A/44/PV.26 General Assembly

This mornil'lQ the Assembly will hear an address by the Head of Stat.e of the ltingdom of Lesotho. His Majesty King Moshoeshoe Il, Head of State of the Kinqdom of Lesotho, was escorted into the General Assemly Hall.

On behalf of the General Assemblv, I have the honour to welcome to the Uni ted Na tions His Majesty RiM Moshoeshoe Il, Head of State of the Kinqdom of Lesotho, and to invite him to addrf:'ss the Assembly. King fa1QSIDESIDE !I~ On behalf of the people and t.'le GoV'ernmGnt of the Kinadom of Lesotho, and on my own behalf, I have the plEaS ure and the honO'..lr to extend to you persalally , Sir, and to the members of the Assembly, our fta tunal qreetinqs. In so doinq, we take the opportunity to offer our warm congratulations UPal your most befittinq and deservinq assumption of the presidency of the forty-fourth session of the General Assenbly. We are in no doubt that the General Asseni3ly will benefit enormously from your prowess and demonstrated diplomatic skills, your wisdom, and your experience, in the course of your duty to guide the deliberations of the General Assembly - a brilliant manifestation of the oneness of the wide world community of sovereign States bound toqether by the principles of freedom, equality, and nutual respect. You have distinquished yourself, Sir, not only by your dynamic representation of the Federal RepubUc of Niqer ia, but also as a champion of the course of freedom and justice everywhere, more especially in the duties \.'OU discharqed as Chaiu\an of the United Nations Special Committee aqainst Apartheid. AlSO, we cannot but pay a special tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Dante Caputo, former Foreign Minister of the Argentine Republic, for the able and effective mamer in 1I1hich he conducted the proceedings of the forty-third session. Aa we meet in this forty-fourth year of the .existence of the United Nations, we should once more feel duty-bound to express our qrati tude to ".he founding fathers of the Orqanization for their vision in having left, for humanity, the legacy of the Orgmizaticn, which has become the guarantee for humanity's own continued survival. This occaaion therefore prOl7ides us with an opportunity to renew our solenn faib'l in the lofty ideals and historic mission of the united Nations Charter. It is a lesson we have learned collectively that only a deep-rooted sense of camtftitment to the principles of the Charter will extricate our planet from the current glcbal insecurity and mistruet f and lead us all to a happier, COlllnon future. There is, incroasinqly, a notable realization amona nations that the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, whenever possible, is both an imperative and a pre-condition for mutual trust, confidence and security - in fact, for our very survival. It is a manifest reality of human history that true peace, not subservience, and justice, not domination, are the pcsitive cooditions for real progress clOd genuine development. To us smaller nations, it is, further, a quanntee against the hegemmic tendencies of the biqqer and stronger nations, whim have so often fallen into the temptation of usinq their military and economic superiority to advance their desiqns not only for undue influence but, worse still, for domnation. We should qO throuQh the remaininQ chcade of the twentieth century strenqthened in our resolve to make the next century a century of hope, peace and co-OPeration amonq all the nations of our planet. We are pleased to reQister our appreciation of the increased effectiveness oF. the United Nations ,and the ever-expandinq role that it continues to play in the prOl\X)tion of the peaceful settlement of dispUtes, sound co-operation among nations, and continuous aiberence to, and observance of, the cardinal principles of the Uni ted Nations Charter. As we stand on the thresholr1 of the twenty-first century, the clarion call of the United Nations is for all countries to mar shal their collective strenqth in for~inq a common destiny for mank ind, in which the worth and diqnity of the human person shall take centre sta~e. For falr too lonq, the world has failed to muster sufficient political will to embalrk on an effective strateqy to reverse the ever-rising tide of inequalities among and within nations, of the alarminq deterioration of our environment, and of debilitating confrontations, all of which are a threat to our common future and security. It is a sad reality of, and indeed a bad reflection on, the IIOral conscience of our age to see, in peace-time, conditions of extreme hWl!ln sufferinq and .. deprivatica which would generally be associated with the ravaqea of armed conflict. The economic hardships which have plagued some our our countries still persist despite the general improvement in the performance of the world economy as shown in the 1989 WOrld Economic Survey. While there are obvious siqns of economic recovery in some of the { ...oping countries, ol:her countries are still experiencinq a continuous decline in their per capita incomes, thus making it necessary to call for a major revieil of the "'otld economic order. The developinq nations have always been concerned about co1llllOdity prices, about the iJlbalances caused by the outward flQl of capital throuqh debt payments and the demands of the developed economies, on one side, and caused by very lCM investments, in real terms, by developed nations in the dwelopinq countries, on the other. Therefore, economic recovery and rehabilitation in our countries are being seriously haq)ered by the hostile eccnallic enviranment, characterized by massive external debt whidl has now reached crisis proportions, by the decline in coJllllOdity prices, by the deterioration in the terllB of trade, and increasing protectionist tendencies in the developed countries. Official development assistance is not only stagnating at less than half of the internationally accepted tarqet, but is, in real terms, declining. Monetary conditions have shOlln a tendency tOllards instability, with misaligned exchange rates. All these factors have resulted in a process of unfavourable transfer of resources from developing to developed count.r ies, with disastrous eoonolllic consequences in the former. The external debt crisis, which has now r.ched serious political Md economic dimensions, has emerqed as one of the main obstacles to qrowth and devel()l)lIlent in .~..~..:...~d our countries. We therefore call cm the international COrDlIlI'lity, particule.rly the creditor col.l'ltries, to resolve this crisis in II spirit of shared respOnsibility. While calling for a substantial and timely reduction of the stock and services of tbe external debt, the developing countries would welcome a siqnificant flow of n..-r financial resources and real investments COIIUllensurate with their economic needs. However, the response ot: the international community to the debt issue, has, 80 far, been encouraqinq. A variety of remedial actions bave been initiatedl these include the World Bank's special proqramme of assistance, the International Mcnetary Fund's enhanc'9d structural adjustment facility, and the fifth replenishment of the Afr lean Developnent Bank. At their ninth summit Conference in BelQrade this veal', the Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countr lea made concrete and wide-ranqinq proposals reqardinq the areas in which the international COlGnum!ty could increase its co-operation towards corrbating the menace of external indebtedness. These proposals deserve our serious consideration because, in the interdependent world econol'ftl/, the negative trends referred to will in the ICC\Q run have adverse effects on all our countrles, developed and developinq alike. The African comtries, on their part, have decided to adopt a recdonal apf)roaeh to the debt issue throuQh the holding of an international conference on African debt. It is hoped the outcome of this conference will be a decisive strategy to resolve this problem and briOQ mch needed relief to our burdened economies. In a resolute determination to il'ft'l)lement the United Nations Proqrarne of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development for the per Jot! 1986 to 1990 desiqned to pull our colWltries out of the economic slump, our Governments have spared no effort and wasted no time in viaocously embarking on structural adjustment programmes, blended with initiatives and alternatives arising out of peculiar country situations, tIlhic:h have been suqqested by our l)artn«s in develo.,.ent. and supported by the International Monetarv Fund and the Worl~ Bank. au, one decisive step towards &Cono.ie rehabilitation. But let us be quite frank with each other: these adjustment proqra_es will succeed only if our 1)81'Oer8 in deYelo~.ent are .vu, and realize that they, too, have to mke CCXUlensurate adjuBtIIents. While declarinq our belief in structural adju8ment measures, we are, however, of the opinicn that to serve best the needs of cur countries these ext.nallv conceived prescriptions should have been tailored in it1ll coqnizance of the peculiar clrculllBtances prwaUinq in each of our different count.ries. Only in this way could the aeasures effectivelv cover the whole spectrum of developllent concerns in our countries. Referrinq to these orthodox structural adjustment proqrallllles nOlI reeolllllended for Africa and the developinq world, the C&racas Minister ial Declaration stioulates that thev should be revi8\:ed and r~laced by other IIIOre viable alternatives which would talce into account the soc!;,;l, political and econoaic conditions and r"lities of Africa. Durinq the mid-te'=-'" review and appraisal of tbe United Nations ProqraMe of Action for Afric&n Economic Recovery and Development, the General Assewtbly at its forty-third session, b~rinq in mind that African Govern.nts have the central role to play in the desiql'l and implementation of their adjustment proqrallllleS, stipulated, inter alia, that these Governments should increase their efforts in the search for a viable conceptual and practical framework for economic structural adjustment proqraJlllles, in keepinQ with t.'\e lenq-term develCl:)ment objectives and strateqies at the national, subeteqional and reaional levels. The Economic Colllftlssion for Afr iea acted very swiftly to embark on a search for an I\fr iean al ternative framework to structural :l<'justment DrOaramme8. Tbe alternative framewot~ that ha! now ~e~ worked out 3n~ Qenerallv acceoted by African Governaents ensures th~t, while adjustment proqrammes will ba aimed at the fundaaental transfor'lllaticn of the African economies, they will take due account of the specific econcaic: situations and national deYelopment Drioriti~ of each country. Most of all, these Dl''''''ra1lllle8 ",Ul be desiqned so as to inccrnorate a hulUn dimension, with no adverse effect on vulnerable qrOUDS of our societies. The African countries are really determined to take charQe of their own developaent des tin ietS. All they need is the necessary ald apDropr iate back-up and sUpPOrt frOll their international partners in development. The question of the environment and the need to preserve the qlobal ecoloqical balance has become one of the m~jor-issues before the world community. The problem of the envirClrtment is a complex one, with political, economic, social and cultural ramifications. In the developing countries, the environment crisis is acute. tn fact, for close to a billion people Uvinct in these countries it is a mtter of survival; and yet they have so far had the least say, qiven their economic situation. Effective protection of the environm&nt c&nnot, realistically, take place in situations of human deorivat.ion because the already limited financial and other resources can cnly be channelled towards economic and social develC'pment. There is, therefore, a need for international co-operation in order to co-ordinate all our efforts and arrest the deqradation of our COI\1J*)n hel'itaqe:' the environment. Success in this urqent international effort can be realized only if the developed industr laUzed countries extend all the necessary assistance - financial and technical - to the developinq countr ies, as these COlJntr iels still lack the necessary Jleans. At the sue tille, we urqe that these environmental problelliS" urQent and ser ious &9 they are. not be compou.,ded by the impos i tien of unfavounble candlHons in the lendinq and other econollic co-oper ation pol ioies of the developed countries. Environmental problems, it must be acknowledQed, are the result not only of neqlect and lack of kncu-hcw in the developinq countr ies but also of careless development and pollution generated by the industrialized countries. These countries, therefore, have a primary responsibility tOfards solvinq the problem. Dumpinq of hazardous wastes oriqinatinq from the industrialized countries in our so-called third world countries is another issue of qrave concern and an outraqe which has been deplored by virtually all Governments in the developinq world. It is disturbing that the industrialized countries with the technology and other lleans for properly treating and disposing of wastes should deem it convenient to transport these substances and wastes to the developing countries, where the i_ediate and la'lg~erm consequences to the envirmment and human health can be . i••easurable•.,~ It is a gross