A/46/PV.1 General Assembly

In conformity with the procedure followed in the past, I should now like to invite the General Assembly to consider the positive recommen-:lations by the Secur:tty Council for th~ admission to membership in the United Nations of the Democ~atic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania. This special procedure has been employed previously in order to give States recommended by the Security Council for membership in the Organization the opportunity, if the General Assembly acts favourably on their requests, to participate from the outset in the work of the session. If there is ~o objection, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides to proceed accordingly. It was se decided.

The Security Council has recommended the admission of the Democratic Peo~lel~ Republic of Korea and the Rep~blic of Korea (A/46/354). It has also recommended the admission of the Federated States of Micronesia (A/46/355) and the ~epublic of the Marshall Islands (A/46/~56). The Security Council has further recommend~d the admission of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania (A/46/460). The draft resolutions concerning the admission of these nQw Members are contained in documents A/46/L.1 to A/46/L.6. In connection with draft resolution A/~6/L.1 on the admission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to membership in the United Nations, in addition to the cQuntries listed in that document, the following countries have become sponsors: Angola, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Cape Verde~ Cuba, Eguatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, the Gmlmia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kenya, Liberia, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mali, Namibia, Nicaragua, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Yemen, Zaire and Zimbabwe. In connection with draft resolution A/46/L.2 on the admission to membership in the United Nations of the Federated States of Micronesia, in addition to the countries listed in that document, the following countries have become s~onsors: Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Chad, Cuba, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Lucia and Zambia. In connection with draft resolution A/46/L.3 on the admission to membership in the Unitad Nations of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in addition to the countries listed in that document, the following countries have become sponsors: Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Chad, Cuba, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Lucia and Zambia. In connection with draft resolutions A/46/L.4, A/46/L.S and A/46/L.6 on the admission to membership in the United Nations of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania, respectively, in addition,£o the countries listed in thnse documents, the following countries h3ve become sponsors: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape V'erde, Chad, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, the Islamicl Republic of Iran, lCuvait, Malaysia, Mongolia, Panama, Peru, the Phil,iJ;lpines, Se~e9al, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu and Zambia. We shall consider first draft resolution A/46/L.l on the admis~ion of th~ Democratic People·s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to membership in the United Nations. Mal' I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft ~esolution A/46/L.l by acclamation? Draft resolution A/46/L.l was adopted (resolution 46/1.

I therefore declare the Democratic People'~ Republic of Koree and the Republic of Korea admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of the Democratic Feople's Republic of Korea to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was escor~ to its plnce in the General Assembly Hall.

I now request the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of the Republic of Korea to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The delegation of the Republic of Korea was escorted to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The PRESll~ (interpretation f.rom Arabic): We shall now consider draft resolution A/46/L.2 on the admission of the Federated States of Micronesia to membership in the United Nations. May 1 take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Sec~rity Council and adopts draft resolution A/46/L.2 by acclamation? Draft resqlutiop A/46/L.2 wos adopted (rBsolution 46/2.

I therefore decla~e the Federated States of Micronesia admitted to membership in the United Nations. I requ0st the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of the Federated Stotes of Micronesia to its place in the General ~ssembly Hall. Th~ delegation of the Federated St~tes of Micronesia Nas ~rted to its place in the Geperal Assembly Hall. %be PRESIPE~ (interpretation from Arabic): Next we shall consider draft resolution A/46/L.3 on the admission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to membership in the United Nations. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/46/L.3 by acclamation? Draft resolution A/46/L.3 was adopted (resolution 46/3. Tbe PRESIDENT (interpretation from Arabic): I therefore declare the Republic of the Marshall Islands admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The delegation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands was escorted to its place in the General Assembly Hall.

We shall now consider draft resolution A/46/L.4, on the admission of the Republic of Estonia to membership in the United Naticns. May I take it ~hat the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/4G/L.4 by acclamntion? Draft resolution A/46/L.4 wa~._adopted (resolution 46/4). The PRESIDE~T (interpretation from Arabic): I therefore declar~ the Republic of Estonia admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of. the Republic of Estonia to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The delegation of Estonia was escQrteu to its place in the General Assembly Hall.

Yemen has added its name to the list of sponsors of draft resolution A/46/L.l on the admission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to membership in the United Nations. We shall now consider draft resolution A/46/L.5, on the admission of the Republic of Latvia to membership in the United Nations. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/46/L.5 by acclamation? Draft resolution A/46/L.5 was adopted (resolution 46/5).

I therefore declare the Republic of Latvia admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of the Republic of Latvia to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The delegation of Latvia was escorted to its place in the General Assembly Hall. The PRE~IDENT (interpretation from Arabic)~ We shall now consider draft resolution A/46/L.6. on the admission of the Republic of Lithuania to membersh~p in the United Nations. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommend 'ion of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/46/L.6 by acclamation? Draft resolution A/46/L.6 was adopted (resolution 46/6).

I therefore declare the Republic of Lithuania admitted to membership in the United Nations. I request the Chief of Protocol to esoort the del6gation of the Republic of Lithuania to its place in the General ABsembly Hall. The delegation of Lithua~ia was escorted to its place in the General Assembly Hall.

