq environmental deqr.3da tion are not directed d t developinq eaun tr ies alon~, nor env iron menta 1 criteria made a conditbn for extenriinq the requisitp assistance to them. (P.tr. Nwach uk wu. NiQer ia) It is recoqnized that there is a direct linkaqe between the prevention of environmental rleoradation and aevelopment in developinq countries. We believe it is in the interest of the technoloqically advanced nations to invest in developinq countries in the critical areas of water resources, erosion control, reafforestation and alternative sources of enerqy, to mention just a few. That will assist in preservinq the ecosystem w~rld-wide. In the field of human riqhts. Niqer ia commenrls the continued and untirinq efforts by all eXpOnents of those basic riqhts and freedolTlS. As the international community th is year celebra tes the twentieth ann iversary of the Declara tion on Social Proqress and DeveloPment (General Assell'bly resolution 2542 (XXIV)), Niqeria notes the work of the Comrni ttee whim over the past decade has been work ino on the draft convention of the riqhts of the chilrl. We hope that the propOsed convention will be adopted by consensus. The situation in southern Africa remains a source of serious concern. Racist South Africa persists in its aqQression and policy of destabilization of its neiqhbours. The present situation in that country must he viewed with qreat circumspection. A new President elected under the ~artheid system, which denies 28 million black people constitutinq more than 70 per cent of the population the riqht to v()te. has been rnakinq statements intended to proiect the imaqe of n reformer. It was on Iv a few vear 5 dqO that the former P res ident .,e the upar theid reqime announced, with a fanfare, impenc'HnQ reforms. The result was a consti tutional sham that (Hoi :'lot dcidress the bas ic problem of the inhuman South African system. If this new apartheid President has bequn his reQime by speakino the IanQuaQe of peacef.ul chanqe, we have everv r iQht t.o say to him: We have heard all this before; we are not i,npresserl. ~----_.-----j (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) RM/12 A/44/PV.12 32 A.ction is what is required, action immediately to release Nelson Mandela and other political detainees, action to lift the state of emerqency and to leqitimize all anti-apartheid qroups, and action to commence dialoque and neqotia ticn wi th the authentic leaders of the non-white majority with a view to workinq out arranQements for a no~racial democracy. The South African reqime must first seek acceptability at home amonq all South A.fricans before seekinq respectability abroad. Those are th~ basic requirements for takinq seriously any talk of chanqes in South Africa. In that context I reaffirm Niqer ia 's support for the Harare Declaration of 21 Auqust 1989 adopted by the Orqanization of African Unity's Ad Hoc Committee on ~outhern Africa, aimed at facilitatinq the peace process in the entire sou th a: n-.l'.fr ican ree:; ion. In the meantime my deleqation will press with all viQour for the intensifica tion of sanctions aqainst South Africa. The Assembly must not he deterred by the apartheid reqime's propaqanda reqardinq the ineffectiveness of sanctions. The limited sanctions imposed on it are indeed workinq. What is required of all States Members of the Uniteo Nations is whole-hear.ted support for the imposi tioo anii applica tion of comprehens ive and manda tory sanctions aqa ins t &.,uth Africa as the only viable ;tlternative to a violent chanqe of the aparthein sys tern. May I aqain c"lll rm all ~f?mber :It'ltes of tl-te TJniterl "Jations to ,:)ttend in hll force the special session on aparth~irl ~cheduleil to take place here later thi~ year. We must all join hand~ to c1e:=;troy ilp"lrtheid, that inhuman system of qO\l' El' n men t • With respect to Namibia, we are relieved that the United Nations inoependence plan for the Territory has finally been put ir.to operation. We are also relieved that the initial problens encountered in the implementation process - particularly the avoidable tragedy tha t accompan ied the emplacement of the Un i ted Na tions (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) A/44/PV.12 33 't'ransi tion Ass istance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia on 1 Apr il 1989 - have been resolved. None the less we are concerned about the climate of intimidation and terror that still exists in Namibia, and especially about the activities of the Koevoet units, some of which have been absorbed into the reqular police force. We demand their immediato removal. As a measure of our support of the transition process, Niqeria is contributinq police personnel end electoral monitors as well as render inq financial and other ass istance. At this critical period we call on the international community to remain vigilant so as to ensure the inteqrity of the United Nations in the implementation of the Namibian independence plan. That is required in the face of calculated attempts by racist South Africa to manipulate the transition proqramme. We are particular ly concerned about the inherent perfidy of the proclamations of the Electoral Constituent Assembly. We insist the the elections be free and fair, as envisaqed in the enablinq Security Council resolutions. until independence is achieved Namibia remains the responsibility of the Orqanization. The United Nations cannot afford to disappoint Africa and the world. For th is last colony on the continent of Africa so nuch is at stake, not only for Namibia and Namibians but also for peace and stability in all of southern Africa. An independent Namibia will require·considerable assistance. Tt is in recoqnition of that fact that, even in these difficult times, Niqeria has rallierl to the supp.")rt of the hr.otherly people of Namihia. As a demonstration of our commitment to the cause of the freedom and independence of Namibia, Niqeria launched, on 16 June 1989, a Namibia Solid"lrity Fund of 100 million naira to assist the new State ''It independence. vIe urqe the interna'donr.ll community to rise to the challenqe and render all possible assistance to the Namibian people. (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) RM/12 A/44/PV.12 34-35 Rela ted to the events in Namib ia was the a ttempt on 22 June 1989 to reach a settlement of the conflict in Anqola and to end the fratricidal war in which broU~·erly Africans are beinq killed•. The delay in the peace process has been due to the continuinq foreign meddlinq in the AnQolan dispute. Africans, if left alone, are capable of peacefully resolvinq their disputes by themselves. We call UPOn the international C'OlIIrtunity to Support without meddlinq our <efforts to resolve the Anq01an problem. With regard to Western Sahara, Niqeria notas with satisfaction the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General to the reqion last June. We urqe the Moroccan Government and the POLISARIO Front fUlly to embrace the settlement: proposals jointly desiqned by the Organ iza tion of African Unity and the United Na tion~. It is very regrettable that the Middle East crisis, which has been featured in every aqenda of the United Nations since 1948, remains as intractable as ever. It is our hope that a solution acceptable to all parties to the Middle East confl iet will soon be found. Nigeria will continue to inSist that the Palestinians must be allowed to exercise their riqht to self-determination in a well-defined homeland, like other Sta tes in tha t req ion~ Niqer ia a Iso supports the call for an international conference on the Middle