A/44/PV.47 General Assembly

I should like to remind representatives that in accordance with the decision taken this morning the list of speakers in the debate will be closed at 5.00 p.m. todav. t therefore reQuest those representatives wishing to participate in the debate to insc?ibe their names on the list of speakers as soon as possihle. Mr. ABUBAKAR (Nigeria): As the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly considers the agenda item on apartheid, we are hopeful that the forty-third year of the consideration of this issue will mark the final turning-point for apartheid. My delegation expresses this hope because at no other time in the history of apartheid and the hi~tory of our Organization have events and personalities been so favourable for the peaceful elimination of aparth~id through neqotiations. Indeed, the prevailinq situation is so auspicious that the progressive climate for negotiating an end to apartheid has b~en positiv~ly enhanced by the seeming consensus of opinion existing today on the need to commence the final march towards thp elimination of apartheid. ThiR uniouely auspiciou~ atmosphere has been further rpinforced hy the very profound views articulated by African States in the renowned Harare Declaration of 21 August 1989. If there ~ver was a premise or haRj~ for contemplating the dismantling of apartheid, it i~ the one elt>QlJently spP.lled out in that Declaration. Similarly,the pl~~itive atmo~phere ha~ heen further complemented by the envisaged first-ever special session of the General Assembly on apartheid and its destructive consp,ouencp.s in southern l\f.rica, which will convene in this Hall on 12 Decemher 1989. My delp.qation findR deep comfort, if not solace, in the very eloauent and l~cid words 0f the Harare np.clar~tion, and we therefore fully agree with the solemn r~affirmation of ou~ belief. "that a conjucture of circumstances exists Which, if there is a demonstrable readiness on the part of the Pretoria regime to engage in negotiations qenuint?ly ."lnd seriou~ly, could create the possibility to end apartheid through negntiations".(A/44/691, para. 14) My delpqation further Rhares the view that: "Such an eventuality would he an expression of the long-standing preference of the majority of the people of South Africa to arrive at a political settlement" (~.) anti that "1'oqether witl'l the rest of the world, we believe that it ie; p.ssential, before any np.goti~tions can take place, th8t the necessary climate for neqotiations he cr~atp.ti". (ihid., para. 18) Thp.cp. is ",n imp''!r..'ltive n<eed to create an atmosphere conducive to the enhancement of qenuine neqotiatic'ms. Indeed, tile maRS democratic movement in South .~frica, coupled with thp. liher.'ltion JOovements - the l\f.rican National Congress (ANC) and the 0an Afric~nist CQnqr~ss (PAC) - are willinl to neqoti~te. Regrettably, it is not within th4?'ir compptencp. to brinq ahollt the dpl'lired atmosphere fHr nl~qotiat;ons. (Mr. Abubakar, Nigeria) The tragedy of ap~rthp.id lie~ with its originators. The eradication of apartheid and the basi~ on which it ffiust he predicated lies also with the architects of apartheid. The acts of violence, de~tahilization, aggression and dehumanizing legislation clearly documented in the report of the Special Committee against Apartheid that is before the ~ssemhly are not acts contrived and executed by Nelson Mandela and his fellow political prisoners. They are not acts and designs of the ANC and the PAC illegally banned by the racist regime, nor of the countless women and childrp.n who have been dispossessed of their birthright. Nor are they acts of South Africans chased into exile by the racist regime. It is the minds of those who contrived the evil ~~licies of apartheid and the minds of their offspring who gave initial impetus to apartheid by enthroning that policy through legislation - it is those very minds that must now rewind and retrack in order to create the basis on which apartheid can he eradicated through qenuin~ negotiation. The onus for creating a basi~ for genuine negotiations rests solidly with the racist regime in South Africa - and particularly with the De Klerk ~dmini~tration. As we are all aware, you cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs. The leadl~r in South Africa has to prove that he has the inner resources and courage not only to introduce comprehensive reforms but also to keep them firmly on course to end th~ apar.theid system. For too long we have lil':t':Hled to talk ':If racist r.eform. For too long we have been aSked hy supporters of apartheid to qivp. reform a chance - as though reform were synonymous with peace. And again, at the end of the day, the mirage of reform ends with a deep~r entrenchment of apartheid. What we see is the applic~tion of apartheid to reform apartheirl. For too lonq we have been asked not to impose mandntory and comprehen~iue sanctions on CnciRt ~ollth ~f.ri~n, in the hop~ th~t it will see reason dnd have the wisdom to negoti~te an end to apartheid. But time and time again ~e are left with the short end of the stick while apartheid and its supporters huy morp time for this heinous system which is a crime against humanity. We have repeatedly asked the perpetrators and apologists of apartheid what they must expect from the victims of apartheid. Often, if we are not told that sanctions will hurt blacks more, we are told that reforms take time. But, then, we have known the diversionary tactics of aparthe~d reforms: 43 wasted years of them. Then again, we are told in this Hall that the United Nations and its membership cannot support the right of the oppressed people of South Africa eith~r to armed resistance or to armed struggle against an oppressive and unjust regime. What are the supporters of apartheid going to tell us next? (Mr. Abubakar, Nigeria) In effect, we cannot continue to he reminded th~t the trump card i~ held hy the r.aci~t regime. The moment of truth has arriued and he whO hold~ the trump card, he who hu ilt tl1e house of repres~ion, violence and deacon ian leqi~latiol"\, must retrace hi~ steps and create t~e necessary atmosphere for. peace. The road that leads from Soweto to Pretoria also leads from Pretori~ to SowetoJ that p)litical road is two-way. The oppres~ed hlack people of SOuth Africa have always known this. They havef therefore, always heen ready to march along thAt long winding road to Pretoria to negotiate peace. But, unfortunately, the racist regime has not demonstrated the good tai th necessary for. negoth tions hecause of its assumption that military force and violence can triumph ouer the forces of freedom and jlStice. In 1958 Alhert Lithuli called for neqotiations, in 1961 Nelson Mandela called, and even today he still calls, for negotiations. These negotiations, however, cannot he on the terms of the oppressor regime, which responded with massacres in Sharpeville, So~et~ and Langa. Even now, at this rroment, when the international community is unified in agreement that a hasis exist~ f,")r the f)P.ilceflll elimination of tiJ?"lrtheid, we fnil to see any concrete effort hy the racist regime to emh~rk urgently on a peace proce~~ through negotla tions. Ra ther, they have chosen the pa t" of superficia 1 gestures ai~d at huying time. (",e~ti1res are elCactly what they are, empty qestures thi\t qive no concrete suhstance to Snuth Africa'~ professed willingness to eradicate apar th·~id or to its show I)f good f'l i t~. Yet, in spi te of th is oh" ious ploy, supporters of aeartheid want the oppr.esr;ed people 01: South Afr iCA to hellr an eQual hurden in cre.3ting a h3Sis f"r genuine negociationc;. Common sense t~lls ur; that ..1 man with a rifle is not on an equal fnoting with a man with a cluh. How~ then, can the oppreRsor and the oppressed hP. put on an e'lual ft')<')ting? And how can the qaoled negotiato. with hiR gi":ll)ler? While;,Je ::;..li"ol:lit th,lt: (lppre~!;ed South Africnns and their (Mr. Ahuhakar, Niqeria) representatives have a crucial role to play in the peaceful eradication of apartheid throuqh neqotiations, we remain convinced that the greater onus lies on the oppressor regime it~elf. This conviction is founded on and rooted in the fact r and our knowledge, that blacks in South Africa have always in their long struggle stood for peace. I commenced this ~peech by reiter.ating our belief that conditions are now propitious for peaceful negotiations on an end to apartheid. True as this may be, it does not warrant or demand that the international community relaK its effo~ts with regard to South ~frica. Rather, it reinforces the need for intensified pressure from outRide to bring about reforms in South Africa. If South Africa is indeed ready to n~gotiat~, it is hecallse it feels the pressure both at home and ahroad. Whereas: it may indicate willingness to negotiate, our role in the Assembly and as members of the international community remains to continue our soli~arity with those enqaqed in the liberation struggle, strengthen the imposition of sanctions aqainqt the South ~ftican regime, keep the apartheid question in full view and isolate t·1F.