A/44/PV.44 General Assembly

27.  CO-OPERATION BE'l'WEEN THE UNITID NATIONS AN) THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (a) REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GmERAL (A/44/425) (b) DRAFT RESOLUTION (A/44/L.6/Rev.l) The'PRESIDENT. I call on the representative of Lesotho, who will introduce the draft resolution. Mr. PHOOFOID (Lesotho), Africa has steadfastly continued to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Pursuing this worthy course, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), imbued with and inspired ~y the same ideals of the United Nations, has consistently sought to maintain and strengthen its relations with the United Ndtior.s by co~perating with it in all spheres, whether political, social or economic. The founding fathers of OAU recognized and cherished a belief that Africa ,was part of the whole~ which whole is represQnted by the very exis tence of the Unitoo Na tiens _ Hence the desire and the jus ti f table need to c:o~perao:e and be identified with the United Nations. we in Africa have looked upon the United Nations as not only a constituent part of .but also an entity inseparable from Africa. Together for better or for worse, it is a matter of the utmost importa~ce, if not absolutely easential, that we face the world in unison. We should always en9age in concerted action in OU~ noble endeavours to live up to the expectations of the founding fathers of this Organization. Alas, the world we dweH. in has it-et own tribulations, and problell8 that need immediate, consistent and urgent attention if lasting peace and security is to be achieved. Africa is not immune from such problems inasmuch as it always shares its joy and happiness with all its friends around the globe. The United Nations has not onl? participated actively in the political evolution of Africa through decoloni:ation, but actively involved itself 1n the solution of pelttieal problemo in Africa. That involvetae7\t is cocoperatiQn 0C'i the political front. As Africa proceeds through the final 3tage£ of deooloni:ation, it is gratifying to note that the genuine independence of Nam1h:La has continued to sebe the attention of the international community. The people of Namibia have pinned their hopes on the United Nations as Security COUJllcil resolution 435 (978) is being implemented. (Mr. Phoofolo. Iesotho) Namibia is the cutl"e:nt topical agenda item Oft which the entire international co_unity is focusing. Namibia is the issue that even unhorn children have started living and feeding upon. Africa is seeking the Organization's constant co-operation to ensure that the world body is never seen or perceiVed to be failing, QC at worst betraying, the Namibians in this critical hour of need. The United Nations through its indefatigable peace emissary, the standard bearer of hOpe and peace, our Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, is currently fUlfilling its sacred trpst on the issue of Namibian independence. The report of the Secretary~General is testimony to the 10t\9-lasting co-operation of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity in all efforts aimed at assisting Namihians to decide and determine their 0'«\ destiny in the hest manner possil'>le and as they see £it. It is in this prevailing spirit of co-operation, as this issue of Namibian independence 1s followed and monitored, that all parties Ill1st comply strictly with the provision3 of resolution 435 (1978) and related agreements to ensure the delivery of a healthy Namibia, free from any internal or external interference. Africa con tinues to welcone and value the co-opera tion of the United N!l Hons with the OAU in all other political problems, such as that of Western Sahara, whiCh a lso needs speedy resolu tion. The Organization has been seized fOr almost four decades of the problem of the pernicious apartheid policies practised bV South Africa. Africa is more than gratified hy the universal condemnation and rejection of the apartheid policies of South Africa and the co-opera tion of the tlnH:~ N!l tions in calling for the er.adication of apartheid and all the paraphernalia that goes with it. Apart~eid is not only intrinsically and inherently violent to citizens in South Africa, as has been so ably !'ecognized by the United Nations and the OIW, but also destructive to the front-li~ and other countries, as has heen evidenced by (Mr. Phoofolo, Lesotho) its policies of destabiliza tion in the reg ion. The co-operaticn of the Un! ted Nations with the O~ in this endeavour is clearly reflected in the Secretary-General's report referred to earlier. As the OAD and the United Nations and its organs cultivate oommendable co-operation efforts, it is equally necessary to pay a special tribute to all the United Nations specialized agencies that continue to co-operate with Africa to make our world a better and safer place. The following come to mind for their splendid endeavours in co-operation with OAD, the United Nations Development Programme (Utt>P), the United Na tions High Commiss ioner for Refugees (UNRCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FJ\O), the Interna tional J;.abour Organisa tion (lW), the World Health Organiza tion (WHO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTC,) the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEp), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Civil Aviation Organization (lCAO), the Universal Postal Union (UfU), the International Telecomnunication {hion (ITU) and the Economic COmmission for Africa (ECA), to mention just a few. Africa - like countries