East. (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) On Cambodia and Central America, the international community must persist in the search for a durable peace. We support the ongoing initiatives for attaininq this objective, includinq those undertaken within their respective regional fr amewor ks. ~y the same token, Nigeria supports the efforts towards peaceful unification on the Korean peninsula. It is noteworthy that in spi te of their present circumstances the Korean people have, in various ways, made sianificant contributions to international understanding and co-operationo The international community will benefi t even more from the adnission of the Koreans into the United Nations and other international organizations of their choice. Nigeria will continue to contribute significantly to reachinq the objectives of general and complete disarmament under effective international control. The arms race threatens international peace and security and still constitutes an unacceptable diversion of resources which could better serve the cause of world-wide economic and social development. We therefore note with satisfaction the current bilateral neqotiations bebleen the super-Powers. This should lead to deep reductions and, subsequently, total elimination of nuclear and chemical weapons. However, the abiding general interest of our community demands that the multilateral disarmament machinery be involved in the process of neqotiatinq disarmament agreements. There was once an Afr ica strong and adventurous. That qlor ious past is adequately chronicled. Later Africa became the victim of actions to which the continent was not a party. That past also belongs to history. On the eve of the last decade of th is century we in Africa are determined never again to be marqinalized in any area of human endeavour. The international community should respond positively to Africa's yearninqs for co-operation and development. We (Mr. Nwachukwu, Niqeria) believe that en the basis of the pr inciple of shared responsibility fo~ the destiny of our planet Afr ica can offer a credible partners~ip for a better Md more prosperous world. The deve oped world must appreciate our common humanity and adopt policies that will eliminate the present yawninq qap between the privileqed and the underprivileqed. It is our hope that th~ouqh the instrumentality of the United Nations marJdnd's aspirations to fairness, justice and equity wilt be achieved. We look forward to an int~rnational system that eliminates the present reality, in which a larqe section of humanity is economically and politically under represented. For in a world of persistent inequity there is no quarantee for peace, stability and proqress. It must be borne in mind that no one is secure until all are secure in an increasinqly interdependent global villaqe. However, there comes a time when a people, no matter how embattled, must take its future into its own hands. That journey must begin now. The Afr iean train is on the move: we must rebuild Africa. Our vision is of an Africa whose diqnity and independence will be reinforced by the birth of a free and sovereign Namibia; an Africa free of the scourqes of ..!E!!.~; an Afr ica that will direct its enerqies to the urqent development needs of its peoples; an Africa that will uphold the riqhts and defend the interests of people of African descent wherever they may be; an Africa that will have t.lle couraqe, the will and the determination to summon the creative inqenuity and acknowledQed resourcefulness of its people; an Africa that will make a major contribution to and use ad~ances in science and technoloqy to enhance its producti~e capacity and development. It is, above all, a vision of a self-confident Africa in which democracy and human riqhts will flourish. (MC. Nwach\.'i~.t-!iqer la) Hr. QI~N _~!£he!:! (China) (interpretation fr(')m Chinese): Permi t me to beqin by warmly conqratutatinq you. Siq on your election to the presidency '"If the current Flession of the General Asserrbly: I am sure that this session will be a success. I also ~ish to take this opportunity to express mv sincere thanks to the President of the last session, Mr. Dante Caputo. for his outstandinq contribution in fulfillinq his hiqh mission. The past year has been marked by fresh achievements in the efforts of various countries to seek solutions to reqional conflicts, reduce the threat of war and improve the international situation, and by new prospects for world peace. However, ours is not a trouble-free world. Reqional conflicts have not yet come to a halt. 'rhe arms race is still qo ina on. Certa in international contradi tions have sharpenerl. owinq to violation of the established norms of international law. The economic situation in the develOPinq countries is further deterioratinQ. All t!"Ii.s demonstrates that the source of world turbulence and tension still exists. The Chinese delegation would like to expound its position on the major questions confrontinq the world tod:;ty. The first question i~ reqional conflicts. Req ional confliots affect Pelce and tranqu illity in the world and have causerl direct, tremendous losses, oarticularty to many third-world countries. As a third-world country and a permanent member t")f the :lecur Itv Council, China is naturally very much concerned about the is~ue of reqional conflicts. The Chinese Government has all alonq stood for a f,.~ir and reasonable pt")U Hcal l';ettlement of thOSe conflicts, and has played a cl")nstructive role i.n this reqard. In accordance with the Geneva Aqreements on the settlement of the l\fqhan question, the Soviet Unit)n has wit."'I:"1.·'"lll1n i ts trt'),.)p~ from Afqhanb1t,'I1. That iA .';1 nositive development. Genuine Palce, however. has yet to'') (~ome to the land of Afqhanistan. We hope that the various political forces there will set up a broadly based coalition Government through consultation and achieve peace in that land so that the Afghan people may rebuild its country. Iran and Iraq reached a cease-fire a year ago on the basis of mutual acceptance of s~curity Council resolution 598 (1987), and each is now busy rebuilding its war-ravaqed economv. We hope that these two developinq countries, with which China enjoys friendly relations, will soon resume contacts and neqotiations so as .to turn their cease-fire into a lastinq peace. The recent summit conference of the five Central American States has been well received by the international community, as it produced important new aqreements on pronotinq the peace process in Central America. It is our hope that the United States also will respect the peace efforts of these countries. The smooth implementation of the aqreements will benefit the stability and development of the region. (Hr. Qian Qichen, China) Over the past year po~itive chanqes have occurred on the scene of southern Africa. wi th the start of the process of Namihian independence, th~ ultimate accomplishment of the historic mission of decolonization on the African continent is now in siqht. Anqola has made headway in tryinq to brinq peace to the country. The Government of Mozambique is workinq hard to end the unrest in its country. The Chinese Government has always sympathized with ann supported the Namibian people in their struqqle for independence. We ht)pe that Security Council resolution 435 (1978) and other relevant aqreements will he ser iously implemented and that the South African authorities will honour their commitment, so as to ensure the holdinq of a free and fair qeneral election under effective United Nations supervision and to brinq about Namibian independence as