A/44/PV.80 General Assembly

If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it t.'ttat the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Fourth Committee that are before it today. It was so decided.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The POsi tions of delega tions regarding the various recommendations of the Fourth Commi ttee have been made clea r in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. (Mr. A],-Kindi, Rapporteur, Fourth Committee) May I remind members of the Assembly that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the General Assembly agreed tha t "When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenaty meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee". I would also remind delegations that, again in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delega tions from their sea ts. We shall first consider the report of the Fourth Committee (A/44/739) on agenda item 116, "Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under article 73 (~) of the Charter of the united Nations". The ASsembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. A recort'led vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, congo, Costa Rica, cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, DOminica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial GUinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of)~ Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mal.!lysia, Maldives, Nali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, oman, Pakistan, !2ainst: None Abstaining, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America The draft resolution was adopted by 150 votes to none, with 3 abstentions (resolution 43/83). The PRESIDENT, That concludes the Assembly's consideration of item 116. We turn next to the report of the Fourth Committee (A/44/664) on agenda item 117, entitled -Activities of foreign economic and other interests which are impeding the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in Namibia and in all other territories under colonial domination and efforts to eliminate colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination in southern Africa-. I now call upon the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, who wishes to explain his vote before the voting. Mr. SHAHEED (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic), My delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolution and the draft decision which are recommended under agenda item 117 and which strongly and rightly condemn, inter alia, the collaboration of the racist regime in Tel Aviv with the racist minority regime of South Africa in the nuclear and military fieldso It should be noted, however, that the draft res? ...\Jtion and the draft decision merely condemn the military and nuclear collaboration between the two racist regimes, in Tel Aviv and Pretoria, while it is no secret that that collaboration extends to all economic and cultur.al fields. Not only that, but the economic relations between these two racist regimes, which are overlooked in the draft resolution and the draft decision, are constantly growing. In fact, the Financial"Mail of Johannesburg reported the following in its issue of 5 May 1989: -In 1987 the total trade between Israel and South Africa was $247 million. In 1988, the figure rose to $341 million. In 1988 imports of goods from Israel to South Africa exceeded exports by some $80 million. Amonq the major products imported by Israel from SOuth Aftica are mineral products, petrol, coal and base metals. In 1988, e~~rts from Israel totalled S131 million, the _in exports were chemical products, precious stones and metals and _chinery. Also included were medical and optical products, rubber, pla~tics and textiles.· (Israel· today, A survey, SUpp.; p. 11) With regard to military and nuclear collaboration, which are rightly condenned in the draft resolution and the draft decision, we need only say that it is an ongoing activity. The information reported by the NBC television network on 25 OCtober 1989 confirmed that the racist regime in occupied Palestine is assistinq the South African racist regime in the manllfaeture of long-range lmelear missiles, in return for enriched uranium to be used in producing nuclear warh",ad3. In fact, that inforlllllltion has never been denied or refuted by either regime in view of the categorical evidence provided. We believe that the draft resolution and the draft decision should condemn all for_ of collaboration between the two racist regimes, of Tel Avlv and Pretoria, especially since all the evidence p>ints to the continuance of that collaboration in all its forms, despite efforts to camouflage it in order to avoid international reet iMine tion. It goes without sayine; that that collaboration, which stems from the very motives behind the creation of the two regimes, poses a serious threat to the peace and security of the Afr ican continent and the Arab region. Also p that collaboration has encouraged the two regimes to persist in their racist policies and defy the international community. In conclusion, it should be mentioned that this obvious and flagrant gap in the draft resolution and the draft decision is the responsibili t:y of one of the members of the Committee of 24, who has made Cl practice of dealing from a position of POW'e£' with amendments that do not appeal to him. The PRESIDENT, The Assembly will first take Cl decision on the draft resolution recoDllsnded by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 9 of its report (A/44/664). A recorded vote has ~een requested. A recorded was vote was taken. In favour, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Ben!n, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, CBmeroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, COngo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, GallDia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Glinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, MDldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocx::o, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qat8r, Romania, Rwanda, saint Kitts and Nevis, saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sea Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, SOlomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, 'lbaUand, 'l'ogo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uqandap Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Uni ted Arab £mira tes, Uni ted Republic of Tanzan ia, Uruquay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Na., Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire Belgium, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Nether lands, Portugal, Uni ted Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Australia, Austria, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Norw;,y, Spain, SWeden, Turkey Abstaining' The draft resolution was adopted by 125 votes to 10, with 17 abstentions (resolution 44/84). The PRESIDBNT'i We turn now to the draft decision recollUlll!nded by the Fourth Collllittee in paragraph 10 of its rept.)rt. A recorded vote on that dra ft decision has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Baha~as, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Ben!n, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, ca.eroon, cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, ColOltlia, COIIOros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'lvoire, CUba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt., El salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao people's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, MeXico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, MyanlUr, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, ORan, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, ~land, Oatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, saint Lucia, saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singepore, SOloDOn Islands, 5oaalia, Sri Lanka, Surina-e, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and 'l'ob6lgo, Tunisia, Uqanda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire Against\ Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kinq408 of Great 8~itain and Northern Ireland, United States of Aaerica Abstaining, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Malta, New zealand, Noney, Spain, Sweden, Turkey The draft decision was adopted by 125 votes to 12, with 13 abs~ntions.* The PRESmENTa That concludes our C(msidera tion of aqenda item 117. Ne turn now to the report of the Fourth COl'llJllitte~ (A/44/740)on agenda ltea 118, enti.tled IIIIaplementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations·, and on agenda it_ 12, entitled -Report of the Economic and Social Council lll • '!'be Assellbly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fourth COIlIIittee in paragraph 7 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Anqola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei D~russalam, Bulgaria, aurkina pase, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Ca_roon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, COlllOros, Congo, COsta Rica, C&te dlIvoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Dellocratic Kallpuchea, DeRlOct!ltic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Bcuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equa tor ial Guinea, Ethiopia, Piji, Finland, Gabon, Galllbla, Gerun D!!IIOcratic RePUblic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, GuatelUb, Guinea, Guinea-Bisseu, GUyana, Beiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islaaic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lac people IS DellOeutic Republic, Lebanon. Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab JaBahiriya, MadaC)asC!lr, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozalllbique, Myan_r, Nepal, New Zeabnd, Nicaragua" Riger, Nigeria, Norway, OIIan, pakistan, Panau, papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Oatar, Romania, Rwanda, saint Kitts and Nevis, saint Lucia, saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao TOne and principeg Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somali!l, Spain, Sri Lanka, Surinase, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, 'l'hailand, 'l'o9O, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet o Subsequently, the dele9ation of Sulgmria advised the Sec~etarilit that it had in tended to vote in favour. Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, vanuatu, venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, YU90slavia, Zaire Against, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal The draft resolution was adopted by 142 votes to 2, with'lO'abstentions (resolution 44/85). The PRESIDENT, That concludes our consideration of agenda item 118 and of chapters I and VI (section C) of the report of the Economic and Social council, agenda item 12. We turn now to the report of the Fourth Committee (A/44/74l) on agenda item 119, entitled ·United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africaw• The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. 'lbe Fourth Committee adopted the draft resolution without objection. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 44/86).

That concludes our consideration of agenda item llg. We turn now to the report of the Fourth Committee CA/44/742) on agenda item 120, entitled wOffers bv Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governinq Territories·. The Assembly will. take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fourth CommitteQ in paragraph 7 of its report. The Fourth Committee adopted that draft resolution without objection. May I consider that t..'le General Assembly ~'Iishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 44/87).

