A/44/PV.30 General Assembly
On beha.lf of the General Asserrblv, I wish to thank the
Head of State of the Kingdom of Swaziland for the important statement he has just
made.
Kinq Mswati Ill, Head of State of the Kinqdom of Swaziland, was escorted from
the General Assembly Hall.
TENTATIVE PROGRA"4ME OF WORK
I should like to Qive members an outline of th~ tentative
proqramme of plenarymeetinqs for the rest of October and the beqinninq of Novenber •
On Tuesday, 17 OCtober, in the morninq, the Assenbly will take UP item 10,
"Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Orqanization" J item 27,
"Co-operation between the United Nations and the Orqanization of African Unity";
and item 24, "Co-operation between the united Nations and the Latin American
Economic Sys tem" •
On Tuesday, 17 October, in the afternoon, the Assen'b1y will take UP it,em 148,
"Observel' status for the Council of Europe in the General Assemblyn~ item 22,
"Co-operation between the United Nations and the Orqanization of the Islamic
Conference"; item 23, "Co-operation between the United Nations and the Leaque of
Arab States"; and item 8, "Adoption of the aqenda and orqanization of work" -
fourth report of the General Commi ttee.
On Wednesday, 18 October, in the morninq, the Assenbly will take UP item 29,
"Question of the Comorian island of Mayotte"; and item 15 (a), "Election of five
non-permanent members of the Security Council".
On Mondav, 23 October, in the morninq, the Assemblv will take UP item 34 g "The
situation in Central Amer iea; threats to international peace and secur ity and
peace initiatives".
Prior to action being taken on item 82 Cf), "Environment", by the Second
Committee, the proposed 1992 United Nations conference on envirc ~ent and
deYelopment will be considered on Monday, 23 October, in the afternoon.
On Tuesday, 24 October, in the morninq, the Assembly will t~\(e up item 21,
IIAchievements of the International Year of Peace"; and item 154, "Opera tion
Lifeline Sudan".
On Wednesday, 25 October, the Assemly will consider item 14, "Report of the
International Atomic Enerqy Aqency" •
On Thursday, 26 OCtober, the Assembly will consider item 82 Ci), "Science and
technology for development". In the morning of that day, the Assembly will hold a
conmemorative meeting for the observance of the tenth anniversary of the adoption
of the Vienna Proqramme of Action on Science and Technoloqy fo::' Development.
On Wemesday, I Novenber, in the morninq, the Assenbly will take up
item 17 (i), "Confirmation of the appointment of the Administrator of the United
Nations Development Proqramme"; and item 15 Cb), "Election of eiqhteen members of
the Economic and Bocia 1 Counc11" •
On Monday, 6 Novenber, in the morninq, the Assenbly will take up item 20,
"Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of oriqin"; and item
16 Ca), "Election of twenty-nine members of the Governinq Council of the United
Nations Envirooment Proqramme".
On TUes~y, 7 Novenber, the Assemly will beqin its consideration of item 28,
"Policies of apartheid of the Government of South Africa".
> On Wednesday, 8 Novenber, in the morninq, the Assemblv will hear an address by
the Prime ~inis~.:er of the United KinQdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the
Riqht Honourable Mrs. MarQaret Thatcher, and will take UP item 16 (b), ·Election of
twelve me1l'bers of the World Food Council"; and item 16 (c), "Election 'of seven
menb~s of the Committee for PrOQramme and Co-ordination"o
In the afternoon of the same day,. the Assenbly will resume its consideration
of item 28, ·Policies of ,!partheid of the GCNernment of South Africa".
On Thursday and Friday, 9 and 10 Novenber, the Assenbly will continue its
consideration of item 28.
r should like to remind members that every attempt is beinq made to curtail
the duration of the session so that the Assembly can conclude its work by Mondsy,
11 Decenber, in order' that the SPecial session on apartheid and its destructive
consequences for southern Africa may take place, as planned, frem 12 to 14 Decenber.
Further, r should 1 ike to inform representatives that the Pledqinq Conference
for Development AcHvi ties will be held on MOnday, 30 October and Tuesdav,
31 October. The Conference will be opened by the Secretary-General.
It is of course undErstood that reports of the Main Committees will be
considere~) as they become available.
The tentative scbed'Jle that r have just announced will appear in the verbatim
record of this meetinq as well as in the Journal summarv. In the mean time v if
there are any chanqes I shall keep the AsseDbly informed.
The list of spe&keJ:s fa: all the items which I have mentioned will bl! opened
at 3 p.m. today.
A(ENDA ITEM 9 (continued)
GENERAL DJmATE
Mr. TAW9tA (Benin) (interpretation from French): First and foremost, I
should like to convey my sincere conazatulations, Ql\d those of the people and
Government of Senin, to Mr. Joseph Garba on his well-deserved election to the
presidency of the forty-fourlh session of tlle General Assembly of the United
Nations. That unanimous choice is a tr ibute not only to Niqer ia, with ~>h ich Den!n
has historical, fraternal and fruitful relations, but also to all the peoples of
Afr lea.
Your exceptional diplomatic skills, Mr. President, vour perspicacity and the
respect and esteem in '''hleb you are held by the international community Quarantee
the success of tht.s session.
Allow me to express lIiV' deleqation's qreat aaniration for Mr. Dante Caputo,
fotmer Minister of Forelqn Affairs of Arc:aentina, for the enerqetic, clear-sianted
and effective manner in whicl1 he Quided the work of the forty-third session of the
General Assembly, both in New York and in Geneva. We pav tribute to him for the
wisdom he showed in ensur inq that justice and democracy prevailed throuQh the
adoption of decis ions that have been beneficial to the interna tienal community and
have enhanced the prestiqe of our shared Orqani:!:ation.
I t..;./(e this opportunity also to e~press my deleqation's qteat appreciation to
Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, the Secretary-General, ~or all the work he has done to
create more favourable conditions for the restoration of peace in the world o and
for his tireless and praiseworthy endeavours to strenqthen the role and importance
of the United Nationsa
The world of today is underaoinQ profound chanqes that are beinQ felt in
international relations as a climate of detent~~ Those ehanaeB are apparent
particularly in the lEields of disarmament, req 10nal conflicts, economic relations,
and humanitarian and social problens. That was the conclusion just reached by the
Heads of State and Government of the Movement of Non-Aliqned Countries at its ninth
conference, held from 4 to 7 Septenber in Belqrade. They stated that:
"Some favourable developments are emerQinq and r ~readinq in international
relations. Conflict:.s and hostilities are tendinCl to Qive way to neqotiations,
unders tandinq and co-opera tion. It would appear that the path leadina to the
establishment of lastinQ peace is openinQ up".
Indeed, a1100St two years aQO that the United Rtates of America and the soviet
Union ushered in a new era in modern international relations in the form of a
fruitful dialoque between their top leaders. At that time, my coun try welcomed t.lle
s iqninq of the WashinQton aQreements and the Geneva neqotiations between those two
Clreat Powers. It is happy to associate itself with many other countri.es in
express lnq the hope that the dialOQue that they have bequn wilt continue and that
the talks unde: \iay between them on strateqic weaJ)Ons will very soon bear fruit,
increasinQ mutual confidence and vieldinQ results beneficial to the whole of
mankind. *
The peoples of the world yearn for Deace and the people of Benin hopes that
the rapprochement between the United States and the Soviet Union will allow them to
soeed UP the process leadinCl to Qeneral and complete disarmament. That is Why the
People's Republic of ~enin supports the international communitv's efforts to make
permanent the climate of relaxation that is so favourable to disarmament
neQo t ia t ions.