~ racil'lt reqime in every way possible, while ~upporting the peace and negotiation process. To do less would be to grant an undeserved reprieve to the apartheid system. That apartheid is an affront to humanity and violates the fundamental and univerRal principles enshr illp.d in the Charter of. our OrC)anization and in the ~lniverSdl neclaration of Human Right$ n~ed hardly be emphasized. That aparthei~ conRtitlltes ;t thrp.i'lt to intp.rnati:"ll'lal peace and security and has result~d in the loss of countlpss ljup.s, destruction of property and destabili?ntion of some African Statp.s is a r~~lity. That apartheid will bP eliminated is a matter of time. However, whp.ther it i~ ~ljminatp.d peacef.ully or Violently will h~ up to the Pretoria req imp.. (Mr. Abubakar, Niqeria) Fo~ its part, my delegation will continue to support all efforts ai~d at reaching a peaceful settlement. Howe~er, we remain conscious and resolute in our belief that the oppres~ed people of South Africa retain the right to pursue their. self-determination through armed struggle. T~e path to a genuine politic~l settlement of the conflict in SOuth Africa, to our mind, can he found in the Harare Declaration. We join our voice once again to the voices of the members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonweal th in calling on Pretoria to show its goodwill, good faith and willingness to emhark on peaceful negotiations with the majority popUlation in SOuth Afr.ica, hy releasing all political prisoners and detainees unconditionally, lifting all hans and restrictions on all proscribed and restricted organi?ations and person~, removing all troops from the townships, ending the state 'of emergency and repealing all oppressbJe ,,~,~gislation, and, finally, ceasing all political trials and political executions. We consider. that action to meet these demands would create the necessary cl:l.mate for negotia tions, and we call upon all parties to take full advantage l")f the opportunities arising therefrom. My delegation believes, further, that if these demands were met it could not hut lead to an agreed suspension of hostilities. Pp-ace is well at hand in Sonth Afr.ica if Pretoria wilt only show good faith for once. OV'lly when it does, JIIu.''lt we in this Assembly rebx our efforts in the l'Itruggle i'llga inst apartheid. The PRESIDENT, It is wit~ great ple~sure that 1 welcome to the General Assembly the Rev. C. S. Banana, for.mer Pre~ident of Zimhahwe. Since leaving office as President of that great front-line State, Mr. B~nana has continUed to exert himself in the struggl~ for peace in South ~frica, the struggle of the oppressed people of Sout~ Afrir.~. 0n1y two months ago he was co-Chairman of the Panel of Eminent Persons in plJh1.ic "tearing!.; l')n the activi ties of tranAn,'l tionat cor.por," tinnA in South Afdct'i and Namihia, at '4hich,I was privileged to testify. (Mr. Ahuhakar, Niqeria) Mr. BANANA (Zimhahwa): Let me hegin, Sir, hy congratul"!ting you on your election to th~ presidency of the Assemhly. You repreRent in your high office the hest of Africa, the promi~e of our continent as it reach~s from a past of oppre.:'lsion and poverty to a future of hope and fulfilment. It is fitting that you should preside over this meeting to consider what the inter.national community can do to end a particularly poisonous remnant and survivor of the past, the sy~tem of apartheid. Let me alRo extend to the people of Namihia my heartfelt good wishes on the electl()ns there today. Namin i.a 's tranc;i tion to freedom has been hard won and long await~d. Coming from a neighbouring Afr.ican State that shares a common experience of history, I know how momento~ this transition is, and how perilous it can he. When the Panel met in Genava this September a: great deal of in terna tional attention was focused on South Africa. In fact, South Africa held its racially exclu.q!.ve elections ~, the oay we concluded the hearings, and the mass media carried much of, analysis and comment ahout, the changes that could or would be forthcoming. In this con te Kt, one of the ilia jor tasks we faced in formula ting recoIMlendations was to assess the prospects for real change. As this assessment underlies the direction and thrust of our report, allow me to outline briefly the factors we took into account in concluding that the intecnational community should maintain and increase economic pressures en the system of apartheid. Ove~ the three days of hearings our Panel heard a wide range of views on the current situation in South Africa. We focused en the activities of transnational corporations, including transnational han~s, in the context of international sanctions aimed at the elimination of the apartheid system. We considered carefully the issue of whether sanctions had been effective in pressing the South African Government to come to the negotiating table. We considered testimony on the variety of loopholes in current i~ternational sanctions and the partial success South Africa has had in exploiting them. We also considered the role of several Governmen~q in helping Sout~ Afr.ica undermine international action against apartheid, contravening in the process not only Uni ted Na tions policies hut even their own laws and solemn commitments. In our recommendatinns we address these var ious issues and a 150 look at what can he done to help prepare for a post-apartheid South Africa. Historically the raci~t domination of Sout~ Africa has heen founded on the enormous flo~ of etoH t!; to the whi te minod ty and tn foreign lnves tors. Th,\ t p~rtnership of out.~ide irwestor illndinside oppressor has been crucial to the maintenance of the aearthp.id system. Their shared economic interests have heen .'lt thp. core of the aeartheid system, overriding all other considerations - religious, (!otC'. Banana, Zimbabwe) moral and humane. The role of fo{~ign economic interests in South Africa has for this reason been the focus of attention at the United Nations f~r many years. In particular, attention has focused on the activities of transnational corporations, because they have been the key agents directing foreign investment and technology to South A~rica and siphoning off the profits. Durinq the last two decades, as opposition to apartheid has grown within the country and the international pressure of sanctions and consumer boycotts has incrpased, the profitahility of the system has begun to erode. The costs of security within the country and of South Africa's aggression against neighbouring States, the costs of circumventinq sanctions and, perhaps most important, the costs of directing economic qrowth by the irrational dictates of racial prejudice, have all taken their t~ll. South Africa's economy has heen increasingly distorted, its growth rate stunted and its capacity to sustain the high standard of living for the white minority progressively reduced. In fact, with the economy growing at an average of about 2 per cent a year and inflation at 16 per cent, there has been a substantial drop in white real income in t;he last five years. The results are clearly evident. An incre~sing numbeL of white South Africans, newl~ aware of the economic madness of apartheid, have heen joining the ranks of the disaffected Q Those who can are votinq with their fe~t, leaving in ever larger num~r.s. Estimates show that the whitp. population of South Africa will decline in absolutp. terms this year. Transnational corporations, too, haV9 ~een discoverinq that they most face more than international opprohrium f~r their south African links, they must incrp.asingly contend with an unhealthy business climat~, with volatile and unpredictable economic ani! politit::al con:Utions Clod little promise l')f long-term stability. Some 277 transnational I~orporations hav~ divp.sted themselves of their eauity intereAts in South ~fric~ since 1985. Many of those corporations have be~n (totr. Banana, Zimbabwe) forced to leave by consumer and popular pressure in their home countries, and it is iuiportant to acknowledge that such pressure has been tlOst effectively applied in the United St.ltes, about 60 per cent of the divesting corporations have been from the Unitoo States. In some key countries of Europe popular pressures have not led, as they have in the Un! ted St."1 tes, to strong action by Governments. In some countdes this translation of popular feeling into corporate policy has been prevented by deliberate acts of Gover.nment, while in others it is a natter of inadequate organization and information at the mass level. One of the reasons for holding the pUblic hearings in Europe this time waA, indeed, to tr.y to draw the attention of the European public to the prevailing situation. The future of South Afri~a is in the hands of its own people. But undOUbtedly external pressures have helped it in the struggle against apartheid. Our recommendation th~t international sanctions be continued and intensified is aimed not a t destroying the