scheduled. We call on the international community to be watchful, to work to edminate obstacles to the Namibian independence process and quard against any incident that nay arise to the detriment of a free and fair general election. The Chinese Government has always supported the African countr ies in their just struqgle aqainst racism, and the efforts made by the front-line sta tes a'1d people in southern Mrica to achieve peace and stability in the reqil')n and develop the national economy. We hope that their efforts will eniov broad symp.:tthy and viqorous support from'th~ international conmunity. The black people in South Africa ar.e entitled to racial equality and democratic riqhts. We ~tronqlv d~mann that the South African authorities abrOqdte the universally condermed apartheid system, which is contrary to the spirit of our times. Since the last session of the General Assembly there has been an ever-stronqer call for a political settlement of the Middle East question. The just struqqle of the- Palestinians livinq in the West Rank and the Gaza strip has clearly demonstra too that the question of endinq the Israeli occupa tion and solvinq the (Mc. Qian Qichen, China) Palestinian issue brooks no further delay. The Palestine Liberation Orqanization has adoPted a series of flexible and practical policies, winninq wide appreciation and support from the international community. It is hiqh time the Israeli Government went alonq with t.lte trend of history by replacing its riqid position by a flexible approach. The Chinese Government stands for a settlement of the Middle East question through political means without resortinq to force. We support the convocation of the International Conference on the Middle East under United Nations auspices with the participation of the parties concernoo, includinq the five permanent members of the Security Council. We appreciate the efforts of the parties concerned in the Middle East questioo to conduct dialoques of such diverse forms as they deem appropriate. We demand that Israel stop forthwith its suppression of Palestinian residents in occupa tion zones and that it wi thdraw from the occupied Arab territories. We hope to see mutual recoqnition between the State of Palestine and Israel, quaranteed security bot.'l for Arab States and for Israel, and the peaceful coexistence of the Arab nation and the Jewish nation. That, i.n our opinion, is the correct way to lead a Middle East long plaqued by turl1Pil to peace and tr arqu i 11ity. Toqether with the other justice-upholdinq cc.'untries concerned, the Chinese Government has over the past 11 years consistently worked for a fair and reasonable settlement of the Callbodian question. To that end the Uniteo Nations has adopted 10 successive resolutions. l't.e Carrbodian que:~tion arose as a result of the Vietnamese invasion. Therefore, a comprehensive settlement of the question calls for an end to the Vietnamese invasion and the removal of its consequences. That is the very essence of the succesnive resolutions adopted by the United Nations on the Catrbod ian si tua tion, and it is also the cons is tent pes i Hon 0 f th e Ch in es e Government. f)urinq the transiti,")nal perioo from the withdrawal of Vietnamese CMr. Qian Qich en, Chin a) forces to the holding of a general election in Canbodia, the only way to ensure peace and forestall a danqerous situation in the country is to set Ul' a provisional coali tion Government headed by Pr ince Sihanouk and composed of the four parties in Canbodia. Callbodia should be restored to its independent, neutral and noo-aliqned sta tus, wh ile the countr ies concEl'ned should provide an inter:na tional guarantee for that status. Recently, the International Conference on Canilodia was held in Paris~ it was attended by foreign ministEl's of many countries and leadEl's of the focr parties in Carrbodia. This in itself is of major siqnificance, but reqrettably, the Conference did not produce the anticipa ted resul ts, owinq to the riqid position taken by Viet Nam and Phnom Penh on the proposal put forward by the majority of the States participating in the Conference for an international control mechanism under United Nations auspices, the establishment of a provisional quadripartite coalition Government headed by Pr ince Sihanouk, and a comprehens ive settlement of the Carrbodian question. As for the withdrawal of forces from Canbodia promised by Viet Nam, without the necessary international supervision people have reason to doubt whether Viet Nam has Qenuinely pulled out all its forces and military personnel of other categories. We hope that the international community will continue to follow the situation in Carrbodia closely, render sympathy and support to the Canbodian people in their just cause, and keep working for a fair and reasonable ultimate settlement of the Canbodian question so as to remove completelY this reqional hot spot. The second question is iH!';armament. The P3.st year has witnessed new pr~r~ss in the field of international disarmament. The Treaty between the Unit~ States ann the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the El iminati')l\ of Intermediate-RanQe and Shorter-Ranqe Missiles - the INF Treaty - is beinq implemented. Positive results emerQed (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) emerqed from the Interna.tional Conference on the prohibition of chemical \lleapons held in Paris last January. with the start last March in Vienna of tht>: neqotiation on conventional armed forces in Europe and the subsequent specific proptJsals put forward by each side, lonq-deadlocked European conventional disarmament has taken a turn for the better. Moreover, the soviet Union and some East European countries ha~e decided to carry out a unilateral reduction in their forces and armament or wi thdraw some of them from abroad. ~evertheless, it is noted that the arms race between the Un ited States and the Soviet Union has not come to a stop. They continue to vie with each other in developing h iqh-technoloqy weapons systems and in qo ing all out to upqrade their nuclear weapons and have even extended their arms race into outer space. So the haltinq of the arms race and the achievement of effective disarmament remains an arduous task. The international coll11lunitv expects the United States and the Soviet Union to shoulder their special respon~ibility for disarmament by takinq the lead in dr astica lly r educinq their nuclear ar sensals and conventional armaments and by stoppinq their arms race in all forms, includinq that in ou ter space. It is our c0nsistent view that chemical weapons should be completely banned and thorouqh IV destroyed. At the presfmt session of t.l-ae General Assembly, the United States and the Soviet Union have made proosals on the question of chemical weapons. We hope that they will take practicd steps to stop production and development of tho~e weapons and destroy their existinq stockpiles, so as to facilitate the conclusion of an in terna tional conven tion on a compr eh ens ive ban on chemical weapons. Dir,armament i!'l a question be.arinq on world pet;lce and the security of all countries. Therefore, all ~oLlntries, l)iq ,)r small, stronq or weak, nuclear or nnn-nuclear, should have an equal c;ay in the questi,)n, and each can play an active (Mr. Qian Qichent,..,China) role. The reasonable demands and propositions of the many small and medium-sized countr ies ouqht to be respected, and full play should be qiven to the role of the Uni ted Na tions and the Conference on oisarmament in Geneva Q'l disarmament issues. All th is is hiqh Iy necessary