I have the pleasure of welcoming the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. the Republic of Korea. the Federated States of Micronesia. the Republic of the Marshall Islands. the Republic of Estonia. the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania as Members of the United Nations. Their membership will pnrich the United Nations and incI'e3se the universality of this world Organization. I congratulate them and I congratulate tho United Nations on their new membership. and I wish them every success in building future peace. I now call on Mr. Damaso-Obiang Ndong. of Equatorial Guinea. who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States. Mr. NDONG (Equatorial Guinea) (interpretation from Spanish): It is a great honour and pleasure for me to be one of the first speakers to have the opportunity to congratulate you. Sir. on your election to preside over the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session. Your election is a well-deserved tribute to your distinguished country, Saudi Arabia, which not only has enriched the work of the United N~tions and its various bodies over the years but has also had a lasting and productive relationship wit~l the African continent as a whole. On behalf of the Group of African States I have the pleasure of extending our warmest congratulations also to the Governments and peoples of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, th€ Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of ~atvia and the Republic of Lithuania on their admission to membership in the United Nations. The admission of new members to the United Nations demonstrates the universal ~ature of our Organization as well as its wish to welcome all those that are prepared to make their con~ribution to promoting the objectives set out in the Charter. Each of these new States has in a way already played a positive role in the framework of multilateral institutions, and their desire to belong to the United Nations reflects the positive assessment of United Na~ions activities worldwide. The admission of these States is also clear testimony to the fact that the international atmosphere has improv3d considera.bly. The events of this last decade of the twentieth century augur well for mankind in tho twenty-first century. Ne Africans broadly share the joy of these new Members of the United Nations. Although Africa has the largest number of independent State~ admitted to the United Nations over the last decade, some States, such as Namibia, were admitted just last year. None the les~, we anxiously await a positive outcome to the negotiations foreseen in South Africa. The roturn of a democratic South Africa f~ee of apartheid will be one more victory for mankind. The majority of African States have geographical and political characteristics similar to those of the new Members of th~ United Nations. Above all, we want und~rstanding to prevail among all nations of the world and the achievements of mankind to be strengthened and preserved.

I now call OD the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who w~,ll speak on behalf of the Group of Asian States. Mr~ KHARRAZI (Islamic Rep~lic of I~an): At the outset, Sir, I should like to extend to you my cougratulations on your election as President of the General Assembly. I am sure that with your experience and under your stewardship the current session of the Assembly will succeed in its deliberations. On behalf of the States members of the Asian group, I have the honour to express our satisfaction at the admission OL the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania to the United Nations. The new Members are entering our Organi2ation at a time when the United Nations is playing a great~r role in preserving international peace and security and when the efforts of the Organi~ation and its Secretary-General in this regard are acknowledged and appreciated. We are confident that the new ~embers will contribute to the implementation of the principles set forth in the Cha~ter and help the United Nations become mo~e relevant in dealing with different challenges. We congratulate the new Members and wish them ev'sry success in their new tasks and hope that in o~r co~non endeavours the United Nations can play a more active ro~~ in applying the rule Qf law in intern~tional relations.

I call now on the representative of Ukraine, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States. Mr. QUPQVENKQ (Ukraine): At the appropriate time the Chairman of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine, Mr. Leon~d Kravchuk, will extend to you, Sir, our congratulations and express our pleasure at your election to the presidency of the General Assembly. At this point, however, I would like personally to extend to you all my good wishes on your election. My delegation is convinced that your wealth of experience will enable you to provide excellent guidance to the Assembly in its future ·work. At the same time I would like to pay a tribute to all the candidates who were running for this post. As the current Chairman of the Group of Eastern European States, I have the honour, on behalf of the States members of that Group, to extend our warmest congratulations to the Governments and peoples of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, and the Republic of Lithuania on the occasion of the admission of those States to membership of the United Nations. (Mr. Oudovenko. Ukraine) I am confident that today, in admitting at one time seven new Members, the largest number since 1960, our Organization is experiencing an extraordinary and truly most fortunate event in its history. The a&nission of each Member has become possible thanks to the dramatic changes in international political relations over the last few yea~'s signalling the end of the cold war and confrontation. The arrival of new Members is fresh evidence of the universality of our Organization and of its desire to welcome all those who are prepared to contrinute to the objectives set forth in the Charter. This is especially important today at a time when the United Nations is continuing to demonstrate its vitality and is playing a greater role in preserving international peace and security in the settlement of regional crises, both old and new, and in the search for aLswers to the global problems confronting mankind. The countries on whose behalf I am speaking today feel ~rofoundly gratified at the admission of the new Members. Thay may rest assured that the States of the Eastern European Group will build relations with them in the interest of the establishment of a democratic international order based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations. We wish those Members and their current and future representatives in the United Nations every success in our shared endeavours to achieve understanding and cooperation among all nations of the world and the preservation and development of the accomplishments of our civilization. We express our conviction that they will make an activa contribution towards the attainment of those noble objectives.

I call next on the representative of Guyana, who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States. The PRESIDENT (interpretatior. from Arabic;: I now call on the ~epresentative of Guyana, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States. Mr. INSANALLY (GuYi\na): As we inaugurate the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly, I wish to convey to you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, our warmest conqratu1ations and qood wishes on your election to the presidency. At the same time, I would l~ke to place on record our deep appreciation of the qreat service rendered to this Orqanization by your predecessor in office, Mr. Guido De Marco, the Foreiqn Minister of Malta. Although no astroloqer myself, I venture to predict that your term of office will be hiqhly successful. Certainly, there can be no better augury for you than the entry today of an illustrious p1eiad of States into the international constellation. We have no doubt that they will provide fresh d~'namism to the United Nations and impel it further towards its qoa1 of universality of membership. The Asse:. ~y therefore cannot but benefit from their incorporation. Indeed, their adhesion at this historic time attests to the vitality and vibrancy of our Orqanization. Now, at the apoqee of its prestiqe, the United Nations can truly be said to be the Parliament of man where full debate is allowed to flourish and wide consensus to form. With such increasinq participation, it may now be expected to explore its full potential as a catalyst for the promotion of peace, security and development. We are particularly pleased to witness the presence in our midst today of the two Koreas, the Democratic people's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. Their simultaneous accession to this body reflects a clear disposition to peaceful coexistence and cooperation. This affinity will serve, we hope, to encourage dialoque and understandinq as they both pursue the ultimate qoal (Mr. Insanally, Guyana) of pe~ceful reunification. We conlmend them for the positi~e step which tLay have taken and urge them to make maximum use of this forum to strengthen their relations. The end of their trusteeship ar~angements now makes it possible for the Fed",-ated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the M;;orshall Islands to enjoy full membership of the Organization. ~lthough limited in size, they will neverthele~~ prove, I am sure, that small is not only beautiful but possessed of many other virtues. We look forward to cooperating with them as they seek to assert their sovereignty and to enjoy the fruits of their newly found independence. Finally. from the recent cataclysmic events in Europe, the Baltic States of Estonia" .,':4tvia and Lithuania have e",lerged to claim membership as lndividual States. They too will undoubtedly bring new perspectives and ideas which will enrich our future deliberations and contribute to the fulfilment of our common objectives. To the representatives of all those States who proudly take their se~ts among us today, we in the Latin American and Caribbean Group extend our hand in friendship and bid them welcome. We now invite them to join us in the task which we have collectively undertaken to build a better world not only for ourselves but also for succeeding generations.