injustice to impose health and other hazards at the • ' inhabitants of our countries simply because a's yet they do not have laws . . controlling and prohibi ting disposal of such harmful wastes. It is very immoral for the industrialized countries to trample on the rights of the poor peoples in the developing countries simply because, in the latter, public resentment is not as vocal as it invariably is in the former. We call on the industrialized countries torespeet the right of the developing countries to a clean cnd heal thy envirQ'lmerlt. The thited Nations is the most appropriate forum for solving these environment problems effectively. The adoption by the General Assenbly at its forty-third session of the resolution entitled -Respons1bUity of States for the protection of the environment, prevention of the 1llegal international traffic in, and the dumping and resulting accumulation of toxic Std dangerous products and wastes affecting the developing countries in particular ll was an acknowledgement by this world body of its role of combating the serious problelllS posed by enviratmental degradation and protecting the disado,;-antaged inhabitants of our COlllllon planet. The year -1992 will mark the twentieth anniversary ofthe Stockholm Conference on the environment. It is our fervent hope that the occasion will be marked appropriately by renewed international ccmmitmant to IUke this world a safe place for all • .We meet today against the background of an emerging global atmosphere of a serious search for peace, disarmament md eUminatim of internatimal tensions - (King ~shoeshoe Il) a departure from the attitudes of rivalry and East-West confrontations that have characterized international relationships durinqthe past 40 years. The bipolar doctrines of the twentieth century are being replaced by restraint, mutual accommodation and consOlidation of efforts towards universal peace and security for all nations, larQe and small. The rapprochement reached bv the two super-Powers and, in particular, the progress achieved in disarmament neqotia tions, and the influences they have brought to b8'lr in the resolution of reqional conflicts have Qreatly improved the international political climate. Much as we welcome the bl~eeze of global relaxation of tensions, we remain uneasy and sceptical about the ever-present threat to the security and survival of small n&tions. We would wish to see increased United Nations interest in the legitimte concerns of small States and the ultimate fruit:on of an international regime backed up by appropriate instruments guaranteeing the rights and sovereignty of these States. The disadvantaged situation of small States and their characteristic constraints, cQUpounded, as in the case of Lesot 10, by unfavourable geographic location and possible isolation by a powerful neighbour, merit the special attention of this body. We call UDal the international commtl'litv to rally to our support and assistance in our endeavours to build viable, self-reliant and sustainable naticnsl eCQ'lomies. It is in this Assembly that the independence and sovereiQnty of small States can be guaranteed; it is here that they are able to commlllicate with the biQqer nations on the basis of equality, freedom and nutual respect. In southern Africa there is a growinq prospect for improvement in the general political situation from the crucible of a long and bloody struggle for self-determination. The light of freedom is at long last dawning upon Namibia. (King Moshoeshoe Il) Notwithstandinq the tragic events of last April, when the international cOllllunity, through the United Nations, set in motion the independence plan for NAmibia, there is fortunately a renewed recognition that Security Council .. resolution 435 (1978) is the only road to Namibia's independence. It is therefore absolutely necessary that there be full compliance with the prCV'isions of the settlement plan and that all the relevant parties honour their CClIDJIlitments so that the people of Namibia may be able to determine their future without hindrance. Our optimism for the success of t:h\l United Nations independence plan for Namibia has been fort1.fied by the selfless devotioo to duty and the profess ional integrity and impartiality with which the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) is conducting itself in PUl'SU it of our common endeavour to bring Namibia to independence throuqh free and fair elections in the not-too-dist8nt future. It is our firm belief that, because of the sheer size of the territory of Namibia and the complexity of the situation Q'l the ground, the originally conceived UNTAG force level of 7,500 remains a viable and realistic proposition. The recerat incidents of viole.,ce in Namibia have demonstrated clearly that the task of maintaininq peace and impartiality during the transition period, particularly dur ing the election itself, will indeed be a difficult one. It is therefore a m~tter of qrea t importance thi!lt the resources put at the diSpOsal of the Secretary-General for the implementation of the United Na tions plan for the indePendence of Namibia be commensurate with tilt: ~normity of the task as well as with the ~mportance attached by the international community to the independence of that country. We accordingly appeal to the Security Council to reach unanimity on this issue to ensure the strengthen inq and necessary increase of the UN'l'AG force. (King Moshoeshoe 11) We extend our hearty conqratulations to all the countries whose initiatives have directly or indirectly facilitated the launchinq of the settlement process. We cannot but include in this tribute the Secretary-General, whose unflagginq determination to see Namibia attain independence under the United Nations plan has been a source of strength and slJStenance to the settlement plan. In accordance with our long-standinq policy of principled opposition to apartheid, the Kingdom of Lesotho continues to call for the urqent and total dismantling of that system and the creation of a just and democratic South Africa, with equal riqhts and opportunities for all its citizens. Let this Assembly take note that the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho and their Government feel apartheid cannot be reformed; it must be dismantled and uprooted. We owe it to our foundinq fathers to continue to say that there should bt! no discr imination between our respective citizens; we owe it, as a Government, to all the black peoples, Basotho included, to join in this common cause with everythinq we have at our disposal. Encouraqinq developments in South Africa are takinq place: the qrowth of the internal mass democratic movement and the qrowing consensus, even amonq the white population, that apartheid is both irrelevant and detrimental to the qeneral economy and to the development of both South Afr ica and southern Afr iea are indicators that ouqht to receive due support and attention. Tb give credence to these hopeful signs it is our fervent hope that the South Afr iean author ities will take decisive and urgent s tepa to restore to all South Africans their inalienable right to full participation in the social and pOlitical life of their country. In this reqard the release of political prisoners and detainees and the liftinq of the ban on political orqanizations, as well as allowinq the return of exiles to their homeland, remain key prerequisites. For far too lonq, South African authorities have failed to heed leqitimate calls for democratic c:hanqe in that country. Amonq other things, this failure has (Kina Moshoeshoe 11) brought in its wake not. only severe hardshiPs and irreparable loss of 1if~ but the imposit:fon by. the intern~tional community of punitive,.sanctions. . , We wish to urge,.' how~er, that the rationale and mpral justification for economic and ottier' sanctions aqainst South Africa notwi~standinq, due cognizance be given to Lesotho's unique geopolitical position and the con~equential adverse effects of those measures on our economy. In this context we cannot but plead for a sympathetic appreciation by the community of nations of the peCUliarities of our position and the urgent need to cushion us and all other southern Afr ican neighbours aqainst the stark hardships of the intensified campaign for sanctions. (King Moshoeshoe Il) tetIotho aubecribes fully to, and 6Uppo~ts, all ini tia Uvea for a negot1a ted oolution of the South African question, and pledges itself to continue to play a c:~'n.tructlv6 role in that. directlm. Leaotho is not cQ\cerned ooly about tha ss...\; situation, but also abcut the future. We wish to see emerge a different C2\1th Africa, cme that will respect and halour the principles of t~'od-neighbaurUness,of healthy reciprocity in the treatment of all of our @J,tbana, regardless of race or colour, we wish to £lee emerge a new South Africa (;bat will r..~ct our territorial scrrer:eignty and national integrity. In addreuing the qu.Uon of .sp&rtheid, ~e arE reminded ~f. the cQ'ltirming pH91t ~f refugees line! displaced persms in southern Afr lea. Our co!lmi tment to all ~z~" conventions of this body rell!lins Wlshaken. It: is our sineare hope that the international conmunity will continue to seek '\;]",/8 .d _ana of giving practical effect to its lIldertaking Q'l the plight of r fugeH ut! displaced persms in southern Afr iea, par ticular lyon the issues of t- .:den-sb5ring _d assistance to all the colmtdes of southern Africa. Tba i.plesaentation of the tilitee! NAtions settlement plm for Namibia has ned a nev vlllta for the return of p.ce to Angola. We applaud the signature of } Hew York A!l'aellent8, which upheld the principle of non-interference in the :~n.l aff.1re of llngola. We equally we1COIIe the Luanda lInd Gbadoli te accords, lch constitute 11 PEactical fraaework fo~ reconciliation between the Cbvernment of ",a ~pl. 'a Republic of Angola md UNITA. we are hopeful that the di fficul ties thAt have ••r~cJ since tbOlle agrHlIlmts were signed can be overcome with the e••roue of political will, deterllinaticn, flexibility md accommodatim Q1 both aide•• "'.... holdl true !or the People'. Republic of Mozalllbique, which merits the fun -pp«t of tbla body for ita current efforts to being norllalcy to that comtry (King Ibshoeshoe XI) We recognize the cmtinued quest, ""y the people of Western Sahara for self-determination and independence.. The Kingdom of Iesotho supp::>rts and encourages all peace moYe:s cm<llcted by the parties to the dispu te aimed at the realization of this goal. We conmend the efforts of the Chairman of the OrgS\ization of AfricCS'\ lhity ald the Secretary-General of the U'\i ted Ha tions for their catalytic role towards acoomplishment of the settlement plan. Never befor.e in cm temporary his tory h~ peacef'J1 settlement of dispu tes acquired such imp>rtance in international relations. It is indeed a matter of seriotS CQ'lcern that the situatiat in the Middle East cmtinues to r\l'1 comter to these pcogressive trends. Peace in that region will oome about only when the parties to the oonflict have mustered sufficient political will CIld flexibility to face up to the reality of the di fficult decisions that will have to be made in the interest of peace and stability. &cperience dratoll1 from the Camp David Accords has demonstrably proved that peace in the Middle East is well within the realm of possibility. We reaffirm our support for the conven 109 of CS'\ in terna timal peace conference on the Middle East to look into all aspects of the problem of that region with the participation of all the parties cQ'lcerned~ including the Palestine Liberation Organization. It is our firm belief that such a mnference would make a major cQ'ltributiQ'l to recCl1ciling the people of the Middle East through a peaceful formula that would aim to achieve mutual recognition of each other's scveE'eignty and territorial integrity, as well as to uPlold the principle of right to self-determination. The Palestinian question, ever so central to the Middle East problem, has, wi th the advent of the in ti fadah md the deelara tiQ'l of the new Sta te of Pales tine, assumed a new sense of urgency. Like all the peoples of the Middle East, the Palestinians have a right to independence md a sovereign homeland. It is thus (King ~shoeshoe I1) incumbent upat the thi ted Nations to see to it that no effort is spared to ensure that the Palestinian nation takes up its rightful place as a full mel'lber of the commmity of na Hons. Another dimension of the Middle East problem we are constantly reminded of is the tragic situation arising from the fratricidal war in Lebanon. It should by now be very clear to the warring parties that there can be no military solution to that conflict in wicb we are daily witnessing the loss of precious life Clnd the destruction of property. We support the peace initiatives currently in progress to bring a halt to the hostili ties there and to work towards a negotia ted settiement and true reconciliation. In this regard, we wish particularly to applaud the efforts of the Arab League atd the Secretary-General of the thi ted Na tions. We cannot but expcess our great satisfaction at the completion of the wi thdrawal of the Soviet mili tary forces from Afghanistan on 15 February this year, pursuant to the Agreements reached in Geneva in ~ri.l 1988. By agreeing to pull its forces out of Afghanistan, the Soviet th ion has demonstra ted its poli