of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Middle East - is still consolidating its political independence by going through the painfUl process of economic transformation. One of the major hurdles on the economic front is external indebtedness. It is a problem not only of Africa but SQuarely and directly of the international community. United Nations co-operation is reauired in addresAing the deht problem. This problem haEl already caught the attention of the main bodies of the United Nations and the internation&l comrwnity at large, and has ceased to be a problem to be addrassed solely by financial institutions. Tile invitation to the United Nations to oo-operate with OAU on the Question of debt, Which has long occupied the minds of African political leaders, should not be ':; (Mr. Phoofolo, Lesotho) seen or viewed as Questioning the competence of the International Monetary Fund (lMF) or the WOrld Bank. It is a qenuine expression of a justified concern whereby the collective efforts of all people of qood intentions are beinq mobilized to complement and supplement the conunendable efforts of the competent institutions. Wisdom or intelliqence in the unravellinq of world problems cannot be the preserve or monopoly of a few. Africa is guided by this conviction in inviting the United Nations to co-operate in addressing the problem of debt, notwithstanding the competence of the IMF and the World Bank, or any other financial institution. It is because it recognizes the maqnitude and canplexityof the debt problem that Africa qenuinely and sincerely believes that OAD/United Nations co-operation can facilitate or contribute to a solution that satisfies all concerned and averts the threat to international stability, peace and security. Without more ado, and against the baCkground of the lucid and detailed report of the Secretary-General (A/44/425) of 9 August 1989, wherein a full account cif the multifarious areas of co-operation between the OAU and the United Nations system is given, I have the great honour and privilege of discharqinq my most pleasant duty on behalf of the African Group by submitting to the Assembly draft resolution A/44/L.6/Rev.l, entitled "Co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity". The draft r~solution is essentially similar to all previous resolutions on this subject adopted by the General Assembly. The moving spirit behind the draft resolution is reflected in the 15 prealllbular paragraphs, followed by the 26 opera the pllJragraphs that detaU the agenda for continUing the ~esired co~peration. In the operative part the General Assembly, inter alia, notes with appreciation the increasing and continued participation of the Organization of (Hr. Phoofolo, Lesotho) African Unity in the work of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and ! ts constructive oontribution to that work, cOlllllends the oontinued efforts of the Organization of African Unity to prollOte moltilateral co-opera tion among African States and to find solutions to African problem of vital im{r.rtance to the international cam....n!ty, reaffirms that the implementa tron of the United Ha tions Progr&lII1Ile of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990 is the responsibility of the international community as a whole and commends the efforts undertaken by African and other countries in spite of the adverse international economic environment, calls upon the Secret~ry-Generalof the United Ha tions, notwithstanding the oompetence of the multilateral financial institutiona, to co-operate wi th the Secretary-General of the Organiza ticn of African Unity to contribute to the implementation of measures aimed at a lasting solution to Africa's debt and debt-servicing burden, taking into account Africa's common position on its external debt, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its third extraordinary session, held at Mdis Ababa on 30 Novemer and 1 Deceaber 1987, urges all Menber States and regional and international organizations, in particular those of the United Nations system, to continue to extend maximum support to Africa's Priority PrograDllle for Economic Qecovery 1986-1990, reiterates its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his efforts, on behalf of the international community, to organize and mobilize special programmes of economic assistance for those African States facing grave economic difficulties, the front-line States and other inoopendent States of southern Africa to help them to withstand the effects of the acts of aggression and destabiUzation colll!litted by the apartheid regime of South Africa, expresses its appreciation to the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, the WOrld Food (Mr. Phoofolo, Lesotho) Programme, the World Foc:xJ Council, the Food and Agricul ture Organiza tian of the United Nations, the WOrld Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Office of the Un! ted Na tions High Commiss ioner for Refugees and the Uni ted Nations Institute fOr: Ttaini~9 and Research for the assistance so far rendered to African States in dealing with the emergency situation as well as with the critical economic problems that exist on the African continent, reiterates the determination of the Un! ted Na tions, in co-opera tion wi th the Organiza tion of Aft'iean Un! ty, to intensify its efforts to eliminate colonialism, racial discrimination and apartheid in southern Africa, urges the international comftlJnity to extend full support to the Secretary-General in his effort to enGure that Security Oouncil resolution 435 (1978) iG implemented in its original and definitive form, requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to strengthen co-operation at the political, economic, cultural and administrative levels between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, particularly with regard m. the provision of assistance to the victims of colonialism and apartheid in southern Africa, and expresses appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity for reactivating the machinery for co-operation of the two organizations and encourages them to further strengthen the said machinery. (Mr. Phoofolo, Lesoth~) Having highlighted the salient features of the draft resolution, we recall with a great sense of satisfaction and &ppreeiation the support granted to Africa by all those who valu~ OAU co-operation with the United Nations. What COllieS to mind is the EUropean COmmunity statement last year eo eloauently presented by the permanent representa tive of Greece, Cbnstantine D. Zepos, when he said ·co-operative efforts bring about positive reaults W, and add0d. -Africa is endowed with vast potential resources, and yet it contains IIOre than half the world's economically least developed countries. The TWelve wish to co-operate as ilUch as poasible with all African countr1es and to assist in findin~ solutions to their present economic and social proble~.a (A!43/PV.36, p. 49) The objective in the draft resolution is co-operation that brings posithe results. When the well-deserved election by acclamation of Ambassador Garba of Nigeria to the presidency of the General Asseably at its fOfty-fourth session was confined by the Asselbly it was a crystal-elear manifestation of the excellent co"'Operation between the OAU and the United Nations. All those present hailed that post tive deaonstratlon by tha international community that makes up the United Nations as 4 sign of healthy co-opera tion with Africa. 'l'he draft resolution before us is a reaffir_tion of that well-proved co"'"Operation. Any lIOve to the contrary would negate that co-opera tive effort. Africa, upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter and guided by its genuine dttsire to enhance _d deepctn co-operation with the United Nations, is not only extending its hand of friendship but expressing its coaai~ent to the nobl~ aims and purposes of the United Nstions, with whiCh it wante to sustain a (Mr. Phoofolo, Iesotho) long-lasting, co-operative effort to ake this our world a happy and cCllfort!lble place for all its peoples. The acceptance of Africa's warll hand of co-operation wUl indeed be demnstrated by all the champions of democratic ideals Md dedica ted adherents to the aills and purposes of the United Nations by adopting draft resolution A/44/L.6,1Rev.l byacela_tion. Africa calls for that co-operation with all States constituting our beloved United Nations. Finally, we call th~ attention of the Assellbly to the fact that in the fourth line of operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution, after the words Rmdertaken by African lll the words Rand other" should be Inserted~ Mr. BADAWI (Egypt) (interpretation from Arabic), Africa is a special and significant case in the history of the United Nations. In 1945, when the United Ha tions Charter was being signed, there were only four independent African Sta tes that could take part in that historic development. Egypt takes pride in the faet that 1t was one of those Sta tea. African membership in the international Organization started to increase with the progrttss made in Un! ted Ha tiORS efforts in the field of decoloniza tion, tha t being one of the most important principles and objectives of the United Nations. This has been one of the Organization's foremost achievements, and txtday African Member States constitutes nearly one third of the international community. But Africa's membership of the United Nations is not just a matter of Quantity, its qualitative contribution in the efforts of the Organization and in the develop1l8nt of the Organization's worl( in all fields for the good of all mankind, may well be the heat pJroof of the effective role played by Africa in matters of concern to the international community. (Kt. Phoofolo, Lesotho) The relationship between the United Nations and the African continent has not been one way. The international Organization has been and continues to be the vi tal and appropr ia te forum in facing the post-independence challenges in the political, economic and social fields. Within the framework of the intention inherent in the United Nations Charter concerning the establishment of international organizations that uphold the principles of justice and humanity, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established as an expression of the determination of the States of the continent to reaffirm and consolidate the purposes and principles of the international Organization as well as i.ts efforts to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the world of today. We in Africa therefore consider it natural that co-operation between the two organizations should be cultivated and that the relationship between them should grow, in the intere»ta of the human community and better development for futur~ genera tiow\;. The OAU ha~ always been in the vanguard of the march of liberation in an import~~ er~ in the history of the world. President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, in his statement before the Assembly on 29 September, reaffirmed the Organization's determina tion to pursue the struggle untU the Afrlcan continent is totally liberated from colonialism and racism, until it rids itself of poverty