for the healthy development of the international disarmament process. The third qup.stion is the proper handlinq of State-to-State relations. Over the past year a number of countr ies have improved their r ela tions wi th each oth er to varyinq deqrees, wh ich is a valuable contr ibution to wor Id peace. What is particularly encouraqinq is that the .l\rab States have closed their ranks, in a spirit of conciliation. Countries in Africa are workinq for increased peaceful co-operation on that continent, while r.atin American countries have made further headway in their reqional co-operation. China has all alonq devoted its efforts to the establishment and development of friendly relations and co-operation with other countries on the basis of the five principles of ITl.!tual respect for sovereiqnty and territorial inteqrity, nutual non-aqqression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. The past year saw even better and stronqer relations between China and many o~~er countries, especially its neiqhbour s. (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) China maintains a traditional friendship with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We are interested in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. We support the Detoocratic People's Republic of Korea's reasonable proposition on the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea, and wish to see positive results flow from the dialogue and contacts between the North and Sou th of Korea. We have always enjoyed qood relations with Pakistan, Banqladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and many other neiqhbours in South and South-East Asia. We have normalized our relations with the People's Republic of I'4onqolia and Laos. Our relations with India are improvinq in many fields. The consultations on normalization of Sine-Indonesian relations are proce~dinq smoothly. The solidarity and co-operation between Ch ina and Arab Sta tes, African Sta tes and La tin American Sta tes have also made neo: proqr esse In May this year, China and the Soviet Union held a top-level meetinQ, thereby normaliz ing their bilateral r ela tions. In a spirit of biddinq farewell to the past and openinq up the future, leaders of the two countries reviewed and summed UP the history of Sino-SOI7iet relations and agreed to develop the bilateral relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Good-neiqhbourliness between the two biq countries, China and the Soviet Union, is in the interests of not only their two peoples but also peace and stability in Asia and the world at larqe. This has been well received by the international community as it benef.its the whole of mankind. China's relations with Western countries were on a course of steady development. However, di fficul ties of varyinq deQrees have emerged over the past few months in our relations with certain Western countries. What has exactly happened? Has Ch ina acted contrary to the Five Pr inciples of Peaceful Coexistence in its relations with these Western countries? No. Has China encroached upon (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) their interests in any way? No. It is known to all that in la te spring and early summer this year turmoil occurred in China's capital Beijinq~ which was aimed at subvertinqthe Government of the People's Republic of China and overthrowinq the socialist system stipUlated in the Consti tution of the People's Republic. It Qoes without sayinq that how to deal with this problem is China's internal affair. The whole world witnessed the fact that for almost two months the Chinese Government had exercised the utmost restraint and tried to solve the problem by persuas ion and education rather than compulsory measures. It was not until the critical moment when the elTents had turnen into an anti-government rebellion that the Chinese Government was oompelled to take decisive measures to quell the rebellion. The overwhelminq majority of countries in the world have expressed their understandinq of this action by our Government. Only certain western Governments, iqnoring the facts and basing themselves on nothing but distorted news reports and misinformation, levelled unwarranten charges against the Chinese Government and applied pressure on it. It should also be noted that there is I1l1ch evidence pointing to involvement in the above-mentioned events by some hostile foreign forces, which adden fuel to the flames. They know full well what role they have played. In order to maintain State sovereignty and national dignity, it is only natural that the Chinese Government should have firmly rejected their meddling in the events in China and interference in its internal affairs, which contravene the norms govern ing interna tiooal rela tions and the fundamental pr inciples of the United Nations Charter. In their sta tements at the General Asseni>ly in the past few days, the delegates of some countries continued to attack the Chinese Government groundlessly. To harp on "democracy" and "freedom" while indulging in the habit of making arbitrary criticisms and imposing one's own will on others in CMr. Qian Qich en, China) State-ta-State relations represents precisely the kind of behaviour that c;oes against the historical ti~e. This is indeed reqrettable. The day after tomorrow, the People's Republic of China will celebrate its fortieth anniversary. For China, I October 1949 is a day of qreat historic significance, marking the end of an era in which the Chinese people were subjected to every kind of national humiliation. Over the past four decades, foreiqn pressure on New China has never ceased, but what has come of it? New China is ever forging ahead. It has never feared, and will in no way bend to any foreign pressure. China's affairs can only be decided by the Chinese people, and China's policy can only be determinei\ by the Chinese Government. ThroUQh lonq years of practice, we have found a development path suited to Ch ina 's conditions, and we will continue alonq that path. We have formulated an independent foreiqn policy of peace attuned to the fundamental interests of the people of China and the world, and we will keep pursuinq that policy. China will adhere to its policy of reform and open lng to the outside world and continue to work for development of rela tions with other countries throughout the world. A normal relationship between China and a foreign country serves nutual interests, whereas in case of a disruption of such a relationship, China will by no means be the only one to suffer. Past experience has repeatedly proved that normal State-to-State relations can only be based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China abides by these principles, 3nd if other countries also do so, nOlmal relations can certainly be establishe~ and developed between them. Herein lies the way out of. the current difficulties in the relations of some western countr les wi th China. The fourth question is the establishment of a new international political order. (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) Now that the world has advanced to a staqe where most former co1ooies and dependencies have won independence, all States should treat one another as equals and an end should be put to hegemonic practice. Yet, facts show that heqemon~c practice and power politics still exist. From time to time, there are cases in international relations, such as the biq bullyinq the small, the stronq domineerinq over the weak, the imposition of one's own will on others, or even armed encroachment upon the sovereiqnty of another Sta te and damaqe to its territor ia1 integr i ty by force. Should these acts wh ich contravene the norms qover ninq international relations remain unchecked, there can be no traD:Juillity in the wor11') or guarantee of peace. with the concerted efforts of the international community, the world now witnesses a trend towards relaxa tion of tension and increased contacts among nations. This is a qood thing. But meanwhile, in international contacts, there are still obvious attenpts to interfere in the in.ternal affairs of other countries by various means in violation of the basic norms qOl1erninq international relations. It is danqerous for State policies to be formulated and pursued with such attempts in mind, as it will detract f.r.