dcal will and determination to a:>ntribute p)sitively to a oomprehensive solution to the Afghan problem and tD promte cmdi tions of peace cnd securi ty in the region. Is it not, however, a travesty that, even in the wake of the withdrawal c.f the Soviet mili tary forces from Afgh51istan, thtt comtry CQ'l tinues to bleed from a fra tri cldd war? It is our considered view that the cause of restoring peace to Afghanistan can best. be advanced, not by a caatinued inflow of armaments from outside, wich help only to fuel the conflict, but by intra-Afghan dialogue leading to the cesaation of hostilities Clnd negotiation of a commcn future of hope and fraternity for the people of Af9hanlstan. The Kil'lgdom of tesotho mntinues to add its" support to t.he regional and internatiaaal initiatives aimed at acbieving a durable Clnd peaceful soluticn to the (King Moshoeshoe I1) -. K_puchean question, particularly the first and second Jakarta Informal MeetinQS held durinq July 1988 and February 1989 respectively, and the subsequent meetings between the parties concerned. We equally welcome the decision of the non-aligned countries to establish a COIIIIlittee on Kampuchea cons istinq of 13 countries and, not least, the collUllElndable efforts of the 19 countries, includinQ the five permanent memers of the Security Council, which assembled in Paris at the end of July this year with the purpose of findinq a solution to the problem of Kampuchea. The staUinq of the Par is neQotiations, while reQret.table, should strengthen the resolve of the international co_unity to intenfJify efforts towards the ultimate achievement of a peaceful settlement. We view those efforts and initiatives as complementary and nutually reinforcinq, and as significant contributions towards a coq)rehensive solution to that problem. The undertaking by the Vietnalmese Governme.lt in April 1989 unconditionally to withdraw the rest of its trooJ:)S from ltam111chea by the end of September this y~ar, should, if buttressed by internationally acceptable verification measures, remove one of the majcx obstacles and offer enhanced prospects for the realization of peace in that country. It is the moral responsibility of the international colll'llunity, not only to stop the war, but tx> qive support and sustenance to the achievement of a satisfactory internal political settlement that will ensure that Kampuchea fully recovers frOll the wOWlds of the Inde-Ch108 war, the qenocidal practices of the recent past and the untenable circulIBtances of foreiqn occupation. The international community must not relax its efforts for the prCilll'Otion of peace, reconciliation and dialogue in the Korean peninsula. In calUnq for the speedv reunification of Korea, we urqe the two sides to do everythinq possible to prolllOte mutual trust and adopt confidence-buildlnq (King Moshoeshoe 11) lleaaures. The prerequisite for the attainment of peaceful remification will always be the easing of tension and military confrontation, and this do.nds poU tical will and determina tim m both sides. we are indeed heartened by the efforts being I'Bllde by the Korean people to achieve the reunification of their fa ther land through dialogue and IIItual cons ulta tion • The people of Korea should not, however p in the interim, be denied their right to full membership of the U'li ted 18 tions, even as a divided n~ tion. The Government of Iesotho, guided by the principle of universality of the thited Nations, would readily support assumption of U'li ted 18tions membership by both Koreas, should they choose to do so. Over 25 years ago, this Organization established the tbited Na tions Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICfP) in order to erea te the best ca\di Hons under which peaceful solutions to the Cyprus problem could be achieved. We regret that in all that time it has not been possible to achieve a negotiated settlement of all aspects of the Cyprus problem. The KinqdOl'li of Lesotho continues to welcome, and to reaffirm its support for, the efforts of the Secretary-General in pursuinq the mission of. qood offices entrusted to him by the Security Council. We particularly welcome the direct talks launched, in Auqust 1988 under the auspices cd the Secretarv-General, between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot col'lllunity. It is our sincere hope that both parties will co-operate fully with the Secretary-General in his latest endeavour, by showinq the necessary flexibility and qoo&till. We urqe the two parties to consider takinq further steps, in co-operation with united Nations pel'sonnel, aimed at redur.inq the recurrence of violent incidents and at creatinq an atmosphere conducive to peaceful and result-oriented dialoque. Lesotho supports the proposals for the demilitarization of Cyprus and for the conveninq of an international conference, under the auspices of the United Nations, on the international aspects of the CVprus problem. We are comrinced that the immediate withdrawal of all foreiqn forces from Cyprus remains an essential basis fer an early and just solutiQ\ to the problem and for the restoration of the country's unity, sovereiqnty and territorial inteqritv. We witness the important developments takinq place in Central America, which are characterized by processes of democratization, political harmonization and a qenuine search for peace, aimed at strenqtheninq security and development in that region. The Kinqdom of Lesotho is convinced that str ict respect for the self-determination of peoples, non-interference in the internal Q1ffairs of States, and cessation of all pressures, threat.9 and hostile acts aqainst sovereiqn States constitute the essential basis for peace, development and dell'Dcracv in Central America. ~ 'f! P' > ~6 ••,,' • '\ '." " ~ \ .. : .'. The pace aqreelleftts recently concluded by the Central Aaedcan Pr.identll in Honduras coMtitute a ..jo1' contribution to the attain_nt of durable and lutinq p_ce in the region. we appeal to all Gcwernuntll to r.~ct the will of the Central _er iean PeOple to l.leunt the jo:lnt plan for the restoration of poace in Central America and to d.iat frea any acti(Jn that II!qht jeopardize the ~Dletion of this process. So far as the Falklandll!Malvinaa qUe'Jtion Is concerned, it is our: fervent hOPe that Argentina and the United Kinqcba vUl wentually arrive at a IUtuaUy acceptable solution on the basis of th!~ General AsseIDly resolution on that Territory. They should be accorded aU support in their current endeavours and initiatives in the ••rch for a peaceful solution to their difference. As the ,,«ld ste..s off the PlJthil of confrontation and extricates itself fro. regional conflicts, it behoves all of us to consolidate and accelerate the process of the relaxation of international tension bv hndinq fresh mpetUB to the p<laltive efforts being I!ade to turn swrdB into plouqhshares. Despite the positive d.elop.enta we have witnessed in the field of di.M_Bent in recent years, the world is still threatened by the ussive nuclear arsenals that are still in place on our planet and are beinq further refined, inereued and tW'en IIOdernized. The Kinqdo. of Lesotho ls h6utened by the proqress ach ievee! in the negotiations between the IIIjor Pow.....s of the East Md the w.t that results«! in the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics <l'l the EUlIinationof Their Intflr_diate-Ra~g....~t,$h~~~e.r-Ranqe Missiles - the IMF Treaty - and in aqreeaent, i~ pr inciple, to reduce their atrateqic arsenals bv 50 per c.ent. It is:'our hODe that these agreetlents are only a precursor of~e eventual total eliminatiOn of these weaDOns and that all other States possessinq nuclear weapons will also be invo1vetl in these P06i tive efforts. We are under no illusion that neaotiations leadinq to the total elimination of nuclear weapons will be HSy. The recent aQreement be~een the United States of America and the Soviet Union to resume neqotiations on a n.lclear-test ban and the initiative taken by Indones ia, Peru, Sri Lank'a, Mexico and Yuqoslavia in callinq for an amenetnent conference of States parties to the 1963 Partial Test Ran 'Treatv, with a view to transforminq that Treaty into a cOlq)rehensive test-ban treaty, constitute important contributions to the advancem~nt of international soecuritv and the proceSG of disarmament. It is our hope that the Conference on Disarmament will co~lete these efforts by embark inq urqently upon neqotia'tions for a canprehens ive nuclear-test tlan treaty that is bindinq on all States, in order to de-escalate the nuclear-arm race and reduce the thr eat of nuclear' war. Lesotho continues to reqister its sUPpOrt for the individual and reqional initiative that envis8qe the establishment of nuelear~free zones in various parts ,of the qlobe, and views these as a valid strateay for the orevention of the proliferation of nuclear we.Qpons Md the preservation of international peace and security. "ank ind is eaqer to forao the weapons of mass destruction, whether these be nuclear, chemical or bioloqicill. The overwhelminq attendance at, and the successful eonclus ion of, the international Conference on the Prohibition of Chemical weapons, brinc;inq toqether, in Paris in January this year, the States parties to the I!~eneva Protocol of 1925 and other interested Darties, was 'testimony to humanity's rejection of these arsenals of death and mass diCStruction. Aa we exert ourselves to create a world free from nuclear, c:hellical and biological weapons, we should not, however, overlook the need to adopt measures for the lbdtaticn and gradual recileticn of eonventialal weapons, within the framework of progress towards general and complete disarmament. The internaticmal cooll\ity should equally remain vigilant against the projection of the arms race into outer space. Outer space is the COIll'DOn heritage of mankind and Mould be u&ed cnly for peaceful purposes Md for the benefit of ankind. Scientific and technological development should be directed towards the benefit, and not the detrilP.Ml\t, of mankind. we have observed ~uge amounts of financial and other resources being devoted to the productial and dtWelopment of the means of war, whUe a large part of hu_nity continues to live in a world riddled with ~verty, hunger, ignorance and disease. '!'his misalloeaticn of resources for the ptocmcticn and procurement of deadly wea~ns is !!lot in the best interests of hUMnity. We see great value in the actiQ'l program.. adopted by the Internatimal CQ'\ferEnce en the Relatiauhip between Disarmament and Developnent, which calls for the release, through . dlsar11l1UMlnt measures, of resources for developing comtdes. 18 w~ witness the wor ld transformation, leaving the spectre of the cold war to his tory, let us r asolu tel.Y step up our :toint e ffor ts for the very survival of current and succeeding generations. Let us rekindle the hopes and Ilspir·ations of IUMind by inculcating the spirit of interdepend6nce and collmcn destinies•. These ncble a1118 can be achieved only when there is respect for the soyerelgn right of 'wery naticn, small or large, to determine and decl.d! freely its own social and political system. Let us truly live up to the lofty ideals of the Ulited N&tions. It would be remiss Q'l my part if I ended this address wi thout paying a special tribute to the indefatigable Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar. As is typical of him, he CQ'ltinues to discharge his calling with honollr and dignity. His untidng, nd)le efforts in the pursuit of peace, sometimes clgainst heavy and demmding challenges, to find solutions that would elimina te the ccnflicts in our once-turbulent world, dictate to all peoples of conscience that they accord him the essen tial elements of co-opera tion ald support. The PRESmmTa On behalf of the General Assenbly, I wish to thank His Majesty the lUng of Lesotho for the important sta tement he has just nade. His Majesty King Moshoeshoe 11 of Lesotho was escorted from the General Assembly Hall. (King Moshoeshoe II) A<ENDA :rJ.DI 9 (continued) GJ:}tERALDEBATE Mr. KING (Barbados): Mr. President, I am very pleased to see suc£~ a distinguished son of Africa receive the hcnour of presiding over the forty-fourth session of the United Nations General AsseITbly. The bonds between our two countries, Nigeria and Barbados, are of long standing, rooted in a commal past, enriched by a Q)l!Inon drive to uplift our .peoples and unweakened by the distance tha t separates us. We know in tima tely of your perscnal sicill ald fla ie in diplomacy. I unhesitatingly pledge the full co-operation of my delegation dur ing your tenure. May I also take this opportunity to thank your predecessor, Mr. Dante Caputo, for his skilful chairmanship ald guidance throughout the forty-third session. Since the birth of the Organization some 45 years ago the world has made considerable progress. The age of high technology is with us. Mc:ny cOlliltries of the industrialized world have achieved high standards of living and substantial material advancement for their people. After more than three almost-l.I'linterrupted decades of direct and indirect confrootation, the leading nuclear Powers have begun to beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into prming-hooks. with that develor.ment has followed an apparent weariness with conflict-by~roxyacross the far reaches of the globe. There seems to be a genuine universal desire to particiPlte