and want, until it is able to tackle the serious challenges with which it is confronted and to overcome the numerous problems impeding its march along the path of development Aftica is resolved to face these problems and challenges no matter how acute they may be. The unity and determination of the African community and its ability (Mr. Badawi, EgyPt) to work as a unit in a true tea. spirttare its weapons in facing these challenges. But Africa continues to look for support by the mother Organization on a level that is comparable to, if not higher than, the sUpPOrt it gave our continent in the cause of freedom and independence. life are on the threshold of a new era that augurs well for a reduction of the possibilitlee of confrontation and an increase in the possibilities of and opportuni ties for interna tional coooopera t!on in the consolida tion of peace and increasing international 9O-operation in all areas, including the economic, social, legal and cultural areas. Within this framework there is a growing need to reaffirm and consolidate co-operation between the Unitad Nations and the largest regional organization of all. (Mr. Badaw!., !;Iypt) It is well kn01lll'l .to all that a critical economic situation has afflicted the African continent since the beginning of this decade. Information about it is available in all relevant reports and studies, including the reports of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization. Rates of growth and development have declined as a result of the decline in the prices of African exports, the reverse transfer of resources, the deht hurden and natural disasters, as well as policies of destabilization, particularly in southern Africa. All these eircumstances have led to a decline in the standard of living in the countries on our con tinent and imposed 00 them unpreceden ted pol! tical, sacial and economic pressures at a time when the international economic environment is not supportive of the development of the developing countries, particularly African countries. As a reSUlt, African States now make up more than half of the least developed countries of the world. We believe that, in spite of all the efforts of the countries of the continent to co~perate among themselves and carry out economic reforms, a decisive role is played in Africa by the international economic environment. There is a dire need for the international community to co~perate with African countries, which is a third o~ the membership of the international community, to enable them to overcome their current economic predicament. This is more than a mere moral commitment, it touches upon the essence of mutual interest in a world that is increasingly interdependent and whose problems transcend geographical and political boundaries. There is an urgent need to support co~peration between the United Nations and the Organ1za tion of African Uni ty in following up the implementa tion of the UnUed Nations Progranme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. The final results of that programlll!, to which there is a common colllllitment by Africa and the international col1lllunity, will be considered at the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly. (~. Badawi, !;yPt) It is also urgently neeesaary for the international community to understand the African alternative to structural adjustment, to make possible the continuance of the programmes of economic assistance to the front-line Sta tes, of the provision of assistance to States mst vulnerable to drought and desertification, of other programmes that alleviate the effects of natural disasters, and of efforts to make a clear analysis of and find practical solutions for the problems of African eem.odities~ prices and export opportunities. In Africa we are wel;l aware of the urgent need for closer co-operation between the Uni ted Baticns and the Organiza tion of African Unity in considering the question of foreign debts. The burden of servicing these debts is too grea t for the African economies. In addition, debt-servicing has a negative effect en the development of human reSOllLces and political and social stability in our continent. Our con tinen t has great hopes thet the In terna tional community, bearing in mind the problems of mank lnd as an integrated and indivisible whole, will respond favourably to and support the great efforts being IIlIide by African countries to ensure better development for this generation and a brighter future !Or future generations. Mr. BLANC (France) (interpretation from French) I Speaking in the debate on co-opera tion between the Uni bed Ba tions and tne Organin tion of African Unity on behalf of the 12 members of the European Community, I wish, first, to reaffirm the importance they attach to relations between the two organizations. The close historical, cultural and geographical ties between the countries of Europe and those of Africa make the African continent one of our major concerns. The considerable experience of the Twelve in regard to regional co-operation enables them to bear witness to the great benefits that such co-operation can (Mr. Badawi, Eiypt) br:1ng. We believe that the efforts bein~ made jointly by the African countries deser~ the full support of the United Nations. In this connection, the Twelve are happy to note that the ties between the Organiza tion of African ll'Ii ty (OAU) and the United Nations have become closer in all areas ewer the yeat's. The 'l\Ielve believe that the OAU has an important role to play in strengthening the national independence of its i1lemers in both the pol i tical and the economic