That concludes our oonsideration of agenda item 120. We shall now consider the report of the FOurth Committee (A/44/738) on agenda item 18 concerning chapters of the rePOrt of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of IndePendence to Colonial Countries and Feoples relating to specific Territories not covered by other agenda items. Th~ Assembly will now proceed to take decisions on the various recommendations of the Fourth Oommittee. We turn first to the 12 draft resolutions recommended by the Fourth Cbmmi ttee in paragraph 21 of its relX>rt. Draft resolution I is entitled "Q.lestion of Western Sahara". The Fourth Committee acbpted this draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the . General Assembly wishes to cb the sa me? p~raft resol ution I was adoPted (resol ution 44/88). The PRESIDENT, Draft resolution q is entitled "01estion of 'Llew Caledonia w• The Fourth Committee adoPted this draft resolution also without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution Il was adopted (resolution 44/89). The PRESIDENT, Draft resolution III is entitled "OJestioli of 'lbkelau". The Fourth Oommittee adooted draft resolution III without a vote. May I conside~ that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resol ution III was a<iupted (resol utton 44/90). !!!!-!!~mENT, Draft resolution IV is entitled "01estion of the Cayman l:slands". The Fourth Oommittee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. Nay I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft reaol ution IV was adoPted (resol ution 44/91. The iRESIDENT, Draft resolution V, is entitled ·Question of Bermuda·. This draft resolution vu ampted by the Fourth Q:)mmittee without objection. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to cb the same? Draft resf'>!u twn V was acbPted (resolu tion 44/92). The !'RESIDENT, Draft resolution VI, entitled ·Question of the Turks and Caicos Islands·, was adopted t7i the FOurth Cbmmittee "ithout objection. May I take it that the General Assenbly "ishes to do the same? Draft resolution VI was adopted (resolution 44/93). The PRESIDENT, Draft resolution VII is entitled -Question of Anguilla·. The Fourth committee adopted this draft resolution without objection. May I consider tMt the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution VII was adopted (resolution 44/94). The PRESIDENT, Draft resoLution VIII ls entitled -Ouestion of the British V;hqin Islands-. The Fourth Committee adopted this draft resolution without objection. May I consider that the General Assembly "ishes to do the same? Draft resolu two VIII wu acbpted (resolution 44/95). The PRESIDENT, Draft resolution IX is entitled -Question of Montserrat-. The Fourth Committee adopted this draft resolution "ithout a vote. May I consider that the General Aasemly wishes to cb the same? Draft· resolution IX'@a8-acbpted (resolution 44/96). The PRES IDENT, Draft resol ution X is entitled ·Ouestion of American Samoa-. The Fourth Committee adopted draft resolution X without a vote. May I consider thQt the General Assell'J)ly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution X waa adopted (resolution 44/97). The PRESIDENT, Draft resolution XI is enti tied -01estion of Guam-. The Pourth Cbmmittee adopted draft resolution XI without objection. May I take it that the General Assenbly wishes to do the same? Draft· resolution· XI'vas .adopted (resolution 44/98). The' lIRES IDEN'l', Draft re801 ution XII is entitled "Question of the United States Virgin Islands-. The Fourth Cbmmittee adopted draft resolution XII without objection. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to cb the same? Draft resolution XII was aoopted (resolu tion 44/99). The PRESIDENT, I now invite representatives to tu~n to draft consensus I and draft consensus 11 reconufended by the Fourth <bmmittee in paragraPh 22 of its report. Draft conoensus I is entitl~ -Question of Gibraltar-. The Fourth Committee adopted draft consensus I without objection. May I consider that the General ABse.,ly wishes to do likewise? Draft·coneensusI·wu·adopted. The PRESIDENT, Draft consensus II is enti tied -Ouestion of PitcaiZ'n-. The Fourth Chmmittee adopted draft conseneus II without objection. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the s&me? The' PRES IDEN'i', We turn next to the draft decision entitied -Ouestion of St. Relena- r:cI:omJll!!inded by the Fourth Chmmittee in paraqraph 23 of its repOrt. A recorded vote has been reQUested. In favour. Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Byeloruss!an Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Qlad, Qlina, ColOmbia, <bmoros, Congo, Costa Rica, OSte dO Ivoire, O1ba, Ojprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, EgyPt, El Salvador, EQuatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, GUyana, Haiti, Ibnduras, RJngary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, obrdan, Kenya, Kuwait, Iao People's DeftDcratic RepUblic, Lesotho, Liberia, LibYan Arab Jamahiriya, Mz:ldagascar, Malavi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauri tius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozanbique, M'ianmar, Nepal, Nic4tagua, Niger, Nigeria, oman, Pakistan, Panama, I\1pua New Chinea, ~ll'.'aguay, Peru, Philippines, !bland, Oatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, SAint !ocia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao ~me and PrinciPe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, seYChelles, Sip-ra leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somal!a, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, SYrian Arab Republic, Thailand, ~o, TUnisia, Uganda, Uk~ainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist RePUblics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, ~nezuela, Viet Nam, Yelien, Yugoslavia, Zail'e !9ainst. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nortber~ Ireland, United States of America Abstaininq. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, Pinland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ibrtugal, Samoa, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey The draft"deeision"was"adoPted'~122 votes" to' 2; 'with 27 abstentions. * * SubseQUently the delegation of Trinidad and Tobago advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. The PRESIDENT, I call on the representative of Jamaica for an explanation of his delegation' s pod tien. Mr. WOLFE (JalMica), The Jamaican delegation warmly welcomes the action just taken by the General Assembly in adopting without e vote the resolution on Western Sahara on the basis of the report and recortlllendation of the Fourth Committee. Aa with other delegations, Jamaica regards that declaim to be of major POlitical significance inasmuch as it represents the fi~st time since 1983 that the General Assembly has been able ~o adopt by consensus a resolution on Western Sahara. It also underlines the spirit of flexibility, co~peration and compromise which has been displayed by all the parties concerned in making this decision by the General Assembly pOSsible this year. This latest action by the General Assembly represents also the logical fruition of the positive developments which have taken place in Western Sahara over the Past year, as confirmed in the Secretary-General's report (A/44/634 and Con.U of 12 October 1989. 'lbese posithe developments are in large measure due to the active inVolvement of the United Nations in the search for a negotiated settlement through the Secretary-General's good offices in co-operation with the Qulirman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the diplomatic mission entrusted to his Special Repreaentatlvef in accordanc6 with Security Cbuncil resolution 621 (1988). We therefore wish to commend the Secretary-General and hia Special Representative for their unstlnting efforts towards forging a negotta ted poli tical settlement of the Western Sahara issue. The principal parties to the conflict also deserve our. full sUPport and commenda tion for the new sDirit of co-opera tion which has been evinced in the efforts tottards a political settlement. In this connection the agreement given in princiPle by the Kingdom of Morocco and the IOLISARIO Front to the joint proposals of the Secretary -General and the current Qla1rman of the OAD was an important step in the right direction. we also welcome in particular the initiation of contacts and dialogue bat" 'n Morocco and the POLISARIO Front, as evidenced in the high-level l1'eetings that ' .~" place between King Hassan 11 and representatives of the POLISARIO Front. We earnestly share the hope of the Secretary-General and the Chairman of the OAU that there vUl be further meetings of that nature, since they could improve the prospects for the success of the peace process. Finally, Jamaica wishes to renew its appeal to the parties conce~ned to ensure that the imp)rtant progress made to date be sustained and further developed to the extent of facilibltll19 an early resolution of all the outstanding issues of concern, so as to establish without dalay the necessary conditions for holding the proposed referendum in the Te~ritory on self-determination for the people of western Sahara. AGENDA ITBt 18 tcontinued) :J.tPLlMENTATION OF THE DECLARA1'mN ON THE GR..\NTDlG OF INDEPENDENCE '1'0 a>IDNIAL COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES (a) REPORT OF 'mE SPECIAL aMMITTEE ON THE SITUATION WITH REGARD ro THE :ltPLlMEHTATJON OF THE DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE TO COIONIAL m"'l'RIES AND PEOPLES (A/44/23, A!AC.I09/975 and Add.l, A!AC.I09/976-978, A/AC.l09/979 and Add.l f A/AC.109/980, A/AC.982-99G, A/AC.I09/992-998, A/AC.109/999/Rev.l, ~AC.109/l000~ A/AC.109/I007 and Oorr.l) (b) REPORTS OF TOE SZCimTARY-GENERAL (A/U/634 and Cort.l, A/44/800) (c) DRAFT RESOLUTIONS (A/44/23 (Part I) ~ chapo 11, para. SI A/44/L. SS, A/44/Lo 56) (d) DRi\FT DECISION (AI44/L. 57) (e) REPORT OF THE Fill''l'R CDlMIT'1'EE (A/44/860) The PRESIDENT! May I remind representatives that the debate on agenda item le was concluded at the 15th plenary meeting, held on Tuesday,S Decellber 1989. '!be Asselli>ly wUl now turn to the reCOC!ll1en6atl0. contained 1n chapter 11 of part I of the report of the Special eo.