in the search for peace. It is, however, incuITbent upon the super-Powers to ensure that this new dimension in their relations is no passing pher.omenon, no short respite while arsenals are refurbished and economies restructured. It is our hope th&'~ the developments of the past two years are the basis for lasting global peace. For the peoples of the ncn-industr iaUzed countr iee these trends present a lI'lique opport\lti ty for us to pursue our development free from the encumbr CIlces 0 f ideoloqical conflict. We must remain viqilant, however, and be determined that we never aqain become unwitting Pawns in the deadly qames of the not-too-distant past should there be a retreat into the old ways of super-Power rivalry. We must be ever vigilant, because many of the major problems that confront us today have no ideological solutions in the interdependent world in which we live. And yet, in spite of the considerable proqress the world has made, there remains a stubborn residue of problems that are as intractable today as they were half a century aqo. For a larqe nUnOer of the wcr Idls population so little has dlanged in past decades that their development objectives, however modified, remain basicallY the sam~~ For them, their economic and social problems are still their most urqent problems, and none of us can possibly say they are within siqht of solution. There is still far too much deqradinq poverty on the face of the Earth. There are large inequalities in weal th vith in nations and between rich and POOl' nations. There are qlarinq gaps and disparities iu the provision of housinq, heal th and eci.lcation for a substantial part of the world's popula tion. There is the soul-desuoyinq sickness of apan.heid in South Africa and the linqering disease of racial intolerance and prejudice in many countries of the world. There are discord and conflict in the Middle East and smoulder inq enbers of str 1£e in South East Asia. There ouqht to be no question that the strugqle for economic advancement and social development of the non-industrialb,ed nations of the world should be one of the urqent and consuming priorities of international life toaay. The current international problelllB of debt!" protectionism, the net reverse flow of financial resources, qlobal wa~minq, threats to the Earth·s ozone layer, creeping deserts, pollution and other forns of environmental deqrada tion, destruction wrought !?v hurricanes and other natural disasters, AIDS, druq abuse and (Mr. Kinq, Barbados) the illegal traffic in drugs - all compound the plight of the peoples of the developing wor Id. I take this opportunity to express Barbados' sympathy with the countries that were recently ravaged by hurricane HUqO, particularly our sister countries in the Caribbean, and to urge the international community to co-ordinate and provide material support to the countries in need as a matter of urgencY. I trust that these experiences will serve as an impetus to the internationalcolllllunity to give its full support to the proclamation of the international decade for natural disasters. Our responses to the challenges presented by the countless problem I have mentioned will be a test of the resilience of the mUltilateral system. Just as national development demands nothinq less than the transformation of a society and its economy, so too in an interdependent world will e.conomic and social development necessitate the transformetion of atU tudes in the international community and the transformation of the international economy. It is clear that the prescription calls for joint, co-operative and consensual action and responsibility if lasting solutions are to be found, solutions that do not themselVes create more critical problems. The foremost lesson to be learned in adherence to the pr inciple of multUateralism is the danqer of believing that any sinqle country or qroup of countries can alone command the way forward or has exclusive insiqhts into the way our relations on this planet should be shaped. Our history is replete with exa~les that reveal that that attitude 0); mind has prevailed in the past, needless to say with disastrous consequences. In the final analysis everyone is searchinq for the way forward; from the smallest to the biggest, from the weakest to the stro~qest, everyone has a contribution to make in this process. (Mr. Kinq, Barbados) Por small dweloping oomtries like Barbadcs there is really no alterna tive to the multilateral process. We have no capaoi ty to project military might beyond our ab6res. we aommand no great influence in the total schelr.) of internatiQ1al eoonOlllic relations. But we have one means of making our voice heard at the global level' that is through our CQ1tributiQ1 to the multUateral process and our appeal to fairness and equity in international relations. we therefore urge the nations of the world to return to true multUateralism as 1:.'e only effective way to meet the challenges of promoting and ensuring what has been described as self-sustaining, in ternatiQ1al economic growth and development and a resUuctur.ed eoonomic system of co"'Operation. (Mr. King, Bar bacbs) In relatim to international debt, the record of actiQ\ so far eIllphasizes the need for a g100al conference to look at the question of debt in all its dime~sions. The ad hoc md piecemeal measures which have been put forward so far are clearly not addressing the proolem in the timely and comprehensive manner that is necessary. Failure to involve all parties, including particularly the private conmercial banks, has prodi.i~ed obstacles to the full implementation of the various ploposals, resulting in half-hearted efforts at implementation ald less thm full coverage of those affected. IT. addi tion, the emergence of new cantr es of economic power and the IXospect of new patterns of trade ald investment make such a cooference even more vital. Any further delay in oonvening the conference will only increase the already intolerable social costs being borne by indebted cOll'ltries as they strive to repay their debts. It is certain that the terrible effects in terms of social upheaval md dislocation will be felt far beyood the catfines of the natiatal borders within vh ich they occur. In relation to the envirCliment, it is heartening that there has been a fair 1y quick de.cisioo on a global approach to the problem. The General Assembly will have to work hard at this session to ensure that the preparations for the 1992 cooference Q\ envircnment Std development are placed 00 a sure founda tion. Even at this stage, however, some (X)nments can be offered about what Barbados would like to see emerge at, and from, the conference. Barbados hopes that, as a minimum, some (X)ncrete measures will be agreed upon to enable developing countries to cootribute more fully to the efforts to protect the g1mal envirCllment. We reoognize that sacrifices will have to be made by all cOlmtries, but it is oo]y equitable that the developed COll'ltries, which are in a better position to Cb so and which have mntributed si9f\ificantly to the present (Mr. King, Barbados) enviraullental pro~lems, bear proportionately a larger portioo of the burden.. M>ove all, arrangements to protect and preserve the environment must ensure that the legiti118te aspirations of the deVeloping cOll\uies to create a better life for their people are secured.. I am happy to report that Barbados and its sister Sta~es menbers of the Caribbean Comotl'lity have recently taken steps to crEate mechmisms at the regicnal level for ongoing consultation and co-operation at Envircmmental IUltters which are of paramoll'lt interest to us all. In relation to. illegal narcotic drugs, it is clear that efforts to eliminate this menace will be doomed to failure lI'lless they reflect the will of producer, consumer and transit States alike. So far, activity has been concentrated on efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs to consuming comtr iesoo Efforts, however, to reduc;e and eliminate the demnd for: illegal drugs have been not nearly as concerted i!l\d, as a result, not. as effective.. It has become evident that catchy slogans, although they serve to focus attention a'\ the issue, are not sufficient. It will be necessary to direct nuch more effort and resources towards education to spread the message of the dangers of narcotic drugs; for it is (31ly when the demi!l\d of consumers is reduced that the core of the problem will have been reached. Equal emphasis will need to be placed on rehabilitation prograllllles to reclaim those who have become the victims of drug abuse. These measures are essential if t;he lQ'lg-term dimensions of the drug problem are to be addressed. Barbados' ccncern wi th the dangers of illegal drugs has been all the more heightened because our principal resource is our people.. Barbados lacks large depcsi t8 of minerals, vast rivers Md forests. It has been tlroogn the lngenui ty of our people that some measure of progress ilBy be seen in our develOpment efforts. (Kt. King, Barbados) Our women in particular have played a si9"ificlftt and leading role in these development efforts. Thus, any factol~ 'Which reduces the capaci.ty of our people to fulfil the tasks of development ia an attack en the very fOQ'ldations of our existence as a nation. My country is in the process of adopting comprehensive measures aimed at effectively combating and halting the illegal traffic in drugs in Barbados. However, the efforts of indivicllal oountries need to be buttressed, and we commend regicnal cmd multilateral efforts. In this regard, I wish to pledge the support of Barbados for the courageous and resolute efforts of President VirgUio Barco and the Gcwernment and poople of Colombia to free their country from the grip of naroo-terror. We slApport, too, the initiatives presented by the Governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica aimed at excising the cancer of illicit trade in drugs and we urge the internat1CJ'lal commmity to join in this support. The scourge of AIDS, like drug abuse and drug trafficking, respects no borders. It 10 vital that in the fight against AIDS the international comml.l'lity deploy all the resources at U:s corlDllnd. Above all, it is imperative that developments in science Md technology be made ava ilable to all countries if the universal battle against AIDS is to be waged successfully. The choice is clears we \1\1 te or perlsh. Developing countries like Barbados are engaged in an interminable struggle to ensure that we are not left behind in the evolu ticn of the global economy. There is an unfortunate trend for developed countr iea increasingly to CD-ordinate their policies in key economic suctors without inVolving a range of the developing nations which vUl ultilllltely be affected by thooe policies. Barbados fully supports the efforts at c:onaulta tian allCng those vi th the gr ea test capacity to effect change in the international eCXlnOIllY" We feel, however, that such (Mr. King, Barbados) co-ordination should more fully take into account and reflect the views and concerns of those with the qreatest needs. Certain factors should qovern the transformation of the qlobal economy. Foremost amonq these is the unequal capacities of developinq and developed countries to make the necessary adaptations. The developed countries are better able by far to adjust to the new realities: indeed they are helpinq to create the momentum for chanqe. It is vital, therefore, that the developinq countries be helped to make the necessary adjustments: for it is only if the transformation of the developinq countries corresponds to that of the developed world that a true balance can be attained which favours the majoritv over minority interests. This year we witness the celebration of the emerqence and triumph of del'lOcracy in at leas t the'ee countr ies. The Republic of Costa Rica will shortly mark the lOOth anniversary of its democracy. The Republic of France has celebrated the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. We co~qratulate those countries. My own country, Barbados, is commemoratinq 350 years of Parliament. Our eKperience of 350 years of parl':'dmentarv Qovernment has tauqht us the power which resides in the hands of the people. From a narrowly constituted body reflectinq the interests of a minority of colonists, the Barbados Parliament has been transformed into a truly representative institution in which the concerns of all Barbadians may be pursued. It is aqainst this backqround that Barbadians can empathize with the aspie'ations of people throuqhout the world to become masters of their destiny, throuQh freely and democratically elected representatives. This aspiration has burned stronq in the breasts of the oppressed people of 'southern Africa. Chanqe is on the horizon for Namib ia after years of domination bv the !2artheid reqime of South Afri..:a. Barbados'ls lonq-standing commitment to this (Mr. Kinq, Barbados) process of change is ~derscored by the deployment of a ccn tingent of 21 Barbadian police officers in Namibia within the framework of the thited Nations Transition Assistance Group (UN'l'AG). But the internatiooal commmity must remin vigilant lest, at the eleventh hour, the evil regime of apartheid conspires to snatch the pr ize of freedan from the gr a£p of the Namib 1<11 peoJple. I I I - - ~_.- ---.-----.