• Mr. ~douki (ConQo), Vice-President, took the Chair.
(Mr. Tawema, Benin)
Disarmament remains the surest way today of creatinq an atmosphere conducive
to the establishment of lastinq peace in t..'le world. aut disarmament l1\ust be
conceived and carried out in a way that will enhance the well-beinq of mankind a!:l a
whole and ensure that the vital balance is struck between the various cateQories of
States that make uP the international community. Oisarmament should serve
~eveloPment by permittinQ a siqnificant increase in the resources of countri~s
beset by hunqer, disease and poverty.
I am convinced that the implementation of the Proqramme of Action adOPted at
the International Conference on the Relationship between oiasarmament and
OeveloJnent, held here in New York in 1987, will free the resources necessary for
the economic and social deYelopment of the poorest countries, and should promote
hetter livinq conditions for the peoples of the developed countr ies. In that
respect, the States that have always had doubts about th is rela tionship betlr1~en
disarmament and development should, in a spirit of solidarity with the rest of the
international community, join in the consensus that has been achieverl.
Once aQain my country commends the constant s tr ivinq for disall:mament, and
welcomes the encouraqinq results of the Conference on the prohibitio'n of chemical
weapOns held in Paris from 7 to 11 January 1989 at the invitation of
~r. Francois ~itterand, President of the Frenc~ Republic.
8enin hopes that in the near future the work of the Geneva COlllni ttee will
result in the pr~paration of an international convention banninq the manufacturl?
and use of chemical weapons, which have caused so many atrocities and such
s~fferinq over r.ecent decades.
T~e terrible consaquences of conflicts and tensions between countries and the
threats of annihilation that beset mankind have illluressed on flU the countrie'& anti
pp.oples of the world the need to achieve peace bv means of dialoque and
neqotia tion.
(Mr. 'l'awema, l!en in)
However, many reqions of our world continue to be disrupted by conflicts. In
southern Africa, after decades of humiliation and sufferinQ, the heroic people of
Namibia is lnOllinq towards full sovereiQntv. "ly country welcomes the imolementation
of Security Council resolution 435 (1978), which is recalled, confirmed and updated
bv Security Council resolution 632 (1989). All the States Members of the
OrQanization, and especially the five. permanent members of the Security Council,
should exert all their influence and demonstrate their clear-siQhtedness in order
to keep the resources of the military element of the United Nat.lc...ns Trans ition
Assistance Group (UNTAG) at the level envisaqed in resolu tion 435 (1978), as
recommended by the South West Afr iea People's OrQanization (SWAPO) 1) the front-line
~tates, the orqanization of African Unity, and the Movement of Non-AliQned
Countr ies.
The traqic events in Namibia since 1 April 1989 could have been avoided h&d
the forces of UNTAG been larqer and possessed more means to control the situation
in the field in accordance with the spirit ant} letter of. the relevant Security
Council resollJtions.
Our OrQanizatior., therefore, should do its utmost to ensure complicance with
the terms of resolutions 435 (1918) and 632 (1989) in order to enablo the Namibiar.
people freely to attain international sovereianty. 1 take this opportunity to
e1(press my countrY's indicmation at the assassination on Tuesdav,
12 September lS99, of Anton Lubowsk i, a member of the political bureau of the South
West Afdca People's Ora,anization and to pay Cl tribute to the couraae of all the
leaders of SWAPO, in particular its ~hairman, S~m Nu;oma, who. despite that
abhorrent act, continues to s'i)eak t.~e lanquaQe of reconcil:.:.tion and oeace. It is
the 3uty of this ~rqani?ation, throuQh its appr.o~riate bodies, to ensure that the
process now under way to brinq independence to Namibia is successfully completeil.
~ country is also concerned by the persistence of apartheid as a system of
Qovernment. Apartheid t that crime aoainst humanity, continl.les to manife;t itself
in increased repres~ion, police brutalityv imprisonment, orolonQed detention of the
leaders ~F the blac1< majority, bantustanization, banishments, restrictions, the
hunnina of mass orqani~ations and 50 forth.
'J"e peoDle and Government of Benin support the st!'uQQle of the vali::mt peopl~
of South Africa united in n:lti"nalist movements sudl as the African NatiolVtl.
COOQress of South Mr ica (I\.~C) and all the Qther political parties and mans
ot'qaniz3tions whidl are rp-sistinq o'ipartheic'f.
(.!r. Tawema, 'Benin)
The PeoQ10's Republic of Benin redflrms, throudl me, its resolute and
t:ateqorical condemnation of the so-called elections of 6 Septe'lllb~::.1989, which were
only a parody of delllOcracv, because they excluded t.he Vi!lSt. I'IIajorit.y of the south
Mt iCiln people. My country ~eleol'i\es the vlse decision of our Oraanbation to hold
fl'OftU to 14 December 1989 a s~ecial session of the General Assembly deYoted to
apartheid. and its dest.ruct!v~ conseqUefices in southern Africa. We hOPe that this . . .
wUl. be ~ import.ant step forward towards stampinq out that repellent system.
t could not speak abOut the problems of the southern part of our continent
without mentioninq the peace efforts whid'a are emerqinq in Anaola and Nozanbique.
The Brazzavilte Pro~ocol, the New York aareements, the summit meetinas at Gbadolit.e
and Harare and the various meetinqs between deleaations of the parties concernp.d
are favourable sians of peace and security in Anaola and Mozambique. The
establishment of peace i:'l those two fraterf""ll count.ries wiU enable their
respect h,e peoples to tackle the tliSlcs of reconstruct ion and develoPll\ent.
Therefcte, the People's Republic of l\enin encouraQes them to persevere on the oath
()f reconcil iation and natu,nal unitv.
Sll'ftUar ly, we w~lco1ile and wish to encouraQ~ the neqcti.1tions currentlv under
way aimed at restorinq a climate of pasce in the Sudan and Ethiopia.
My country ah.1o welcomes the s!anine: of the aareement bebleen Chad and Libya
of 31 Auqus t 1989, vh idl offers fresh hopes for a p61ceful poU tical settlement of
the conflict. between thOSle two countries~ In this respect, 8enin warllly welcomes
the spirit of concession, understandinq and tolerance displayed by the Chadian and
Libvan leaders as well as the firm determination of the Oraan1z&t!on of Afl'ican
Unity (OAU) thrcuQh its ~ Hoe Committee, and certa,ln African Heads of State in
seak ine: ways and Illyns of .urivinq .H a permanent soluti/jn to that iUs;:lUte.
With reqard to leestern Sahara, Benin firmly hopea that resolution 104 (XIX) of
the Orqanization of Afr iean Unity and General Assel!lblv resolution 43/33,,111 be
fully and effectively iNPlemented.
The People's Republic of Ben!n apl)reciates the sustained efforts undertaken by
the llOLISARlO Front and the l(inqdoQ\ of Morocco to ac:hi4!'Fe a neaotiated DeIlCe. We
welcoate the proposals and actions of the current Chain,an of the 0i\U and the United
Natiol'iS Secretary-General to orqanize a referendum Q'\ self-determination. The
dialoque which has been started between these two parties lIlUSt be continued in
order to avoid any furth. escalation of the war, with the attendant disasttouS
consequences.