-ittee (A/44/23), to ~aft resolutions A/44/L.SS and A/44/L.S6, and to draft decision A/44/L.S7 - I call on the representative of 811"ia on a point of order. Mr. SHADED (Syrian Arab Re_lie) (interpretation from Arabic): My delegation wishes to speak Q\ a point,pf order to seek 8 clarification. _cently, the world has been witnessing certain developments, soma of which have not reached their culmination, while others are still in their initial stages. Regardless, however, of any develoPlents that may be taking place a t this stage, we believe that principles cb not change and that values shared by all huuni ty are unalterable. The right of peoples to self-determination reeins one of the principles that we should defend with the utmost vigour. Since its inception the Uni ted BD tioRS has given the highest priori ty to enabling the peoples who do not enjoy self-qovern_nt to exercise the right to self-determination enshrined in the Charter. W1 th this in IIlnd, the General Assembly ad)pted its vitally illPOrtant resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to COlonial COUntries and Peoples. Over: the JUra, the importance of that resolution has becoue manifest. It has accelerated the independence of countries that now account for IIIOre than half of the States Mellbers of the United Nations. Nevertheless and as the secretary-General said in his opening statement this year before the Cbllll'littee of 24: "While it is true that the past 30 years have seen r_arkable achievements in the field of decoloniz8tion, an accomplishment of whieb our Organization can be justly proud, the fact remains that some 19 Territories, with a population of some 3 million, have yet to exercise their right to self-determination and independence. a (A(AC.109lpv.1346, p. 6) (The' President) The truth of the matter is that the failure to implement the Declaration has not been limited to the 19 Territories referred to by the Secretary-General. There are other flagrant violations. as in the case of Palestine. we lIust pay a tribute to the consistent and unremitting efforts of the Secretary-General and his many 1nitiatives on behalf of the peoples that have not yet been able to exercise the right to self-determination and independence. Syria's unwavering commitQent to the cause of decolonization dates back to our own day of independence. We have always been in the forefront of the struggle for the achievement of self-determination by every colonized country. We have al_ya supported the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. We were active in the establishment of the United Nations and have continuously supported its efforts to achieve peace and eild colonialism. In conclusion. we would like to say that the two draft resolutions before us could have reflected more fully the newer realities that have becolle clear to all of us, were it not for tha t single member of the Bureau of the Commi ttee of 24, w'ho saw fit to deal from a position of power with regard to the amendnents that had been introduced with a view to making the two draft resolutions more consistent with reality. The PRESIDENT, I would like to announce that Pakistan has becone a co-sponsor ef draft resolutions A/44/L.55 and A/44/L.56. 1 nC1tl call on those representatives wishing to explain their votes before the voting. Nr. OSANAI (Japan), My delegation will vote in favour of draft resoh\tions A/U/L.55 and A/44/L.56, because we firmly support the Declaration on the Granting 0 f Independence to Colon la1 Coun tr185 and Peoples and hope thatit will be duly illlpleaented. ~r. Shaheed. Sfr~an Arab RePublIc) At the same time, however, I must regrettably express my delegation's reservations on certain provisions contained in those cbcuments. My delegation cannot support some parts of the report of the Special Q)mmittee that are lllpproved in operative paragraph 5 of A/44/L.55 and operative paragraph 1 of A/44/L.56. Por reasons we have made clear on a number of occasions, including at meetings of this session of the General Assembly, my delegation has reservations on other paragraphs of A/44/L.55 as well, particularly paragraphs 4, 6 and 9. In addi tion, my delegation wishes to indicate its reservations on the seventh preambular paragraph of A/44/L.55. Moreover, it is my delegation's understanding that operative paragraph 7 of the same draft resolution is not intended as a condemation of all foreign economic activities, but rather of a particular type of such activities that in fact impedes the process of self-determination in the Non-Self-Governing Territories. Mr. RICHARDSON (United Kingdom) I My delegation wishes to explain why it wUl vote against the draft resolutions and draft decision before us. A number of speakers in last week's debate suggested that the time was right for a final pUsh - as they would put it - to eliminate the last vestiges of colonialism. That same thought is implicit in the proposals that have been made to celebrate next year the thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. It likewise underlies the declaration of the 199051 as the Internatonal Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism." .. Mr. Sallah (Gambia), Vice-President, took the Chair. (Mr. Osanai, Japan) we sometimes describe a man. of great vision as being ahead of his time, or we speak of far-sighted ideas whose time has yet to ooJte. Bere, on the other hand, we have a clear example of a~ i~ea whose time has passed, conceived by those whose thinking is quite literally behind the times. Decolofiization has been one of the major success stories of recent history. A decolonization decade could have been a fitting epitaph for the 1950s, the 1960s, or even the 1970s, but surely not for the 199Os. The colonial era is all but over. Since 1945, the membership of the United Nations has alJw)st tripleci. Many of those new Members are countries that have achieved independence through the process of decolonization.. Forty-nine of the Organization's current membership were at one time administered by Britain and were brought to independence in accordance with the wishes of the peoples concerned. For the peoples of the few remlt Inil1l) British dependent Terdtories the colonial era is over too. In their case the outcome has been different, they have freely chosen to govern themselves, under their om delllOcratic systems, while retaining certain links with Britain. But what they have done is exactly the same, they have exercised their right to self-determination. '!'bey happen not to have chosen independenee. But that does not alter the validity of their choice, nor Britain·s commitment to honour it, and the General Assembly should do likewise. Those who seek to undermine these peoples e choice might take advantage of the ooming thirtieth anniversary to reread the Charter and to rededicate themselves to the prineiple of self-determination. '!'he picture is clear. Q1 the one hand, the numbet of Territories that have yet to exercise their right to self-determination has been reduced at most to a handful. On the other, the Organization is being asked to heighten its activity in this field. This simply does not mDke sense. The thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration on decolonization should be the time for a careful rethink, not for a reiteration of the same old sterile and polemical arguments. As my dele9ation _de clear in the Fourth Committee, it is time to take a good look at the practices and procedures of the United Nations in the field of decolonization. What should be eradicated are repetition, duplication and redundancy. We need a more streamlined, pragmatic approach, adaptad to chan9ing times and respectful of the present-day needs of the peoples of the remaining Territories. Of the three draft resolutions and one draft decision before us, the first two, A/U/L.55 and A/U/L.56, differ depressingly little from their predecessors. Like them they are couched in the tired, disobliging rhetoric of previous decades. They have nothing of relevance to say to the self-governinc.J peoples of the British dependent Territories. One of them also misinterprets the provisions of the settleaent plan for Namibia, which is being illplellented successfully by the secretary-General, under the aeg1s of the security COuncil. and wbiCb w111 shortly le3d to an independent Naalbia taking its rightful place in the Unlt4K1 Nat1ona. t.t us hope that in 1990 thesa texts can finally be consigned to tM archives vhere they belong. 1Ie abBll vote ~galn.t both of the.. As for the draft resolution approving the pc'opose4 proC)ra_e of action to _rk the thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration, we find it incc.prehensible that additional effort and resources should be devoted to decolonization work at a tille wben the United Nations tasks in this field a.re cUlI1nisbing rapidly. Pt aocJest ~moration .iqht be ln order. But the expenditure of well over 11 .ill10n on regional seminars of the ee.alttee of 24, to g1ve only one eUJlple. is quite indefensible. No ona can justify Bum expenditure wben there are ~eal ancJ pcessing needs to be aet by tbe OrganiZE; _lon. If such mney is really available - at a tl. when the finances of the Organization are under- strain - it WO'.lld be battctC' devoted to assisting the econoaic develor:-nt of the r_ain1ng 'l'erritorleR. .. shall vote against this draft resolution too. As for the ClOlaaaaoratlon of the prepaRed decade, ve cannot fall to notice that scarcely one tenth of the ~lIber8hlp ha"e ft'8ft taken the trouble to reply tQ the Secretary-General'a request for ClCJgestions. This less then tWerwbe1ll1f19 response bv Mellber States speaks eloquently of the iaportance attadled to this Ul-considered, irrelevant initiative. Rather than prolong the 890ny until next April, as the 6tD~t decision proposes, should .e not now let thi. initiative die quietly? The PRESIDENT, Tbe Aauably will I'101I take a decision on the rec:cBlendations contalMtd in chapter 11 of part I of docuMnt A/44/23, an draft resolutions A/U/L.55 and A/44/L.56 and on draft &Ic1s1on AI"/L.51. The report of the Fifth Cou1ttH on the progra.e budC}et lapUcat10ne ie contalMc1 in dccWMnt A/U/860. (Itr. R1cbar48Oft.· Oftl~·ttlft!S2a, 'lbe As_ably "Ul now begin the votin;a proceSB and vote first on the draft resolution entitled IlIProgra.-: of Activities in Observance of the Thirtieth Anniversary Of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to COlonial Countries and Peoples· contained in paragraph 5 of chapter n of part I of the rep)rt of the Special Comalttee (A/44/23). A recorded vote has been r equested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, A~nt.ina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Paso, Burundi, ByeloruAsian SOviet Socialist Republic:, Ca_roon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, O)mor08, Q)ngo, Costa Rica, Cote a'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Ye_en, ~ibOuti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Bgo/pt, El salVador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Piji, Gabon, Gltmbla, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bisseu, Guyana, Raiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Isla_le Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Leo People's DelDOCutic Republic, ~b8non, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jauhirlya, MadaC)ascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mall, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanuc, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, 5iger, Nigeria, Norway, Qaan, Pakistan, Panalll8, Papua Hew GlineD, Para9uay,Peru, Philippines, Poland, Oatac, Romania, Rwanda, Saint litts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, saint Vincent and tb.& Gcenadines, Ss80e, Sao 'Oae and principa, saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, SOlOMOn Islands, So1l811a, Spain, Sri Lanka, Surlnalle, ·Swz1land, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trlnided and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab E.i~ates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanua~, Veneauela, Vlet Ham, Yemen, YugoslaVia, Zaire Against, United linqdom of Great Britain and Northe.:n Ireland, United States of ~erica (The President) • AbsuinintJ, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, LuxembOurg, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden !he draft resolution was adopted by 137 votes' to' 2, with· 14 abstentions (resolution 44/10Q).* The PRESIDENT, The Assembly will now vote on draft resolution A/44/L.SS. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote WBS taken. In favour\ Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Banqladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cameroon, Cape Verae, Central Aft ican Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, (J)moros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Dj ibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Baiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Denncratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Me~ico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New ..Yland, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, oman, pakistan, Panama, papu~ New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Oatar, Romania, Rwanda, saint Kitts and Nevis, saint Lucia, saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sac Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, SOlomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Toqo, Trinidad and 'l'obaqo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian SOviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet socialist RePublics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tunzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire Against, United Kinqdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America * Subsequently the delegation of Mozambique advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. Abstaining, Belgium, Canada, Prance, Germany, Pederal RepUblic of, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands Draft resolution A/44/L.55 was-adopted-byl42 votes- to-2,-with-S abstentions (resolution 44/101).* The PRESIDENT' The Assembly will now vote on draft resolution A/44/L.56. A recorded vote has be9n requested .. A recorded vote was taken In favour, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbudlll, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Denin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkins Faso, Burundi, Byelorussian soviet SOCialist Republic, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, COlombia, Q)lIOros, Q)ngo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Xvoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratl~ Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Dj ibouti, Dollinica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Q1inea, Ethiopia, Piji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, German DeIllOCUtiC Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Q1inea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, HOnduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of)~ Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Ku_it, Lac People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, oman, Pakistan, Pana.., Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, RoBanla, Rwanda, saint Kitts and Nevis, saint Lucie, saint vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sac Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, So-.11a, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sutiname, SWaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Toga, Trinidad and 'l'o~go, Tunisia, Turkey, uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet SOCialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire * Subsequently the delegation of Mozambiqu0 advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. Against, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, united States of America Belgium, France, Germany, Federal RePUblic of, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands Abstaintn«ill Draft resolution A/44/L.56 was adop~ed by l43 votes b)'2; with 7 abstentions (reslution 44/102).* The PRESIDENT, The Assembly will now vote on draft decision A/44/L.57. A recorded vote has been requsted. A recorded vote was taken. In favour, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbadog, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Rurundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, OOmoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Dj ibouti, I»minican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Glinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Baiti; ~onduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic ~p~J:lc of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao Pe<: ple' s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, oman, Pakisten, Panama, Papua Hew Guinea, Peru, Philippines, poland, Oatar, Ibmania, Rwanda, saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao ~e and Principe, saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, S1n9 pore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, SwazUand, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, 'l'ogo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraini~n Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Unitea Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, venezuela, Viet Ham, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire Against: None * Subsequently the delegation of Mozambique advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in fayour. Abstaining, Austrl~, Belgium, Can&da, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Isr~el, ItDly, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, sweden, United lingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of Ante r ica Draft decision A/44/L.57 was adnted by 130 votes to none, with 22 abstentions.· o Subsequently the delegation of Mozambique advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour. The PRESIDENT, 1 now call on representatives Who ",ish to explain their votes. Mr. SAWT (Turkey), In conformity with our policy of supporting the efforts of the international community to ensure the complete elimination of colonialism, my delegation voted in favour of draft resolution A/44/L.55. I wish to pu,ee on record, however, our reservations with regard to operative paragraph 9 of the resolution. We 00 not consider the wording of this paragraph to be satisfactory. Kr. HAJI«>CZI (Austria), Austria considers that the process of decolonization constitutes one of the outstanding achievements of the united Nations. Austria has therefore oonsistently supported the efforts of the United Nations in this regard. It is because of its sincere commitment to the process of decolonization and to the right of peoples to self-determination that Austria has supported draft resolutions A/44/L.55 and L.56 and the draft resolution contained in cbcument A/44/23 (Part X). However, this should not be interpreted as approval of all the provisions in these texts. We have reservations with regard to some of them. In particular, I should like to refer to operative paragraph 4 of draft resolution A/44/L.55 and underline that Austria understands that paragraph as referring exclusively to struggle by peaceful means, as Austria, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, is firmly convinced that necessary change should be brought about by peaceful neans alone. My delegation abstained in the vote on draft decision A/44/L.57. In conclusion, I reaffirm Austria's continuing and unequivocal support for the process of decolonization. Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Norway, SWeden and Iceland. The Nordic . countries' abiding ccmmitment to the process of decolonization is well known. That process has very nearly run its course. This is one of the historic achievements of the United Nations. The lbrdic countries voted in favour of draft resolutions A/44/L. SS and Le 56. Regrettably, however, we could not do so without certain reservations. Draft resolution A/44/L.55 contains formulations tD which we cannot give our consent. For example, operative paragraph 4 contains formulations which are contrary to the principle upheld by the Nordic countries that, in conformi ty with its Charter, the United Nations should alleys encourage ~eaceful solutions. We also find operative paragraph 9 too categorically formulated. As regards the seventh preambubr paragraph, we cannot accept interpretations which are at variance with the responsibilities assigned to the Consti tuent Assembly in the uni ted Na tions set tlement plan. As regards draft resolution A/44/L.56, our vote on operative paragraph 1, regarding the chapter of the. report of the Special Committee on Decolonization relating to the dissemination of information should not be interpreted as approval of all specific parts of that chapter. The Nordic countries abstained in the vote on draft decision A/44/L.57 as a consequence of their vo.te on last year's resol1!tlon on the Interna tional Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. Furthermore, with regard to the report of the Special Commitf:tae of 24 (A/44/23 (Part I», the Nordic countries have reservations regarding the financial implications of the two seminars proposed in the draft resolution on the Pogralllll8 of Ac.. 'vi ties in Observance of the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples• The PRBSmENT, I call on the representative of Cuba in his capacity aa Vlee-cha lr..n of the Speclal ee-t.t tee on the Si ~ua tlon wl th regard to the lspl_ntation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to COlonial COuntri. and PGOples. Mr. QlUMAS OLI\a. (Cuba), Vice-ChairaJn of the Special eo_ittee en the Sltuat1cm with regard to the raple.entation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoplee (Special eomittee :>f 24), On beh.lf of the special eo.uttee of 24, I have the honour of aaking the following atatallent. During the oaurse of our _eting this afternoon the representative of the ~1 ted KingcJoa, whose Government is responsible for the adlllinIstra tion of 10 of the r...ining 19 Non-Self-Governing Territories, indicated that decolonization has been me of the _jor success stories of the past four decades. No one will disagree with hill in this assess_nt. At the same tille, we are painfully aware that, while • nullber of foraer colonial Terd tories attained independence in peaceful transition, often with the clcae co-operation of the adJll1niatering Powers, a nUJlber of other Terd tories had to struggle for recogni tion of their inalienable right to self~eteraination and independence, at the cost of enorlDUB sacrifice end bloodshed, against the collbine,:! forces of the colaniallsts and vested interests. It is also a .tte~· ot. record that the United Nlttions, too, has played a decisive role in that process. The representative of the United Kingdoll stated that for Britain the colonial era is long over as most of the forller Bd tlsh dependencblls bave already MOO" in&tpendent .an~ It sull nUlllber have preferred to r,eMln in close association with the Uni tact ~ln~tI. For the Unl ted He tions, however, the General As..ably has repeatedly h~lct that the peoples of the reaainlng island Territories, irrespective of their size and popula tion or the pauc! ty of their resources, have the same inherent right to self-determination as others, in accordance with the Charter and the Declaration. In order to ensure that the true aspirations of dependent peoples as regards th9ir future status are expressed fully and wi thout interference, the Assembly has stressed time and again the imperative need for, first, the participation of the administering Power and representatives of the peoples of the Terri tories conc@rned in the relevant proceedings of the United Nations bodies, secondly, the dispatch of United tetions visiting missions to those Territories in c:der to ascertain at first hand the true aspirations of the inhabitants, and, thirdly, to associate the United Nations in such acts of self-determination as may be conducted in those Territories in relation to their future status. On the