-~~~- ...............I.i Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library (Kr. King, B&r baOOs) I Certain ominous developments in Namibia only serve to warn of that possibility. It is therefore vitally important that the apartheid regime be told in no uncertain - . ter.., especially by those to ~om it must listen, that the international community wUl not be satisfied with anythinq less than co~lete freedom for the Namibian people. We must be conscious, hCMever, that the i"lchi~vement of pol itical fr@edom is only the atartinq-point for Namibia's membership of the co1\\mll;nitv of nations. Considerable financial and technical assistance will be necessary to place the country on the path to economic development. My country has in its small way tried to further this cause through reqular contributions to the various funds for Namibia and the provision of educational scholarships for Namibians in Barbados. Barbados stands ready to continue and intensify the assistance which it has been qivinq to Namibians and urges all members of the international community to do likewise within their respective capabilities. We. will have failed in our several responsibilities if we merely assist in Namibia's emergence as an independent nation under the shacbi of apartheid's economic domination. The international community equally cannot relax until the stain of' apartheid is eradicated from South Africa and truly representative Qovernment is intromced in beniqhted land. We must not be fooled by the merely c~metic c:hanQes which have been made in South Africa throuqh the staqinQ of totally undemocratic elections. That 18 merely an attempt to Qive ~~ a respectable fCice and prolo"" ita exhtence as well as an attempt to lull the international cot1lftunity into ina~ion on the eradication of apartheid. But none of us, none of the nations which proclabn support for fund~mental and lnali~nable human riqhts, the essential principles of justice and equality and the virtues of a demcratic form of (Mr. King. earbados) qovernment can be satisfied until ~at odious sySt_ of !partheid is ccaapletelv eli'lainated. For .o11e the situation in South Africa linqers it remains an obstacle to wocld peace. The hunqer for peace is ~vident in the decision reached by the five Presidents of Central America at their meetinq in Auqust in Tela, Honduras. Barbados has lonq supported the pr inciole of aoOlyinq reqional solutions to reqional ~roble1lS. We have on seYeral occasions and in various forUlIls reaffirmed our: sUPfjort for, and colllQitment to, the peace initiatives launched by the Contadora Grouo. We pledqe our support for the peace process, which has now been qiven a renewed impetus, and call upOn all States to do likewise. It is unfortunate that while it may be considered that some proqress towards peace has been realized in one dimerudon o~ the Central Am.arican problen, elsewhere on the isthmus tens ion and s tr ife ar~ steadily increas inQ.. A ser ies of unfortunate events has dealt a ser 10us blow to the hopes of the democratic forces in Panama. Followinq the abrupt suspension of the democratic process ln the presidential elections held in Panama in MaV this year, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Riqht Honourable Ersk me Sandiford. issued a statement voicinq Barbados' concarn that .eny deterioration of the situation in Panane could lead to an escalation of tens ions in the reqion with the qravest consequences for the 'Peace and seour itv of the hemisphere. He expressed the view that the deJlDcratic nations of the hemisphere could help to resolve the er is is in Panama bv insistina that any solutim JlU9t be consistent with respect for human riqhts and authentic deftDcracy on the basis of fair and free electic.lns, with the sOl7ereiqn riqht of the PanalUnian people to determine their own des tiny ffee from external intervention, with the inteqrity of the Panama Canal treaties, and achieved through peaceful neqotiations. ("r. Kinq, Barbados) I I I ',I ~C@ again we urgeaU Statos to work tli thin these para_ters for the rapid and. peaceful resolution of the crisis in Panallll. The international co_unity mUlSt also renew its efforts to bring peace to that long troubled region, the Middle Bast. Barbados believes that an international conference on the Middle Bsst offers the best hope for a comprehensive and lasting settlelBMt of the Middle East question. Peace wUl cQ1tinuC! to be an elU!live objective until the desire of the Palestinian people fOr a hOlleland end the right of all St&tes in the regiQ'l to live within secure bomdaries are reca'iciled. We urge those in authority to fulfil the responsibilities which are theirs by virtue of their pow« cmd to lIOYe swi ftly to the table of in terna tiQ'lally sponsol;ed negotiations and so end the deadly cycle of viol~n~. Barbados agrees wi th the view that the thi ted NIl tions system represents man IS loftiest hopes for a better future. As a mechanism for solvinq problem the U'lited Nations system is without parallel. It provides opportlmi ties for a cross-fertilization of idea3, and its Charter, noblithstanding the criticisl'llS levelled against it, offers the mast comprehensive guidelines for internatiQ'lal action yet crafted by man. For all its potential the ttlited Nations system can do no more than the wUl of the Mellber States aUows. It is therefore impera tive that we fulfil our obligations to the Organization. N:> longer can its operations be held to ransom through non-ecJlDpliance vi th legal obliga tions regarding payment of coo tr ibu tions. Solenn undertakings must not be cast aside in the pursuit. of national objectives. ;;he thited Nations is not to be supported when it suits narrow natiQ'lal interests and simply shunted aside when it does not. It is clear, however, that the reform of the lA'lited Nations system must be carded forward speedily if its ·operations are to be placed (In a sO\l\d end secure (Mr. ling,' Bar bac1os) footinq for the future. So_ strea.Uninq of activities will be necenary.. Bven qreater efforts .ust be _de to rect.ace and eventually eliminate wastage and outtiqht abuse of reaourc_ where these are identified. In relation to United Nations peace~k4!(!ping activities it is clear that in the last two years deJUnds on the Organizatioi1 have increased considerably. As negotiated settlements are reached in one conflict area after the other, f~t Is likely that the United ~tions will be called upon to act as quarantor of the peace again and again. If the United Nations is to fulfil in the most efficient lIlanner the delUnds bel'M made upon it then some attention must be paid to enhancinq its capacity in the arM of peace supervision. only in this way can we hope to avoid 81:'me of the difficulties which ha'!e been evident~ In addition we lDust counter the forces whicb would BM the United Nations as a mere shield, a cover for the pursuit of national interests as opposed to the interests of the world community as a whole. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those who have qiven their lives in the service of the United Nations. Humankind cannot afford to ignore the possibilities which have been afforded us for a brighter tOlllOcrow~ To do so would be to condemn ourselves to re~.t the mistakes of past decades with perhaps even more severe consequences for life on this planet. Barbadce is convinced that if these opportunities for peace and deY~lopment are to be exploited to the fullest they must be brouqht fully within the allbit of the United Nations system~ they must not be left to the vaqaries of chanqinq personalities and alliances, or continue to exist at the level of bilateral or only partially multilateral relations. (Mr. King, Barbados) Our future action MlBt also -.ore fully rofleet a COIUit....t to certain principles and objectives. Those that colle quickly to .lnd include: a renewed ca.itllellt to the process of consultation, the broadeninq of co-ordinaticn in the econ01lic sector, the equitable shar mq of burdens and responsibilities; the search for caaprehensive, as opposed to partial, ad hoc and t_porary solutions to problel\8~ the intensif1cation cof $uppori:. for the economic recovery of devel~inq countries; qreater attention to the human dilllens ion of develc..,pllent; respect for bas ic hUllan r i'CJht9 over narrow national concerns; and the fuUllJlent of the upiration of all pt'O~les to self-determination. Those are not new ideao. I certainly claim no riqht of authorship over them. They have been liround for a lonq time, unfortunately more often ignored than recoqnized. I believe the succe·ss of our efforts to bequeath a better world to succeeding generations will largely de»end on our COlI\mitment to those pr~nciples. As we look back on the developments that have. taken place in the recent past, we have cause for hope. There is an atmosJ)bere of optimism, albeit cautious at tillY, that great things are within the qrasp of mankind if only we put our minds and e...erqies to the task of achieving th6ll. As we face the future we can draw sustenance from the belief that a new era of peace and development can be ushered in an this planet. The peoples of the developinq world aspire to far more than mere surviv~l. They deserve &. nobler destiny, a concept justified by the high IDOral obliq~tiat to recognize the inherent equality of all human beings and to acknowledqe that there ie dicmity in the human f1~:O:Bon and that every living goul at the face of the Earth deserves an equal opportunity to strive, and to achieve, and to create a more just and hUlUl'le world. (Mr. IUna, Barbados) Mt. MYIH (Btb top!a) : It qives •• qret oleaBure, Sir:, to extend to you, on behalf of the Btbiopi. del~atiOft and en IIY own behalf, waUi conQratuJatioos on your: .lection as President of the General Aaselbly at its forty-fourth seeamn. Your election was indeed a qreat tribute both to the s!qnificant role our sister country of Hiqeria plays in world affairs and to you oersonally, as a widely experienced dlplo_t. As I state fftl/ delegation'S convicticn that you wU1 steer our deliberations to a successfUl conclws ion~ 1 wisb at the sue ti.~ to ass\llre you of our fullest co-operation as you disd'Ulrae your heavy E'esponsibilities. I wish alao to take this o~r:tunltv to exPress our a.ppreciation to your predecessor, Mr. Dante Caputo, for the effective manner in which he f)resided <Wer the forty-tbird session of b'le General Assemly. Let lie also put on record our sincere appreciatiQ'l to the Secretary-General, Mr. Jav!er: Pere: de Cuellar, for the firm cOlllitment he he always shown to IlUltilate:alism and for his unflinching dedication to the purposes and orinciples of the Uraited Nations. Since the last aesslon of the General Assellbly we have been expressinq optimUlm about new trends in international relations and increased hope about the future of our planet. The relaxation of tension in world politics over the course of the past two years has to a larqe extent justified that outlook. Today more than ever before we have sufficient reason to be more confident about the possibility of erectinq a structure of peace in our world. The improvement in relations between the two major PCMerB ~BS centr ibuted s iqn ificantly to the reduction of tension and to a better climate in international relations. Confrontation has started qradually to qive way to dialoque and co-operation. ObYiously, the past cannot be \m_de. But lessons learned fran put mistakes should prepare the international co_unity to seize the new opportunities that ue openinq up. It is to be recalled that the confronta tion betve., the ~er blocs that vas the haUNt k Qf the per iod after the Second ~rld war qave r lee to a Illinc!-aot wh ich vas oblivious to the COIIIIOn danqer faced bV the hu_n race. The ..tua! hc;stiUtv engendered and fueled by the cold var left no rooa for accoMOdation. Vindictiveness pr~ailed.. Tolerance and ..tual und«standinq loet their place. Reason has, hcweYer, alvays pointed to the fact that those differen~ea, reqardl~G8 of their siqnificance, were never iJlportant enouQh for us to a1101 them to overshadow mankind's common interest in ensurinq survival. Nevertheless, the establhhll!ent of durable peace became elusive. The wastinCl of MlteE'ial and human resources in the quest for military suPremacy, a pursuit that has always been ~ chi"era, drained off S:e80UrCES that could otherwise have been used to i)l'onote development and alleviate the sufferinqs of humanity. The adverse implications of the cold war were especiallY notable for newly independent and developinq countries. In a climat~ of intolerance for different ideas, efforts by independent natio,.; to seek their own solutions to their prQblems were viewed with hostility .. In the meantime, it W&S becoming abundantly clear that, apart from the nuclear. dang@r that hu been a part of our life since the SecCiid World War, the CI,~~i~G number of 'challenges direct 1y impinginq on our survival, the properl'l.ilinaqement of which required international co-operation, were remindinq us of our intercHpen~ence and our cOUlllOn destin~. We are indeed qratified that 1n the past f(~',I' ':,tli:its tiu~ first steps have been taken, albeit in very Hmited areas of 1ntert't.