A/46/PV.77 General Assembly

I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr, Martin Rakotonaivo of Madagascar, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Mr. RAKOTONAIVO (Madagascar), Rapporteur of the Second Committee (interpretation from French): I have the honour to introduce the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/46/731 under agenda item 81, entitled "External debt crisis and development". In paragraph 16 of the report the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution that the Committee adopted without a vote. In paragraph 17 of the report the Second Committee also recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of two draft decisions that the Committee adopted without a vote. I have the honour also to introduce the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/46/733 under agenda item 83, entitled "International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction". In paragraph 11 of the report the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution that was adopted by the Committee without a vote. Lastly, the Assembly has before it document A/46/737, on agenda item, 87, entitled "International cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the disaster at Chernobyl". In paragraph 10 of this report, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of al draft resolution, which the Committee adopted without a vote.

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

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of the Second Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that: "When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary 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". May I also rer:ind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Second Committee, I should like to advise representatives that, unless delegations have already notified the Secretariat to the contrary, we shall take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Second Committee. May I now invite the Assembly to turn its attention to the report (A/46/731) of the Second Committee on agenda item 81, entitled "External debt crisis and development". The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 16 of its report, and on the two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 17 of its report. We turn first to the draft resolution contained in paragraph 16 of the report of the Second Committee. The draft resolution, entitled "International debt crisis and development: enhanced international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problems of developing countries", was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adonted (resolution 461148).

We turn now to the two draft decisions contained in paragraph 17 of the report of the Second Committee. Draft decision I, entitled "Establishment of an advisory commission on debt and development", is recommended by the Second Committee for adoption. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I? Draft decision I was adopted. entitled "Report of the Secretary-General on the recent evolution of the international debt strategy". The Second Committee also recommends the adoption of this draft decision. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II? Draft decision II was adopted.

We have thus concluded our consideration of agenda item 81. The Assembly will now consider the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 83, entitled "International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction" The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. The report of the Fifth Committee on programme budget implications is contained in document A/46/797. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? The (resolution 46/149).

The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 83. The Assembly will now consider the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 87, entitled "International cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the disaster at Chernobyl" (A/46/737). The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report, The draft resolution is entitled "Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimise the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster". The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/46/790. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 461150).

The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 87.

I have been requested to delay consideration of part II of the report of the Third Committee (A/46/704/Add.l) for 20 minutes, until a consensus is reached. I shall grant this request only once, in the hope that the representatives will appreciate that it is too late to request a postponement of consideration of the item. Such a request should have been made earlier, especially in view of the fact that we are about to consider the item. We shall delay consideration of this item for 20 minutes then turn to the next item with the proviso that we revert to this item later. CRITICAL ECONOMIC SITUATION IN AFRICA: (a) REPORT OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR AFRICAN ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT 19864990 (~146141) (b) REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/46/324 and Add.11 (c) DRAFT RESOLUTION A/46/41, sect. IV) (d) AMENDMENTS (A/46/L.53, A/46/L.56)