-om relaxation of international tension and lead to the continu:ition of the cold war. This is a question which merits the attention of the international community. On the one hand, there are vast nunbers of countries in the WOt'ld with quite different social systems, ideoloqies, values, histori,cal backqrounds, cultural traditions and reliqious beliefs, and on the other hand, their interests predetermine the need for contacts wi t:h one another. Consequently, all. coun tries are required to adopt a realistic attitude by recognizinq the diversity of the world, refraining from interferinq in each other's internal affairs, and observinq in their contacts the mutually accepted norms qoverninq international relations. (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) Only thus can they live in harm(:m'l, CO-operate with one another and make up each other's deficieiicies in an endeavour to seek common prosper i ty. The Chinese Government stands for the estahlishment f)f a new international Political order on the basis of l:!1e F'i',fe Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. 'l'hese principles, jointly initiated by ('l1i:1-:1 and some ·")f its :lp.iqhbours in 1\si'i, have \'1C)n extensive endorsanent from the intern,1tii lnal GOlnmunit/. They summarize the most basic norms qoverninq international rel.)tions and embody the essential character istics of a new type in ter ndti lnal r ela tionsh ip, hence in f:.Jll conformi ty with the purposes and principles C)f. the United 1-1ations Charter. If the five principles are universally observed in internnti'""lni1l rel.'lti(')ns, a new international Political order will come into hei'1q, under which all countries, hiq or sm311, stronq ()r weak, will be equal and respect each other reqarrHess of differences in social system and ideoloqy. No country will impose its will on others or seek heqemony. The internal affairs of .') cO'Jntry will he de.:tlt with by tile country itself, \.mile the common affairs of the world ,.;.ill be handled by all countries through consul tatif)n. Internati')nal ('H :;put~~1 wi 11 all be resolved throuQh peaceful negotiations without resortinq to for.ce l')r throot of forc,~. (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) We firmly believe that such a world will be in line with the interests and aSPlratlC)ns of the people of all countr ies. I wish to use the forum of the United Nations to present this idea of the Chinese Government r hopinq that statesmen of various countries will qive it serious consideration when explorinq the future of the world. The fifth question is the establishment of a new international economic order. For a long time developing countries have suffered grEatly from inequitable exchanqes, owing to irrationality in existinq international economic relations. For them the recent years have seen worSE!'l inq terms ot trade, plummetinq export earnings, dwindling production investment and heavy debt burdens. There has been even the phenomenon of reverse capital flow fran poor to rich countries for many years running. So the tendency of poor countries to become poorer and rich countries richer is more pronounced than it was a decade aqo. If allowed to continue, this situation will brinq in its wake even more serious consequences for the whole world, includinq both the developinq and the developed countr ies. The economic development of the third world has become a pressinq issue affectinq the global scene. Curr ent interna tional economic relations ~hould not and cannot remain completely unchanged in the time to come. The establishment of a new in terna tional economic order is the need of the times. In our View, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coe~istence should also be abided by in the conduct of economic relations between countries. A country's econo~ic problems can be solved only by the qovernment and people of that country with policies appropriate to their national conditions. Economic contacts between countries should serve friendly co-operation between them and not be turned into means of exertinq pressure on other countries or interferinq in their internal ~ffairs. Any attempt to impOse a certain economic system or developmental model on other countries and to interfere in the economic policies or development efforts of (Mr. Qian Qid!~n, China) dE!ITelopinq countries means power politics in t.'1e economic sph~:a. It runs counter to norms of international r~lations and the current historical trend and will not work in practice. To promote the establishment of the new international economic order in the interest of commcn development of all countries, what is urgently needed at present. is a new round of truly sllbstantive North-South dialoque with emphasis on solving the pressing problems facing the developinq countries, sudl as debt, trade, capital and finance. We call on the developed countr ies to respond constructively to the proposals for revivinq the North-South dialoque made by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aliqned Countries held in Belgrade in SepteJTber this year and the Special Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 held last June in Caracas. We hope that the special session of the General AsseJTblv devoted to qrowth and development, scheduled for April next year, will arrive at a fresh common understanding on future international economic co-operation and will provide a sound quideline for it. We also hope that the new international development strategy being worked out will offer effective measureR in this reqard. Protecting the environment has become a pressinq issue of universal concern; it must be given full attention while efforts are made to solve the question of development. China has made the protection of the environment its State policy. We attach importance to and will participate in the United Nations conference on environment and development scheduled for 1992, atld are ready to make necessary preParations for its convocation with other countries and rele\'ant international organizations. We note wi th pleasure that, as the most influential int.ernational orqanization, the United Nations has in recent years had some outstandinq achievements in facilitatinq the political settlement of reqional conflicts, maintaininq world peace, and prom:>tinq international co-operation and economic and (Mr. Qian Qichen, China) social development. As a result. there is un iversal recoqni tion of the importance of the United Nations. The positive efforts made by the Secretary~eneralhave also won extensive acclaim from the international community. The final decade of the twentieth century is approachinq. A new century is setting in, the times are progressing and the face of the world is chanqinq. Like the entire international community, the United Nations is faced with unprecedented opportuni ties and extraordinary challenqes. In