~tional life, to address issues of vital iJlt)Ortance on the bas is of accoaaodation and coq»romse. In t:he past fw years we have h~d the opportunity to see how, qiven the necessary political will, an international political environment conducive to the reSDO'lal of obstacles to the search for solutions to some of the most intnctable J)Olitical probleJllS could be created. (Mr. _\'ih, Bthiopia) The COIIImencement of the implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia is a testimony to the capacity of the United Nations to discharge such important responsibiUties when there exists the appropr la te international environment. At the same time, we reco~nize that the OrQanizatior. is facinq a major challenqe in ensurinq free and fair elections in Namibia under its supervision and control on the basis of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). That South Africa is only going throu~ a pretence of allowinq free and fair elections in Namibia has been obv!ous all alonq. Its determination to steal the elections scheduled to take place next l1¥)nth has been made plain by events in Namibia in the course of the past few months. Not only is South Afr iea committed to seeir.g the elections conducted on the basis of rules that would allow it to qet the elections to qo its way, but it is also makinq every effort through intimidation and murder to prevent the SOuth West Africa People's Orqanization from participating fully in a free and fair election. Under the circunstances, the United Nations - and particularly the Security Council - must continue to be vigilant and take all necessary effecthe action with a vi. to ensur inq that the November elections in Namibia are concllcted in full coq)liance with the spitit and letter of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). Successful implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia will no doubt constitute a significant step towards las tlng peace and stability in the region, thus contributinq to an impr.ovement in international relations. (Mr:. Bayih, Ethiopi~) Although a ccnclusive settleMent of the Iran-Iraq CQ'lfllet is still awai ted, the fact that the cease-fire rontinues to hold is a si9"ificant achievefteilt. Trarqu1111ty is yet to be restored 1n Afghanistan, but the Geneva Agreeaents have deJllOn8trated the values of co~oai.se and the consequent reduction in interna timal tensiat. We are also hopeful that the efforts ailled at resolving the problem in Camollia wUl pick up 1DOIlmtUlt atce again. No doubt, the withdrawal by Viet 1I&m of its troops contr ibutes towards expedi ting the achievelllent of a durable ~~ in Cubodia. In Cmtral AIIer iea, the steps takM by the States in the t' egioe\ have ps\'ed the way for greater ur.derstanding. We extend to them our sUPr0rt in their cQ\tinued efforts to implement their joint decisions. It is OU~ M!'nest hope that Nicaragua .,Ul finally be given the opport\i\lty to concentrate fully en natiQ'lal construction. As we duly nota the positive changes taking place in our world, we need at the sa_ time to be realistic enough to acknc*ledge thmt lOch re_ins to be dane in order to ensure peace and the survival of hu_nit~', ~s well as to lay the fomdatiQ1 fec a st:ucture of interna~iCli'lQI relations basad Ql justice, equality and deMOCracy. Despite notable aehi~ellQftts rede in the at. of nuclear disarraa1lent in the last f., years, the IlDmentum tcwardB the CCMlplete elilllina tiQ'\ of these dangerous weapons of destruction has not been cofi1llensurate with the expectation of the internatimal comrIwity. The ttEeat posed by the stockpiles of nuclear .,.pons rearains as grave as e\1er. thder the circullBtances, a speedy oonclusion of a comprehensive nuclear-teat-bin tr.ty, measures to pravent the e'CtensiQl of the arlDS race into outer splice, and an agreement on the prohibition of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons cmtinue to be priority issues. No less importmce, we feel, should be attached to the need to tinalize ald CCI\clude, as soon as possible, the ongoing negotiation Q\ a cbell1cal weapons Q)nventi~n.. The COIMitaents eXp!e3oed both by the SQI1iet thion ald the O\i ted States at this session of the General Assellbly to destroy the bulk of their chemical weapons will, rao doubt, give illpetUJ to the efforts mder way at the CCI\ference Q"l DisarJIl&lIent ~ards achieving an agreement on the long overdue amvention. It is also otNio\B that there are still a number of vital issues relating to international peace and security that have 'not yet been properly addressed or regarding whicb little progress has been made. Indeed, it remains a source of major disappointment to us that, despite the changed internaticnal clhate ald the reform pcenoll\cemunts of the racist regime, no significant !love has been I'I8de towards the dismantlement of the evil system of apartheid. Condi Hens in South Africa cCX\tinue essentially unaltered and no progress can be anticipated unless the international oolllllunity takes effective measures to increase the pressure on Pretor la, including the impost tiCl\ of comprehensive and mandatory salctions under Chapter VII of the thited Nations Charter. In this connection, my delegation wishes to emphasize the significance of the cJeclaration adopted by the Ad Hoc: CcratAittee Q"l Southern Africa of the Orgalizaticn of African U'lity on the question of SOuth Africa at its 3rd meeting in Rarate, Zimbabwe, on 21 August 1989. The implelllenta tiCJ\ of the pr inciples and ideas contained in that declaration Q)uld facilita te the peaceful resolution of the problems created by apartheid and the establishment in SOUth Africa of a goverment based on equality, justice and democracy. At no time should it be forgotten, ho-rever, that this aim can succeed mly i f int~na tiCl\al pressure CJ\ the tacist ceglme ls vi90rous 1y continued. In the Middle East, durable peace will always be beyond reach so long as the (Mr. Bayih, Ethiop!.!) Palestinian people are denied their r!qhts as a people. In this connection, 1 wish once aqain to reiterate the repeated call made by the General Ass_ly for the conveninq of the International Pece Conference on the Middle Eat, under the auspices of the United Nations, with the participation of all parties to the conflict. Th~ prevailing increased lwel of international understanding is yet to have an impact also an the state of affairs in the Korean peninsula. The quest for peaceful reunification by the Korean people should be addressed without further delay. My delegation fully supports the desire and efforts of the people of lorea for the restoration of their national unity and looks forward to the day when it will assume its r!qhtful place in this collU1iunity of nations. The search for global freedom and justice will remain inco~lete so lonq as peoples continue to be subjected to the evils of colonialism and racism anywhere. In this reqard, the year 1990 - durinq which we shall be cOlllllemoratinq the thirtieth anniversa~' of the adoption of the Declaration on the GranUM of Independence to Colonial Coontr ies and Peoples, as well as ensurinq the success of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism - should afford us aaded opportunity to intensify our concerted efforts tCMards the total elimination of all manifestations of colonialism by the year 2000. These are but sCIIle of the major indications that the task of makinq the current improvement in world affairs IIk:ir~ cCDplete and caDprehensive is a challenqe. the international colllllunity has yet to address. A new world order, radically different from the one we ouqht to leave behind ~~I:"r8qUires, as its foundation, a full democratization of international relations. This should be a world in which principles relatinq to the sovereiqn equality of States, non-interference in internal affairs and the sanctity of the independence and territor ial inteqrity of countries are fully respected. The new world order we wish to see would of course not be devoid of _jor Powers. But ittshould be an order in which the qreatness of nations is measured not by their relative military miqht or economic power but by the respect ~ev colllland throuqh their contribution to international co-operation and harmony, as. well as to the development of human civiliza tion. We should qo beyond the conception that international peace and security are jfjOpardized only by issues that are political and military in nature. The framers of the Charter of the United Nations had the foresiqht to declare, in Article 1, the achievement of "international co-operation in solvinq international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character" as one of the purDOSes of the United Nations. We have seen throuqhout the 1980s the gradual deterioration in the economic situation of the developinq world. The overall condition in these countries, especially in the least developed amonq them, is becominq a source of qreat concern. In order to reverse the deteriorating economic situation and ensure sustained development, developinq countr iea have resorted to what we mal' i; 2fer as the orthocbx structural adjustment programmes. But these have not helped arrest economic decline, largely because the economic problems of developing countries are deep-rooted and require more than playing around with monetary policies for their effective resolution. This has been obvious from the experience of existing structural ad;ustment programmes. These programmes, relyinq on a combina tian of devaluation, trade liberalization and deflation, have often failed to give sufficient attention to the human dimension of development. After the Khartoum Conference there is now universal aqreement that co\,ntries on the brink of. economic disintegration cannot possibly undertake a further cut in their social welfare budQets. (Mr. Bayih, Ethiopia) In ad4ition, the historically inherited. and persistent structural constraints on developlnq countr ies, particularly the least developed countr ies, "re only now beinq fully appreciated. Such constraints are numerous and span a wide spectrum ranqlng fre. a lack of physical infrastructure and market inteQration to steady envit>CI'Ullental deQradation, hiQh and acceleratinq rates of population qrowth, fli tifully low levels of technoloqy, and exceptionally nar row domeatic markets. These are exacerbated by the unfavourable external economic environment. In the Afr lcan reqion, the recoqnnion of these problem and the continued exacerbation of economic conditions, EYen wit."a the orthodox structural adjustment proqrannes, have led us to search for an alternative conceptual framework for the alleviation of out economic difficulties. This search has involved a lonQ process of consultation, discussion and revision, which has finally resulted in the unanimous adoption of the African Alternative Framework to Structural Adjustment Proqrammes (AAFSAP) by the joint meetinqs of Ministers of Planninq and Finance of the countries memecs of the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa last April. AAFSAP, takinq its cue from the Laqos Plan of Action and the African Priority Prograll'iftlf! for Economic Recovery, and the lessons to be learned from a review of current structur&l adjustment proqrallines, aims at evolvinq an alternative, human-centred framework for adjustment with transfor9\1tion. It should be noted that the African alternative framework is abcwe all a framework and not a blueprint for economic transformation, and will no doubt be enriched by qreater dialoqlJe, applieation and mon i tor inq. Of course, even before the finalization of AAFSAP many countr ies in Afr ica had already beqm to think of appropriate development suateqies for the 1990s. In my own country, despite the heavy burden on our meaqre resources caused by a massive influx of refuqees, now totalUnq nearly 1 million, we have initiated a nullber of measures desiqned to ensure food self-sufficiency. These ranqe frOll a detailed national foo~ and nutrition strateqy to the more recent disaster prevention and preparednese strateqy intended to prcwide, inter alla, an effective early warninq and food buffer-stocking caPability. We have also been moving ahead with fI national population policy to place development on a sOlmder footinq. Var ious new economic proqral'lllles are also beinq implemented. The objective of the new economic policy initiatives Md directions is to encouraqe the private sector to invest in agriculture, industry and services and the public sector to improve its lIanaqement and thereby raise the level of its efficiency. Currently, we are also engaged in the formulation of a national conservation strateqy aimed at stenuninq the rapid erosion of forest cover and the consequent decline in soil fertility. In addition, dur inq the last two years there have been institutional manqes in planninq and administrative structures qeared towards qreater decentralization of decision-makinq. By these means we hope to ensure that the qreat ecoloqical and cultural diversity of the country is taken fully into account in the apprepr iate reqicnal plans. No doubt this search fex nEM development strateqies is undel' way in IllOBt countries ill Africa. The adoption of adjustment with tranaformation as outlined in AAFSAP constitutes a further step towards the workinq..out o~ nation~lly led proqral1llles of economic transforllaticn in the coming decade. It is clear that for their part dcwelopinq countries need to do whatever is necessary and to exert maximum effort in order to remove the impediments to their economic development. In the final analysis, each 'country is indeed responsible for its own development. However, what