May I remind representatives that the debate on agenda item 21 was concluded at the 43rd plenary meeting, on 7 November. The Assembly has before it a draft resolution contained in section IV of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole of the General Assembly on the Review and Appraisal of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990 (A/46/41), The draft resolution is entitled "Final review and appraisal of the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990". In this connection, the Assembly has before it various amendments to the draft resolution submitted by Norway and contained in documents A/46/L.53 and A/46/L.S6. Document Al46h.53 contains amendments to section II of the annex to the draft resolution, and document A1461L.56 contains an amendment to the draft resolution itself. I call on the representative of Norway to introduce the amendments. the last moment, and we really had to struggle against time to try to reach a solution on which everybody could agree regarding this important United Nations programme for the -development of Africa in the 199OS- With this in mind, may I be permitted to say a few words in connection with the renewed consideration of this matter in the General Assembly. It might be recalled that on 7 November I presented the report which had been adopted unanimOuSly, albeit ad referendum by the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole and contained in document A/46/41. A number of representatives took the floor at that meeting and gave their support to the report, including the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s. Unfortunately, however, there was no full consensus in this body on all parts of the New Agenda referred to at that time. Several contacts were therefore made between the parties mainly concerned - and it is no secret that that was the African Group and the United States - but for a long time that did not lead to any concrete results. In fact, only over the last few days was it possible to find common ground between those two parties for the two paragraphs on which divergencies existed, namely paragraphs 25 and 26 of the New Agenda. The compromise which was arrived at between the two parties is incorporated in document A/46/L.53+ At the same time, agreement was reached on two small additions to the draft resolution, by which this New Agenda was meant to be adopted, The resolution is contained in paragraph 23 of the original report of the Ad Hoc Committee. These two additional paragraphs are found in document A/46/L.56, which is also before the Assembly. I would like to point out two errors in document A/46&.53. One sentence has been omitted by mistake from the amended paragraph 25. The last sentence of the original paragraph should also be included in the amended paragraph, It reads as follows: "It called on the Paris Club to implement the measures promptly". Also, in amended paragraph 26 (d) the word "grant-oriented" should be replaced by "growth-oriented". As already mentioned, the agreement reached among the parties concerned was reached only a day or two ago. If there had been more time, it would have been normal to have this agreement among those parties considered in a broader circle, preferably the whole membership of the Ad Hoc Committee. Unfortunately, time did not permit this and we were facing a deadline, namely the closure of the Assembly, which I know that the President would have wanted to achieve yesterday, Therefore, this item was also on the agenda for yesterday. Although I personally would have preferred to remain with the results we reached at the session of the Ad Hoc Committee, I felt it, in the circumstances, to be my duty as the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee to bring these proposed changes to the knowledge of the full General Assembly. I also tried to bring it to the attention of individual delegations, as far as I was able to do so, before this meeting, in the hope that they might form the basis for a full consensus of the whole General Assembly, a consensus which until recently was not there. Not to have acted in this way would have forfeited any chance of having a consensus on the New Agenda at this session of the Assembly, something I am sure the Assembly agrees would have been most regrettable. That is the background with regard to the two new documents before the Assembly, A/46/L,53 and A/46/L,56. In a way, although presented as documents Of Norway, they should rather have been in my name as Chairman of the Committee, but that is more of a formality. I shall not go into any detail on the contents of these two documents. As regards the latter one, I would think that the two proposed paragraphs would be found to be natural follow-up paragraphs when the programme of the New Agenda is otherwise agreed upon. With regard to the changes in document A/46/L.53, I would not consider that they are major ones. They are confined, as can be seen, to two paragraphs and do not in any way change the basic thrust of the New Agenda. I therefore feel that I can also today adhere to the recommendation and the appeal which I made to the Assembly on 7 November: namely, to give your support to theaUnited Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 199Os, as now slightly modified, and thus give to this document its formal status as a programme of the General Assembly. If the General Assembly does that, it would be one of the last decisions taken by the Assembly before the holidays. I would venture to say that that would be a most positive and noble action worthy of the General Assembly. It would signify inter alia, as stated in the text of the New Agenda itself, that the international community accepts the principle of shared responsibility and full partnership with Africa in the decade ahead. I would think that we all agree that Africa needs such unanimous and tangible support for its own efforts. I therefore urge that the resolution and New Agenda before the Assembly be adopted by a wholehearted consensus today. consider the draft resolution contained in section IV of document A/46/41 and the amendments contained in documents A/46/L.53 and AI46IL.56. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly will first take decisions on the amendments contained in documents A/46/L.53 and L.56, May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the amendments contained in document A/46/L.53? The amendments in document A/46/L.53 were adopted,

May I also take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the amendment contained in document A/46/L.56? The amendment in document A/46/L.56 was adopted.

We shall now take a decision on the draft resolution as amended. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution contained in section IV of document A/46/41, as amended by documents A/46/L.53 and A/46/L,56? The draft resolution, as amended, was adooted (resolution 461151).

I shall now call on representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote. May I remind delegations that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 341401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Mr. MARKS (United States of America): My delegation is pleased to jOin the consensus on the United Nations New Agenda for Development in Africa, The process of consultation and negotiation necessary to arrive at this happy - and, we hope, propitious - moment has been long but eventually successful. My delegation wishes to note with appreciation the diligent and l very inspired work of our Chairman, Ambassador Huslid, which has been crucial in obtaining this achievement. My delegation also wishes to express its special appreciation for the professionalism, understanding and collegiality of our African colleagues. .As I have stated, we are pleased to be able to join consensus now on the New Agenda because we do believe it is important. Because we believe it is important, and we have always believed it is important, we felt obliged to ensure that the language of the New Agenda reflected Certain fundamental realities, particularly in regard to the question of debt. In the interest of transparency and to make it clear where we - and, we believe, others - really stand, let me go over some of the key interests and concerns underlying the changes that we sought. We are joining consensus with the understanding that the new text, although not completely perfect from our viewpoint and probably not from anybody's viewpoint, accommodates important interests and concerns, With respect to debt, we originally had difficul.ty with the language on Private commercial debt, which suggested that Governments should pressure private creditors t0 write off their debts, Similarly, by suggesting forgiveness of debt owed by multilateral financial institutions, we were concerned that it would bring the financial integrity of these institutions into question. We now believe that the language of the New Agenda covers our concerns and protects against these dangers, and we are comfortable with ito Finally, We wanted the document to recognise the link between improved governance and accountability and successful and long-term development. While we do not believe that the Agenda has as specific language on this matter as we would have liked, we feel that the spirit of this approach pervades the document, and therefore, as I have said, we are pleased to join the consensus on this important New Agenda approved in the United Nations this year. Mr. AWOONOR (Ghana): Permit me to congratulate the representative of Norway on the very assiduous way in which he presided over the Ad Hoc Committee that dealt with this most-important issue on Africa. I should also like to thank all the various delegations, particularly those of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Nordic Group, and all our colleagues from various regions who gave their most heartfelt support to the Programme on Africa. We believe that, as the representative of the United States has pointed out, that the new text, even though it may be seen as short on a number of promissory issues, does accord recognition to the unique situation in which the continent of Africa finds itself, particularly in the context Of its dealings with the international economic community. We should like to say that as to broader issues, such as governance and other issues that were requested by some of our partners, it is our belief that with economic growth and development these things will follow almost naturally. Until the conditions are created for Africa to achieve this growth and development, it will be difficult, as we have said on many occasions, t0 install institutions of democracy and of full human rights under conditions of acute poverty and social disabilities. Once more, I should like to thank the General Assembly for its Support for this Programme and to express the wish that, when it comes to the implementation through the decade Of the 1999s. of some of the prescriptions set forth in the document, we shall have all our friends on board for Africa to make a move forward.