South African economy, hut at raising the economic stakes, at making the Government and business community of SOuth Africa realize that their OtiR welfare reauires the end of apartheid. ~ Gome extent, judging from the current fluid situation in South Aftica, that reali'&ltion has been growing in influential circles. ?r.etoria has signalled it~ acknowledgement of the need for internal change. It has withdrawn from overtly aggressive pcn..:ures in Ang:)la and Namibia. Blit ther.e \S ~s yet no commitment to end the system of institutionalized racism that the world tia:s candemned as a orime against humanity. Tbere is still talk of reform, of incremental changes that would serve merely to hide the realities of racial dominance and oppresAion. Under these circu~qtanceB, the Panel did not buy the idea that the world should back away from sanctinns and give Mr. De Kler~ a chance. It is our view that the wor.lri shO;Jld give a chance to the people of South (Mr. Banana, Zimbabwe) Africa to determine its O\lin destiny. Unless the interna tional community continues to press for change at this critical juncture, we shall lose the momentum to end apartheid. What do transnational oorporations think of the current situation in South Africa? How do they justi fy their continued involvement in areas specifically forbidden by international agreements? Why do so many of the corporations that have supposedly divested themselves of intere~ts in South Africa cont.nue to maintain non-equity interests in the country? It is my sad duty to report that we did not get infor!1\! tion Q\ these points from the corpora tions themselves. The preponderant majority of the approximately 800 transnational corporations with links to South Africa de~,,:lined to patticipa te in the puhlic hear Ings. Only 200 of those invited responded. Most sent regrets. A very few sent brief written submissions. However, corporate views were voiced at the hearings by delegations from the International Chamber of COmmerce and several representatives of the South African husiness coJmlunity, led by the Associated Chambers of Comerce of South Africa. They argued that the presence of transnational corporations in South Africa actually benefited the blaCk population, both by giving it economical power and by pressing for acceptable standards in working and social conditions. In their view, international sanctions aimed at ending their links with South Africa were counter-productivp., inflicting most damage on the country's black popUlation. (loir. Banana, Zimbabwe) Diametrically oPP0l;ed views were presented hy other witnesnes, includirq those who came from and Rpoke for the hlacl( ct')m:nunity in Souttl Africa. In their view, it was incorrect and immoral tl) ar.gue tha t sanctions should not he imposed hecau~~ they would lead to a loss of johs, such l()ssen represented the inevi t~hl.,. congt$ of the struggle for. freedom, which the hlael( community was prepared to pay. They said the South African Government remained intransigent on the issue of eliminating apartheid, and morp. in terna tional pressure re1.l ting to finane ial and trade flows would he of er i tic"ll importitnce in ttle months ahead. The latter ~iew of ' the economic, political and moral realities in South Africa is powerfully convincing.l\t the Silme time, the Panel was deepl'! trouhled hy the argument ttlat the hurden of Ranctions falls on those memhers of the hlack community least .lhle to hear: it. That is why we recommend that, while increasing pressures on the South African economy, the international cOmmunity'· including transnational c.,rporati'lns - must talce RtepR to minimize losses suffered hy black: workers and their dependants. A~ the report of the Panel is hefore the Assembly, I will do no more than enumerate the tMin recommend3tions that reauire 'lotion here. We have called for a range of acti~ns to he undertaken by Governments relating to sanctions in the areas of short-term financ~, inVl:~stlMnt and trade. In the are~ of finance, we ask for an end t~ trade c[edit~ and an e~d tn gold swaps and forwud gold Rales. We al';l( fot' restdctions in hank lendinq and that hanks ~et pol i tic",) tp.rms fnr resched191 ir'lq deht that. '"ouid lead t.7l the end of apar the i·]. On inveAtrrlent, '.le .l!;l( thilt C"1O"ernments IMndate corporltions to withdraw thp.ir inve!;tlMnt!1 i" SOllth Afdca, r~pe.d t1nuhlp.-t3~"~tion aqreements and proutdp. I'll') t·}:< C:"r. Banana, Zimhahwe) licensing, ffancni~in9 and supply of technology to South Af!"ica. When corporations disinvest. we ask that they treat their black emple')yees fal!"ly. As reqillrds trade. we ask that Govern~nts work towardt:; a steady r~lJction of trade tie~ and specifically that they han imports of South African agricultural goods. manufactures, non-strategic materialc;, gold, ph Unum and coal. we ask f..,.· a phasing out of trade credits, d strengthening of the ar~~ and oil emharqoes and a han on the export of ~china tools and capital equipment to South Afri~a• .\ pattieularly imJX)r'tant recorn-- nd.1tion made hy our. Panel was vith reference to South Africa's international deht. 11lJch of wttich would have come dlle in June 1990. We had urged that the transnational hanks which hold this deht should impose strict p~litieal condition~ for rescheduling. Such cl move by the han~5 would have had an immediate impact. Unfortunately, the major banks holding the deht paid no heed. They rushed to conclude negotidtions with South Africa, and the announcement of the agreement in Octoher was yet another indication of the little weight 9 ivf'!\'\ to moral, humane and ethical c...,n~ideratiOM in the face t)f the driv'? to maximize profit~. The rescheduli~g of t~e deht, however. does not mean that these "'-nks can exert no) preRStlre on South Afdc=t. In the important matter nf Rhort-term trade creditl'l - on which the South Afric...n ec~nomy i:; he;»vUjI' dp.pendent - the majM interl1ational hanks could play", po.:;itive and powerful role. It ic; OUt" hope that they will. 'rt'lP. hasty r~f';chedlJ) ing of Snuth Afr ie':-' , s deht hy the traflsnationa1. hanks points tt) an imporunt deficiency in the edl'i tinq interM tional ell ction~ ~gainst apartheid, the l~c~ ~f timely and adequate informati'" ahout thf'! ~ctivitieR of those whO Bupport tnt! ~ystem. 'rne hcln\(s lIlhi.ch rl~fu<;e to co-operate in exertielq Asia, where thp.re arc.! "ctive anti-apartheid IOOvelllP.nts with mass followings. [f (M!". Banana. ZimbabWe) they faced tht: prospect of co-ordinated consumer disaffection with their South Aftic~n policies, they would have heen far mor.e amenahle to taking a strong anti-aputbeid stand, but hroad-hased anti-apartheid movement!; could not i'lct in time to mobili~e opinion. The information pUhlicly availahle was not adeauate or timely. This deficiency is further underlined when we consider the implementation of existing sanctions. Though they have heen effective in exerting pressure on the South African economy and Government, they are full of lOOpholes and not ohserved by all rJOvernrnent~. Tnday no Government outside South AfricA defends or justifies apartheid, but major countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan and the Federal Repuhlic of Germany oppose any effective action to end the system. They try to rationali?e their PQsitions with the most convoluted arguments, hut few can miss their hasic self-interest in the maintenance of apartheid. A welcome departure from the ranks of these countries has heen t~e United States. Since its Congress passed the Comprehensive Anti~apartheid Act in 1986 and sust~ined it ~qainst a Presidential l veto, the United States has moved with appreci~hle effect. The Nordic countfie~ too have acted very ~ffectively to curb their links with South Africa. If we have a changed atmo!iphere today in South Africa, it is in ne') !;liIolll measure due to thp.~~e C"IOV9rnments. One of the most dispiriting aspects of the current situation is that many Governments - of developed and devel:>ping countries alike - rO,J tinely a"d surrepiti<lusly help to circumvent o'Ilinctillns. These <lre rlO"ernmentl'l f;olermly committed to titk in9 a wide range of actions a:J.linst apartheM, yet they cheat •. Many of the worst ahuses are in the most!lenA i tive area!'; such as trclde in arms p 0 il and technology. If thlA inf'lrlM t:ion werp. widely puhli.::i7.ed, mrlny of the Gnvernmp.ntR which n,")W cheat on s.lnctil')nl'; could hp. etlt'larrassed int() r~ctitude. H·lr. Banana, Zimhahwe) TO increase the effectiveness of ·people's sanctions·, information is essential. We have made several recommendations to ensure that availahle inforlM tion is collected, analysed and disseminated. One of them is that the General Assembly initiate a study of the implementation of existing international sanctions. we as~ that this study he a frank one, naming the countries which are surreptitiously Ot otherwise helping South Africa to maintain apartheid. A centra1 r.ecommenda ticn of the Panel i!