we should not fall to appreciate is that a favourable external envircnllent is needed to unleash the potential of the developing countr iee. Moreover, even in the best of cirC\lIlStances, development (Mr. Bayih, Ethiopia) will always be a difficult goal to achieve tI'lless States are given the opportll\i ty to establish peace within their territories as well as within their respective regions. In this regard, I am hapPi to note here that the situation in our region has imprcwed markedly over the last year or so. ~ the normalize tion of r ela tions betwe«1 IlPi country and Somalia pursuant to an 89reement concluded between the two countries last year testifies, we have been exerting the maxinum effort to create thfl necessary condi tions for the prevalence of peace and stability in our region. We helve also continued our effort wi th a view to establishing a firm bas is for constructive and fr lendly relations based on mutual trust and oonfidence between my country and the SUdan. Indeed, our colmli tment to peace has always been unreserved. There is no better testillD'l¥ to this than the fmdamental Chd decisive steps that the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia cx>ntinues to take in our own country. It would be remiss of me, in this connection, if I faUed to express appreciaticn to the international oonmunity for the encouragement and support it has ghen to our efforts to restore peace in our region and rel1lOYe the obstacles to our economic developnent. It has become evident that issues reqUiring international oo-operation have started to proliferate. The problems of the environment, if not properly managed, could seriously ~ffect the sur vival and viability of our planet. The scourge of drug-trafficking has assumed dangerous proportions, thus calling for urgent and concerted international action. ~nce, attaining the goal of strengthening the role and voice of the thited Nations in inte:national affairs is a RBtter to which the highest pr iodt.y ought to be given. As a Q)untry very elcsely associated with the Organization since its v.ery inception, we draw satisfaction from seeing the Tklited Nations becoming m.ore effective in the discharge of its reponsibiUties in (Kt. Bayih, Ethiopia) the maintenance of international peace omd security. It is our earnest hope that the organization will play an equally effective role in the quest for solutions to the problems tha t a ffect in terna tional economic r ela tions. In this connection, my delegation looks forward to the convening of the special se9sioo of the General Assembly devoted to international economic CIO-<)peration and in particular to the revitalization of economic growth and de;7elopment in the developing co...tr ies, which is scheduled to take place in April next year. We are confident that the special session will prOl7ide the necessary impetus for removing the obstacles that have stalemated the North-sauth dialogue. It goes without saying that as the tasks assigned to the United Nations expand 80 will its requirements for resources, if it is to be able to discharge its responsibilities effectively. Thus, the financial standing of the Organization should continue to be given the naxh,l1m attention it deserves. In concluding, I wish to reaffirm Ethiopia's continued colll1'litment to the tb1 ted Ha tions and our de termina tiQ\ to cattribu te our share to all endeavours designed to give the Organization a decisive voice in world affairs. (Mr. Bayih, Ethiopia) Mr. QJRIHOVIOI (Byelorussian S~viet Socialist Republic) (interpretation frca Russian): Pl\!ase accept, Sir, the conqratulaticns of the deleqation of tUe Bvelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic on your election as President of the forty-fourth session of the United Nations General Assellbly. We are II08t appreciative of the activities of the Secretary-General and share the view he expressed in the re1)Ort on the work of the Orqmization that: -The United Nations needs to demonstrate its capacity to function as quardian of the world's security.· (A/44/1, p. 11). The United Nations emerqed frOll the Second WOrld War, which was unleashed by , fucism and militarism, which took advantaqe of the lack of unity aoonq peace-loving forces and of the negative response of the European nations to the Soviet proposals for collective action aqainst the aqqressor. Our people took UP arR to clefend the goals and prinoiples of international relations which were later enshrined, with our participation, in the united Nations Charter. The _~ers of the anti-Hitler coalition were fiqhtinq not only for their national interests f but also to brinq freedcm and independence to eo many enslaVed nations. We welcome the statellents made during the qeneral debate about the inviolability of POs~-war bordlE's in Burope.* Fundallental chanqes have taken plaae in the world represented 1n the United Nations. These changes are I'lIOi1t profound and radical Md siqnify the 4!ild of the cold war and the dawning of an era of peace and mutual trust, the renunciation of propagandist, polemics and the initiation of a quest for specific bilateral and lIultUateral action to resolve existinq prcbleE by political means, drawinq upon the prestige and potential of the United Nations. fl Mr. Salleb (GaJlbia), Vice-Pr_ ident, took the Chair. Clearly, the most important feature of these mul tifaceted chanCles is the fact that they are not confined to narrow national interests of individual States. They are qlobal in scale and t.l-tus call for a multilateral approach. Not only are these changes encouraging but they also call for a correct understanding of where they are leading the world. In conditions of freedom of choice and of pluralism of opinions based on the new political think inq, these chanqes also mean that we muat further outline joint measures to achieve demilitarization, dell'Ocratization and the humanization of international contacts and to establish the pr imacv of law in relations amonq States. Over the past few years, we have all had a difficult path to tread. Gone are the days when people saw everythinq in terms of black and white; when everyone believed that he alone was r iClht; \lhen socialism was made out to be the enemy rather than a partner in world affairs; when suspicion and mistrust repelled rrutual tolerance and the natural desira of nations to live in peace and friendship with one another; when some would put forward proposals to strengthen peace and develop co-operation while others would reject them; and without even attemptinq to understand them; when universal human values were not taken into account. Without wishing to continue this review of an unhappy past, for which there are still those who remain nostalgic even today, 1 would point out that in our detailed, often heated and at times disrespectful, discussions, we, after all, did succeed in restorinq and enrichinq, in united Nations resolutions and recommendations, the meaning of such key notions as international peace and security, disarmament, economic development, co-operation, decolonization, social justice, human riClhts and so forth. But it is too early to rest on our laurels. All this should be embodied in mandatory international leqal instruments. In this context the next decade, which (Kr. Gur 1nO'lich, Byetoruss ian SSR) tinl lDark the end of the twentieth century and of the second millenn iUlll, will be decisive in terms of whether mank 1nd succeeds in coping with new challenqes and whether it will eillerQe victorious in the struggle for peace and well-beinct for everyone on th is planet. We are preoecupied with the problems of eUminatin~ the threat of war, bringinq about disarmament, resolving regional conflicts, eliminating the vestiges of colonialism, ensurinq deve10pnent, s~ial proqress, observance of human r iqhts, and the preservation of an ecological balance. It is being increasingly recoqaized that these problems have a direct bearing on the level of security and the quality of life of the peoples of the warld. It would appear that today everyone understands that the use of military force, partiCUlarly nuclear force, with all its devastatinq consequences, has run its course. It is also clear that there can be no just settlement: of regional conflicts through the use of military force. The new level of this understandinc; has led to important conceptual breakthrouqhs that have made it possible to conclude and implement the first ever aqreement on the actual elimination of a portion of nuclEllu: arsenals of Soviet and United States medium- and shorter-ranae miss iles. It has also made poseible the holding of substantive talks on a SO per cent reduction in United States and Soviet strategic offensive weapons. The initiation of the Vienna Talks on reductions in armed forces and armaments in Europe is an important milestone in modern history. What is impOrtant in th is reqard is that these endeavours are beinq conducted in a mUltilateral reqional context. Today it is important to make the current positive developments irreversible. It is essentlal~ not only strictly to comply with aqreements reached or to conduct neqotiations in a spirit of qood will with reqard for each. other's interests, but (Mr. Gurinovich, Bvsloruss,ian SSR) also not to take steps in Cl spirit and direction contrary to those developm~ts, not to try to circumvent existinq ~qreementa on the elimination of weapons or. the pretext of "modernlzinq" or by building up arms in other cateqories, and not to erect ftel, artificial barriers when parties to an aqreement have already removed enl1er stumblinq-blocks. Steps must be taken to solve fundamental problems, namely. fundamental military concepts. Th.! idea of nuclear deterrence is a blood clot in the artery of nuclear disarmament. Wantinq to keep nuclear weapons is like beinq hiqh on druqs. Like druqs that merely qive the illusion of happiness while actually ruininq one'S health, nuclear weapons offer only the illusion of security while in actual fact they threaten universal annihilation. Trust, predictability, multilateral aqre~nent on the part of all nuclear powets on measures to reduce the risk of the outbr eak of nuclear war, reduction of stockpiles of nuclear weapons and their ver ifiable elimination must replace the policY of nuclear intimidation and so-called deterrence. tI'lat the world needs is political and legal deterrence rather than nuclear deterrence. Generallv speaking, there are serious siqns of IIlItual accommodation 00 the part of various qroups of States in the field of disarmament. This is in larqe part a direct result of the new political thinkinq. We welcome the recent Soviet and United States aqreements and the latest initiatives of the Soviet Union as set forth in the statement bv Eduard Shevardnadze, member of the politburo of the Central COlllnittee of the COJm\unist Party of the Soviet Union and Minister for Foreiqn Affairs of the Soviet Union. While a number of differences exist, definite progress towards a broad consensus on disarmament issues can be oerceived in the United Nations also. (Mr. Gurinovich, BYelorussian SSR) I (Mr:. Gurinovich, ByelorusB ian SSR) In considerinq disarMaent proble_ in the Ut'l1t~ Nations, it vould clearly be helpful to focus. Oil those areas in which the United :1iatlons, as a unique lIultilateral forUlll, possesses appropriate practical capabilities. That eauld include I8HSure$ to prevent nuclear var. In particular, it would be advis~ble to start work on the practical i1tlplell~tationof th~ proposals, includiOQ those of the Secretary-General, to establish a lIultilateral nuclear and military risk ~eduction centre and~ ultilMt&ly, a systeca of c3i\tres that would include reqlonal centres, and the settinq up of hot lines between the capi tals of all nuclear Powers. '!'he thited Nations has the unique potential in yet anothttr important field, tbl\t of the non-proliferation of dangerous types of weapons, whether nuclear or chem.cal, ex missile technology, as well as in the area of banning the development and production oi new types and systems of weapons of mass destruction. work must soon begin at the multilateral level on defensive doctrines and the corresponding structures of armed forces, as well as en the principle of reasonable sufficiency for defence. This is really the right tiD! for it. The imperative need for such doctrines, structures and principles is recognized today by virtually all, and, indeed, a number of socialist States have already taken major strides in that direction. lbw it is important to negotiate uniform Wlderstanding of their essence, criteria and parameters. An appropriate means of starting such a discussion could be negotiated at the Gen(i!ral Assembly. Current and forthcoming disarmament processes, including efforts to preIPent the extension of the arms race to outer space, as well as harsh economic realities have made a practical issue out of one that until recently might have appeared to be mer~ly theoretical - namely, the issue of the conversion of military industries. In this connection, too, multilateral endeavours would be helpfUl, such as the preparation and presentation of national conversion plans and other related measures provided for in the Programme of Action of the Conference on Disarmament and Developnent, with an exchange of experience and theoretical studies designed to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs and inconveniences involved in the transition from an l!lrms economy to a disarmament economy. The Byelotussian SSR has accumulated certain experience in this area. For a long time now our heavy industries, including our defence industries, have been turning out consumer goods wi th the idea of generating proC3uctim equal in v~lue to tbe SUJIS paid in salaries and wages. (Hr. Qlrinovlch, Byelorussian SSR) Thus military might is gradually ceasing to be the guarantee of security in our diverse, changing and interdependent world. It is being replaced by the concept of a comprehensive approach to the problems of in ternaticnal peace and security in all areas of relations among States. In this connection, the United Nations should become a centre for a system of universal and equal securi ty for all. To that end new approaches are needed to bring about and maintain peace. Most useful principles in this respect are cootained in the Charter. They should be used to the full. To that end what is necessary is both a drastic overhaul and long-term fundamental work on improving certain existing machinery that is ei ther idling or has become rusty from infrequent use. The role of the United Nations in resolving regional crises is growing. This is a field in which United Nations machinery has recently achieved major success and made significant progress tcwards creating new confidence between States in the potential of mUltil~teral diplomacy, which in turn. has justified talk of a kind of United Nations renaissance. Although the ultimate goals have not yet been achieved, in this context one can cite Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq ald Namibia. efforts Q\ the problems of the Middle East, South-East As ia, Central America, Cyprus and wes.tern Sahara; and the beginning of dialogue, initiated by the Demcrauc People's RepUblic of Korea, on a settlement in the Korean peninsula. The United Nationa peace"1t\aking role should be further developed in the years to come. We should move fran extinguishing fires to detecting and pi:eventing them. In other words, we must gather and analyse information m regions of conflict, send missions to the field, set up observation posts 8 prepare reconmendations to partieo to conflicts 8 and where raecessary conduct operations to prevent mili tary, poli tical, economic, ecological, humanitar iM or other conflicts. All this neans that we must make the work of the Security Council more productive. There must be meetings at the minister ial level, Md the (ME' • GuE'tnovich, Byelorussian SSR) Secretary-General must be more persistent in raisinq questions. In other words, we are in favour of a transition from crisis diplomacy to preventive diplomacY that will make it clear to everyone that there is no need to jwnp into the fire to understand that it will be painful. It is time to establish the true primacy of law in international relations. Th.is means unconditional compliance with the Charter and obliQations under other leQal instruments. Furthermore, l'lltlltUateral leQal institutions, primarilY the International Court of Justice, should start workinq to full capacity, and to that end all States in turn should assume new obliqations vis-a-vis the decis ions of sud\ orQans. In this connection, I shoulti like to inform the General Assembly that this year the Bvelorussian SSR has accepted the cOlllPulsory and bindinQ jurisdiction of the International Court of 3ustice with reqard to six human riqhts conventions and has ratified additional protocols to the Geneva conventions relatinq to the protection of victims of armed conflicts. New developments and trends in national and world economies have recently been clearly takinq shape. Major structural d'1anqes are under way. The unipolar pattern has qiven way to the multipolar system of economic centres. Greater inteqration of socialist States into the world economv is also chanqinq the picture. The devastating debt burden of the developinq countries, the chronic instability of raw-mater ial prices and the poverty of millions all call for our closest attention. The issues of underdevelopment and miqration are also qrowinq from a humanitarian-assistance problem into somethinq entirely different: they are becominq a cateQOry of universal secur itv. The problems themselves are not new, but it is their maqnitude today that qives them a new dimension, which calls for a fundamentally different response. It would appear that it is no lonqer acceptable to tolerate a situation where the rich qrow richer: at the expense of the poor, and (Mr. Gurinovich, Byelorussian SSR) where discrimination, or eYen diktat, continues to hold its position in • international economic relations. Such a situation has become a threat to qlcbal security. Finally, the qap between actual developments in the world economy and the leqal requlation of that economy is becominq ever more strikinct. It has even been said that the economy is not SUbordinate to international law, and that, reqrettably, can become the case if we all fail jointly to alleviate the situation in th is field. The Byelotussian SSft has an interest in this work since, from 1990, we shall be switchinq over to a new economic envirCl'lment based on self-manaqement and self-financinq, in addition to developinq and deepeninq our trade and economic ties with foreiqn states and firms. In this connection, I should like to stress that as a result ot: the years of socialist construction the Byeloruss ian SSR has become a hiQhly developed and aqrarian State that provides its people with nndern material and other benefits. (Mr. Gurinovieh, Byelorussian SSft) That has occurred in spi te of the fact that dur ing the Becood World War we lost half of our national wealth and a quarter of our population, in spite of the mistakes and aberrations of the past. All this proves the enormous potential inherent in the socialist social system and the fraternal interaction of the peoples of the tSSR. Perestroika and democratizat.ion of all aspects of social life nCM under way in our country will make possible the actual utilization, for the benefit of peoples and indivic:l1als, of the enormous potential inherent in socialist production relations. The problem of universal security is aggravated by new mviroomental threatsa pollu tia1 of the cstmosphere aad 'later, the greenhouse effect, deple tioo of the ozone layer, deforestation and desertification. Today all this calls for an urgent revie-A of many tradi tiooal '\1iews of the balance betweEn the interests of individual States and those of the mnrnunity of nations. What we need is international multilateral research into these problems. It would appear that the solution should be sought in the advent of energy-saving and resource-saving, enviratmentally clelll technologies and production which generate no waste, md in switching over to renewable resources. In this oonnection, the pooling of our multilateral efforts is indispensable. The forthcoming conference Q'\ the enviratment provides us with an appropriate opportunity t.o do that. To the Byelorussim SSR, envlrmmental issues have a specific feature of their own, because of the need for clsn-up operations following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear-power sta time Immediately following the disaster we had to resettle almost 25~OOO people from the o:mtaminated area to other part.s of the Republic and build for them 10,000 apartments ~i th the necessary infrastructure. Today the territory contaminated at various levels with radionucleides exceeds 18 per cent of all arable lll\d. Costs and losses resul ting from setting up "no-go " (Hr. Qlr inovich, Byelorussian SSR) Zales and from resettlement have already reached about 2 billion roubles. We are plaoming for further evacuation of local residents from contaminated areas. A comprehensive l6-bilion-rouble programme is now being developed in our Republic for 1990 to 1995 to alleviate the conseqUEnces of the accident and provide for safe living condi tions in the affected areas. Our own efforts to that end are being backed by the substantial assistance we are receiving from other fraternal peoples of the Soviet thiat. A number of public org51 ha tions in our Republic have appealed for help to our fellow countrymen and all people of good will abroad. A translation of the text of that appeal is annexed to the text of my statement that has been distributed to members. We support the United Nations efforts fX) protect the enviralment, and also the proposal for the establishment of a centre for urgent enviralmental assistance ald the drawing up of a U'lited Nations programme to mi tigate natural disasters and prevent industrial accidents - that is to say, international co-operatial in that field, making use among other things of environment-monitoring satellites. In oor view. the (hi ted Ra tions EnvirQ1men t Programme (UNEP) should be actively involved in this effort. We must all give the highest priority to the analysis of prcolelT8 and phenomena that are emerging :in the world today - that is, we must recognize the fundamental nature of those changes, identify new global prcolems, and define new areas fIX working together and reaching agreement on ways to br ing about urgently needed adjustments in our practical actions. Taking into acoount existing differences of opinion al some global processes, we believe that it is not at all necessary immediately to adopt a single consensus view of the future in order to realize that ultimately it will be wise to prepare for imminent change well in advance. (Mr. Glrinovich. Byelorussian SSR) Obviously, the United Nations itself must chanqe in resDOnse to new challenqes and difficulties. It cannot serve merely as a repository of unrealized ideas. It should rather become a qenerator of new ideas and blaze the trail of chanqe. It is particularly important now for orqans of the United Nations system to fulfil their function as a genu!ne collective intellect and a centre for h.!lrmon iz inct the actions of States. President Gorbachev made a tanqible contribution to a better understandinQ of the new role of the United Ra tiens in h is speech to the General Assembly last DeceJrber, by offer inq a philosophic rationale for the heightened impOrtance of the internationaliza tion of efforts by Statea to ensure their common fu ture in a qlobal home, reqardless of their special features, ideoloqies or sceio-political systel'lB. The Un i ted Na tions h as alreadv prcwed capable of adaptinq to new conditions. In the current situation it is important not to fraQtllent United Nations political, intellectual and financial resources, but to concentrate them on main problem areas, particularly those where this universal Orqanization has a particular vantage point, expertise and the ability to formula te global tasks and build consensus on the bas is of a balance of interests and realism, so as to perform those tasks in the interests of universal security and co-operation. At the same time, we must all errbark on a course of scrupulous compliance with the b indinq dec is ions of the Security Council and, in our practical policies, tak e into account consensus recommendations, while constantly seekinq to expand their scope. It would seem the time has come also to qive thouQht to resolvinq a situation where one or two deleqations obstruct qeneral aqreement. In this context, some important further s tepa could be taken, such as practical maeasures to endC* the United Nations with a preventive function, establishinq a crisis early warninQ system, conferrinQ upon the Orqanization power'S to verify compliance with (Jolr. Gut inovich, Byeloruss18n SSR) multilateral agreements and enhancinq the effectiveness of the united Nations pr incipal orqans, 1nclOOin9 the Secretariat. The new role of the United Nations would be best served if we eliminated dupLication of work and strenqthened the co-ordination of activities of United Nations specialized aqencies in accomplishinq qlobal, economic, scient1fie-teehnoloqical and social tasks. It would also be useful to develop machinery for United Nations interaction with reqional intetaovernmental bodies and international non-qovernmental orqanizations that deal with problems of universal concer.n, and also with national public orqanizations. The United Nations Association that has been created in the Byelorussian SSR intends to be actively involved in the efforts of the liItocld community to translate into reality the noble purposes and pr inciples of the United Nations Charter. Attachinq paramount importance to :the activities within the United Nations framework and to the further development of the World Campaiqn for Disarmament, we intend to make a reaular volontary con tr ibution to that Fund. The qeneral debate nQl drawinq to a close and the documents adopted at the ninth Conference of Heads of State or Government of the non-aliqned countries demonstrate that virtually all United Nations Menber States recoqnize the need for new approaches to the problems of mankind. We are convinced that the United Nations has an important role to play in promotinq that vision. The deleqation of the Byelorussian SSR is prepared to make its own contribution to the discussion of relevant aqenda items so that at this very session we may achieve qood results which match the im~eratives of our time. The meetinQ rose at 12.40 p.m. (Mr. Gurinovich, Dvelorussian SSR)