I now call on the representative of Malta, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States. Mr. CAMILLERI L,·;.alta): At the outset I should like to extend to you, Mr. President, my congratulations on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly. We find it a matter of great significance that through you Saudi Arabia, a prominent Member of the United Nations, is at the helm of our Organization at such an important juncture in its history. On behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States, it is with deep satisfaction and p16asure that I welcome the seven new Members that have just joined our Organization. The admission of new Members is always a special event for the UnitGd Nations. It marks a further step in the process of completing the universality of our Organization. It underlines the continuing appeal of the United Nations as the primary international forum in which the peoples of the world continue to place their aspirations for peace and cooperation. It is a reminder that, in spite of the many difficulties and divisions which prevail within the international community, the sense of shared common interests at the global level is also at work. For States newly joining the United Nations family, the act of becoming Members constitutes an important assertion of their statehood. For three of the new Members joining today - the Republics of Estonia, ~atvia and Lithuania - the occasion has an added dimension. Over 50 years ago, these States were already full and respected members of the international coramunity. In 1921, they were in fact admitted to the membership of the League of Nations. Their accession to membership of the United Nations today is therefore more of a return than a new admission - a welcome return that closes a sad and diffic"lt chapter in their history. We rejoice in this event, as in the awareness that it reflects the changed environment in international relations, the passing away of an era of sterile and dangerous confrontation and the ushering in of a new order based on trust and cooperation. The admission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia marks the successful completion of the tasks entrusted to the United Nations 44 years, when those two States first became a trust of our Organization. They now join an impressive number of small States Members of the United Nations. There was a time when doubts were raised about whether very small States could appropriately take a full place within the international community. These doubts have long been dispelled. Small States have shown that they can and do make a useful contribution to the pr.ocess of international goodwill. At times they can even play a pioneering role, especially in the objective and disinterested promotion and pursuit of new ideas, which larger States, with much greater human and material resources, cannot always afford to undertake. The decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and of the Republic of Korea to join the United Nations as separate Members constitutes a refr.eshing act of faith in the healing power of our Organization. Their. trust that United Nations membership will contribute towards the process of national reconciliation and hoped-fer reunification is, as past experience has shown, well placed. The seven new Members join our Organization at a critical moment in its evolution. The transformed international order has provided new challenges and opportunities to the United Nations, some of which have already been successfully taken up. Yet there is also an awareness that the legacy of the past four decades has burdened our Organization with structures, attitudes and procedures that, in some important respects, act more as a hindrance than as a help to the process of collective deliberation and decision making. There is agreement that we must revitalize our Organization in order to enable it to fulfil its obligations as originally envisaged in the Charter. However, the agreement in principle which exists over this objective has yet to be translated into practice, a task which, we hope, will begin to be accomplished during the session that has just opened. In welcoming the new Members, we do so in the assurance that they will bring with them a fresh contribution to our common endeavour in me~ting this challenge.

I now call on the representative of the United States, who will speak as the Tepresentative of the host country. Mr. PICKERING (United States of America): First, I would like to congratulate you most warmly, Mr. President, upon your election this morning. My delegation looks forward to working with you throughout this session of the General Assembly i~ the same spirit of close cooperation which has always characterized the relationship between our two States for many years. We have in our midst today three new Member States from the European continent and four from East Asia and the Pacific. I would like to give a v,ery warm welcome to the seven nations that have just become part of the United Nations family. From East Asia, our close friend and ally the Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, are joining us as new Members. The United States is pleased to have sponsored their admission into the United Nations, and believes that their presence will help increase stability and reduce tension in the Korean peninsula as well as throughout North-East Asia. It is the hope of the United States that the admission of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People"s Republic of Korea will foster continued dialogue and promote a prbcess leading to the peaceful unificatio~ of Korea on terms agreeable to all Koreans. It is with great satisfaction that we also welcome as new Members of the United Nations the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The successful transformatinn of these two young nations from United Nations Trust Territories to sovereign countries desirous and deserving of membership in the United Nations reaffirms the value of tha United Nations. As the former United Nations Trustee for the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the United States is particUlarly gratified by their acquisition of membership. We offer them our most sincere congratulations. Lastly, and certainly marking a momentous occasion in the history of the United Nations, the United States is particularly pleased to join with the rest of the international community in welcoming Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania back into the family of fully independent nations. We in the United States never lost hope that the peoples of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would succeed in rejoining the community of free nations. We never wavered in our commitment to them. We take this opportunity to affirm our continued commitment to working with the democratically elected Governments and the peoples of Estonia; Latvia and Lithuania as they confront the many challenges that lie ahead of them.