order to adapt better to an ever-chanqing world, the United Nations needs to continue its own reform and further improve its efficiency. world peace and development need the United Nations. while the success of the United Nations depends on the support and co-operation of all its Member States. Toqether with the many other United Nations Member States, China is ready to fulfil the duties prescr ibed in the United Nations Charter and to contribute its share to a strenqthened role of the Orqanization in wor Id affairs. Mr. FISCHER (German Democratic Republic) (spoke in German; Enqlish text furnished by the deleqation): May I conqratulate you. Sir, on your election as President of the forty-fourth session of the General Assenbly and warmly wish you success. A few weeks aqo the international community observed the fiftieth anniversary of Hitler Germany's criminal aqgression against Poland, which was the beqinning of the most devastating and murderous of all conflagrations in the history of mankind. That infernoforqed a coalition of States with different social systems and also qave birth to the United Nations, whose deeds offered mank ind the chance of a peaceful future. The lesson drawn by the peoples was that war and fascism must be done away with and violence banned from international life forever and that henceforth joint action must be taken for their elimination in peacetime. (Mr. Qian Qichen. China) To remove the kind of threat which weapons of mass destruction pose in our time, the German Democratic Republic believes the authority and influence of the Uni ted Na tions will have to be brouqht into play more effectively than has been the case so far. Moreover, economic underdevelopment must be overcome and the natural environment preserved for man to exist. The potentials are there. What it takes to harness them is boldness in strengtheninq positive elements, carefulness in shor ing up achievements, and resolu teness in stemminq reverse tendencies. But_ th\!re is cause for concern: since the arms race is continuinq in all fields while TrEBty on the Elimination of the Intermediate-Ranqe and Shorter-Range Missiles - the INF Trea ty - is beinq implemented and disarmament neQotia tions are l&nder way~ since long-standinq conflicts cannot be solved because not all of those involved are willing to take account oe the leqi timate interests of each and every party to those conflicts~ since a nUlT'ber of countries have recorded substantial economic qrowth while an increasinq nunber of third-world nations are falling back further and further ill their levels of development; since the natural environment is increas ingl~' deter ioratlnQ - one reason beinq that international measures taken to protect it are insufficient~ and since attacks aqainst the sovereignty and territorial inteqrity of States, as well as interference in international affairs of other States, are mountinq while world-wide demands are made for strenQtheninq the international order of law. Bettolt Brecht, the playwriqht, has Galileo Galilei expressing faith in the "gentle force of reason", which people cannot withstand in the Iona run. The nuclear and space age, with the apocalyptic risks for humank ind, makes imperative a new kind of thinking on security policy. Yet this awareness does not arow all on its own. (Mr. Fischer, German Del10cra tic Republic) Shop-worn notions and attitudes need to be shed through a dialoque, across all frontiers, amonq political and military leaders, scholars, scientists and indeed all people committed to peace. They need to be replaced by a IiOdern way of thinking and conduct marked by hiQh ethical values and a sense of reason and reality. On the threshold of the next millennium, this is the only approach that can hold out a perspective of peace for all nations. Quite a few of these aspects have been reflected in international documents. I t has been. encouraqinq to note that the declarations adopted at the Ninth Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aliqned states express a firm ~esolve to find aQreed solutions to the pressing problell'S of our planet in a peaceful and constructive dialogue with all other States. On the other hand, much remains to be done for the awareness to Qain qround that lasting security can be built only throuqh co-operation, rather than confrontation. Above all, it is imperative to abandon all doctr ines wh ich preserve, or even feed, hostile images, stimulate the arms race and even keep open the first-use option for nuclear weapons. The German Democratic Republic insists on a joint review of military concepts and their strict orientatioo towards defence. Also, the United Nations should seize upon this matter. Thus substance would be built into the prohibition of the use of force as spelled out in the Charter, and world-wide adherence to it would be ensured. Stable security for all can grow only from a policy that takes account of the intertwining of military, political, economic and humanitarian factors and seeks further to push back military might in favour of shared political endeavours. This is the purpose of the ini tia tive of socialist Sta tes for a compr eh ens ive approach (Mr. Fischer. German Democratic Republic) to the strenqthening of international security, which would guarantee that all States in the different reqions could live toqether without conflicts and tensions in true good-neiqhbourliness. In E~rope, efforts must remain concentrated on reducing the cram-full arsenals to a level where the danger of war will be banished for ever. The East and the West could then on a new basis and for the benefit of all peoples co-operate and bu Hd h armon ious1". The Vienna neqotiations \)n conventional armed forces and on further confidence- and securitv-huilding measures could soon produce first agreements on mutual force and arms reductions if ."lll p,uticipants neqotiated constructivelY and were ready for compromise. The German Democratic Republic, like its allies, has made exemplary unilateral moves contributing to propitious conditions for speedy negotiations. Before 1990, the German Democratic Republic's armed forces will be reduced by 10,000 troops, 6nO tanks and 50 aircraft. We already have at hand initial practical experience in partial areas of arms conversion, which we qladly share at the international level. I Yllsh to recall with all clue emphasis the proposal by the States parties to the WarsaYl Tre:tty that, in parallel with the Vienna talks on conventional forces and armaments, neqotiatic)ns shouln be started also on tactical nuclear weapons. Oue aim remains a Europe, inneed a world, without nuclear weapon~. Minnful of the sensitive divide hetween the two military ~lli~nces, and seeking cuts in weapons of mdSS destruction in Central Europe, the German Democratic Republic adv~,ates the establishment of zones free of nuclear and chemical weapon!';, Yli th speci fie coni: idence-hu ildln~ measures beinq app!ierl. Let me point out in this context that it is not the diversity of systems of society that renders the construction of the European home problematic. Rather its cominq into beinq is obstructed by the arms race, the sustained military threat and f recently. the redoubled attempts to do away with socialism as a social system. The road towards stable peace and productive co-operation is not smooth. yet it is practicable. However, it must not be made harder to travel on than it already is. The achievements made in Europe over the last two decades throuqh joint efforts - a record all can take pride in - were possible because the Helsinki Final Act meant recoqnition