field. Such action is particularly relevant in the current international atmosphere, which favours negotiation and detente over confrontation. Where conflicts continue" we believe the countries IIlCSt directly involved should be encouraged to find a solution to them, and this applies to political, economic" social and environmental problems. African solutions are those best adapted to African problems. Therefore the ,lOo Twelve are happy to note the work being done by OAU in connection with a number of complex cases. In particular we tJelcome the close co-operation that exists between the Secretary-General of tha U:ni ted Nedons and the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity in the search for peacefUl aolutions to the problelllB of Africa, in partiCUlar the problem of Western Sahara. ~he Twelve alrJO welcome the effective implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia and trust that its cOlllpletion will enable the new State to join the community of nations. The Twelve believe that the role of the United Nations, especially at this cri tical stage, is to act with impartiality and try tD preserve the agreements arrived at within the mntext of the settlement plan. In this context, the Twelve reaffirm their support for the Secretary-Generalis efforts to ensure the success of the iIIpleJtentation of the United Nations plan for Namibia. The Organization of African O'Iity has a decisive role to play. It must ensure that the peoples of Africa are allowed to determine their own future freely and without any outside interference. (Mr. Blanc, France) Africa has a vast potential of resources, yet it contains more than half the economically least developed countries of the world. The Twelve intend to continue their co-operation with all the African countries and to help in the search for solutions to their current economic and social problems. In recen~ years the European Community and its 12 member States have prOVided more than half the total assistance received by the African countries. Last year the European Communi ty played an active role in the mid-point consideration of the Uni~ed Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. If the African countries are to o~ercome their problems, they need additional resources. The Twelve reaffirm their commitment to participate in the efforts needed to make such resources available. The important contribution by the Imropean Conmunity and its menber States bears witness to their support for the objectives of the Programme of Action. The TWelve, dedicated as they are to Africa's cause, intend to work in various areas to ensu:e the preservat.ion of the stability of the continent and to brO&den their co-operation with African Govern~~nts, regional organizations and ~he Organiz3 tion of Afdcan Un! ty. We believe that OAU ~ill continue to play an important role in African and world affairs in harmony with the principles that guide the Uni ted Matians. The Twelve also believe that the close ties of friendship and co-operation between them and the members of the Organization of African Unity will continue to be strengthened in all areas in the coming years. (Mr. Blanc, Franc.!.) The PRESIDENTa The Assenb1y will now take a decision on draft resolution A/44/L.6/Rev.l. thder the terms of operative paragraph 14 of the draft resolution, it i~ estimated that a meeting between the secretariats of the United Nations and the Organiza tion of African Unity (OAU) will he held at the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity from 2 to 5 April 1990. The modalities of the servicing of that meeting are still the subject of consultations. Pending the conclusion of those consultations, and on the assumption that such a meeting would be comparable to such meetings held in the past in terms of participation and duration, it is estimated that no additional cost would he incurred over and above the provisions made under sections 3 and 29 of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991. With regard to activities proposed under other operative paragraphs of the draft resolution, it is estimated by the Secretary-General that their implementation would not entail any costs over and above the provisions made in the 199~l991 proposed programme hudget. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/44/L.6/Rev.l? Draft resolution A/44/L.6/Rev.l was adopted (resolution 44/17). The PRES IDENT, I call on the representa tive of the United States who wishes to explain his vote. 1 remind delegations that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Kr. MOORE (United States of America) I The United States is ve~y pleased to have been able to join in the consensus on this resolution. In reaching this consensus we have had useful, constructive discussions with the representatives of the Organiza ticn of African Uni ty (OAU). We should like to thank them for their understanding and good work. At the same time, we should also like to stress the essential, positive work of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) .md the World Bank in dealing with the debt situation. In order to provide appropriate recogni tion of the role of the in terna tional financ tal institu tions, we would have preferred to use in operative paragraph ? the word "recognizing- in place of the word "notwithstanding" in referring to the mu! tilateral financial institutions. We again state our gratitude for the flexibility and co-operation so well denonstrated by our friends in the OAU in working together wi~~ us on this issue .. The PRESIDENT. We have conclwled OUi: consideration of agenda item 27.