I have the pleasure of . inviting the First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic ~90ple's Republic of Korea, Mr. ~ang Sok Ju, to address the General Assembly. Mr. RANG Sok Ju (Democratic People's Republic of Korea): I should like to begin by conveying the respect a~~ friendly greetings of the Government and the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of the General Assembly and the rep"esentatives of all States Members of the United Nations. On behalf of my delegation, I should like to offer our warm congratulations to Mr. Shamir Shihabi on his election as President of the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly. I should like to extend my wholehearted thanks to the representatives of all Member States for their sincere efforts in support of our membership in the United Nations, and also to those representatives who have just made congratulatory speeches welcoming our membership. We share with all other representatives our pleasure at the unanimous decision on our admission to United Nations membership. I believe that the unanimous adoption of our application for membership in the United Nations is an indication of the keen attention paid by the international community to the Korean peninsula, and also of the shared desire of the Member States for friendship and harmony between all regions and countries in the world. It is at the same time an expression of what they expect of us because of this desire. I think that our country's membership in the United Nations is really significant at this partiCUlar time, when the world's people expect more of the United Nations and, accordingly, when the need further to enhance the role of this Organization is felt more clearly than ever before. In recent years, the United Nations has achieved a number of tangible successes in its activities aimed at attaining world peace and security and promoting friendship and cooperation between nations. Today, however, when the situation is changing rapidly and when the era in reality poses numerous tasks, the United Nations should further strengthen its role. Today, the international community is faced with an important task: to build a world that is free, fair and peaceful. In order to build the new world to which mankind aspires, it is necessary to abolish the unequal old international order in all fields of politics, economics and culture, and establish an equitable new international order. There are large and small countries in the world, but there cannot be major and minor countries; there are developed nations and less developed nations, but there cannot be nations destined to dominate other nations or nations destined to be dominated. The United Nations should do whatever it can to fulfil its responsibilities and its role in establishing a new international order on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in the affairs of other countries, equality and mutual benefit. I would like to assure you that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as a State Member of the United Nations, will remain faithful to the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and will make its due contribution through its active participation in the activities of the United Nations. The foreign policy of the Government of our Republic, based on the most important ideals of independence, peace and friendship, is in accord with the purposes and ideals of the Charter. ~ur people have, through their daily lives, experienced the precious value of peace, unity and cooperation and, therefore, the principles and purposes of the United Nations also represent t~e aspirations of our people. The political philosophy of our State is the Juche idea, which demands that central consideratiQn be given the human being in viewing everything and that everything be placed at the service of the human being. We take the Juche idea as the guiding principle in our State activities, and the socialism we have built up is a socialism centred on the hum~n being under which everything is placed at the service of the people. Our socialist sQciety, which was chosen and built by our people themselves, enjoys their absolute support and trust. Our people are very proud of the fact that they have built socialism in their own style, and they are determined constantly to fQllow their road. We consider that the unanimous support shQwn by United Nations Member States for the admission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations is the manifestation of their respect for the choice of our people Today, our people are striving to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the fatherland. Korea's reunificatiQn is not only a question related to the destiny QfQur fellow countrymen, but also an urgent question that shQuld be solved as early as possible in the interests Qf peace in Asia and in the rest of-the world. The Korean people are a hQmogeneous nation that has lived for generations on one and the same territory, with a time-honQured history, with excellent traditions of culture and with one language. Our national reunification is a questiQn of relinking the artificially severed arteries of our nation and achieving national reconcliation. I avail myself of this Qpportunity to express once again the firm intention of the Government of Qur Republic of join actively in United Nations People's Republic of Korea) activities for the sake of world peace and security by achieving peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula. We are convinced that although the North and South have joined the United Nations separately today, there will come a day when our nation will take a single seat at the United Nations through the united efforts of the Korean people and the cooperation of Member States. I hope that Member States that value justice and democracy will pay deep attention to the reunification issue, which is directly related to the destiny of our nation, and will render active cooperation for its earliest sOlution. With the firm conviction that our admission to the United Nations will open good prospects for a new start in the relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United Nations, I also hope that appropriate measures will be takon relevant to the settlement of past abnormal relations.