of international leqal principles as set out in the United Nations Charter and the political and territorial realities that emerqed after the Second World War. This must remain aqreed. Claims to the effect t!1at the "German Reich" continued to exist within the 1937 borders are as danqerous as they are irrational, for the "German Reich" fell asun:3er in 1945 as a consequence of its own policy of aqqression. The realities in Europe that have since emerqed include the existence of two sovereiqn German States. Their mutual relationship is, and continues to be, of qreat importance for stability in Europe and the proqress of detente in the world. This is what guides the socialist German State, which will be ObservinQ its fortieth anniversary in a few days. Anvone ~no wants stability in Europe will appreciate the fact that at the divide between the world's two biqqest military alliances there exists a State whose supreme credo is, "No more war - only peace shall ever emana te from German so i1". The German Democratic Republic's policy, firmly rooted in anti-fascist traditions and relyinq on the dynamic develoPment of its society, remains predictable. The socialist German State has done a Qreat deal (Mr. Fischer. German Democratic Republic) on behalf of peaceful coe~istence in Europe in the past, and it will do likewise in the future. The German Democratic Republic abides by what the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party and Chairman of the Council of State, Erich Honecker, and the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Helmut Kohl, aqreed in March 1985 and what they reaffirmed in their joint conmunique in Septel'\t)er 1987: that inviolability of the frontiers is a bas ic condi tion for peace. To preserve and to strenqthM it throuqh new confidence-bui1dinq measures remains the need of the hour. Callinq frontiers into question or makinq presumptuous claims under the mantle of concern for humanity and in violation of the sovereiqn riqhts of other States, and exercisinq so-called custodianship over nationals of other States - that is bound to provoke conflicts that erode co-operation in the heart of Europe and even put peace in jeopardy. Disarmament, the settlement or prevention of international conflicts and the strenqtheninq of the international rule of law are quarantees for a world of peace, security and common welfare. In this context disarmament remains the key issue. The implementation of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Ranqe Missiles, which must not be undercut by what is called modernization, is in the interests of all peoples. But it is Equally oblrious that the pace of the ongoinq neqotia tions is inSUfficient, in fact very far from what is necessary. - From the German Democratic Republic's viewpoint it is imperative to include all weapons cateqor ies in the neqotiations, to break the vicious circle in the arms race and to make no canpensation for weapons eliminated and, consequentlY, to offer results to the peoples. (Mr. Fischer, German Democratic Republi 1 We would like to see the USSR and the Uni too Sta tes succeed as soon as possible in halvinq their strateqic nuclear armaments wh ile adher inq to the Treatv on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems - the ABM Trety. In order to halt the nuclear arms race, an overv.telminq ma;oritv of States has been callinq for a complete ban on nuclear-weapons tests. Such a ban would, at th e same time, strenqthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In that context, the Soviet Union's proposal to cease the production of fissionable material for armament purposes deserves the support of the United Nations. In January this year, the participants in the Paris Conference urqed the earliest possible conclusion of a convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons. However, the Geneva negotiations have yet to make any real proqress. Yet the risk of a prolif.eration of these means of mass destruction increases proportionally to the delay in concludinq a world-wide convention. This delay is incomprehensible, since there is aqreement on the essential issues of the conven tion. Da ta are beinQ exchanqed and veri fica tion methods have been tested. The German Democratic Republic, wh ich neither possesses ch emical weapons nor has such weapons stockPiled on its territory, has transmitted data relating to its chemic:lI production ano the results of a national trial inspection. 'Refore th is forum, I wish to reaff irm the proposal to convene a meeting of foreign ministers at the Geneva Conference so as to proceed to the final staqe of the neqotia tions. We welcome the resul ts of the recent talks between the USSR and the United States committinq them to the conclusion of a relevant convention not later than next year. The prevention of an arms race in outer space is becominq ever more urqent. For: the sake of step-by-step solutions, the German Denocratic Republic submitterl basic elements at the Geneva Conference for a treaty to ban anti-satellite weapons, (Mr. Fisch er, German Denocra tic Republic) and it hopes that neqotia tions will start soon. In tha t respect, the world Orqanization will certainly find important areas for action. It could, for instance, evaluate existinq findinqs and available experiences in respect of arms conversion and make them accessible to all States. This directs our attention to the qeneral requirement to utilize II'Od~n sciences and technologies for disarmament. I propose that henceforth this topic be cons idered by the Uni too Na tions. The German Democratic Republic believes that efforts to define criteria for canparinq military budqets should be continued, so as to prolTOte openness in the military field. Consequently, my country will be makinq use of the United Nations international system for the standardized reportinq of military expenditures and provide the available data as from 1990. Appar ently, on e of th e most impor tan t exper iences wh ich th e end of th e twentieth century will leave beh ind is that dispu tes and conf.licts can no lonqer be resolved by military means. They can only be settled on the basis of respect for the legitinate interests of the parties in conflict, who must meet Eadl other halfway in a spirit of compromise. In those terms, the United Nations and its Secretary-<;eneral - and I take pleasure in emJ'hasiz inq th is - play a hiqhly apprecia too prolTOtive role. The Orqanizations's peace-keepinq operations have stood the test, and my country supports them. It is with qreat sympathy that the world is followinq Namibia's transition to independence. The German Denocratic Republic ha:;: lonq supported that process. It helped repatr iate Namibian refuqees and has met the Recretary-General ts request to dispatch police monitors and election supervisors. It is imperative that the elections in Novenber not be impeded, so that we can welcome a free Namibia as a (Mr. Fischer, German Del10cra tic Republic) Menber of the world Organization bet:ore long. Implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) is conducive to peace and stability in southern Africa. Yet apartheid, the main cause of conflicts, continues to exist in that reaion, and all human standards require its elimination. Despite the Geneva accords on Afqhanistan, the hostilities are continuinq. Over many years, th is forum has been told that the wi thdrawal of soviet troops from Afghanistan would precipi tate peace. Abidinq by the accords, the USSR has withdrawn its troops and the Gove:nment of Afghanistan has presented a reasonable national reconciliation proqramme