With respect to the dispute between Seneqal and Mauritania, Benin supports the
mediation efforts of the OAU and fervently hopes that tolerance and IIUtual
understanding by both putiee will pr4!'Fail and that a just and lastinc; solution may
be found that takes into account the qenuine interests of those two fraternal
peoples, united by so Many lonq-standinq, indissoluble links.
In the Middle East, proq.ress towards l)eilce has bem a10l1. My country is
convinced there can be no Genuin~ peace in that part of the worlCi without a
solution to the Palestinian problem. The PEOple'S Reoublic of eenln welcomes and
wishes to encouraQe the efforts of the intern&tior.al co_unity to convene an
international conference on the fl1iddle East, with the pa~tic1oatiM on an equal
footinQ ot all the pa~ties concerned, includinq the Palestine Liberet10n
Orqenization (PLO).
The situation pre'iaiUnq 1n Lebanon rella1n8 a Matter of qrave concern. My
country supports all efforts aimea at restorinQ unity to "the DGOple of Lebanon and
quatanteeinq its full sovereignty and the territorial intearity of its country by
means of neqo t lation.
("1'. TawetDl!... 8en1n)
The cessation of hostilities between I~an and Iraq iIlUSt be confirmed by the
ooenlnq of neqotiatione to br inq about las tinq peace, under the auspices of the
securit'\.t Council and by temqnition of the important role of the united Nations
Milituy Observer Group in maintaininQ the cease-fi1:e.
Conflicts and tension still persist in South-East Asia despite the proqress
_de at the first and second informal meetings in Jakarta in July 1988 and
February 1989. Whi.1e the international Conference on Peace in Cambodia, held in
Paris from 30 July to 30 Auqust 1989, made possible important steps towards the
restoration of peace, it did not, unfortunately, arrive at a canprehensivEl solution
to the Call'bodian problem, despite the praiseworthy diplomatic efforts of the French
and Indonesian Goyemments~ My country expressES the hope that weapons will yield
to the rule of law and that the conflict will be·settled on the basis of scrupulous
respect for the national sO'Iereiqnty ~d territorial inteqritv of all the countries
of sOuth-East Asia and the effective withdrawal of all foreiqn troops.
With reqard to the situatia'l in Afqhanistcn, Benin notes that, despite the
implementation of resolution 43/20, which was adopted by consensus at the
forty-third session of the General Assembly, the AfQhan p.eople continues to live in
an atmcx;plh,re~ of insecurity and uncertzdnty. The effective restoration of peace
requires scrupulous compliance with the Clqreement concluded,between all the
parties.
Still in Asia, the question of the reunificatiOn of Korea remains a burning
issue. The People's Republic' of Renin supports the l)06i tien of the Movement of
Non-AUqned ,Countr: iee, which reaffirmed at its last summit conference, in Belqrade,
that such reunification would be promoted by fosterinq mutual confidence and
reconciliation of the north and the south and by the phased and balanced reduction
of armed forces on the Korean peninsula•
..., country can only welcome the important develoPments in Latin America and
the Caribbean, whidl have taken various forms: del'lDcratization, emancipation,
consolidation of national independence, concerted political action and economic
in teqration. Benm supports the peace aqreements sicmed 1:1'1 the Heads of State t)f
Central America, particularly the one just siqned in Tela, Honduras, which is aimed
at establishinq lastinq peace in the reqion.
The climate of detente which currently prevails in international political
relations is not, unfortunately, echoed in the economic field. There can be no
peace and no security in the world without the prospects of economic prosperity for
all countries and all peoples.
(Mr. Tawema, Benin)
The prolonqed economic crisis emerged aqainst a background of worseninq
inequalities, poverty, disease and hunqer, with all the various frustrations that
these brinq in their wake. The drol) in commodity prices, the heavy burden of
external debt, profound structural handicaJ)s, the drastic reduction in growth rates
in the least developed countries, such as mine, and the fall in export earninQs are
tremendously difficult challenges for us to take up without massive and effective
support from the international community.
The mid-term review of the implementation of the United Nations Proqramme of
Action for African Economic Recovery and Development demonstrated that the success
of that Programme depends to a larqe extent on the political resolve of the ItJaders
of the industrialized countries, as African States have already made tremendous
sacrifices in implementinq reform policies. Indeed, it is necessary for the
developed countries to honour their undertakinqs tC' provide African States with
SUfficient assistance, particularly financial assistance, to ensure the success of
structurai adjustment prOQrammes that have been aareed upon with the Interna tional
Moneta~y Fund (IMF) and the WOrld Bank.
The usefulness of such proqrammes, dlich have the merit of rationalizinq
production structures and expenditure machinery I has been proven, even thouqh
sometimes they qenerate social tensions because they are too inclined to aive pride
of place to major macro-economic balances. It is important that these situations
be understood bv the whole intertaational community I wh lch we urae to provide active
support for the measures undertaken by the developing countries in order to
attenuate these disturbina social consequences of economic recovery proqrammes.
(~r. Tawema .. Denin)
As representatives are aware, Benin has aqreed with the IMF and the World Bank
upon a structural adjustment proqrarnme with the IMF and the fliorld Bank. "'ay I,
once again, offer my country's thanlts to the States and intetnational orqanizations
that have contributed to the drawinq up of our programme. AllO#: me also to express
my Government's qratitude to all the developed cou.ntries that have announced the
writinq off of certain debts, to the benefit of the developinq countries, and in
particular of the least developed countries, includinq my own. This is undoubtedly
one way of qivinq relief to the poorest countr ies. But the international colllllunitv
needs to draw UP a new qlobal strateqy aimed at recovery in the developinq
countries' economies. It is desirable that the General Asselt'bly, at this session,
set the riqht tone so that the special session scheduled for April 1990 may take
the appropr iate decisions.
The concerns of the international oo1ll:lllunity, in the face of environmental
problems, have become more acute, qiven the threat of the dumpinq of toxic and
hazardous wastes by the developed countries in the developinq countries. It is
thus urqent that we work toqether to establish measures that will prevent
disruption in the world's ecological balance and will enable us to ~evelop our
capacity to maintain life.
It is important to take appropriate measures to halt the process of water
pollution and air pollution, the proqressive depletion of the ozone layer, soil
degradation, .deforestatioJ'l and desertification, and the intolerable process by
which many rare animal species are becominq extinct. We value hiQhly the measures
taken under the United Nat~ons Environment Proqramme, aimed at discouraqing
activities likely to threaten the quality of the marine environment and the
eooloqical balance of the seas.
My country welcomes also the proposal to convene, before the end of 1992, the
second world conference on envirooment and development. Similarly, Bentn is
("'r. Tawema, 'Ben in)
ready to support any measures aimed at drafting an international convention on the
protection and conservation of the world's climate.
The year 1998 was the fortieth anniversary of the universal Declaration of
Human Rights - an anniversary that waS marked both in New York, at the forty-third
session of the General Assemblv, ann amonq the Member States. This was an
opportunity for the international community to gauge the sianificant successes
achieved by the United Nations in promotina and protectinq human riahts and
fundamental freedoms and to assess what remains to be done in order tc ensure the
total liberation of mankind. The events that marked this commemoration in Senin
took place throughout 1988 and are continuing in 1989. The international seminar
on human rights and economic and social progress, and the na tional seminar in the
People's Republic of Benin on the promotion and protect ion of human rights - held
respectively from 30 May to 3 June and from 21 November to 2S November 1988 - the
conferences and round tables on human rights organized in December 1988, and the
translation into eight: national languages of the text of the Universal Declaration
have all been significant events in this prOQramme..