I now have the pleasur.e of inviting the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Mr. Lee Sang Ock, to address the Assembly. Mr. LEE Sang Ock (Republic of Korea)~ On the occasion of the admission of the Republic of Korea to United Nations membership, I should like to express, on behalf of the people and Government of the Republic of Korea, our sincere appreciation to all Member States of the United Nations. I should also like to extend my gratitude to you, Mr. President, and to the chairmen of the regional groups and the representative of the host country, for their warm words of welcome. My thanks go to the Government of India for its important role in initiating General Assembly resolution 46/1. Finally, I take this opportunity to pay a high tribute to the Secretary-General, This is a very meaningful daF ~or the Korean people. The Republic of Korea, which came into existence under the auspices of the United Nations 43 years ago, is now' entering a new era as a United Nations Member State. As our road has been a long and difficult one, we may well mark this occa~ion with special emotion. Our decades-long effort to join the United Nations, which was begun with the establishment of our Government, fell victim to the confrontation and rivalry that pervaded the cold war. Inter-Korean confrontation often extended into United Nations forums. The principle of universality of the United Nations was also at times subjected to the caprices of the grim international political ~eality. But all of this can now be relegated to the past. Today, we begin anew. The admission of the Republic of Korea comes at a time when the United Nations is playing a central role in the formation of a new international order and will definitely help to acceler~t~ the ongoing process of global rapprochement. We heartily embrace the opportunity to join the United Nations at this important juncture in history and to undertake challenging new responsibilities as a United Nations Member State. This occasion has been made even more special and significant by the admission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea simultaneously with our own. It gives both Koreas the opportunity to make constructive contributions to United Nations efforts to promote peace and common prosperity. Furthermore, the parallel membership of both Koreas will certai~ly open a new chapter in inter-Korean relations by providing another important channel for dialogue and exchanges. We sincerely hope that this day, coinciding as it does with the Intarnational Day of Peace, will mark a new beginning and a chance finally to remove the last vestiges of the cold war from the Korean peninsula. While we are joining the United Nations separately, we pledge in this august forum to make determined efforts to realize the peaceful unification of our divided land. Although the internecine Korean War ended four decades ago, peace on the Korean peninsula remains elusive to this day. What prevails in our part of the world instead is an unstable state of armistice, which is neither war nor peace. Military confrontation between the South and the North remains unabated. It is for this reason that the Government of the Republic of Korea strives, first and foremost, to prevent the recurrence of war on our soil an~ to build in its place a solid and permanent peace structure. It is commonly said that peace is indivisible. Indeed, peace on the Korean peninsula is inseparable from peace and security in North-East Asia and in the rest of the world. Now even the antiquated order in North-East Asia is no longer immune from the global trend towards reconciliation and reform, which has brought about the settlement of a number of regional conflicts in the world. The solemn declaration of botl. Koreas to accept the obligations under the Charter attests to the fact that the cold war structure that has dominated the Korean peninsula for more than four decades is now undergoing fundamental changes. Our Northern Policy has enabled us to accelerate these processes through the nQrmalization of our relations with many formerly socialist countries, and particularly by fostering improved relations with those countries neighbouring our own. The wa~m winds of reconciliation and cooperation will eventually melt away the icy wall of confrontation and distrust that separates the two parts of Korea. My Government has consistently pursue" a pOlicy aimed at the amelioration of in~er-Korean relations. In the Presidential Declaration of 7 July 1988, it offered its utmost cooperation to end the confrontational and unproductive diplomatic rivalry between South and North Korea, and proclaimed our willingness to cooperate with North Korea in the internatioual arena in the interest of the Korean people as a whole. President Roh Tae Woo, in his address in this Hall on 18 October 1988, further set forth several forward-looking st~ps towards reconciliation and r~unification on the Korean peninsula. By joinin~ the United Nations simultaneously, South and North Korea have now taken a giant first step forward. Confidence built through dialogue and cooperation within the United Nations framework will certainly move us closer towards durable peace and eventual reunification. The United Nations will provide an excellent opportunity for us to make significant strides in these very challenging endeavours. The United Nations holds special meaning for the Korean people. The Government of the Republic of Korea was created under United Nations auspices in 1948. At the outbreak of the tragic Korean War in 1950, the United Nations came to the aid of the Republic to defend its frep.dom and peace. The United Nations, furthermore, helped us to rebuild and rehabilitate our country from the ruins of war into a responsible member of the international community. Our pursuit of friendly and cooperative relations with all nations of the world has led us to maintain diplomatic ties with more than 150 nations. Steady growth in economic and other sectors instils greater strength and viabililty in those relations. Now, the Republic of Kore.a has emerged as a significant member of the world community in politics, economics, trade, culture and in other fields. The economic success of Korea is attributable to our close links with the international community. This interdependence and the relationship of mutual cooperation are expected to be further consolidated by our admission to the United Nations. The Republic of Korea is already playing an active part in numerous international organizations as a full member, inclUding 15 United Nations speciali~ed age~cies. Our foreign policy is anchored an the purposes and principles of the United Nations. We respect the various resolutions of the Organization. Even while it was an observer, the Republic of Korea faithfully abided by the letter and spirit of the Charter, and contributed to Uuited Nations activities. Now, as a full Member of this august world body, my country is prepared to redouble its efforts to promote the noble objectives of the United Nations. Over the past several decades, the Republic of Ko~ea has overcome enormous difficulties and challenges to grow into a newly industrialized country with a liberal democracy and a market economy. Drawing on our past experience, we will make our humble contribution to the various important works of the United Nations, not only in the maintenance of international peace and security, including disarmament and arms control, but also in the areas of economic and social development, human rights, the environment, drugs and other global issues. Once again, I wish to extend our most sincere appreciation to all the States Members of the United Nations that have supported and welcomed the admission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations. I also wish to welcome and congratulate the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania on their admission to the Organization. Let me conclude my remarks by reiterating our commitment to work closely with the United Nations in shaping a new world order in which freedom, equality, prosperity, justice and the rule of law prevail.