that excludes no political or military faction. Anyone truly des irinq peace and concerned for the well-being of the Afqhan people should now choose the course of reconciliation. In that sense, the United Nations needs to involve itself activelv. The States of Asia are anxious to normalize their mutual relations. That conf irms our hope that a peaceful and just settlement will be found not onlv to the situation around Afqhanistan but also to the Iran-Iraq conflict and the question of Caubodia. On the Korean peninsula, too, the problems can only be resolved by patient dialogue and accommodation. The German Del'lOcra tic Republic supports the proposals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for ensurinq a durable peace and detente in- the region. I am pleased to note that there are rea'. prospects for the Nicaraquan people finally to. address itself to peaceful work. The German DelR:)cratic Republic appr eciates the contr ibution of the five Central Amer iean Pres idents to a political solu tioo to the problems. Implementa tion of their proposals and accords presupposes good will ana strict respect for international law on the part of all sides.• (Pwtr. Fisch er, German Del'lOcra tic Republic) The socialist German State is very rruch concerned that no pe'lce is yet in siqht in the Middle East. The Palestinian people is still beinq deprived by force of its leqitirrate rights, and its uprisinq is beinq riqorously repressed. It would be in the interest of all concerned and of peace in qeneral to resolve these and other problems in the reqion throuqh an international Middle East peace conference under the auspices of the United Nations and with the Palestine Liberation Orqanization, Israel, and the permament members of the United Nations Security Council participatinq on an equal footinq. A peaceful settlement of the q\.lestion ot Western Sahara, with the participation of the Orqanization of African Unity and the United Nations, wouln constitute another milestone 00 the road of the African nations towarns a durable peace and social prOQress. The Cyprus question, too, remains unresolved. Neqotiations should be encouraqed between the leaders of the two ethnic communities, mediated by t.~e Secretary~eneral of the United Nations, on a settlement that would meet the interests of the entire Cypriot people. In today's international conditions and in vie\'1 of the requirements of tomorrow, interna tional law assumes increas ing importance for the secur i ty of States and good-neiqhbourly co-operation. Nothinq could conceivably be more effective than such principles ac:; the prohibition of the threat or use of force and the obliqation to settle disputes peacefully. The German DeltOcra tic Republic therefore supports the in i tia tive of the non-aliqnerl countr ies to have a decade of international law adopted bv the United Nations for the next ten year!'l. (Mr. Fisch er, German Derrncra tic Republic) In our view, the most urqent tasks in strenqtheninq the international order of law which must be the foundation of an order of peace are, first, to brinq about a reliable consensus on the interpretation and application of existinq principles as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. 'rhe second task is to work out treaties to manaqe problems that need to he addresseil qlobally. We think these include protection of the environment, the use of modp.rn communication technoloqies, the corrbatinq of terrorism, and the prevention of druq abuse. The early adoption of a code coverinq cri"les aaainst the peace and security of mankind and of a convention aqainst the use of mercenaries would create a !'loUd le'lal foundation for the prosecution and punishment of the qravest of cr imes and would at the same time have preventive effects that should not be underestimater1. The third task is to make qreater use of international mechanisms an(l, where necessary, create new ones to ensure th'=l fulfilment of commitment!'l that have been under tak en. Tn the field of human riqhts and social issues, the requirements of peaceful co-opera tion must be 1. ived UP to. Tha t requ ires the strenqthen inq of peace as an indispensable foundation for the implementation of human riqhts. Tn its practical work the United Nations should heed the interrelationship of political, economic and socia 1 r iqh ts. A stable and prosperous world needs sound and mutually advantaqeous economic co-operation. Historical reasons account for the existence of imbalances, but nothina can justifv the fact that manv third-world countries, not least because of. inequitahle terms of trade, cannot develop in socio-econornic terms. Evidence of that is the fact that the World Bank recentlv settlen its accounts with a net (Mr. Fischer, German Derrocra tic Republic) profit of $1 billion, squeezing more out of developinq countries t.~an it put into them. The United Nations can and must commit itself to a marked improvement of that situation. The 1990 special session of the General Assembly devoted to economic issues and preparatory work for the international develoPment strateqy for the next decade are appropriate contexts in which to define priorities for international economic co-operation and for the activities of the united Nations in that area. An aqreed settlement of the debt problem of the developinq countries has to he reqarded as the most pressinq issue in that respect. Aqainst that backqround, the German Derrocratic Republic deems implementation of the principle of disarmament for development to be an imperative of the hiqhest priority. Since disarmament and the safe elimination of hiqhly sophisticated weaponry, no less than armament itself, are becominq more and more costly, it would be most beneficial for all to break once and for all the ,.ycle of arms bu ild-ups and subsequent disarmament. Fruitful development of the entire world economy requires political will by all to brinq about co-operative and viable solutions. The same applies to ecological problems. Mankind must not destroy its own natural basis of existence. Today we are more aware of the life-sustaininq interaction between our planet's water, air, soil and forests. We can now see more clearly that the sensi tive balance between those fa(:tors cannot be upset wi th impunity. The United Nations brinqs toqether the collective spirit and will of nations and pools their efforts into a sinqle stream. It harmoniously combines national and international security interests. There is no more competent forum that could keep watch over world pece in a better way. The main source of the effectiven eSS and strenqth of the united Nations is the determination and willinQness of. its Merrber States to pursue the only road that could possibly lead mankind into a pe:lceful th ird millenn ium: the road of constructive co-operation in a 11 fields of human life. AG:NDA ITEM 17 APPOIN'1WIENTS 'ID FILL VACANCIES IN SUBSIDIARY ORGANS AND otHER APPOINTMENTS: (a) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY O:>MMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY QJESTIONS: REPORT OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE (PART I) (A/44/560)

In paraqraph 4 of its repOrt (A/44/560), the Fifth Committee recommends that the General Assembly should appoint f·1r. John Fox as a member of the Advisorv Committee on Administrative and Budgetarv Questions for a term of office beainninq on 29 September 1989 and endinq on 31 December 1990. May I take it that the Asserrbly decides to make that appointment? It was so deciderl. The meetinq rose at 1.10 p.m. (Mr. Fischer, German DetrOcra tic Republic)