Furthermore, many measures have been taken by the Governlnent of Benin in the
area of the promotion and protection of human riQhts. I should like to mention in
particular the promulqadon of the law setting UD the Benines e Commiss ion on Human
Riqhts, and the leaal decision to qrant a general annesty.
But all our efforts will be in vain if we lose sight of the future of the
world. As may be imaqined, 1 wish to speak of children and thei~ situation - those
of whom the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, has said:
"Children do not live and grow up in a different world~ they live in our
world, and their survival and Qrowth depend on the health of our societies.
The situation of children in the world is bound UP with gr~th and
development, just as their well-beinq is vital for economic and social
proqress. 1O
Having qrasped at an early staqe the fundamental importance of protecting children,
Benin "is takinq part in the Bamako i~itiative, and, with the assistance of the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), ~s carryinq out the health project of
Pahou, a few kilometres from Cotonou.
Furthermore, my country is co~~itted to winninq the battle to have all
Beninese children vaccinated. Our aim is to have between 75 per cent and
80 per cent of all children covered by the end of the year 1990. In conjunction
with the effective activities of UNICEF, many States have supported the idea of
holdinq a world summit on children in 1990. In support of this qreat idea, and in
order to translate it into practical terms, the General Assemblv should at its
forty-fourth session adopt unreservedly the Convention on the Riqhts of the Child,
submitted for its consideration by the Executive Director of UNICEF.
As the principal political orqanization that is truly universal in character,
the United Nations should continue to plaV a salutory role in the area of promotinq
world peace by means of qeneral and complete disarmament, the suppression of all
hotbeds of tension, the establishment of a fairer and more equitable international
economic order, the protection of the environment,. the campaiqn aqainst hunqer in
the world, the elimination of all forms of social inequality, includinq racial
discrimination and apartheid, and the promotion and protection of human riqhts and
the riqhts of peoples and ch Hdren.
I ""nin supports this Orqanization fully, in the hoPe that it will help all the
peoples of the world to realize their 1eqitimate aspiration to freedom, justice,
peace and social proqress.
"'r. ~ANJARA (Madaqasear) (interpretation from French): At the behest
of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Madaqascar I wish to convey to
Major-General Garba our sincere conqratulations on his election to the presidency
of the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session. We have lonq known his merits
and qualities and we trust that in the cominq months he will e:ontinue to place at
the service of the international community the devotion he hrSS demonstrated In the
defence of Afric3n dignity.
His predecessor, Mr. Dante Caputo, Qu!ded the work of the forty-third session
in an outstandinq manner. We appreciated his statesmanlike qualities and his
COurt00us efficiency, and we thank him.
Readinq the Secretary-General's report on the work of the OrQanization
reinforced our view that no area of international activity is beyond his ken or
sphere of leqitimate interest. We were particular ly struck by the coherence and
lucidity of his description of activities aimed at keepinq the peace, preventing
conflicts, reducin~ the threat of war and promotinq the settlement of disputes. We
usure the Secretary-General of the continued co-operation of the Government of
Madaqascar in that sphere as in othelC'sl1 and convey to him our best wishes for the
successful discharqe of his manda tee
Durinq this debate the international situation has been analysed thorouqhly
and in detail, but often in a sub1ect~ve manner, with events beiM interpreted from
the standpoint of relations between North and South or East and West; it is true
that we have net yet been able to rid ourselves of our preconceptions. Granted,
there is less recr illiRation, mors openness and a larqer number of appeals to common·
ae..e and to the need to allay tensions. But at the same time everyone stands
ready to defend new pOsitions at ~ tille when the predictable reactions of the
cold-war: era are no longer' a decisive elemc,,"i.t in the formulation of national policy.
We still seek a world free from day-to-day insecurity, a more democratic
world, a world where na~toaal selfishness has given way to the 001l'lll0n interest, a
watld unequivocally devoted to the purposes and principles of the Char-ter. Cynics
would sa~ we have been trying to do this without too many results for the past
44 years and that we are condemned to in.~tabiUtv, because balance - even the
balanee we are welcoming today - is always precar ious.
But let us beqin to build with what we have and with what we are promised. To
b~ sure, nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament are far away, on
a distant horizon. But it would be erass to disreqard the fact that realiqnment of
the mutual interests of the <u:eat PCMers and the two principal military blocs and a
certain flexibility in ~tated pre-conditions have permitt~ ~~e dialoque on arms
control to resume.
BV the summer of 1990 there will be a treaty on a 50 per cent reduction in
strateqic nuclear weapons, to be followed probably by an agreement on naval nuclear
weapons. There has been progress on conventional weapons. Chemical weapons have
been the subject of more Q." less similar proposals by the two super-Powers.
Conpromise has been reached on ver ification of underQround nuclear tests.. The 1912
Treaty on anti-ba1.listic missiles is beinq respected. Finally, to qive lonqer-term
perspective to current initiatives, we expect the conveninq in 1990 of a united
Nations conference on the conversion of military indlStries to civilian use.
The list is not a9 complete as we might have wished) it omits at least two
points. Could it be some remaininq yearninq for rivalry and confrontation between
the Qreat Powere that has suppressed mention of zones of peace and co-operation,
includinq that of the Indian OCean, and of nuclear-weapon--free zones? what role is
to be assiqned to the United Nations in the multilateral ver ifieation of
disarmament agreements? It is qood to shOt that we have been movinq in the riqht
direction for several years, but it would be even better to take measures to
consolidate the international community's confidence in the United Nations in all
spheres of international relations.
When we mention the United Nations we naturally think of the
Secretary-General, of the principal orqans, and thIS the decision-makinQ
procedures. But the most important decisions - relatinq to aqqression, the
maintenance and restoration of international peace and security, the settlement of
disputes, the International Trusteesh iop System, and arms control and eventual
disarmament - are by statute taken by the Security Council.
~Je wa.,t to strenqthen the Council's role in the areas of timeliness,
effectiveness, credibility and de~cracy. It is therefore time to review
Article 27 of the Charter, in particular its paraQraph 3. The veto pOWer, as it is
cOO\!'Ia\ly known, has often paralysed the Seco"'ity Council more than one miqht have
reasonably expected. At a time when the rule of consensus is larQely accepted, we
should consider either eliminati~ the clause requ irinQ unanimity amonq the
permanent members or extendinq it to all members. Coexistence of consensus and the
veto is intolerable unless certain members view consensus cs the ability to cast a
double veto.
After that diqressic.~ - which was not really a diQression at all - we wonder,
despite our commitment to detente and co-operc.tion, whether the present improvement
in the politieal climate applies everywhere and whether it can survive the tQst of
~ time and events. We have been disappointed too often in the past, and ol.lr
eXPerience with volte-faces, unhealthy obstinacy and bad faith on the part of some
of our interlocutors hardly justifies excessive, soothinq optimism.
In southern Africa there is talk of a new constitutional order, fundamental
chanqe, dialOQue and power-sharinq by the year 2000. The qradualists ask us to
viE!i# this supposed turnaround ag auquring the cominq of dellDcracy to South Africa.