=l that the United N1 t ions set up a monitori~g mechanism to provide a regular flow of inforwation on trade and financial flows to and from SoIJth Africa.. Such a mechanlsm might also focus international attention on a relatively new phenomenon, the investment hy South African transnational corporation:; in other countries. Armed with such information, we expect that populsr anti-apartheid movements will ne ahle to influence corporate policies on South Africa far more effectively than they can at present. I would urge this ~~semhly to ~et swiftly with regard to this recommendation, for it could he one of the ~t effective measures we could take to end apartheid. In concluding my remarks, let me turn to the future. As t heqan hy saying, there is now a great deal of tal~ - within and outside South Africa - about the impending demise of aparth!p.id. I would 1 ilce to underline the concern of the Panel that we do not underes tima te the prohlems that lie allead or the intran!=ligence of those who currently hold a monopoly :)f political power in South Aft'icl'l. (Mr. Banana, Zimbahwe) We cannot say when apartheid will end I that is in the hands of the South African people. What we can say is that the community of nations represented here hac; the collective responsibility to ensure that the struggling people of South Africa receive all the support we are capable of giving. And this refers not only to the abolition of apartheid hut to the challenges that lie beyond the end of that cr.tmtnal system. We aSk that the General Assembly initiate a comprehensive programme of training and education for black South Africans within and outside the country to prepare for those challenges. We call on transnational corporations Which have benefited from the ahundant wealth of South Africa to play a constructive role not only in helping bring apartheid to an end, but to support these programmes. Together we can play a positive and valuable role in hringing to hirth a non-rltcist and democratic South Africa. Mr. SALAH (Jordan) (interpretation from Arahic) I I !'Ihould like at the outset to convey our thanks and 'appreciation to the Special Committee against Apartheid for the important role it i~ playing in mohilizing and in strengthening interna tional opinion and conl;olida ting the in terna tional campaign against apartheid. We all'lo wish to convey our gl:'atitudle to the Chairman of that Committee, Major-General Joseph N. Gar~ of Nigeria, for the competence with which he presides over the Committee. Our appreciation al!'lo goes to the members of the Committee and the secretar iat of the Centrp. ag,l inRt ~oartheid for th~ important report<; they ha,re suhmitted to the General Al=lsemhly, gi\1ing u!; a comprehen~i,re and detailed survey of the oppre!'ll"live practices and pol icies ,)f the Governmer'lt of South Africa again!'lt the hhclc majori ty "lnd relati og act!'! of aggre~~ion com:ni tted hy South Africa aga in!'lt neighhouring cour'ltrip.,:;. (~r. Banana, 'Umhahwe) The United N~tions has neen making intenRive efforts and has adopted many resolutions, including all those adopt~d by the General ~qsembly at its regular sessions, notably resolution 43/5Q A to K., which, taken as a whole, are aimed at ending the policy of racial diRcrimination practised by the racist minority Government of SOuth A.fr ica. However, the South Afr ican Government con tinues to defy the will of the international community, violating the principles of the United Nations an:i rejecting the rele"ant resolueions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. The South A.frican Government i~ still pur.suing an oppresRive course deo;igned to end all forms of national r.esistance and step up its undeclare1 war against the front-line countries within the framework of its policy of destabilization aimed at destroying t.heir economies and thus preventing them from opposing the policy of aEartheid and supporting the national resistance movement. Faced with the continued practices of the racist South African Government, the reimposition of the state of emergency and the continued application of many oppressive laws, that Government's statementR On the introduction of. certain political changes can only be consid~red as a public relations move to improve its image and reduce international pressure. The South African apartheid regime represent~ not only a violation of the princ~ple~ of the Unit~d Nations Char.ter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the fundamental norms of civilized hp.haviour by States hut al~o a crime against humanity and a danger to international peace and security. That regime is lMintained through the use of force, oppression of the citi7.p.ns and disregard of hasie freedo~~, it even resorts to deportation, de ten tiOfl wi tholJt tr ial, tor.ture, ass.'.lssina tion, unexpla ined kidnappings al1d actR of aggression aga inRt neighoour.' ing countr iet;. (Mr. Salah, Jordan) The international community's support for the str.uggle of the South African people is making it possihle for them to continue their legitimate struggle against injustice and persecution. The leaders of this militant (,eople have shown considerahle flexihility in their ~~litical positions in ,~der to reach a peaceful settlement. They hav~ proven that they are a peace-loving people wishing to establish a society governed in justice and harmony. They have put forward a series of legitimate demands which, if accepted hy the Government of South Africa, would hring about a favourable climate fot' the holding of constructivg negotiations and demcra tic dialogue wit.h the participa tion, on an equal footing, of all parties concerned, as the hest way to arrive at a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Despite the unanimus opinion of the international community on this approach, the most recent developments mentioned in the report of the Special Committee against Apartheid confirms that. "Developments in the per ied under review ••• underline the fact that the impasse con tinues in SOuth Afdca, in spi te of a numher of iRternal and external developments.~ (A/44/22, para. S) There are people who believe it possible that the leaders of South Africa can be persuaded volll'ltarily to renounce their policy 0'; apartheid. H~ever, they are mistaken, for the leaders of South Africa strive continually to malce their r::lcist regime more effective and impregnahle. Since the ?~rposes and principles of the United Nations reflect the conscience and hopes of mankind, it hehoves the Organization and its Member States to shoulder their responsihility and carry out their sacred duty to rid mankind I)f this odioLls c;tig!l'Q of illpar-thp.irt. In so doing, the Orqani~ati~n and it~ Memher Statp.s muRt adopt all the necessary measures of , deterrence and impose comprehe~sive mandatory ~anction~ in ordp.r complp.tely to isolate the Government of South Africa at th~ internati~nal level and to compel it auickly to renounce its poliCy of racial discriminati~n. (Mr. Salah, Jordan) Even if economic sanctions do not yield the required effective and prompt results, t~ey will no doubt have an effect and therefore should be continued and strengthened and the scope of their application should he expanded. I wish to refer to the following recommendation of the Panel of Eminent Persons: "The Panel feels strongly that the future of South Africa will only be deter.mined hy thp. people of South Africa the~~elves - hlack and white. But it also accept!'; that the con tinuou.e; tightening of external pressures can and doe!'; improve the enldronment within which pressure can he hrought to hear internally on hoth the Government and the hu!';iness sector". (A/44/576, J?!!Fa. 19) We therefore condemn all collahoration between the South African regime and any other country, and we call for an end to all support or assistance to the South African Government. We also oondenn the co-operation between the Government of South Africa and Israel, particularly in the nuclear and mili tary field!';. A regime hased on racial discrimination, on rejection of the fundamental rights of the overwhelming majority of the popul~tion, is in contradiction with the revealed religions a~d with the principles of the United Nations Charter, to which all States Members of the Organization are committed. B~3ed on our ~eep faith in values and morals guaranteeing the dignity and the freedom of man - values and morals that guide our policy - Jordan supports the jlJ:~t demands of the people of South Africa. We pay trihute to that people for its heroic !';truggle against the policy of apartheid. We are confident that, despite the policy of repression practised hy the South African regime, the nationalist forces will pur~ue their struggle and will continue to mohilize their potential and st~p up their: actil')ns in order to att.