I now take pleasure in inviting the Speaker of the Cougress of the Federated States of Micronesia, Mr. Jack Fritz, to address the Assembly. Mr. FRITZ (Federated States of Micronesia): I consider it a very special honour, as part of my country's first official statement within this body, to express congratulations to you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly. I am confident that with your e:pe~ience, and under your able leadership, you will guide us through the many difficult :.. ,lues that will be taken up at this session for the betterment of mankind. M~r I also join the previous speakers in extending my congratulations to the other countries tbat have become Members of the United Nations on this day. It is with a deep sense of accomplishment that I express, on behalf of the people of the Federated States of Micronesia, our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciati~n for the action that has been taken here today concerning our country and, most especially, for the historic action taken by the General Assembly in admitting the Federated States of Micronesia to membership of this world Organization. Individual Members who have so graciously received our representatives during the past months will always have our special appreciation. Of course, I must also recognize and thank the members of the Security Council, without whose favourable consideration our membership could not have been possible. Finally, the delegation of the United States, along with the delegations of all the Members ~hich sponsored the draft resolution proposing my country's marnbership, will be inscribed with lasting gratitude in the historical annals of the Federated States of Micronesia. SQme 45 yp.ars agQ, this wQrld bQdy was fQundad with the Qbjective that the universal entity would eventually encompass all peace-1Qving peQplgs that accepted the respQnsibility fQr the preservatiQn of internatiQnal peace and security, irrespective Qf the size Qf their pQpulatiQn, their military might Qr the level Qf their eCQnQmic develQpment. It is against that backgrQund and with a very deep sense Qf fulfilment that I speak in this Hall fQrmally tQ accept the Assembly's decisiQn Qn our membership, and tQ reaffirm Qur commitment to the principles Qf the United NatiQns. FQr all the citizens of the Federated States Qf Micronesia, this occasion is one of great jQy and deep emotion 3 since a long-cherished dream has at last become a reality. We are a young natiQn, but our process Qf political develQpment and self-determination has involved lQng years of internal adjustment and preparation and Qf external effQrt. Even while our country was still in formatiQn, membership of this Organization was seen as a goal because of our unqualified desire for peace and for the avoidance for all time of any further subjection to the ravages of armed conflict. Those, like ourselves, who have known suffering on account of wars they did not cause must have a special reverence for the United Nations system and a deep-seated desire to be a part of it. We were grateful for the assistance extended to us by the United Nations under the ~rusteeship System, but we were also impatient to have our own voice in the advancement of the principles of the United Nations Charter. Now, having reached that goal, we are even more determined than before to take on with greater confidence the responsibility that faces us. In that connection, I gratefully acknowledge the kind words spoken by the President of the Security Council on the occasion of the Council's adoption of its resolution 703 (1991) reco~nending admission of my country to the United Nations. In his statement, the President said, "The Federated States of Micronesia will make an outstanding con~ribution to the United Nations by bringing to it an innovative approach and a fresh perspective on world affairs, in order to promote changes in established practices, many of which, as all the Members of the Organization are aware, are in need of renewal". (S/PV.3002, p. 4) The expectations of the Security Council, as articulated by its President in the passage I have just quoted, may be difficult to meet, but I am confident that the blending of fresh ideas with the experience of those who have performed with distinction in this body can bring about innovative approaches to present-day world problems. For our part, as a modest start, we bring to this task a relatively fresh, but not inconsiderable, experience in dealing with the world community. Prior to this day, the Federated States of Micronesia had already opened formal relations with 23 countries; had become ~n active participant in Pacific regional affairs through the South Pacific Forum and other intergovernmental organizations; had secured membership in the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization, specialized agencies of the United Nations; and had acceded to a nWRoer of important multilateral conventions such as the Vien~a Convention on ·diplomatic and consular relations. Furthermore we have taken an active interest in certain universal issues of critical importance to our islands and are participating actively, within the limits of our resources, in the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a framework convention on climate change and of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. We hope with the help of others here to learn the ways in which we can serve constructively. We pledge our energies in working with all members in advancing the principles of this Organization by putting into practice our deeply-held belief in the principles of the Organization, a belief that is also manifested in the preamble to the Constitution of my country. Those are principles which I believe can also be taken as expressing the spirit of the commitment we have now made to the Charter of this great Organization. In the words of our Constitution, "We affirm our common wish to live together in peace and harmony, to preserve the heritage of the past and to protect the promise of the future. Our ancestors who made their home on these islands displaced no other people. We who remain wish no other home than this. Having known war, we hope for peace. Having been divided, we wish unity. Having been ruled, we seek freedom. We extend to all nations what we seek from them: peace, friendship, cooperation and love in our common humanity". From this day, the spirit of universality at last embraces my people. We are humble, we are proud and we are truly grateful. Xh9 PRESIDENT (interpretation from Arabic): I now have pleasure in inviting the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, His Excellency The Honourable Tom Kijiner, to address the Assembly. Mr, KIJINER (Marshall Islands): I come here today to express the profound joy and appreciation of the Government and the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands upon the occasion of this, our symbolic acceptance into the family of nations and our incorporation into the world political system. We thank each and everyone of the members of this qreat Assembly for qrautinq u~ this recognition and for receivinq us 80 warmly. We extend our congratulations to the new ~resident of the General Assembly, His Excellency Samir S. Shihabi, and wish him success in the performance of his demandi~q duties. Today marks an occasion of the utmost importance in the history of my people. For centuries we have been denied cont~ol over our destiny. Our identity has been submerged; indeed, our very existence as a distinct member of the family of nations ~as been all but unknown to the greater world beyond the shores of our small and scatterea islands. During the last half century, when so many other nations were reasserting their national identities on the world scene, we emerged from the depths of destruction and despair as a battleground in the Second World War into the relative dignity of a ward of the Organization's trusteeship system, We owe much to the United Nations and to the United States of America which, as Administering Authority under the trusteeship, has encouraged us, helped us to build a modern society upon the foundations of democratic ideals and our own ancient traditions and culture and brought us to this day. We are a country small in both size and population, poor in material resources, ~nd remote from the rest of the world. We are reassured, comforted and uplifted by the willingness of the world community to b~each the barrier of the thousands of miles' of the Pacific Ocean tD welcome us into the world community. We, the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, wholeheartedly pledge our allegiance to the ideals and objectives of the United Nations Charter. We proudly take our place as a new Member and look forward with confidence to playing our role - together with the other Members - in promoting world peace, progress and understanding. Lastly, we join fellow Members in working towards our own future prosperity and that of all the nations of the world. ADDRESS BY MR. ARNOLD RUffTEL, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA

The Assembly will now hear an address by the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia. Mr. Arno1d RYUte1, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia, was escorted to the rostrum.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to the United Nations the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia, Mr. Arnold RUUte1, and to invite him to address the Assembly. Mr. RUUTEL (Estonia) (spoke in Estonian: English text furnished by the delegation): I should like to begin by addressing to you, Sir, my good wishes on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session. I should like to thank you for your warm welcome and to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to the members of the Security Council for their unanimous support of the admission of Estonia to membership of the United Nations. I should particularly like to thank the delegations of France and the United Kingdom, and all those that supported the draft resolution submitted on the admission of Estonia, as well as all those countries that supported our request for admission. It is ~ pleasure for me to appear here before the United Nations representing a State that has once again become independent and which was once a full-fledged member of the League of Nations. I trust that now, having restored those ties to the international community, severed for us some 50 years ago, we shall once again help to build collective security in the world. Obviously, one question of concern is Estonia's relations with its neighbour, the Soviet UnioL, Let me assure all members that they will be absolutely friendly - and this is quite logical. We have been neighbours for a very long time. Soviet Russia was the first country to recognize Estonian independence in 1920. The re-recognition, if you will, of Estonia by the USSR allows us to rebuild relations in the spirit of mutual trust and equal partnership, based on normal, State-to-State relations. I should stress here that such relations depend very much on the development of democratic forces and traditions in Russia and the Soviet Union. Thus, we are especially interested i». an economically and politically stable Soviet Union. The issue of human rights is of primary concern to Estonians. Freedom and human rights are, after all, what my nation's struggle has been all about. Some Members of the United Nations have naturally expressed interest in how Estonia will respect the human rights of the large minority of non-Estonians who were brought into my country during the intervening period of non-independence. Here, I should like to state quite categorically that Estonia will continue in the same tradition of respect for the rights of its minorities as during the inter-war period, when Estonia's own constitutional guarantees of minority rights were considered exemplary by the League of Nations. That we faithfully follow those traditions is evidenced by the fact that in the Sovereignty Declaration of November 1988, our Parliament ratified the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I can guarantee that we shall be no less resolute in the defence of human rights now, and we invite United Nations participation in mo~itoring how Estonia guarantees those rights. Together with our neighbours, Latvia and Lithuania, we have just emerged from a 50-year-long period in which respect for human rights have been quite unsatisfactory. As our experience has sadly shown, some people's inadequate understanding of human rights can lead to a situation where, for example, the elimination of special privileges is called a violation of human rights. Disaffected or oppressed minorities, often encouraged by outside Powers, have long been a major source of international conflict. Thus, it can be seen that Estonia is resolutely in favour of strict observance of United Nations and international conventions in these matters. A third issue I shQuld like tQ address here is that of sec~rity. Where does EstQnia fit in the new wQrld Qrder? Let me start by sayinq that we welcQme strQnq ties with all cQuntries. The time of blocs is past, and we s~e no reason to align ourselves with Qne side Q~ anQther, since there are no sides. We are quite concerned abQut the large number~ of foreign trQops currently Qn Estonian SQil. We trust that, as was the ease with Poland, Hungary, the former German DemQcratic Republic and the Czech and SlQvak Federal Republic, these questiQns will be resQlved quickly thrQugh ne~otiatiQns. I hQpe that the internatiQnal community will be actively invQlved in resQlving this sensitive iss~e. We alsQ hope that the cQntinuing mQmentum towards disarmament in Europe will allQw the SQviet UniQn tQ sign as quickly as possible an agreement Qn the withdrawal Qf SQviet troQps frQm Est-Qnian SQil. Let me sal" in clQsing that it is an hQnQur fQr Estonia tQ be here, restQred tQ its rightful place as a full-fledged member Qf the internatiQnal cQmmunity Qf natiQn-States.

On behalf Qf the General Assembly, I wish tQ thank the Chairman of the Supreme CQunci1 Qf the Republic Qf Estonia fQr the statement he has just made, and fQr his kind wQrds abQut me. ADDRESS BY MR. ANATOL!JS GORBUNOVS, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPREME COL":fCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

The Assembly will nQW , hear an address by the Chairman Qf the Supreme CQUPci1 Qf the Republic Qf Latvia. Mr. Anptoliis GQrbunQys, Chairman Qf the Sypreme Council Qf the Republig Qf Latyia, was esgQrted tQ the rQstrum. The PRESXPBNl <lnte~pretation from Arabic): On behalf of the General Assembly, I have the honour to welcome to the United Nations the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Anatolijs Gorbunovs, and to invite him to address the Assembly. Mr. GORBUNOyS (Latvia) (spoke in Latvian; English text furnished by the delegation): Justice has triwnphed. The world community has found the family members - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - it lost during the Second World War. We have returned from the war at last. The former Member States of the League of Nations return to the edifice now known as the United Nations, and the world is now three nations richer. And the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, beMing given back freedom to the Baltic States, has itself become freer. As is well known, on 24 August, on the third day after democracy had triumphed, the Republic of Latvia was recognized as an independent State by a decree of the President of Russia. An avalanche of international recognition followed this jur~dical act. Our friends throughout the world could express in terms of law what they had felt deep in their hearts. We are grateful to all those nations that have facilitated the recognition of Latvia's independence and have not hesitated to re-establish diplomatic relations. On 6 September Latvia was recognized as an independent State by the Soviet Union, thus - and this is of paramount importance - juridically declaring Latvia a subject of international law. There is still much to be negotiated concerning our bilateral relations. Not all the consequences of the criminal Stalin-Hitler pact have been eliminated in Latvia today; units of the armed forces of the Soviet Union are still illegally stationed on o~r territory, and many other issues, including the status of illegally confiscated property, must be resolved. Having regained its independence, Latvia is taking up new responsibilities. At present, owing to the Russification policies pursued by the former regime, Latvians, one of the surviving Baltic nations v are on the verge of becoming a minority in their own homeland. At the same time, the nation that now again possesses a State, with constitutionally and democratical1f' elected powers, has to guarantee equal rights to all national minorities and individuals, irrespective of their ethni~ origins and ideological convictions. As to the actual situation, no one is to be blamed but the totalitarian regime once in power. Where is the solution to be sought? It can be reached only through democratic discussions and by developing and adopting just laws. Our motto is: Democratic goals can be reached only by democratic means. Now Latvia needs moral, financial and economic support from the world community, so that we can set up infrastructures directed towards a free market economy. Let me assure the Assembly that, having organized our economic life and having integrated it into the international econemic and cultural exchange, we shall not forget about our debts and obligations. Latvia is a country that by God Himself has been granted the role of a gateway linking the East and West. In this geopolitical region of democracy, economy and humanitarian values connecting the East with the West, we ace ready to take up new obligations and shoulder our responsibilities. The people and the State of Latvia share a bitter historical experience which has taught us a great deal. Let thia be our contribution to the experience of all mankind. The non-violent and democratic way of our nation towards independence has entitled Latvia to membership in the United Nations. The duties and obligations that come with membership in the United Nations will be fulfilled by Latvia with respect to eternal moral and ethnic principles shared by us. The democratic traditions of Latvia between the two wars were rooted in those same principles to which the League of Nations adhered as well. Therefore, it is of symbolic importance to recall today that Latvia became a member of tho League of Nations exactly 70 years ago, in September 1921. Permit me to use this solemn occasion to congratulate the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Lithuania on their a~ission to the United Nations, and to express the hope that, together with the other newly admitted States, Latvia now, having become a rightful member of the United Nations, will be firm in observing the democratic principles of this Organization and will offer its contribution to the realization of the sacred ideals of mankind.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I wish to thank the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia for the importan~ statement he has just made. ADDRESS BY MR. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS, PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