matter: of Bd tish non-participa tion in the rela ted work of the Special Col'llllittee of 24, I can only reiterate the repeated appeal addressed to the United Kingdom to reconsider its position and take into account these imperatives set forth by the Assembly. We are gratified to note the continued readiness of the United Kingdom to discharge faithfully the obligations it assumed under Article 73 of the Charter. The General Assembly has established the mechanism and procedure for examining the extent of such compliance, and that is pt'ecisely the purpose of this annual review. Unless the General Assembly decides otherwise, we shall continue to fulfil our responsibilities. Unless the Assembly decides otherwise, we shall not give up until the last TerritotY falling within the purview of Ch;;1~,:.:er XI of the Charter Is no longer of conce~n to the Orgb~ization. The PRESIDENT, We have concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda i tern 18. AGENDA ITlM ~3 REVIJ:W OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADUNISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL FUNCl'IONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS (a) R>TE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/44/747) (b) DRAFT RF.SOWTlON \A/44/L.58) The PRESIDENT, The note by the Secretary-General on the United Nations intergovernmental structure and functions in the economic and social fields has been issued as <bcurnent A/44/747. In this connection, the Asuembly also has before it a draft resolution (A/44/L.S8). A draft resolution (A/44/L.53) and a draft decision UV44/L.S4) previously submitted under this item have been withdrawn. I call on the representative of Bolivia to intr.oduce draft resolution A/44/L.58. Mr. NAVAJAS MOGRO (Bolivia) (interpretation from Spanish) s It is an honour for me to report to the AS8enbly the ou teeme of the consulta tions on the proposals submitted to the Assembly under this agenda i~m, entitled -Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations-. This issue has ben before the General APelllbly for • ..,.a1 reus. llellber States are Unanil101.8 that there Is a need to strength...,..,-. united Battens Intergoveruental and sClcretaria t structures 1n the ecanoaic" mcla1,..and related fields to enable it to cddress IDre effectively and efflclenUy Ue Pl'esent and new requirements of the international OOmtlunlty. The proc:ea, hOWever, has been complex. The Special OOllllission established by the Bcon~lc enC! Social COuncil carried out an in-depth study of the United Nations intergovernaental structure and functions in the econOllllct 20cial and related fields, but "as unable to reech agreement on a set of measures. The Economic and SOCial COuncil has since 1988 adOpted ~ ~rtant resolutions aimed at revitalizing its functiotls. 'hiS ~.ss Is. sUU cont.inuinq~ and a nlDber of very important l!BasureB have be$, tate1'l to enable the Q:Wncll tD carry out its respons\ibllities more effectively. The General Ass@lllbly is oonsidering agenda item 38 at ita current cession In the light of the work alteady done as well as the Secretary-Generalts note (A/44/747). As a resUI1: of informal discussicns amng groupa and lnttested countries, two draft proposals were Submitteef to the GeneraJ. -AS.llbly. '!'be first (A/44!L.53) was sponsored by Australia, Denmark, !'inland, 8\m9ary, Iceland. Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New zealand, Uorvay, Poland, $red.n, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United KingcSom. ft. eec0n4 (A/WL.S4) was presented by Malaysia on behalf of the Group of 77 G In the light ef the oonvergence of views and the desire of Name&' States to reach a consensus on the SUbject, the President of the General Assellbly requeeted me, as a Vice-President of the General Assembly, to facilitate the process of consultations on agenda 1tem 38. A number of infer_l ....tinge .ere beld tl> facilitate an exchange of views on the two draft proposals. I aa pl••ed to rep)rt that as a I:etlult of tho. consultations we haft draft resolution A/44/L.58, a "eger of tta principal elements of the two draft proPOsals that formed the basie of the consultations. The draft resolution, which .aintains the essential thrust of the two texts, is intended t~ assist the Process of bringing about improvements in the structure and functioning of the United Nations in the economic, social and related f1~lds. The draft resolution reflects the general view that reform is a continuing process and ti1.at it is in the COlllmon intereet of all countries to ensure the effective functioning of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields so that it is lOre resJ)Oneive not only to current issues but also to .-erging problems and issues, Particularly those relating to the development of the deve1.opiW) countries. 'L'be draft resolution also redfirms that the _in qod of reotructuring and cevi~lizinq the United Nations in those fields is not to make financial savings, but to ensure effective ana efficient use of reSOUfCea in sUPPOrt of the objectives determined by Member States in the economic, social and related fields. Tbe draft resolutto~ also reflects general agreement on the need to strengthen international co~peration. It recognizes that the intergovernmental deliberations schedUled to take place in the beginning of the 1~90s - including, in particular, the sPecial session of the General Assembly on international co~peration against illicit production, SuPPly, demand, traffiCking and distribution of narcotic d~ugS6 the &;)ecial session of the Asaembly devoted to int.erna tional economic co-operation, in particular the revitalization of economic growth and develooment for developing countries, the Second Un! ted Na ticns Conference on Least Developed O?untdes, the elaboration of the international develoJltllent strategy for the fourth United Nations develop.nt decade, the eighth session of the United nations Cbnference on Trade and DeveloJ)~nt, and the proposed United Nations conferC!"nce on envlronlllent and develoPment - will have a big imPact on the funetioninq of the United Nations intecgovernlft!ntal macinery Md secretariat structures in the economic, social and related fields. The draft resolution requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session, when this matter wUl again be considered. The draft resolution also stresses the need for the full implementation of "a:onomic and Social {buncH resolutions 1988/77 and 1989/114, including the provisions related to the secretariat suPpOrt structure of the {buncil, and reauests the Secretary-General to present a repOrt on the implementation of these reBolutions to the Economic lAnd Social Q)uncil at its second regular session in 1990. In the informal consultations that I held I found all the -Princioal outicipants forthComing and co-opera tive, which enabled IIIP. to present the draft resolution now before the General Assembly. I take this oPportunity to eXPress my deep appreciation for their co-operation. I hoPe that the draft .resolution will be adopted by consensus. Mr. CHOO tMalaysia)t I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Gr~up of 77. The Group of 77 wishes to reaffirm the signiUcance it attaches to the question of the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nationa in the economic and social fields, while taking note of the useful information contained in the note by the Secretary-General. Ne are witnessing a rapid transformation of the world political and economic situ'ltion. 'l'here is 15 lessening of political tension between the two super-Powers, whil,e major developnents continue to take place in Eastern Europe. The centrally planned economies of Eastern Europe appear poised to integrate into the world ec('(lnom!c qr id, while efforts are under way to regionalize developed countries in various ways in both Western Europe and North America. Japan has emerged as a IIU:Jjor economic Power. At the same time, the economic Qap between the developed and the developing countries has widened in the 1980s. These developments, have served amng other things, to underline the increasing, albeit gradual, realization of the tnterdepende~ce of the developed and developing coun tr iea. Coun tries, both developed and developing, have been drawn closer in economic linkages, including globalization of financial markets and integration of capital I1I!trkets. Interdependence indeed holds the key to the future well-being of both developed and developing countries. In this regard, the United Nations system must adapt to these developments shaping the world-wide political and economic environment. The Group of 77 welcomes the positive response of all countries on development and international co-operation issues, as demonstrated in the United Nations agenda for the early years of the new decade of the 1990s. we wish in particular to refer, interaUa, to the 1990 special session of. the General Assembly devoted to international dCOnomic co-o~ration, in particular to the revitalization of economic growth and developaent of the ~veloping countries, the new international developaent strategy, the Second United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the proposed United Nations oonference on environraent and development and the eighth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Given the changing global environment, as well as the United Nations agenda for the 1990s, the Group of 77 recognizes the need for the Uni ted Nations system to be more effective and efficient. It was in this spirit that the Group of 77 took the initiative of introducing the draft resolution on the revitalization of the Economic and Social Council. However, it regrets that the implementation of some parts of the resolution have been delayed. We would like to rei terate the need for urgent implementation of Economic and Social COuncil resolutions 1988/77 and 1989/114, on the revitalization and effective functioning of the Council. This would enable the Council to carry out the functions envisaqed for it in the Charter. The Group of 77 would like to reiterate the. need for a system-wide approach to issues of co-ordination and the reassertion of the policy quidance and co-ordination functions of the Council. As stated at this year's summer session of the Economic and Social Council during the discussion on the agenda item entitled -Revitalization of the Economic and Social Council-, the Group of 77 is ready to. engage our partners in a dialogue on the establishment of the 1Il11ti-year work programme in the context of th~ Council's in-depth discussion of major policy themes. We would like furt;h~c streamlining and consolidation of documentation. The SPeCialized agencies, funds and programmes should be further eUG'Ouraged to provide the Economic and Social Council with analytical summaries' ~nd other inputs, as called for in Economic and Social COuncil resolution 1988/77. By clearly identifying issues and their (Mr. Choo, Malaysia) interrelationeh1PB.. and the role in action in their respective areas of various . . bodies of the United Nations SyStem, 'our· in-depth discussion of major themes can be given an operational content as well as policy direction. '!'he aonltoring arran~nts, follow-up and reporting procedures also need to be clearly spelt out. '!he lBnerel thrust of restructuring in the United Nations hp been UlI1ted, and undertaken generally free the. penpective o~ cutting the budget. 