=lir. t"eir jUf;t ohjectives, regardless of the sacrifices they mu.qt make and the time it may take. (Mr. Salah, Jordan) we call upon all countries to ahide strictly hy all the C~nera1 k~sembly and Security Council r.esolutions pertaining to the struggle against the policy of apartheid. Those resolutions muc;t he implemented. For if thORe commitments arp. respected hy all Member 3tates the policy of ~artheid will surely disappear. We appeal to all countries and all organi7.a tions to con tinue to lend IOOral and material assistance to the people of Sou'!:h Afr.ica so that it can pursue its struggle to gain its rights. 1\..c;sistance must also be given to the front-lina States to holstec their. stp.adfast action Md lighten their hurden. In that connection, we support the recommendations in paragraph 275 of the report of the Special Committee against ~artheid, to which I have already referred. We hope that all those recommendations will he implement~. The present international detente has so far helped to achieve peaceful solutions to a numher of regional conflicts in different parts of the world. Active efforts hy the United Nations have also played an important role. The most important of those efforts is douhtlel'l:'l the implementa tion of the Uni ted Na tion::; plan for the independence of Namihia. That positive development gives us hope that it will he possihle to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict in SOuth Afr ica. It will he possihle to achieve peace in South Africa only if the entice population, of all colour.s, participates in the process. It is incumhent upon the Government of South Africa to respond to the voice of reason and speedily engage in a dialogue with the hlac:< majority, through its repreRp.ntatives. That Government i!-l d':!looing it~elf if it maint.'lin<; that it ~':lan dh;cegard the just demands of the blac~ citizens. It must understand that time i~ nnt on its ~ide. On the contrary, only if a conBtrllctive dialogue il; immediately initi~tert can pp.;)ce ,lnd understanding, in k~ping wi th me>ral v;)lup.1:'l and in terna ti,')nal conven tions p replilce conflictR and contr.adictions. (1\1t'. Salah, Jordan) i\\r. DJOUDI (Algeria) (interpretation from French}: For decades now the system of aparthei9. has been disturhing tile stahility and secudty of the whol.,~ southern part of the African continent, and it is ~till a serious threat to international peace and security. The system - a totalitarian enterprise descrined in an international ~onvention as a crime against humanity - is al~o a crime against mankind's peace and security, because it is an outraqe to the essence of ttle human condi tion. Ap~rthp.id is a despicahle form of racial discrimination, imposed by a minority regime On the enti.re SO\lth ~frican population, whose sovereignty and most elementary rights it flouts. It is perpetuated through the use of hrute force, Ravage tepre~sion and increasing criminal acts of in timida. tion and economic ann political dP.stahill.?ation aqainst independent neighbouring States. We are aga in discussinq the pol icy of aeartheid of the Governr.-ent of South Africa, as we have done every year for, alas, far tllO long. But the situation of the people of South Africa is still tragic. In t")rder to assert its domination, thp. rolcist regime U!'les all the repre!'lsive lne.;tn~ a\13 ilahle to it, includi ng incrt!as ingly frequent recourse to vigi l<lntes recrui ted and aimed hy the pol icp. force">. The ret>re~~inn i~ nt)t (~()nfined to <lct!': of violence hy the pol ice forceR. It includes arhitrary arrel'it!'l, mas:'l impd~t1nment, detention without char:-qec: or trial, to("tu('+~ and sUlI\l'i\ary e>tecutit")o. No on~~ i.!'; !';af.~: nut mil i tilnt:; or trade union leader~f not the clergy, not worn~n, not chil~ren. The~p. ~re now ~ome 30,onn r.l'lilrtren under the -"qP of lR in thl" Pr~tor.i;:l r~qime'~ hideous ~aolsl childr~n arp. t~ preferre.1 tarqe l, of police hrut~tity. of the qtatp. of emergency, giving unlimited powers to the police forces, and the ~ummary executinn of patriots cannot weaken in any way the resolve of the SolJth African pMple to regain an their riqhts by all means possihle. In fact, all this does is make them resist the hateful system of apartheid even more. This resolve of the South Afdc.aIl majodty to struggle until ~J?&rtheid has heen tot..~l1y eliminAted has heen repeatedly demonstrated hV the many mass demonstrations organi7.ed in the townships and the vadous c;eneral strikes. Clnfronted hy the scope of the people's resistance to the policy of aeartheid and the extension I~f that resistance to the country as a whole and to all the components of society, including religious leaders and institutions, the Pretoria regime, h'lvinq imposed hnsh restrictions on the national and foreign media and having han~ed all political activity hy anti-apartheid organizations, in the hope - a vain hope - of stiflinq the calls for the freedom of the South African people ~nd of concealing from the re~t of the world the harsh reality of apartheid, had no choice hut to agree to the holding of the huge mas~ demonstration in Johanneshurg orqani7.~d hy the African National Congres~ (~~C) on 29 Octoher last. (Mr. Dio~di, Algeria) --------- The hreadth of the people's movement, which totally rejects the apartheid system, has shaken the very foundations of the racist regime. The political crisis that led to the resignation of the former South African President and the recent r~le~se of political leaders is also symptomatic of the disarray within the regime. The minority South Af.rican regime also imposes this infernal cycle of violence on the independent States in the region by systematically destroying their economic infrastructures in order to increase their dependence and discourage them ftom supporting the legitimate struggle of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia and from assisting the national liberation movements of those peoples. These acts of aggression and destabilization, which have so far cost the nine cou~tries in the Southern ~frica~ Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC) several hillion oollars and countless human lives, are still being accompanied by constant military support for the subversive forces of UNITA in Angola and RENAMO in Mozambique, despite the positive developments taking place in the region. Even if the Pretoria regime has, over the years, succeeded in strengthening its military capability and power, it has done so only hy means of a carefully concocted network of underhand agreements which demonstrate scorn for the a~ms embargo. In this connection, the report on the recent developments in relations bP.tween Israel and South Africa and the lateAt revelations by the media te$tify elOQuently to the extensive collu~ion between the two regimes made possible hy the technol~ical assistance in this area which they constantly receive. rt i~ .,lear from this that the racist Pretoria regime's ability to keep up its defiance is based on the closely linked intere~ts between South ~f.rica and some countr.ies WhiCh, by qivi"g it succour in itR intransigence, considerably reduce the (Mt. Djoudi, Algeria) actual scope and impact of the various measures so far adopted - whether individually or collectiv~ly - against it. The support South Africa continues to receive, by giving it the sure kno~ledge that sanctions of this kind will not be implemented, also guarantees it total impunity in its attempt to achieve regional hegemony and giveR it succour in its attitude of defiance of the internationAl community's effort~ to put an end to the policy of apartheid. In persisting in this attitude, the apartheid regime is its~lf providing proof of its inahility to c~f~rm, proof that the only cure for this debasing scourge is total eradication throuqh immediate and joint action by the whole international community. That being the case, it falls onc~ again to the Security Council to take over from the General Assembly and finally adopt the necessary measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. tn reaffirming my country's unwavering support for, and solidarity with, the legitimate representatives of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia - the African National Congress CANC) and the South West Af~ica People's Organization (SWAPO) - and also for the front-line States, in their just struggle against apartheid, I once again pay a tribute to the Special Committee agai~st Apartheid for its constant efforts to keep world pUblic opinion continually informed of Pretoria's criminal activities, and to eliminate this hateful system once and·fo~ all. ~r. LEWIS (AntiglJa and Bathuda): The arguments of the,apartheid regime in South Africa that sanctions do not work and that the ~ituation has been defused h~ve been proved to be haselp.ss. They have been merely an attempt hy the racist reqime to stave off ~anctionA of a more comprehen~ive nature. In rp.