But we see only sloqans intended to buy time. offset the neqative impact of
sanctions and maintain seQregation and white supremacy in a country that has been
distorted by the ~rsistence of the monstrosities known a9 bantustans.
We see the problem in two parts: full recoqnition of black nationalism as the
factor that will determine the political, economic and social future of South
Africa; and, as a corollary, equal and full enjoyment of political, civil.
economic. social and cultural r iqhts by the black majority.
Until there is aQreement on those two points, and they are translated into
realitY, everyt.hinQ will remain at the level £)f Qood intentions. It is very easy
to deny those qood intentions bv makil'*Q exceptions of special and emerqency
situations, and then we can do nothinQ to put an end to the cycle of cyniciam,
bitterness, impatience and violence - violence carried out for the sake of freedom,
and therefore justified.
In the same reqion, the plan resultinQ from Security Council resolution
435 (1978) is beinQ applied as best it. can in Namibia. The opera tion is difficult
and cOl11)lex. The casual arrOQance of the South African representatives can upset.
the African nations and put South Africa's impartiality in doubt. We still have
ta"le impression that the elect ions wilt be just one more opportunity to use
manoeuvres and manipulatiors to frustrate the true aspirations of the Namibian
peoPle. Ne~t month will be decisive. t would simoly reoeat Comrade Sarn Nuioma's
reference to
"freedom and indeoendence for Namibia in order to permit the advent of peace
and, if that is the wish of the minority, national reconciliation".
Our position on Western Sahara has not fundamentally chanQed. Thanks to the
joint efforts of the Orqaniza tion of African Unity and the Secretary-General of the
United Nations, the situation has evolved, despite some differences of view. The
most important thinq at this pOint is to find a political sol:Jtion, beqinninq with
direct dialogue between the two parties, within the framework of the aQreement in
principle of 30 August 1988 betwee'\ the Kingdom of atorocco and the Sahraoui Arab
Democratic Republic.
In the Near and the Middle East, in souttl.ern and t-;outh-Eas t As ia and in Latin
America we see particularly disturbinq developments. Hardly is a step taken
towards a comprehensive and acceptable solution than difficulties apPear. They are
difficultie:; inherent in the nature of conflicts and disputes, but they
have been put aside for the sake of convenience or because of an excess of
optimism8 The internation~l community can see he~e a veritable Penelope's shroud.
We are almst powerless as we witness the continuation or the beQinninq of civil
wars, with their train of devastation and refuqees and the introduction of
distrust, which has become a perma~~nt feature of international relations.
How much looger must we wait for the installation of Governments of n~ltional
reconciliation in Afqhanistan and Cambodia? Hew do we stand with reqard to the
independent reunification, without outside interference, of the Korean peninsula?
When will a just and lag tinq peace be established between Iran and Iraq? Why
prolonq the sufferinq of Lebanon and tolerate the total stagnation on the question
of the ~iddle East? HQJ can we allQJ the Palestinians, whose national rights are
interationally recognized, to continue to be the pawn in shameful dealings and
haggUnQS that create so much sufferirr.t? What is the reason for the lack of
proqress in the interoo~~unal talks in Cyprus? Pinally, why must the countties of
Central America be constantly frmtrated in their search for peace, co-operation
and reconciliation through dialogue?
The settlement of regional conflicts is on the agenda of the reqular exchanqes
of view between the two super-Powers. It should be an integral part of the
h lstor ic renewal in int.ernational relations, but so far it has been reqarded as a
matter of secondary importance. From time to time some results of diplolllacV are
brought out into the open, but discreet or secret diplomacy requirg that the rest
be dealt with behind the scenes. But the situations, the claims and the stakes are
well known; we all advocate the same principles and we have together defined the
frallEWork fee a settlement, here at the United Nations. Therefore, we are all
involved in a col!lilOn undertakinq, which cannot be the monopoly of anyone partv.
It is true that en several occasions we have asl;er! the raajor Pc*ets to use
their influence, but that cannot be l'eQarded as a transfer of competence to the.
alono. We are askinq f« & little more transparency so that, followinQ the
principle ~f shared security, we may exercise our responsibilities in full
knowledqe of the situation..
My C01ll'llents apply equally tt.) the economic area. until there is equal and
quaranteed security for all we ~annot speak about viable, durable, acceptable or
sus tainable development. The use from one decade to another o~ var ious adjectives
shows that we are still seekiM a develoJ)ment \Xldel vhich takes account of the
interests of the whole community. The reports of international institutions would
lead one to believe that, l.it least in its qlobal aspects, the crisis is drawinq to
an end. Statistics may fJupport the advocates of theoretical interdependence, but
the reality !s different.
Tbe nature of the complaints of the developinq countries has not chanqed. We
continue to suffer f~om ,a system that has bated too long, from structures that are
inadequate, if not anachronistic, and from one-sided rules of the qame. That is
true of the fixiRQ of prices for our products, the need to qo throuQh certain
channels, the orqanlzation of international trade, the monetary and financial
system and access to technology.
t4e are aqa in speakinq of the new international economic order, wh ich means the
initiation of qlobal neqotiations in the framework of the North-SOuth dialo~ue to
remedy the situation I have described, which has become increesinqiy intolerable.
But the 'answer is alwayS the same. On the one hand, there is re,:oqnition of t,"1e
need for an interdopendent world, the internationalization of problem-solvin~ and
the -overlappinq nature of the solutions to problems. On the other hand, because of
the principle of decentralization of decision~makinqt there is insistence that
specific pOints aust be discussed within separate institutions and aqencies. We
hope that the impasse thus erea ted III ill be ended by the convening in April 1990 of
a special session of the General ASf!embly devoted to international economic
co-operation and in particulmr the revival of economic qrowth and the development.
of the developing countries.
In the mean - time, as the North-South cUaloque will not, as far as we can see,
resume soon, we -muSt organize ourselves better in order to take effective control
of the authentic path for our own development, and W~ must revitalize South-South
co-operatio". We have sometimes thouqht it sufficient to criticize ourselves, as
if our failure resulted more from our hestitation to take decisive collective
acticn in key areas, sum as raw materials, monetarv questions and the financinq of
development.
Ten years aqo,- at tile sixth suinmitconference of the non-aliqned countries,
Madaqascar suqqested the creation of a stabilization fund, a monetary fund and a
development fund for the non-aliqned countries and other"developinq countries. The
international environment has chanqed since then, but our objectives are still the
same: to am ieve co-ordination on problems of international liquidi ty~. to
rebalan\':e international trade, introducing -equity and justice) to increase eKPort
earnings; and to recycle available resources for development purpOses.
(Mr. 8emananjara, Madaqascar)
The establishment of those three funds would h~ a qood thinq, bl.1t it would be
cUfUcult. Yet we believe more than ever before that an inteqrated approach to
devslopment at t."le leoJ'el of analys is and at the level of actual opera tions anli
fl1nctioninq remains essential i( we wish to rebuild the world econoTll'l on a firm
basis of solidarity and mutual trust.
These few ideas I have expressed on development and on the reluctance, if not
the passivity, of both North and South may appear irrevetant if looked at from the
st.~ndpoint of the real and immediate problems of international debt.