'rhe real Issue, hcweYer, is Whether the sYBtem of II1ltllateral co-operation ls resp:mcJing to evolving needs and to the objective with the highest priority, n_ly the deYeloPlent of the developing ooun.trles. The Group of 77 wishes to emphasize at this point the need for care and caution in undertaking reforu, particularly'when those reform affect the intereets and concern. of developing countries. In this coMection, we wish to stress that COiBIIittoH Dnd bodi•• which pcoaote the interest cf developing OOW\triee should not be aub8Ulled, osteftSibly on the grOUlld of savings. Instead, ~e of the.. bocUu IIbould be -mance6 and 8.uengthened. We are qul~ clear that the purpo•• of such I'.f~. ill to achieve better and aore effective utilization of available resources. In conclusion, ~ call upon all countries to make their assessed contributions to the regular budget, a8 w. believe that the efficiency of the United Rations systeID 18 alllO depa~dent on eound finmu::ial mderpinnings. Mr. LlMEF~ (Prance' (interpretation frOll Prench) I I have the honour to 8peak on behalf of the European C08aUnity an~ its _libel' statea on that part of agenda item 38, ARa7iev of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the united Nations·, set aaide .for conaideratiQl by the General Assel'lbiy itself. This part of the agenda concerltlll the in-depth .tu~ of the maohinery for intergovernmental c:o""Operation in the econoale and lIOCial spherea. (Mr. Choo, M~laysia) '.£be way in wnidl our delegations have for years participated in various successive efforts to reform the intergovernmental machinery of the United Nations 1n the economic and social area demonstrates the importance we attach to increasing the efficiency of the Organization in this sphere and our desire to participate in tbe efforts already under way. I reaffirm that the Community and its JTember States believe that one of the essential functions of the Organization is to make possible the exchange and harllDnization of the views of all Governments on major problems of economic and social life throughout the world. If this function is carried out properly and in a constructive spirit, political action must find in it a wellspring of inspiration. (Mr. Lemerle, France) Th~ structure of the intergovernmental machinery 1n the eccnomic and social sector and that of the Secretariat support services must therefore remain constantly under scrutiny, so that nothing may hamper: delegations or the Secretariat - in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council or the Trade and Development Board - w~en they launch constructive and convergent initiatives. 'l'hat is why we have been taking part in the long series of efforts that are under ..y, in a varie ty of fields, to spur on this reform, that is also why, in the fina 1 analysis, we agreed to the decision to request a repo~t from the Secretary-General and why we were prepared to support a more detailed and more strongly worded draft resolution than the one which, in the end, after: difficult consultations, has now been put to us. Until the Secretary-General's report has been complemented by practical proposals, and until we have had a chance, at leisure, to go again through this file, which must never be closed, I shall mnfine myself to recalling what seem to us to be the essential points, which are as follows. No reform in the rules, the organization or the admininistrative support concerning our work could, by itself, make up for any lack of interest, on the part of our States, in this work. It is thus up to States to send. here representatives who are well prepared and ready to work effectively at exchanging and reconciling views, so that our respective political endeavours in tilts work may be truly inspired. Structural reform of the Organization, then, is not enough. But it is necessary. There are tm many bodies that no longer attract to their regular, routine sessions anyone except members of Permanent Missions, and national experts remain indifferent. TOO often the same group of representatives deal .with the same subjects without taking the time to consider them in depth or to 90 into ways (Mr. Lelllerle, France) of IUkil'¥J progress.. Ne make poor use of Secretariat resources. The cost-effectiveness ratio of what we cb in the economic and social field should ba much improved. Above all, constructive cd tieism of our machinery, our met}¥)ds and our participation should be a mnstant feature .. That is the posi tive and forward-looking a tti tude we should like to maintain and to have others share. Mr.' WILENSKI (Australia) I On this occasion I speak al behalf of the delegations of Australia and New Zealand. At the time of the creation of the United Nations an innovative feature of the new Organization, hailed as one of the very considerable improvements on the discredited League of Nations, was that it would deal not only with political but also with economic and scchl issues. It was recognized for the first time, through the Charter of the United Nations, not only that political, economic and social issues were closely interconnected, not only that economic and social issues often lay at the root of political differences, but also that international co-operation on economic and social issues in the post-war world would be essential and could be highly productive. The political effectiveness of the United Nations has at different times waxed and waned, and some of its structures have been adapted or augmented as changing circumstances demanded. But we must note with regret that the United Nations has never been as effective in the aconomic and social sectors - wi th the important exception of considerable progress made in the human-rights area - as its founders would have wished and expected. This is not to say that the operational agencies have not cbne extraordinarily valuable work. But the economic and social policy-making organs have never exercised the influence and authority that were· anticipated • It is commonplace to note that today the Uni ted Ra tions, in its politicsl activities, has entered a new period of revitalization and accomplishment. The O(qanization has seized the opportunities presented by a thawing of the cold war to act vigorously in a number of situations in different parts of the world. Regrettably, however, this revitalization of the political sector places in stark relief the relative lack of Progress and accomplishment in the economic sector. When considered alongside the great range of economic and social problems faced today, Particularly by developing countries, this creates a new urgency in the need to examine and to reform decision"1'il8king, within the Organization, on economic and social issues. Wi thout concerted action to ensure that the economic and social sectors of the Uni ted Nations ate fulfilling their mandates, the Organization will be able to hobble forward only on one leg. Wi thout such concerted action, there is a danger that ineffectiveness in one major area could prejudice continued success in other areas. What we now need to focus on is improving the effectiveness of the economic and social sectors. What we now need to ensure is that the discussions and the decisions in the Organization are effective in influencing the actual policies being pursued b/Member States and in influencing the realities of economic life. Our delegations are not as much concerned ~ the repetitiousness of the economic debate in different forums with overlapping mandates - though it would otwiously be desirable if debate could be more singularly focused - as by the fact that the debate, no matter how often repeated, does not have an appreciable imPact on economic decisioftllaking where it counts. Before we can discuss the reform of these closely interrelated economic and social sectors we therefore need to be very clear abOut the results that we eXPect (!r. Wilenski, Australia) of thell. Our cJelegations consider thet ttY.t economic and social areas of the United Nations syoteM should be, forward-looldng, Accountable and rosDOnsive to the chsnging needs of Member States, productive of high~aUty relevant advice vhich has inlpact end autMr1ty, and productive of Progra1lllles which are vell co-ordinated ~d avoid duplication, both at HeadQuarters and at field level. Once Heftt)er States have, toqQther;> identified and agreed on the detailed and Priority objectives in the ecoMmic and sociel fields for the 199Qg !fiI'ld beyond, decisions can be taken on the structures which are best suited to attain those objectives. Form should follow function. Of course, reform vill make no difference unless there is a OO1itical vill to _Ite effective use of the relevant organs of the United Nations and to conduct discussions in these organs on all issues and at an appropriate level. '1'hls is a central point that we vould eIlphuhe, there is little purpose in illprovill) the structures unless ve are prepared to use them. But progress on the 138ues should go hand in hand vi th progress on structural reform. Without po11 tical vUl, resultu vill not be aChieved, whatever the structure, but vithout the aporoPriate structure, oolitical vill can be rendered ineffective. These are the big issues we face. Debate on refor" has .1n the recent J)ast been colouled by the fact that the principal forces behind it aopeared to many to be solely concerned with cutting costs. That approach lIay vell have been relevant to so_ at that the, but this is not Our focU!J today - i~deed, ve believe that any costs Which might be saved in the process should .be reinvested in other high-'l)riodty economic and social areas. Our focus today, and froll now on, should be on 1mprovi~ t~e effectiveness of the overall Organization. (Mr. Wilenski t Australia) We recognize that, unfortunately, deba te on this issue isstill troubled bV the legacy of the immediate Past, but we do believe that in the longer term, that is, over the next few years, with t,his new focus we should be able to tackle the big issues. In t;he longer term, we should be deciding which problems ate best dealt with in the economic and social bodies and what results we expect. The special essio;, on economic co-operation and development should be an important event in shapit:'9 thOfJe expecta tions. We should then be ready to examine and take decisions on' the most ~ppropriate relationship between the EconO!lllc and Social .. ~. ,,' COuncil and the General )issembly and its .various committee~~'~well as on the workings of tbe subsidiary bodies, the United Nations COnference on Trade and Development and the various regi9nal and functional commissions, and indeed wbether any new high-level ~dy is neCQ8saryo In the end, we believe, there must be consensus on a cohesive package of ch~es to be illPlemented in an agreed order and over an agreed tine frame. There must also be a cl~.r and eXPlicit strategy for implementation, to Stl>PO:rt and guide what w111 lnewltably be a difficult process and an aqreed review nechanism which from time to tim~ analyses and rePOrts on progress on the aqreed package. What I have been raising are the issues which it seems to our deleqa tions the Orc)anhation "ill need to face in the medium term. We have no illusions about how aabitious suCh &n approaCh ls, haw difficult progress will be or hOW mch tilM it witl ne~d. However, while informal discussions continue on these larqer issues, we believe it is a180 worth whUe to continue progress at an imnediate level, bOth because the Changes that are beinq sought are worth while in themselves and because the experience of co-operation and, we trust, success at this level will mate it easier for us to make progress on the major issues. In this context, we IIUSt aCklllO¥ledqe