~lity, the ti~~ or histnry is moving steadily against the evil regime. Recent eventR have amply demonstrated that South ~frica's political and economic power has withered, and it would he a benefit to the regime to work quir.kly to f.ashion a new society based on iustice and equity, or be faced with severe and gruesome consequences. The racist regime continues to labour under tha illusion that certain intp.rests will always be in it~ corner in times of difficulty, and the recent refinancinq of its dent gives it further encouragement. Defenders of lost cause~ often fiqht hitterly, and even though neither justice nor the tide of history is on their side, any glimmer of support can be used as sustenance. When one reads of what took ~lace before a Unit~d Nations panel in Geneva early in September, at Which leaders of South African bu~iness tried to present o~9um~i'ts that sanctions do not work, and when one reads their replies to questions, one realizes that the recen~ refinancing of their debt will simply allow business to continue as usual. A member of the South African team before the united Nationo panel, Manfred Graf van Roon, put forward the fanciful notion that everyone to the left of Mr. Andries Treunicht's hard-line racist Conservative Party was a reformer at heart. When asked what reforms his group would most like to see, 'lion Roan replied: "The repeal of the group areas act and more training for Blacks". He could not hring himself to suggest what all witnesses claimed to be their eventual aim: the abolition of ap..utheid and the advent of one man, one vote~ No, the racists will not accept the concept of one person, one vote, and they have been refinanced to continue business as usual. In Washington, Representative Howard wolpe, Democrat of Michiqan, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, was to fltate, painfully: NI am very disappointed with the response of the banking community. This action represpnts an enormous boost for the defenders of apartheid. At a time that pressure is hp-ing mounted to hrinq about n~90tiations, this action is taken that substantially reduces that presflure". (Mr~ Levier Antiqua and Barbuda) President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia put it more bluntly: -Bankers are sucking the blood by supporting South Africa. They are bloodsuckersM• They are giving succour to a regime which provided the framework for the Reverend Alien Aubrey Dossak to preach an entire sermon with a SOuth African soldier pointing a loaded machine gun at his head. And now we have been made to understand that SOllth Africa has test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic misRile that could carry nuclear warheads. The regime upon which the ban~ing interests have smiled so favourably i~ the sama one which h8S manifested again and again th~t it cannot be trusted. It is the regime in which, in spite of the effortfi of many countries, and in spite of its own pledges and promises, continues to place obstacles in the way of the independence process in Namibia and blatantly fabricates ateries for the world-wide media. We know for example that the recent allegations by South Africa that the Black nationalists had crossed into Namibia from Angola a week before the Territory's free independence elections were based on phony c4dio messages. Hopefully, the elections startinq in Namibia today - 7 Nove~r - will he allowed to proceed without interference from the racist forceA. It is the same regime which deliber3tely arranges tours for visitors so that they can Ree only what the regime desires them to Bee, and which recrults ·scholars· such as Colin Vale of the University of Witwatersrand to diffuse itA Nasi philosophy in a journal as reputable as Global Affairs. But, repeate~ly, the truth comes to the surfacp.. Th~ British aportinq journal The Cricketer is not a pUblic~tion in which one w~uld normally look for an l~lctment againRt apartheid, bllt i~the issue of Auqust this year one finds preciaely that, by David Sheppard, the ArchbishOp of Liverpool. (Mr. Lewis, Antigua and Barbuda) That em.lnent in~ividual, who has received international acclaim for his endeavours both on' the sporting field and in the area of theology, went to South Africa to see for himRelf the rp.alities of the so-callp.d improvements that had bP.en presented in various forftL~ of the media. Accompanying that gentl~man from th~ Church of England werp his wife and the Rom~n C~tholic Archbishop of Liverpool, Detek Wnrl~k. Sheppard described the efforts made by the South African authoritieA to be selective in what they exposed viRitors to, hut Sheppard and his team took it upon them~elves to get a true perspective of the South African scen~rio. From his investiqationR the Bishop was forced to state the followin~: "What most coloured our impreseions was to visit more than a dozen black or Coloured Townahips: we sometimes stayed overnight, visited pe~ple in their homes, saw a variety of projects, li9tened at length to those who live and work there and talked with groups in the street. We had been told by many sportsmen and visitors that things ~re getting better, that aeartheid is rapidly crumhling Ind th~t the troubles have ~almed down ••• We fouml to th~ contrary a situation Which was much more tp.rrible than we imagined.- Thp. Group of Eminent PersnnG from the Commonwealth of Nations qave ~s a detailed ~tudy of South A£rica~ exi~tence. Now a group, includinq two English bishops, haR seen for itself what truly exists. Yet, we hesitate to apply stiff~r and more comprehensive sanctiona. Workers have spoken, trade union officials have endorsed their statementR, old men and maidens, r.hildren and matrons, hav~ all tpstified to the realiti~~ of ev~ryday livinq in Snuth Africa. Eminent individ~als have pronounc~d, and we continup. to takp. ~lf mea8ur~~. The BiShOP of Liverpool stated that, h~wever much -petty apartheid- haR been remot'ed, -arand ap~trthei1:» is firmly in plal~p'. Issues 4)£ pnlicy about lann, (Mr. Lf'wis, Antigua and Barbuna) segregation, educ&tlon, the police and how decisions sre made all come to the surf!ce. Yet, in spite of all this, responsible people are seeing sincerity in the utterings of one F. W. De Klerk, and the ma8Qu~rading of the present Governmp.nt. Antiqua and Barbuda, in viewing the ne~ leadership under F. W. De Klerk, recognize~ that the GovernMent of South Africa has no intention of responding to ~fforts of reacon, logie, MOrality or persua8lon. We in Antigua and 8arb~da adhere to the philoBOphy that all p-.ople are equal and have the sam~ right to human dignity, irre8pectlv~ of race, s~x or religious preference. We cannot accept the right of any single group to govern the majority of people in a society without their conaent. Neither can we accept the right of any country to engage deliberately in ~ction to dest~hilixe its neighbours because they seek justice and eouity for the oppressed. We Ree apartheid ea sponaoring depression, degradation, deprivation and the severeat forms of dehumanl~ation. CnnseQuently, it behovos all pp.ace-loving and egalitarian societies to apply the utmost preseure to help intensify the liberatinn struggle in South Africa so that it can be transforMed into a united, democrat~c and nnn-racial country. Be it remembered that the Pretoria regime held elections on 6 Septem~r, which exclud~d the ove~whel.inq majority of the Azanian people.* Sir Sridath Ramphalts 8tstement in the foreword to the repart of the Commonwealth Eminent PetRons Group, ·MiRslon to South Africa", is worthy of conntant repp.titlon. 8ft stated: ·Aparthel~ must end. It will p."d, if "eCeRsary, through a bloody Rtfuggle whoae cnAt in lives may be countpd in ."illions and whORe ~gonies "'ill * Mr. Jaya (Brunei D&ruaselam), vt~~-Presidp.nt, took the Chair. (Mr. tewis, Antigua and Barbuda) reverherate ill every corner of our multi-racial world. But it could end by peaceful means - by a genuine process of negotiation - once white South Africa accept.c; that the evil system by which it has sustained its dOlllinillnce miSt end alld i~ ready by deeds to bring it "bout.· It is clear that sanetionsw even though they fall Mort of what the majority of countries in t~e world have demanded, are hringing significant pressure to hear upon the apartheid regime. The majority populat~on has accepted tile fact that additional SUffering caused by sanctions is an essential part of the price of "- ending the gr~ter Buffering inflicted by apartheid. We recognh:e that apartheid cannot be reformed and w that heing sow call. for its deracination. SOuth Africans of all racesw colours and creeds must come together on the hasi9 of total and complete P.Qualit1 in exerci~in9 their right to self-determina ticn. We call once again for the introduction of sai1ctionR of a comprehensive and mandatory nature. Antigua and Barbuda vehemently rejects the argument that manda tory ~anctions wOlJld not only be ineffective hut orea te unhearabl~ t'tardships to hlaclc South l.fric&ns Ilnd to the .1nhabitilnts of the front-line States. We wish to recall that the front-line States havo not heen hesi~\nt in applying sanctions and of theMSelves have made many 98crifices in an effort to advance the cause of the dehumanized inhabiUnts of SOuth Africa. Finallyw we call for the unconditional release of Nelaon Mandel& and all the remaining political prisoners. Mr. TREIKI (Lihyan A~ab Jamahiriya) (interpretation from Arabic). ~itst, I shoult't like to extend my dele9aticn'$l thankA to th~ Special Coml1littee againAt Apartheid for it~ very full report (A/44/22 and Corr.2). I thank it for all it~ efforts to Iceep thp in terna tion~l PUh1. ie well informed of the grave sV'ent.