Let us set aside for the moment the well-known controversy over responsibility
for the indebtedness, the neQ8tive effects of deflation, the postponinq or
reduction of the debt~ the suitability of cultural adjustment proQrammes, the
timeliness of structural adjustment oroqrammes in the African framework. and the
impact of current initiatives on political and socio-economic chanQes. Above and
beyond different approaches to understandinQ and methodoloqy, the objective is
always the same, namely, how to manaQe the debt reasonably while maintaininQ
sustainable development with a human face under the best poss ible condi tions of
complementarity and co-ordination.
Different approaches are suqqested to the debtors. Some have proved
successful in specific .cases and others benef.it from rational analysis at the level
of proqramminQ and action. New solutions may be desirable, but they must. come not
from polarization of positions but from aqreements between debtors and creditors.
The search for such aQreement may be made easier within certain forums, includinq
the International Conference on Money and Finance for Development, a conference of
debtors, the International Conference on debt and the International Conferen~e on
Afrtt'!!l'~ E"'t:~rnal In~ebt~ness.
If we recoqnize that we face a lonq-term problem which, if not solved, my
threaten economic development, the international bankinq system and even
international pe!Ilce and security, we cannot escape the conc1.us ien that we need to
tackle the problem on a multilateral, systematic bauis.
There is no panacea, but there is nothinq to nrevent our considerinq certain
proposals, including those of Professor Robert A. f4undell, without committino
ourselvES to them. For eXample, would it be a viable proposition to conbine the
pOtential of the Bank for International Settlements with an informal aqencv on the
model of the General Aoreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), to be called "oeneral
aOfeement on debt, adjustment and development pOlicies W?
History shows that the problem of international debt has existed for over
2,000 years. For the develonino countries, this problem is a reality to which they
awoke wi th some distress 10 years aoo, because they had not expected to experience
again the catastrot:>he of the 1920s and 1930s. Indebtedness is permanent in
nature. Once a debt accrues the level of development of a country is always
assessed in terllB of Hs ability to increase its debt. That is the system; it is
for debtcrs and oreditcrs to ensure that it functions in an orderly maM.er tak ino
into account foreseeable t'ieveloP/llents in the politinal, economic and social
situation.
Somethinq else that could chanoe our attitUde to develot:>ment is the impOrtance
attached in the last decade to the environment a"a the ecosyStem as a whole. The
public are increas inqly awar~ of the danqers of wastaqe and exhaustion of
resources, pollution anc'l harmfUl industrial wastes, to!.Cic waste and dumpinQ of such
waste, biospheric disruptions, desertification, deforestation, soil erosion and
deqradation ~d the threat of the extinction of certain veQetable or animal species.
Fcx a long time human society, encouraqed by the spectacular results of the
Industrial Revolution, havinq accepted the myth of the conquest of new frontiers,
believed that production and qrowth were unlimited. In fact, however, havinq
studied our colllnOn heritage, we know its limits. The true danger now is to pursue
at all costs a policv of productivity and unbridled canpeti ticn. It would be
irresponsible not to recognize that, in spite of all our efforts, closely
interrelated crises persist: crises of development, the environment, energy, d~bt,
QOpu1ation and druCls, that other scourae with disturbing DOlitical, social and
economic consequences.
It was in this context that the member States of the OrQanization of African
Unity (OAU), at their special summit meetina devoted to economic questions and
debt, in Novenber 1988, welcomed the conclus ions of the World COlll1lission on
Environment and Development, which was presided over by Gro Harlem Brundtland.
They mentioned in particular the conclus ion concern.inq "sustainable development",
wh ich was defined all
"development that responds to the needs of the present without jeopardizinQ
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
This entire new Qlobal strateCIY is acceptable, but since it deals with various
areas we ~ust jt'>intlY consider the defini ticn of priorities, rights and
resJ)Onsibilitietl, the inclusion of that concept in the present system of security
and how it fits into the North-South dialogue, the unavoidable chanqes in methods
of production and consumption, national and international col!lllitment, the
establishment of a new co-ordination institution and the future of the united
Nations Environment Programme.
(!!!. Bemananjara, Madagascar)
Before 1992, fex whidl an in terna tional conference 00 environment and
c'leveloprnent has been proposed, specific: proposals could be pUt forward and
discussed wi th a v iew to es tablish illQ in terna tional co-opera ticn and action in tlH?
ecoloqieal sphere.
As 1 develop my ideas in this statement I realize that the challenae of
development is a difficult one but that it is our duty to accept it and succeed.
Each nation or qroup of nations must strive to find the best means of doinq so,
conscious of the limitations imposed by the surroundinq crisis. We have turned to
our traditional partners. We have follCMed the sUQQestions of financial and
monetary institations. Now we need new concepts that can help us to emerqe as
quickly as IXJssible from the present uncertain situation.
On the poHtical level, the United Na tio!1s has made a spectacular recoverv,
helped by its ability to define an appropriate framework for settlement and by
renewed confidence in multilateralism. On "...'le conceptual level, there is no reason
why the United Nations should not be able to ach ieve in deV'eloPment what it has
achieved in peace-keepinq.
(Mr. Remananiara, Madaqascar)
~
We aaree that there should be an overall reorganization of the Uniteo Nations, not
only to maintain international ~eace and security or facilitate the adjusbnent or
settlement of disputes, but also, to use th-a wotds of the Charter,
WTo achieve international co-operation in solving international
problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character".
No gratuitous challenge is beina ~ade to the existing system~ although there
is no unanimity on this point. From time to time, however, we need to take a new
look at the Charter, partkular ly Chapters IX and X in the light of our
experiences, existing situations and the expected results. It would not be wise to
juqqle with the the role of the Economic and Social Council, with reQard to
co-opera tion for development. If one accepts the idea of the collective
responsibility of MelTbers and the ability of the United Nations to guarantee world
,security, one cannot disregard the economic dimension of international security.
We must oursue our argUMent to its loqieal conclusion and say that
comprehensive security must b~ taken into account in all sDheres of international
activity, even though we may be accused of bringing back exclusivism and
opportunism in the service of causes which are not necessarily supported bv all.
Mr. SOMARE (Papua New Guinea): On behalf of the Government and people of
Papua New Guinea, I conaratulate "'r. Garba of Nigeria on his unanimous election to
the ill\P()rtant post of President of the forty-fourth session of the United Nations
General 1\ssemblv. We are confident that under h is able leadership the challenging
work before the Assembly will he carr ied to its conclus ion with eff.iciency and
success.
T shOUld also like to register Papua New Guin~ 's sincere appreciation of the
excp.llent job accomplished by his predecessor, ~r. Dante Caputo of Arge~ti~a.
(Mr. Bemananjara, Madagascar)
In addition, let me add mv Government's voice to the voices of those who have
already spoken in praise of the commendable work beinq done by the
Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, and his staff in implementinq United
Nations proqrammes.
Papua New Guinea continues to reqard the United Nations ~ havinq a unique
role in workinq for the relaxation of tensions, the resolution of conflicts and the
buildinq of a stronq framework for international oo-operation based on mutual
resDect and understandinq. Papua New Gu inea remains committed to playinq its part
in contributinQ to achievina this objective.
My aeleqation attend; this session with the hope that we shall collectively
take advantaqe of the opportunities before us to has ten the tu:llization of the
qlobal envirooment: that the founders of the United Nations envisaaed for tn and
future generations.