The Assembly will now hear an address by the President of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania. Mr. Vytautas Landsbergis, President of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania. was escorted to the rQstrum.

On behalf of ~he General Assembly, I have the honour to welcQme tQ the United NatiQns the President of the Supreme CQuncil Qf the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Vytautas Landsbergis, and tQ invite him tQ address the Assembly. Mr. LANDSBER~ (Lithuania): Mr. President, I extend to you my warmest congratulatiQns. (spoke in Lithuanian: English text furnished by the delegatiQn) The independent StatesQf the world which created and cultivated the United NatiQns have tQday accepted Lfthuania intQ their family. Lithuania is an age-old EurQpean nation ending its eighth century, a natiQn whose neighbQurs have twice crQssed it Qff the map during the last tWQ centuries. But tQday, like the mythical PhQen~x, it is reborn Qut of the ashes. ~ithuania is nQt Qnly rebQrn literally Qut Qf the ashes and destruction Qf the SecQnd WQrld War, but it is alsQ rebQrn frQm the suffering and struggles Qf its peQples, frQm their tQil and faith. In what could we place our faith during these last decades, when brutal coercion and cynical pragmatism forced GO many to believe in nothing at all in this world? We believed in simple, or should I say, fundamental things: truth and justice. We believed that injury and injustice could last for year~, decades or longer, but not for ever. Although we saw delinquency and degeneration and watched while the lives and homelands of hundreds of thousands were st~ipped away, in our hearts there burned an unquenchable belief in ultimate justice. Many believe that such justice and indestructible good are attributes of God, but it may very well be the essence of the human heart, of the world and of the B~ing people have called God. We live at a time and in a world where almost anything may be mockedJ When the people of Lithuania held on to the belief that independence would be regained and th~n had the brashness to declare it, many smiled cynically, thinking that unless backed by tanks and missiles our right to independence was meaningless, that it was simply a piece of paper. The world looked like a very sad place, a place whose most powerful members thought that by tearing up the paper on which this right was inscribed the right itself would disappear. It is goodthac not everyone thought this way and that Lithuania neither faltered nor fell into depression. Our belief in inherent right~ and justice and our renunciation of fear and falsehood showed themselves to be stronger than tanks and missiles. Always with a freedom of spirit we were successful in delivering political freedom to our nation. When threatened by force we would gather and sing; and when we went home we patiently laboured. We repudiated violence and did not submit to provocation. We accumulated a yet unknown political experience that we can now share; and in this experience there may be a lesson: if one person can lead a moral life, why cannot moral politics govern the world? If one can speak the truth, why cannot open truth govern politics? The close of the second millenium, which is near according to the Christian calsndar, ends the bloodi9Et and most perverse c6,ntury. The greatest evil - the cult of hatred and falsehood, whose funda.~lIen.tal argument was violence ~ now retreats and falls apart. It is almost frightening to consider that now the truth of love emerges from that desert of violence. I do not know if humanity's hope for peace is an illusion, but I would like to believe that the prophe~ie~ of the Apocalypse will not be fulfilled this time, that Cain will rest in peace; and I would like to believe that Lithuania helped bring us to this threshold of hope. Allow me to draw an analogy from Lithuania's countryside. The beekeeper has a remarkab19 place in Lithuanian culture. Because he is harmless his bees do him no harm. h~en the beekeeper's quests arrive, if they too are harmless they will be left alone and offered honey at the table. I like to think of Lithuania today in such a way, as it once more emerges from seeming non-existence to welcome an enlightened world to its table. One large family in one country, and a family of families in one small world - this is the kind of future we are determined to help shape. We would like to extend nuclear-free zones and regions of special confidence, but our joy today is tempered still by a foreign military presence which entered our country in 1940 and for whose swift withdrawal we seek United Nations support. We have no feelings of hostility towards, or vengeance against, any of our neighbours. We are creating a democratic State in which there will be room for everyone and freedom for all, based not on the rights of individual nationalities but on the rights of humans, upon the rights of human dignity, not one's name, language or culture. (spoke in English) Such is Lithuania's responsibility to itself and to the community of nations, which we welcome with open arms.

On behalf of the General Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuani~ for the statement he has just made. Mr. Vytautas Landsbergis, President of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, was escorted from the rostr~.

I should like to announce that the flags of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will be raised at a ceremony that will take place in front of the Delegates' Entrance immediately after the adjournment of the 2nd plenary meeting of the General Assembly this afternoon. ORGANIZATION OF WORK

As announced this morning, immediately following this plenary meeting we shall hold consecutive meetings of the Main Committees for the purpose of electing their Chairmen, and thereafter the 2nd plenary meeting will be convened for the election of the Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly. The meeting rose at 5,10 p.m.