-1 talc irJq (Mr. Lewisw Antigua and Barbuda) place in South Africa. In particular, I should like to thank and express my appreciation to you, Mr. President, for your work as Chairman of the Committee and for your constant efforts to ensure the ending af that human tragedy. For over 40 years the international community has been condemning the regime in power in SOuth Africa. For many years the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Organization of African Unity have adopted resolution after resolution aimed at the ending of the system of !!£.artheid. But that regime ~tiU pursues the same ahhorr.ent racist policy. Suppression and political tr.ials continue and death sentences are still carried out, thousands of individuals, including Nelson Mandela, the ieader of the South African freedom fighters, remain in g301. Gangs of members of the na tional securi ty forces, dea th sauads and secret service gangs continue to liquidate political activists and destabilize the communi ties of the black me jority. Such a ctions flout interna tional resolu tions and conventi()ns, just as the other racist regime p in Palestine, flouts all United Nations resolutions, treaties and conventions and pursues an abhorrent racist policy against the Ar.ab people of Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories. (Mr. Treiki, Libyan Arab Jamahir~a) Part two of the re~rt of the Spacial Commi. ttee against 1tpartheid (A/44/22 and Corr. 2), contains irrefutable proof, derived from reliable sources, of the collabora tion between the two regim8B ln the nucleaw: and mUl tary fieldR. FUrthermore, the report states that South African generals, ln civilian clothes, are advising the Zionists on how to curh the valiant Palestinian upt'iaing. Thece is little need for me to review what the international mass media have reported recently on the collabOration. TOday more t~an ever before the international community ls called upon to close its l'anles in the common s tr'JCJgle to put an end to that reg!lDe. The mos t important means of forcing that regime to change and to comply with the wl11 of the international community is by the imposition of cOlllprehensive mandatory sanctionB. 'lbe boycott has proved fully successful and we must not listen to those that claim that sanctions would not be completely effective and could be prejudicial to the interests of the blaCk Rla~rity. ThlB is a truism that barely masks 111 will. Those are futile arguments, desperate attempts to protect certain countrielll' economic interests In South Africa. The sanctions that have been applied have, ln fact, affected the economy of the racist regime. Therefote those measures must he stepped up until we achieve our objective, the total elimination of racial discriminat~on, so that the people of South Africa may be enahled to determine their own future in full freedom. We call on those countries that have economic relations with the racist regime to put an end to thOSe rela tions. we ask them to im~lement immedia taly against racist South Africa the provisions of Otapter VII of the United Nations Charter. All countries must strictly abide by the sanctions that have been decided upon. ("'lr. Treiki, Libyan Arab Ja11Bhb:!x.a) I am happy to state frOlft this rostrum that my country, a member of the Organization of l1.frican Unity and a Member of the United Nations, is fully committed to all the resolutions that have been adopted in this respect. My country has no relations with that regime in any area whatsoever. Despite some positive changes that have occurred in Namibia in the context of Security Council resolution 435 (1978), we must remain vigilant and not relax our guaro until Namibia accedes to independence and takes its proper place among the nations of the world as an independent, sovereign State. The Pretoria regime is well known for its decaltfulness, for break ing promises and for obfusca tion and prevarication. Naminian independence must not be a pretext for some to try to circumvent the boycott or to make South Africa appear to he a country that has changed its policy. Namihian independence is one thing. eradication of the policy of apartheid is another. we look forward to the day when independent Namihia will join us in our common struggle to put an end to the racist regime in South Africa. 'Ibday more than ever before the commun i ty 0 f na tions is called upon to suppor.t the front-line States in Aftica, stand at their side and give them all possible help and support. The white minority must understand that the world has Changed and i:hat in the last part of the twentieth century ~e cannot tolerate disda in for a human being simply because of the colour of his skin or his creed. I wish to pay tribute to the militant people of South Africa struggling for their freedom and their dghts. My country l'ltands shOll1.der to shoulder wi th them and fully supports their cause of bringing an end to the odious, outrageous human tl'agedl in Aftica. Mr. SASED SAAD (Sudan)z Apartheid is col'rectly characterized as a cl'ime against humaVlity and a violation .,l the Charter ~.,f thetmit~ Nations, the Universal Declaration of Il1man Right~ .-lod other relevant internatil')nal (Mr. Treiki, Lihyan Arab Jamahiriya) instruments. The entire ,community of nations is rightly convinced that apartheid policies are the root cause of instability and .conflict in southern Africa and a permanent threat to interna tiona1 peace and security. Therefore the apartheid regime in Pretoria remains exposed to mounting resistance from the people of South Aftica and to condemnation from the international community. Domestic and international pressure should indeed be continuous and effective, so that the Pretoria regime will find itself increasingly vulnerable and unable to pursue those inhumane policies. ~ achieve this goal it is imperative that full and increasing support he given to the people of SOuth Africa and their liberation movement to enable them to continue their 1egi timate struggle for a united, democratic and non-racist State. Furthermore, the international community must, by concerted action, step up pressure on the apartheid regime by strictly implementing and imposing comprehensive manda tory sanctions according to Chapter VII of the Charter. Failure to abide by the A.c;sembly's resolutions calling for the implementation of sallct10ns and to call instead for their relaxatiOll is in effect synonymous fIIith lending support to the racist regime at a time when the crisis it ia facing is at its height. tbt OIlly that, bllt the news carr ied to us the other day tells how apartheid policies are being strengthened - the news, that is, of the nuclear co-opera tion and assistance Pretoria is receiYing from Israel, in d~fiance of the world consensus. Contrary to su~h deplorable behaviour, we continue to support unconditionally and uncompromisingly the people of South Africa and their liberation movement in their legitimate struggle against the apartheid regime using all the means availahle to them, including armed struggle. Equally, it must be recognized that the movement's long-standing position is to achieve its goals by peaceful means. (Mr. Saeed Saad, Sudan) Thus it is the responsibility of the apartheid regime to make a negotiated Politi~al sett~.ement a viable option. This will be possible if, and only if, all pofi ticalprisoners and detainees are uncondi tionally released, all bans and restiictionson all prospribed and restrictedorg~nizations and persons are lifted, all troops are removed from townships, the sta te o,f .emergency is ended, restrictive laws are repealed, and political trials and executions cease. These alone can be the first steps in the right direction. They are the necessary initial conditions of a free and r-~aningful political discussion leading to the eradication of 'the policies of apartheid in South Africa. (Mr. Saeed Saad, Sudan) Mr. VAZgJ~~ (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish)r Once again Argentina wishes to raise its voice against the cruel policy of apartheid practised by the GovernlM!nt of South Africa. My country associates itself with the interG1i1tional commWlity's repeated con~rnnation of this i~nominious regime in many resolutions adopted by the General Assembly. That condemnation, which is reiterated year aftar year, is gathering strength. For, with every passing year, it becomes more difficult to understand how a regime based on intolerance and racial discrialnation can persiAt. I say it is difficult to understand because, as we approach the end of a century characterized by impressive technological and social progress, and given the present cUm te of deten te in in