that the latest round of reform activity on the United Natione econollic and social sectors, beginning with tile fel)Ort o.f the Group of 18, has made only slow progress. The exercise was fundamentallY endangered from the beginning because there was no universallY shared understanding of the objectives of reform. Yet, slowly, we have IIk)ved ahead. The SPecial (bDlllission pointed to areas Nhere more wOrk could usefully be done. This year and last, the Economic and Social Council tOOk important decisions to improve its own effectiveness, and work on the -revitalization- of the Economic and Social Council continues. We were also encouraged by a unanimously expressed desire at the forty-third sessi~~ of the General Assembly, in resolution 43/174, to continue to search for ways and means to pronote 0E9anizat1onal reform. In this respect, therefore, we were particularly disappointed by the very limited nature and scope of the Secretary-General's note (A/44/747) and the failure to Provide the detailed rePOrt reQuested in resolution 43/174. IncidentallV t the SeCretarv-General' s note is numbered 747. It nay once have been a 747, but 1 thi nk it now nore resembles a stripped-down Fokker Friendship, and I doUbt that we could fly anywhere in it. We also join in the consensus on the draft resolution befOre us today bUt we must admit to more than a little disapPOintment that the steps forward it takes are not larger ones. We should have liked to see somethlnq less general and more sW»stantive. Nevertheless, the draft resolution does keep the way open to further aea~ures, and 'le believe that these should be apprOllched with many of the sa me elements as 1 have 1ust outlinede that is, there should be a focus on effectiveness, any f1nancia). savings which happen to result from structural programlle al tera tions should be reinvested in priority Pfogranmes 4S an integral P,ut of the change Proces8, and there should be a strategy for implementation. In that way useful It is most impOrtant that review and reform work should stay in front of U8 aB develop further confidence and co-oPeration amng delegations and look forward to so. future occuion when the Assembly wUl examine in dePth the Mjor issues encomPassed under this item. Mr. 'l'ELIMANN (Norway), I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries. Denmark, Finland, Iceland. Sueden and Norway. An imPOrtant staqe in the United Nations reform process was reached when the Fifth Co.mit~e~ reviewed the implementation of resolution 41/213 under this same agenda item 38, several weeks ago. On that occasion, the Nordic countries expressed their general satisfaction with the implementation of the specifically agreed aeasures but stressed that reform was an ongoinq process and that much re_ined to be done. An important element in the package that was agreed in resolution 41/213 was a decision to undertake a thorough revietl of the functioning of the United Nations system in the economic and social fields, whiCh consume the lion's share of the Organization's resources. The SPecial c:bmmission, which vas esteUshed to conduct that review, completed only part of its task, and the most important Part of the work, in the fOEm of conclusions, recQllurenda tions and follow-uP, still re_ins to be done. Let me stress that the Nordic countries do not view the reform process, which _t be a continuous one, as an exercise ahEd at achievinq further SaV1nqB i" the budget. If reforms result in cost savings. these funds should be invested in Priority program_so Purther1llOle, mre efficient maChinery would better i_tUy delD8nds for increased resource allocations. We cb believe. however. that the tasks of the Olganization vill multiply and lnc~ease in laPOrtance, and that the resources available to carry them out .,ill continue to be lillited. It is theref~re essential that they be used as efficiently as poesible and .,ith IS reasonable sense of Priority. The Nordic countries expect the Secretary-General to play a crucial role in the refo~ efforts, especially in the light of the partial failure of the Special Commission in its work. This applies not only to carrying out necessary reforms on a continuing basis and ensuring that resources are used as efficiently as possible within the Secretariat itself but also to making refoGl proposals and recolllllcendations regarding the intergovernmental machinery. A reQUest to that end was addressed to the Secretary-General in last year's resolution 43/174. The NordiC oount~ies regret the failure to produce a comprehensive report "ith SUbstantive reform proposals to this General Assembly. Instead of the report, we have received a note by the Secretary-General in whiCh the issue of concrete reform proposals la IIlOre or les8 posti:>oned, to he considered in the light of the special session and the international development strategy. We wish at this 1uncture to recall sone points subllitted to the Secretary- General by the Nordic countries last April in response to his reQUest. First, we should tEY to identify and assign Priority to these problem areas that best lend themselves to multilateral solutions and where, conseauently, the Uni ted Ha tions c an play the mast usef ul role. Secondly, a nev look should be taken at the roles of the BconOlllic and Social Cbuncil and the General Aasellbly. Reports to the Economic and Social (buncll frOll subsidiary bodies IIIJst be transmitted to the General Aaselllbly only if it is ~xpUcitly decided to cb so., The role of the lconOllic and Social (buncil &8 a -filter- for reports, resolutions a~d topics should be strengthened. This would IIlake it possible for the General Assembly to concentrate its attention on _jor policy issues oonf renting the inte rnational oo~unity. In this context, we should like to rei tera te that the Nordic countries attach great illPO.rtance to the biennializet10n of work programmes and aeetinqs. Thirdly, the subsidiary bodies are generally seen to be functioning satisfactorilY but certain bodies would benefit fromvider participation by expert~ and some could no doubt be phased out and their tasks be taken over by others. The Bconolftic and Secial Cbuncil itself should be given an ex~nded role with regard to policies and co~rdination vithin the fields which vill he subject to refo~. We urge the Director-General, who has now been charged by the Secretary-General wit., .,he responsibility of providing a substantive report, to identify concrete areas fot improvement of the United ~tion8 1Il!lchinery in the economic and social fields. Since the Nordic countries do feel that further reform measures are ~verdue ve had exPected at least some reform decisions at this session of the General AsseJlbly. The draft resol ution the Assemly will adopt today does not i'n any way go as far as we should have liked in this regard. It does, hOWever, serve the purpose of sustaining the reform process and contain certain elements that provide sOllle basis for intensified efforts in the future. Next year, it is to be hoPed, will see the soocessful conclusion of three very important exercises in the economic field' the sPecial 9,{tesion of the General Assellbly devoted to revitalization of growth and develOPment, Particularly in developi~ countries, the second conference on the least developed countries, and tha adoption of a new in'..erraational develOPment strategy for the 1990s. These three eaercises, perhaPs in particular the strategy, "ill, it is to be ho~, succeed in establishing an agreed agenda for the United Nations aystem, .,ith eo_ indica ticn of priori ties. They should also qenera te a poll tical "Ul leadinq to stronger cOlll8i tJaent by the Member States to the United Nations, thereb? providl1i9 needed impetus to further refofll efforts to reflect the nev e_rqing spirit In the dialogue between the developing and the develoPed countries. Next year'. General Assellbly session "ill therefore be an oppOrtune IIOlIent to take UP aqain 1n ••rn••t the broader reform issues and to see where ve need to change or sharPen our toola in order to aChieve col1l"lOn obj~cUves. Mr. EL GlDU"DL (Il\Jnioia), Sp&aking on behalf of the deleqation of '1\Inisia I vish to underline the cri tical importance ve attach to the Question of the review of the efficiency of the adMinistrative and financial fun~tioninq of the United Nations in the economic and social fields in an era characterized by a rapid and almost unexPected acceleration of events. The world seells ncIlir to have entered a Period of great poli tical and 8conocaic transformations prov~ked by the progressive establls~nt of a new global e~ilibrium. That eQUiUbriulI ill, however, accOllpanied by unprecedented ao..Uc and international illbalances and by an increasing gaD between industriaU.ed and developinl:j countries. While interdependence beco_a an increMif\91y inescaPllble fact of life, it haPPenB also to be IIOre ineQUitable. SUCh a aituation undeniably constitutes one of the II08t cOIIllplex and urgent challenqes to the international co-.unl ty IJ to the Un!.ted Nations and to the Uni teeS Nation8 eystea •• a *'01•• The adaPtation of the systell in the economic, social and related fields apPears to remain a priority to whiCh all Melllber States seea to be attached, particularly the developing ones, • denonatrated by the leadership role tMy continue to play under the aegis of the Group of 77 Olail1Unahip, prealded oftr 1:11 Arcbusador RazaU of Malays ia, "hose delega ticn haa just addressed tho Aas.llbly on behalf of the Group. The Special 00..is810n of the Bconoaic and Social Oouncil created by the CbuncU's resolution 1987/112 in lfllpleMntation of General Aasellbly re801 ution 41/213 "as unable - althOUgh the in-<lepth study of the econoldc and social sector of the United Nations vu Pedor.d "ith qr••t ..riouan.ss ald efficiency - to reach any conclusion because of the then current unaupPOrUft poll tical environ.nt and of the related laclt of relevance of the 0..1.810n'. lIandate. That eXJ:llaina whY the dev~oPlng countries, within the framework of the Group of 77. initiated a set of ideas and prQPOs&ls which. finally. gained the acceptance of the developed co~ntriee nembers of the &::onollic and Social Q)uncil in the first instance, and then of the universal membership of the General Assembly it.elf. That ~nc5eavour led to the adoption, without a "ote, of &::onolllic afid Sectal (buncH reeolutlons 1988/77 and 1989/11., on the revitalisation of the Q)uncU and of ita central co-ordinatlong role systell~ide. and of General Assellbly resolution 43/174. The Aasellbly la .eUnq todaY to consi&olr the note Drepared b'i the Secretary-General in i.plenentation of resol~tton 43/174. on the basis of conaultationa with all me.ner States and of the outcome of the 1989 discussions b'i the Bconoaic anrll Social Q:)uncU itself on ita revltaUsa tion. It i. significant that the relationship between the exercises perforaed reapect:l.vely by the A8selllblY and the Q)uncll had already been established as a mucce.aful atte_Pt to delink efforts devoted by .aat to achieve a qenuine reform of the eConollic and social sector frOll thoae which were dodqned to erode further t!le eff.et.lven••• and uniQUeness of the United Nations and of lIultll&beralisa and which led to the financial cl'i31s and non-edherence to useased contdbutio..s Obligations under ~he O\arter. The delegation of Tunisia considers that the effec~lve i.ple~ntat10n of any review, refofll or other restructudnq of the interqov6fn_ntal structure 1n the econo.ic, @ocial and related fields and of their secretariat 8UDDOrt .