We have concluded our consideration of agenda item 21.

The Assembly will now return to its consideration of part II of the report (A/46/704/Add.l) of the Third Committee on agenda item 94 (b). I call upon the Rapporteur of the Third Committee, Ms. Rosemary Semafumu of Uganda, to present the report of the Third Committee. Ms, SBMhPUMU (Uganda), Rapporteur of the Third Committee: I have the honour t0 present the report of the Third Colh.ttee (A/46/704/Add.l) under agenda item 94 (b), entitled "Social development: crime prevention and criminal justice". In paragraph 24 of the report the Third Committee recommends the adoption of two draft resolutions and in paragraph 25 of the report a draft decision. Before concluding, I should like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Third Committee for their contribution to the work of the Committee, and also to pay a tribute to the Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen for their efforts in successfully completing the work of the Committee, as planned. My thanks also go the members of the Secretariat for all their unswerving assistance and endeavours.

If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the report of the Third Committee which is before the Assembly today. It was so decided.

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations'of the Third Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that, under paragraph 7 of decision 341401, the General Assembly agreed that: "When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary 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," May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should he ; 1 made by delegations from their Seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the t i reports of the Third Committee, 1 should like to advise representatives that, ! unless delegations have already notified the Secretariat to the contrary, we shall proceed with the voting in the same manner as was done in the Third Committee. This means that, where a recorded vote was taken, we will do the same. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Third Committee. I call on the representative of Costa Rica for an explanation of vote before the voting. Mrs. .CASTRO de BARISH (Costa Rica) (interpretation from Spanish): In the Third Committee, my delegation supported with interest draft resolution II, entitled "United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders", which appears in the Committee's report (A/46/704/Add.l). We identify with the third preambular paragraph of the draft resolution, which says: "Conscious of the vital role of regional cooperation in the fight against crime and of the potential contribution of interregional and regional institutes in the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders". It is for that reason that my country hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders (ILANUD), whose assistance and prevention programmes have benefited the countries of our region as well as those in other regions. We are grateful for the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders and other United Nations institutes dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice. We support the seventh preambular paragraph of the draft resolution, in which the General Assembly would recall that the Secretary-General, in his report on the work of the Organization for 1991 stated that the upsurge and transnationalization of crime called for "effective intergovernmental mechanisms and much stronger judicial and police cooperation among States". (A/46/1. sect. X) I should like to mention here that ILANUD is also confronting difficulties in carrying out its programmes and mandates because of a lack of necessary resources. We hope that the relevant bodies, especially the United Nations Development Programme, will take this into account so that the regional institutes may have the resources they need to move forward with their important responsibilities.

The Assembly has before it two draft resolutions recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 24 of its report (A/46/704/Add.l) and a draft decision recommended by the Third Committee in paragraph 25 of the same document. The Assembly will first turn to the two draft resolutions contained in paragraph 24 of the report. Draft resolution I is entitled "Creation of an effective United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice prOgrZ3Nne". The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications Of the draft resolution is contained in document A/46/798. The Third Committee adopted draft resolution I and its annex without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the Same? Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 461152).

Draft resolution II is entitled "United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders". The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/46/'l99.1 A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, CGte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, HondurasI India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, MexicoI Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Unite Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Ham, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe Aaainst;: None Draft resolution II was adoDted bv 108 to 0, with 37 abstentions (resolution 461153). take a decision on the draft decision contained in paragraph 25 of the report. The draft decision, "Report considered under the item entitled 'Social development: crime prevention and criminal justice"', is recommended by the Third Committee for adoption. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt it? The draft decision was adopted.

The Assembly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 94 (b) and all the reports Of the Third Committee.

Following consultations, it is my understanding that consideration of agenda item 41 may be deferred to the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to defer consideration of the item and to include it in the provisional agenda of the forty-seventh session? It was so decided.

That concludes our consideration of agenda item 41. ORGANIZATION OF WORK

As we enter the final Phase of our work before the Assembly recesses until next year, I sho.uld like to reguest the understanding and cooperation of representatives with regard to the scheduling of agenda items pending consideration by the plenary Assembly, The remaining agenda items will be listed in the Journal and taken up as the relevant documentation becomes available. I should like to express my deepest thanks to representatives who have extended such close cooperation in order to ensure the success of our deliberations in these last days of our work. I also thank the Secretariat for the efforts it constantly exerts in preparing documents and providing conference services. The meetina rose at 11.15 a.m.