terna tional r~lationm, the possibility of such a regime surviving is inconceivable. Howtiver, the South African racist regime's policies and practices of apartheio exist and persist, thereby endangering international and regional peace and security. For that rea.Clon, the Organizatioo must find an appropriate way to ~lt.lnate once and for all this raciAt regime which is depriving the South African people of its fundamental rightA. Individual action by States, although useful and n3cessary, is not sufficient. We have often pointed out, and we stress today, that only concerted Actinn hy all States Memhers of the United Nations, including those which have the -est si9n1flcant relations with Pretoria, c&n be an effective instrument in the t~ thts regard, countries members of the Movement oe Non-Aligned Countries, ~r. convinced that the way to compel the South African Government to end the de~pteable, anaehron19tic ~rtheid regime lA to adopt new decisions that would exbtnd the 3COpe of Securlt" Council resolution 418 (1977). In fact, the RlO!'lt appropriate, effective and peaceful option for the attainment of that goal is the imposition of additional Jnal'\datory sanctil',ns ar,;~insi. the Pretoria regime, in the framework of Chapter VII of tne Charter. The Pretoria regime continues to disregard the repeated appeals by the internati~al community. In this connection, we deplore the racist Government's decision of 12 June this year to extend the state of emergency, once again postponing the creation of the climate necessary for a solu tioo to the prohlems of South At r ica. The presidential elections recently Ileld in South Africa, in which 70 per cent of the population was denied the right to vote, were an affront to and a negation of the most basic principles that sllould gover.n an electoral process. They reflect a mentality which must he eradica ted. This lack of any intention to eliminate the most violent and offensive activities of the discriminatory Pretoria regime fully warrant the active resistance of the oppressed people of South Africa, who deserve the understanding and support of all the States represented here. There can be no doubt tllat there will he no peace, stahility or justice in the region so long as apartheid rules in South Africa. We therefore appeal to the Pretoria Government t~ put an end to the state of emergency and revoke all legish tion, such as the In ternal Secudty Law, clilMd at curhing poli tic") activity, and to proceed to the unconditional and completely unrestricted release of all polt tical prisoner!';, in particular Np.lson Mandela. All thesp. steps mURt be dir.ected towards the abolition of apartheid, so that the South African people may enjoy the henefits of a freP., democratic, non-racist society. In this context, we think that the qpecial session of the General Assemhly on apartheid aM its destructive consequence::; in ;;outhern Afdca th"lt is to he (~'r. Vazque?, Argentina) convened will he of great interest. We hope that that special session will make a concrete contribution to freeing the South African people from the infamous policy of apartheid .. In conclusion, 1 congratulate the Special Cop@~ttp.e against Apartheid on it~ laudable work, and t thank Amhassador Garha for the tireless efforts and professional s~ills he has placed at the service of the Committee. Mr. YU Mengjia (China) (interpretation feom Chinese): Because of the racist position so st~bbornly held by the South African Government and the continued ins~ibJtionalizationof its policies of apartheid, the black people, who make up the overwhelming majority of the population in South Africa, have continued to suffer discrimination and oppression and renain deprived of their basic political and economic rightA. It is therefore very necessary for the current session of the General Assembly once again to consider the question of the policip.A of !partheid. of the South African Government, as it is the responsihility and obligation of the United Nations to live up to the principles enshrined in its Charter and to uphold international ;ustice. (Mr. Vazquez, Argentina) The SOuth African regime has long practised the reactionary system of apartheid and pushed the policy of so-called separate racial development. Under this reactionary rule the va~t number~ of bl~ck people are sUhjected to e~ery kind of discrimination JUAt hecause of the colour. of their skin. The regime has evicted the black population from their homeland under. itA hantu~tan plans. It has declared hlack organi?ations illegal, wilfUlly arresting their leaders and putting them hehind hacC\. It has also hanned peti tions, protest marches and demonstra tions hy black people. Furthermore, it has meintained a nation-wide state of emergency and imposed security regUlations through which to persecute hlack people, while indulging outraqeously in their suppression and in killing them. The perverse hehaviour of the SOuth African regime has not only eXha~~ted the forbearance of hlack people in the country so that they hav~ countered it with civil diSObedience or open resistance, hut also aroused the condemnation an~ opposition of the entire international community. Many countries have refused to estahlish diplomatic relations with South Africa or to have anything to do with its Government. Some international aqreement~ aimed at imposing economic sanctions against South Africa have heen adopted. The international ~port~ community haR decided to hoycott South Afr.ica in world !':port!'l p.\Yents. All this fully demonstr.ateR how deeply dp.tl~sted are the policies of apiHtheid of the South Afdcan <'.o"ernment. r", the courRe of consirl~ration of thi~ item durinq the current se~sion of the Gener~l A~spmhly dozens of p~rson$ reprp.sp.~tinq various soci~l groups and ocgani7.ationR and individuals from across the world have applied to testify hefore the Spec ial PoU tieal Commi ttee. Wi th ahundant facts, they have exposed the raci~t acts of the South ~friCnn Government and str~nqly demanded that it put ~n end to its ~part~p.id sy~tem. pel.:.pll? in thl~ir J~t ::;tr.u9g11~ agrliMt .'lpar.theid. We ;~re of the view that apartheid (Mr. Yu Mengjia, China) 2md racism ace out of tune and totally incom~tible wi th the pre~ent time of human progres~, civilhatil)n, ethics and legality, and should thereft')re be completely aholished • Thanks to the persistent ~truggle hy blaCk people, a~ well as enlightened white people, in South Africa, thanks to the common efforts of the in terlla tional co1llllunity, and tllanks to the prevailing tide in the world situation, characterb:ed by ~elaxation of tension, there have been some changes in the domestic and foreign policies of the South African Government. Mr. De Clerk, the new President of South Africa, has expressed his readinea~ to talk with the black people on some domestic issues. Former African National Congress CANC) General-Secretary Mr. Sisulu and seven other political prisoners who were in gaol for many years have now heen released. However, to date the South Afri~~n authorities have given no indication that they will truly abandon their pol icie~ of apartheid, and a handful of extrrme right-wing and Conservative whites ~re still trying to preserve their privileges hy any and every meanq. We do not helietre that the system of apartheid can be changed in part, it oust he dismantled in its totality. The resolutions on comhatinq apartheid adopted ny the United Nations over the years conta in nany reasonahle propositions and propo~als. Not long ago the M Hoc Committee (,)f the Or.gani?3 tion of Afdcan Uni ty (OAU) adopted the Hacare Oeclaration on the que~tion of southern Africa, which set forth its principled posi tion on a pol i tical settlement of the SOl1th African Question. The ninth summit conference of the countries of the Non-Alignment Movement issued .~ ;;trong call for th~ early elimin.~tion of the <lpartheid sy~t~I'l. We urqe tile South Mrican i)uthoriti~f; to qet - and llope that they will qet - a clear under.!':tandirIQ of the <;ituation, '10 fJl(')llg with the tre~d of history and ml~~t (Mr. Vu Mengjid, China) system as ,-,ell as all racially discrimina tory bws and decree!; in the country. call on ttle South African Goverlll'tI~nt to release immediately and unconditionally the black leader Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners, lift the nation-wide stat'! of emergency and remove the han!; on such anti-apartheid organizations as the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress of 1\?ania (MC), while conducting a dialoCjtJP with t~em on the elimination of apartheid and the estahlishment of a democratic, free and racially eaual South Africa. We c"lll on the international community to cI)ntinue to pilt powerful pressure and imp")sing effective sanctions on the South African authoritie~ a~d give vigorous support and ~ctive assistance to the struggle of the South Afric~n people until the final victory ending the ~stheid system is won. The meeting rose at 5.05 p.m. (Hr. Yu Mengjia, China)