We have before us this year another comple1C aoenda which, amona other thinas,
points to an international community saddled with a great number of problems. Some
of these problems date back to before the United Nations was even established. Yet
it is the responsi.Ality of th\~ Assembly to work for the resolution of those
problems. The uncertainty that they cause is felt by all of us, and for many
developing countries, includinq Papua New Gu inea, has a direct impact on our
development efforts. But there is still some hope and optimism. Papua New Guinea
believes with a good measure of confidence that positive steps have been taken in
dealinQ wit..~ the problems which are the SUbject of this session's attention.
Mv deleQa tion highly commend; the Secretary-GenE'l'1l1,
Mr. Javier Perez de Cueltar, for his tireless efforts in UDholdinq the pUrposes and
princioles of the United Nations Charter. We note with considerable satisfaction
his col1lJ)rehens he report, wh ioh records pro-:;,:ess beinq made in resolvinQ reqional
tensions &1d cOl"lfUcts, 3~nq them those in Cambodia, AfQhanistan. Namibi",
(Mr. Somare, Papua New Guinea)
apartheid South Africa. Western Sahara and Central America, and the Iran-Iraq
conflict. The report also underscores the efforts beinq made to tackle other
pressinq issues, includinq the environment, disarmament. trade, finance, debt
servicinq and human riqhts.
Our own reqion, the South Pacific, is relatively free of majQr conflicts, but
is nevertheless an area which is beinq qiven increasinQ attention by other
countries and international orqanizations. The South Pacific is not immune from
the effects of international tensions elsewhere and the worrying trends in the
wor ld economy.
The community of the South Pacific comprises mainly small island States
scattered in the vast Pacific Ocean. Our struqqle is one of survival, a struqqle
to develop our people and national economies with the liroi ted financial and
technical resources available to us while at the same time keeping our reqion free
of big-Power rivalry and the environment free of nuclear and other activities which
could harm. if not destroy, our r~1ion's resources, ineludinq the most important
source of livelihood for most island communities - fish and marine resources.
Since our independence in 1975 we have actively pursue:l the cause of
decolonization in the South P'3cific. Most of our reqion has been decolonized, but
there are some island communi ties whose future is still uncertain.
Papua New Guinea welcomes the proqress beinq made bv the Government of France
in bringi~ political and administrative retordS to New Caledonia through the
Matignon and other agreements signed between the French Government and the
different political grout:!S in the Territory. Rut we believe that the pace of
Change must be hastened' and a clear commitment made for brinqinq the Territory to
independence as soon as possible.
(Kt. Somate. Papua New Guinea)
Pai>ua New Gui~ea reqrets the traqic loss of Mr. Jean-Made Tjibaou, President
of the FLNKS, and his depUty, Mr. Yeiwene Yeiwene, on 4 May 1989. The deaths of
the late President Tjibaou, J.tr. Yei"'ene Yeiwene and others who have dlamDioned the
cause of independence in the 'l'err itory for so long and over the years made
extensive representations within and outside the United Nations on behalf of their
Territory, and who were amonQ those who signeel the Matiqnon aqreements, show that
more needs to be done by the Government of 'France to brinq about ehanQes 'which
conform with the aspirations of t.he people of New Caledonia, especially the
indigenous Kanaks.
(Mr. Somare, Papua New Guinea)
Both these leaders wer.e men of qreat vis ion, s trenqth and wisdan" They made
great sacJ:ifices for the indiqenous Me1anesian people of N~1 Caledonia. We pay
tribute to them, and we knew that their just struqq1e will not end.
New Caledonia is on the United Nations list of Non-Self Governing Territories,
followinq a decision of the Assembly in Decemb« 1986. The Assembly therefore has
a continuing responsibility to monito~ developments in the Territory closely.
The HeadS of State or Government of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, in
Belqrade, Yugoslavia, this year
"Strongly urqed that the question of New Caledonia be kept under active
consideration at the United Nations until the conditions for an
internationally acceptable act of self-determination, in accordance with the
principles and practices of the united Nations g have been met".
We also hope that the Administerinq Authoritv, in France, will comply fully
with all its obliqatiors as provided for in the United Nations Charter ~ and with
General Assenb1y resolutions 1514 (xV) and 1541 (XV).
Papua New Guinea has also welcomed recent progress made under th e Compact
arrangements between the united States and the Micronesian islands. We have moved
forward in establishinq diplomatic relations with the Federated States of
Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands. But we also look forward to the
resolution of the outstandinq issues affecting Palauos political future.
In the South Pacific, Papua New Guinea is equally concerned about protection
of the envirCl'lment. On 10 August this year, Papua New Guinea ca,tified two
important treaties which seek to protect our environment - namely, the South
Pacific Nuclear-Free-Zone Treaty and the Convention for the Protection of the
Environment and Resources of the South Pacific. Taken e..5 a packaqe toqether
(Mr .. Somare, Pal:)ua New Guinea)
with fisheries and other economic arranqements th2t are beinq proQressively put in
place, they represent important corner-stones for the protection of the environment
in the South Pacific region, and for the management and develo1)ment of its vast
marine resources in accordance with the interests of the island coftlllunities. Mv
Government intends to work closely with our partners in the SOuth Pacific to fully
itllPlement these treaty arranqements, and, like those partners, we shall strcnqly -
and especially 01)pose, France's continued nuclear-testinq proqramme at Mururoa
Atoll and all the other activities that are harmful to the resources and livelihood
of our peo~le.
Such reqional initiatives deserve the full and active support of the United
Nations. They form part of the wider international concern about, and the action
now beinq taken to protect, the qlobal envirmment.
The Goveml!l0?;t of Papua New Guinea applauds the decisim of the So"iet Union
and the People's Republic of China to ratify two of the three Protocols to the
South Pacific nuclear-free-zone Treaty. We stror..qly urQe other nuclear-weapons
States, including France, the United Kingdom and the United States, to ratify the
Protocols and respect the operations of this Treaty and other environmental
arranqements in the South Pacific.
In regional fisheries, a successful r~ional fisheries aqreelllent between the
United StatflS and the countries members of the SOut:h Pacific Forum,_ signed in 1987,
is already contrillutinq to the developnent of our fisheries resources. tie are
prepared to enter into similar arranqements with other ma10r fishillQ nations, on
the basis of fair &:'Id equitable returns for island States ancS principles desiqned
to protect and carefully manaqe the fisheries resources and our envir.onment•
(Kt. Somare, Papua New Guinea)
W. urge the GOVerftlleftt of Japan to co--operate in unlocklnq the stalled neqotiations
on a reqlonal fisheries artanqeunt with island States.
Consistent with the c1ec=laratim _de 1n July this year by the leaders of the
South Pacific PorUla, we also call on Japan and other distant-water-fishinq nations
to cease CQIIPletely the haraful .ethorl of qUl-net fishiMo often referred to as
the ·wall of death· in the South Pacific. We are convinced that such a deatrootive
and indiacriainate fishinq practice will, !fnot halted, increasinqly di.inish our
peopl.· opportunities and chances not: only of a livelihood but of survival in the
futlire.
Fisheries, trade development, transport and cOMunications ~re aMOnq the _jor
8O)nomic activities beinq pursued by island States and reqional orQanizations
establishad within the reqion, in our efforts to improve the welfare of our people
l:nd strengthen oUl:' wider connections with the intern~t1onal colllmunity. Papua New
Guinea stronqly supports the work of regional orqanizatiOns in the South Pacific as .. well as other international a.-;eneies, includinq United Nations 8Qencies, which
collaborate closely with them in brinqinq development to our rEQion.