~ructures dllpenda Dd_rUy on thl' wUUnqnes!il of Mellber Statee to utUhe fullY the Uni ted Nation8 and ita structure in thOse fieldc. In thi8reqard it could he of 80M i.nterEst to note t:hat after si.qnUicant 61)haats vas placed bY the _lIbersMo on the relevance Iftd uniauenes. of the OEgMization in contributing to the solution of reg ional conflicts and in ensurinQ peace-making and peace-keeping as a manifestation of the relaxation of Ea8t~e8t relations, the same Member States seem f!nally resolved to resort to the United Nations for the addressing of Questions on which the Orqanization's comPetence has been constantlY denied during the 198Q)e. For the record we wish to mention in this context the emerging consensus on develop_nt and international economic co-operation issues like the 1990 special session of the Getneral Assellbly on the revital hation of economic growth and develoPllent of developing countries, the in terna ticnal develop_nt strategy for the fourth United Nations decade for devel()l)llent, the 1992 United Nations conference on Bnv,ironment and development, the spec ial session of the General Asselllbly on narcotics, or issues such as driftnet fishing and its imPact on marine living resources, or external indebtedness of developinq countrtful. Priority should thefefore continue to be qiven to strenqtheninq further the effectiveness of the econo-ic, ~ial and related sectors of the United Nations and to its co-operation with the various institutions of the system, on the basis of thei r cOllple_ntarity and in order to increase 'heir illlPact on the worldeconOl'llY, through efficient suPport and pro.ction of the 8ocio-economic devel00ment of developintJ countries and of multUa tetal co-ordina tion of the in terna tional economic system. The central co-ordinatinq role of the Unl ted Nations systell is one of the IMjor preroqa the. of the BconDlIlc and Social (buncH under thfl Oiarter. FUll implementation of resolutions 1988/77 and 1989/114, without further delay, is therefore of the utmost importance. My delegation is particularly concerned about the delays in the efforts in this reqard, includinq the implementation of the provisions relating in particular to the prepa~ation of consolidated reports and executive summaries of the various agencies of the United Nations system, and to the establishnent of Cl separate and identi fiable secretaria t support structure for the Council. The delegation of Tunisia wishes to underscore its agreement with the r-roposal made by the secretary-General in response to General ~ssembly resolution 43/174. As a matter of fact, my delegation has stated repeatedly that any in-depth reform, to be realistic, viable and effective, would have to be based on agreed priorities for the l'.'90s. Taking into aa::oun\. the fact that t.he priorities in the economic and social field for the next decade are to be set by a number of crucial meetings that are to take place from 1990 to 1992, prE!lllature action could damage and prejudge the resul ts expec ted from such a complex process. The special session of the r~netal Assembly, which is to take place in Apr 11 1990, the Second Uni ted Na tions Conference on the Leas t Developed Coun tries, which is to takl"'; place in September 19\)0, the international development strategy to be adopted durinq the forty-ti fth session of the Assembly, the final assessment of the Un i ted Na Uons Programme of Ac tion for Afr iean Economic Recovery and Develop_n t 1986-1990, which is to take plsce at the forty-sixth sessioh of the General Assembly, in 1991, and finally, the United Nations conference on environment and development, which is to take place in 1992, are the lIIBin I1II!chanlsfi8 desiqned for this purpose. In concluding this statement the delegation of Tunisia wishes to recall that !:t.e r~n"!nl Assembly is at present considerinq the final repor,; of the SecretarY-General on the implementation of resolution 41/213. Implementation ~f (Mr. El GhouDye!, Tunisia) that resolution depends on the restoration of the financial health of the Organization, its viability and ~ffectiveness. Finally, with regard to one _jor aspect of t.he reviUlization of the EcOllOllic and Social Council, my delegation conlliders that the secretariat support structure of the Council, provided for by resolutions 1988/77 and 1989/114, should be placed under the direct authority of the secretAry-General. we (Ixpress the hope that the General Assembly will be in a position to take a decision on this matter, as well I'S on other utters related to the subject under eonsideration today, including the venue of the various ses8ions of the COUncil, with a view to increasing the perticiP6tion of Mellber States and ensuring greater consistency 1n the economic and social activities of the united Nations eystell 38 a whole. We also wish here to express once I\I)re the full support of Tunisia and of its Ptesi~nt, Mr. Zine El Abidine len Ali, to the Secretitry-General, with wholl privileged relatiofis have always been entertained. 'the recent special visit of President Ben Ali, from 11 to 13 Hovelllber 1989, to the Organization and its Secretary-General symboUZ!!~ the height of that co-operation, which is based on confidence, active reciprocal support, and faith In the purposes and principles enshr ined i~ the Charter. we are therefore confident that the secretary-General will continue to contribute actively and syst8l18tlcally to the strengthening of the role of the Organization, part.. ~..larly in ".he econo.ic, social and related sectors. '!'he Tunisian Clelogation, as a ~1Ib.r of the Group of 77, supports the draft resolution which was ne~t1a ted under the highly co.petent dhection of A8bassador Navajas MOgfO of Bolivia. (Mr. El Ghouayel, Tunisia) Mr. IIMG BaoU.u (China) (interp.:etation fro. Chinese) a I wish first of all to ••pr•• thanks to the Secretary-General for provicUng, under iteM 38, his nota Oft the United Nations mterCJoverNDental atrucmte and functions in the ecortoIIlc .nd 8Oc1ll1 fi.lds. I should Uke to present sou of our vlevs on the 'lb. r••tructudneJ In the econoat.c and social fields ha. proceeded 81_U:Mleoualy with refor. in the pol1tical field and in the fields of budgetary ~OOIdulr., and SHtuoMel unage*ent. Although the achieve.ents In the econoaic and aocial n~ld. are not fully satisfying, aa. progfe•• has been .de. In accordance with Gener.l Aaellbly resolution 41/213, the Coun~il, by its resolution 1987/112, Ctsubllahed the Special Co_isslon cri the In-Depth Study of the un!~ Nationa Inte=goverlUllent.l Structure and Functions in the e<:onolaiC and eocl.l fiolc!a. Under the guidance of the Bureau headed by Allbasa.dor hdavi, the Q)_iulon heleS 36 ofUciftl ...Un91 and a nullbel: of inforlla1 ._tin«js vi thin la period of 15 eonths, stuc21~cS in great depth the funct1onin~ of the ~~t.rgogernaent.lstructure 1n the econo.ic and social fields and eKlstlnq prab~••nd pr.sented a report on its work, throuqh th~ Bconoaic and' Social council, to the Gener.l MlI&lIbly at ita forty-third sesslon. AtJ • r&8ult of the work of the CO_i••ian, Mellber Stat•• have C)!tined a better und.ratancUng 8M 9reat6r knowledge of the econouic and socl.1 systell or the Unl ted "'tton.. on the basis of such co..,n understanding, the COuncil, at its 1998 and 19S9 ....1' ....lons, adopted two resolutions on the revitalization of lt~ work. the r.aol"Uona oont:4lin &OM clearly stated provi"iona with reqard to the for8llation of policy, DOftltorlftCJ" oPerational act1vlt1••, "ork proqra._ and co-ordination, worUng _thodll and arranCJt_nts, .nd further ••sur. for thel,.. cU1l'.nllblp of AIrb•••ador Morten••n, .. a .uceeaeful atteapt to iner•••• the efficiency of its work and to save tiM. It.y therefore be saiel that the Bconoalc and SOClel Oo\acU has taken 11 practical SQP t1.Nards its revitalbation• .lit tbe .... Ua., br.Wever, ve should not overlook the fact that: the a';i.pulatlons In the Afor..ntloned. resolutions halve not yet been cerrled out accurately ~nd 8dequately. Tbt met outstandll'M) case 1n point ie the delay In the d1atribution of docu_ntll at thl......~ '. session of the Council, which ..de it iapo.sible for the Council to conclu4e ita deUberations on so_ i.portent laaues on schedule, •..hereby uaper ln9 the work proce.s and adding to tho work-toed of the current semsion of the Ge,.eral Aa..llbly. Apart froll this.. a lot stUl re_i.. to be done .,ith re,ard to _king prope~ use of the exisUnq _chanla_ for effectlve co-ordination and aonitor:1.,. of vario.. activit1e., en.urinq aM tnerea.lnq the efficiency and effectiveness of the secretariat structure, and illprcvinq th. orq.nizeUonal ~rk of the COUncil. tit .st, therefore P8rsevere ana continue to p.at forth efforU .. 'in811YII I .,l.h to take this opportunity to sUIte G\0It mre the position of thtr Chi"... aele9lUon on this subject. The Chines. (;everuent h. al..ys lIupported all r••onable ~opo9als and reco••nCSlltlona with re«J~rd to strezlIUnln9 the .tructure of the Or9a"ization, lncre••ln9 ! U effi~lency and en.ottv..o••, .nd strugthening ita role. we are 1n favour of str...Unln9, .r~lftCJ and CCIft.oU.Unc.a certain .tructures, but ha.te .,U1 not yield ~ re.ults. We have to proee8d with caution. PurtherMOre, th~ ~tr...llnlng process fleed. a ••t of .pp~pr1ate criteria and should be i.p1e.ente~ on1i after co~enGUS h•• been achi8Yec! and practical ates- M"/e been planned. "lbe purpose of the .treaaUnlnq 111 to .tren9then, nOt to we8~en, the ~ol~ of ten unt ted Nations. C!"r. Wan, 81011\1, ChIna; We believe that the restr.ucturinq in the economic and social f1elds is alreadY we support the two draft resolutions on the revitalization off to a good start. of thti Economic and SOcial Council. It is our hope that all parties concerned will uke a Q)ncerted effort to implement them fully. In co-operating with other parties tc- advance the reform process, we shall continue to take an attitude that is serious, responsible, positive and flexible, as well as practicable. we are ready to participate in discussions and consultations and to offer our comments and proposals CX1 concrete issues. (Mr. Wang Baoliu, China) \ The PRESIDENT, Before proceeding to take a decision on this proposal, I shall quot'e froWl rule 78 of the rules of procedure in regard to proposals before the AsseJlbly: -As a general rule, no proposal shall be discussed or put to the vote at any meet.ing of the General Assellbly unless c:opiea of it have been circula ted to all delegations not later than the day preceding the meet.i..ng.- In view of the limi ted time available and the desire of lIenOers to dispose of this item eXPQditiously, I would like to suggest that, with the concurrence of the Asselllbly, we proceed to take a decision on draft resolution A/44/L.58 even though it has been circulated only this IIDrning. If I hear no objection I shall take it that the Assellbly agrees to my proposal. It was so decided. The PRESIDENT, May I take it that the As&embly decides tD adopt draft resolution A/44jL.58? The draft resolution _s ado2t~ (resolution 44/103). The ~ESmENTt We have concluded this stage of our considera tion of agenda item 38. PROQUMME OF WORK The PRESIDENTt The next plenary meetings of the General Assemly at its forty-fourth session will take place on Friday, 15 December, when the Assembly will consider First and Third Col!Inittee reports and the appointment of members of the Joint Inspection Unit and of the Committee on Conferences. Ouring the specie:1 session, the second and Fi fth Comi ttees of the Genera1 Msedlly at its forty-forth session wiU continue tD meet ~s required. The meeting rose at 6.55 p.m.