Papua Hew Guinea's interest extends beyond the SOuth Pacific reqion. Our
foreiqn policy seeks to expand and diversify relationships with countries Members
of the Unit6d Nations. Siqnificant proqress is already beincll m&de towards th is
commitllhent in the Asian region.
We highly value our growing links with the Association of South-East Asian
Nations (ASEAN). ABEAM is an impress ive reCJ ional orqanin tion, vh ich continues to
J)rolDOte understanding and co-operation in the South-East Asian region and
elsewhere, through, alllOl19 other thinqs, the takinq of constructive reQional
initiatives on issues such as Callbodia. Papua New Guinea has special observer
statUi at annual ...tinqa of ASIAN f«.1qn .1n1st.re. we ne p1..-, that our
relationship with ASSAN h. been furth. atrenqth_e4 thls year throuqh PalMS. Nw
Guin..•• 6cc•••ion on 1 July 1989 to the 'I'rMty of Pl'leullhip and Co-operation in
South-Sast Aala.
eiqnificant nuWlb« of iteas quite dQhtly dul with initiative to reduce
international tensions and to prOllOte the cause of peace and security.
Papua Hew Guinea stronqly supports international efforts to reduce tensions and th~
n~er of conflicts.
We especially colIMnd the leaderships in Moscow and in 1I.hlncJton. They h~ve
in recent years wor1cetJ with a deep sense of COIIIitllent towards reducincJ
international tensions, and we welCX)M their further w.Uaent at this a-.slon to
eU"lnate cheaical weapons. we cca-eM their efforts en da~rllllment. But we urqe
them to qo even further. I Their effotts in particular eontributed to the cliJIate of opU..isa that becall8
eYident at last year's session of the General Assellblv, and have contributed to the
maintenance of that climate this year. Their efforts and those of others,
particularly members of the Secutitv Council, lQust be suppo!:ted if there is to be
any further lIea.,inC8ful.proqUS8 in the solution of probleIIB in Cubodia,
Afqhanistan, the -'iddle East, the Itorean peninsula, Na.ibia and southern Africa.
Papu;!l New Guinea weleoMS siqna1s of Vletftalllese troop ",ithdrwa1s frOll
Call1bodia and ho;). that the COIIfAitllent this entails will be fUlfilled, InelucUnq
free electior.a supervised by the United Nations, and that the people of' Call1bocUa
will reassert their identity and return to c1el!iOcraey, peace and tranquillity, and
socio-econollic progress.
Th. altuatlcn in the .«un ,,*,i..u18 la a180 of concem to ay Gwem__t. At
lndepencSance, Papua Her Gum••tab1ishcad forEt dlpl~tlc tlu with both the
ReJiubllc of Iter.. ~ the oemetatkt ltewbUc of Ker.. Our UnJcs with the
RepUblic of 'Korea have 4~.loped lI«e rapl41y. aut our co_it.ent is to .Q~rt
initiatives by both Itorua for the p.ceful reunificaUoa of tbeir people. Paoua
New Guin. ur~.s the Govern..nts of both Itor•• to Maintain .~iv. dialOQue in
w«kinea fa: urnderstMdlS'q, reconciliation and efforts to achieve the peceful
unification of the Kor.n people. We note with qr.t lnterut the proposals
~ntainecS in the a4c1r... of President Roh Ta. Woo on 11 8eptellber 1989 conccnlnq
national unification. The declaration, we beUeve, sets 11 constructive b. ill for
cUscus8io.. which could lead to early reunificatlon. I reiterate aaain that the
Govermaent of P&pua New Guin. 8upports the adailJ8ion of both North Md South 101'.
as full MeiDers of the United Nations. 'their ad_lallion, we bellwe, b. the
potential to open up additional avenues towards dialoque, co-operation and
un4erBtM4inq.
,-
Papua Nw Guin. continue to believe that efforts _<le to addrea the
underlyinq caus~s of tension and conflict in the Mi((~le But IIWlt continue. My
GCWefn1Hftt cc.MI\ds the parties - inclucUnq the United Nations - involved in this
illpOrtant prOC88S. Papu6 New Guin. refUrE its belief that the Palestinians
have a right to a hOlleland just 2Ifi) IllUch as Israel has a right to exist within
secured bordereo ThOBe two conditiens are fundamental to any lasting resolution of
the tensions and conflicts in the Middle Bast.
The problea of apartheid and the related colon1al situation iJllPOsed by the
racist regi.e of SOuth Africa stUl exist in spite of nUlDerous efforts by this body
and other United Nations aqencles. Papua New Guinea is of the firlD beliC!f that the
option of mandatory sanctions aqainst SOuth Africa holds qood prospects fer success
both in disllantUnq apartheid and in achievinq the ln~ependence of Nallibia.
With reqard to qlobal trade and the economic developments that have taken
place in the recent past. we note that the industrialized countries have moved
towards structural-adjust _nt policies to address the issues of lCJlf qrowth and hiqb
inflation through the liberalization of trade. the elimination of irtdustr tal and
aqricultural subsidies and the creation of emplOYMnt opportunities. We· also note
that lUny developinq countries have experienced not only slow and staqnant economic
qrowth but debt proble1llS IS well. As a result of these contlnuinq economic
difficulties many developinq countr: iea, includinq Papua New Guinea. have undertaken
strinqent economic policies and lQloqrammes to maintain sustainable economic qe'OtIth.
"hile there has been 'Proqr~s in some of those areas, Papua New Guinea, with
a developinq and aqr:iculturally based economy. is concerned that the effects of
orotectionist pressure exercised by industrialized economies on some of our
suateqlc aqrlcultural export comllOdlUes have adversely lnfluencecJ our national
plana and. efforts to achieve sustainable econollic qrQfth. It is therefore
iIlP«ative that the efforts of the qlobal COIIaUnity, through the United Rations and
its aqeneies .. well 1)8 the currel\t Uruquay Round of neqotiattons, shoule! be
str~qthenea to address such trade prdctice& and cUstortiolV! in order to ensure
. balanced, l1beraUzed and fair trade I?etween the countries in th~ international
aarket.
In conc),wsiCin, IIV deleqation believes that the IIOSt itlPOrtant and. pressing
issue in ~e world today "!J the question of peace and development. Peace is the
pre-eonc:1hlon for economic develoPllftnt through the eXDanswn of international
co-operation. Only in is' international environment of peace and stability can the
econollic development of all nations be enhanced. Papua New Guinea therefore
attaches great importance to international efforts aimed at achievinq peace,
harllony and development 1n the world. We also fully support efforts ailled at
dealing with the qrowl~ probles of trade protectionism, debt servlcinq and the
slo.dnq down of financial transferf.f to developinq countries.
Papua New Guinea has taken note of the overwhelminQ support dele"1ations have
qiyen to the need for and effectiveness of the United Nations sYStem. While there
can be some criticism about the Orqanb:ation's ability to deal with problems
affectinQ the international community, my deleQation believes that there are
oosittve .aiqns that the United Nations network of aQencies has been qiven it chance
to work. ~ considerable amount of momentum has developed within the United Nations
in tacklinq and seekinq solutiolY:S to some of the wC'rJ.d's problems. We must all
take full advantaq~ of these oopor tunities •
. The meetina rose at 12.15 p.m.
(Mr. So_re, Papua HMI Guin.'