A/47/PV.61 General Assembly

I should like to draw the Assembly's attention to document A/47/442/Add.5 which contains a letter addressed to me by the Secretary-General informing me that, since the issuance of his communications dated 15, 18, 22 and 24 September and 2 October 1992, the Central African Republic has made the necessary payment to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter. May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of this information? It was so decided. ORGANIZATION OF WORK

I should like to draw the attention of members to the fact that the General Assembly, at its 3rd plenary meeting, allocated

I should like to propose that the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed today at 4 p.m. It was so decided.

I therefore request representatives wishing to participate in the debate to inscribe their names on the list as soon as possible. I call on the Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to introduce the Committee's report. Mr. SHAHEED (Syrian Arab Republic), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee of 24): As the Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration the report of the Special Committee covering its work during 1992, which is contained in document A/47/23. The report, which relates, inter alia, to item 18 of the agenda, is submitted in accordance with paragraph 12 of General Assembly resolution 46/71 of 11 December 1991 on the implementation of the Declaration. By that resolution the Assembly requested the Special Committee to continue to seek suitable means of securing the immediate and full implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and to carry out those actions approved by the General Assembly regarding the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism in all Territories that have not yet attained independence and, in particular, to formulate specific proposals for the elimination of the remaining manifestations of colonialism. At its forty-sixth session the General Assembly, by adopting resolution 46/181, entitled "International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism", and the Plan of Action, mandated the Special Committee to undertake during the Decade a series of activities, including organizing seminars in the Caribbean and Pacific regions alternately. During the year the Special Committee was able to carry out the tasks thus entrusted to it by the Assembly and to submit appropriate recommendations on all the items referred to it for consideration and report, by meeting between February and August and by holding extensive consultations throughout the year among its members. In accordance with the provisions of resolution 46/181 and the plan of action, the Special Committee held a regional seminar in Grenada in June. The report of the regional seminar (A/AC.109/1114) contains the views expressed by those representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories who attended. It also contains a "Summary of discussions and recommendations", which highlights the main issues raised and the views expressed at the seminar by the participants. Bearing in mind in particular the specific requests addressed to it by the General Assembly in resolution 46/71, the Special Committee reviewed during the year the implementation of the Declaration relating to the remaining Territories and formulated a series of recommendations with a view to enhancing the pace of decolonization and facilitating the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples in those Territories. In addition, the Special Committee submitted recommendations specifically relating to activities of those foreign economic and other interests that impede the implementation of the Declaration; military activities and arrangements of colonial Powers in Territories under their administration; the implementation of the Declaration by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations; and information transmitted under article 73 e_ of the Charter, During the year the Special Committee devoted considerable attention to the decolonization of the small island Territories. In that connection, the Special Committee was especially mindful of the fact that the United Nations visiting missions have provided effective means of assessing and ascertaining the wishes and aspirations of the peoples of those small Territories regarding their future status. Accordingly, it once again stressed the importance of dispatching such missions to colonial Territories in order to facilitate the implementation of the Declaration. In this connection, the Committee will continue to seek the full cooperation of the administering Powers. This year the Special Committee, by adopting the report of the open-ended Working Group, decided to defer consideration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to its 1993 session. The Committee, on the recommendation of the open-ended Working Group, decided to defer consideration of the item entitled "Special Committee decision of 15 August 1991 concerning Puerto Rico", but heard representatives of a number of organizations. On the question of publicity to be given to the work of the United Nations in the field of decolonization, the Committee, as is reflected in chapter III of its report, again reiterated the importance of effecting the widest possible dissemination of information on decolonization as an instrument for furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and for mobilizing world public opinion in support of the peoples of colonial Territories in their efforts to achieve self-determination, freedom and independence. Bearing in mind the important role played by non-governmental organizations in the decolonization process and in the dissemination of information on the situation in all the remaining colonial Territories, the Special Committee requested the Departments concerned to continue their cooperation with those organizations in the dissemination of information on decolonization issues and to provide support to the peoples of those Territories. During the year the Committee was represented at a number of meetings of regional organizations. In the light of the constructive results achieved in that regard, and in keeping with related decisions of the Assembly, the Committee decided to continue to maintain close contact with the organizations concerned and to participate in the related conferences arranged by those organizations as well as by other United Nations bodies concerned. The objective of these contacts is to facilitate the effective implementation of the decisions of the various United Nations bodies and to foster cooperation between the specialized agencies and those regional organizations in their assistance to the Non-Self-Governing Territories in those regions. I should like to draw members' attention to the proposals outlined in section J of chapter I, entitled "Future work", which the Committee hopes will meet with the Assembly's approval, in order to enable it to proceed with the effective discharge of the task that remains to be completed. The Special Committee recommended that the General Assembly renew its appeal to the administering Powers concerned to take all necessary steps for the implementation of the Declaration and the relevant United Nations resolutions, in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples of the colonial Territories. In that connection, the Special Committee, bearing in mind the useful results achieved as a consequence of the active participation of the administering Powers in its work, recommended that the General Assembly again urge the administering Powers to cooperate, or continue to cooperate, with the Committee in the discharge of its mandate, and in particular to participate actively in its work relating to the Territories under their respective administration. In that connection, taking into account the views expressed by the representatives of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories at the seminars organized by the Special Committee since 1990, as well as the recommendations contained in the plan of action for the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, the Special Committee will continue to consider, in cooperation with the administering Powers, how to intensify and improve the participation of the representatives of those Territories in the work of the Committee within the existing resources. The General Assembly may also wish to renew its appeal to all States, the specialized agencies and other organizations within the United Nations system to comply with the various requests addressed to them by the United Nations in its resolutions on the question of decolonization. On behalf of the Committee, I commend the report to the attention of the General Assembly. Before concluding, may I be permitted to express to all the members of the Special Committee and, in particular to the Chairman, the three Vice-Chairmen and the Chairman and Rapporteur of the Subcommittee on Small Territories, Petitions, Information and Assistance my deep gratitude for the cooperation and support I have received from them, which has greatly facilitated my task as Rapporteur.

I next call on the Chairman of the Special Committee, who will introduce draft resolutions A/47/L.17 and A/47/L.18 in the course of his statement. Mr. LOHIA (Papua New Guinea), Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee of 24): I am greatly honoured to speak on item 18 of the General Assembly's agenda for its forty-seventh session in my capacity as Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. If there is one activity above all others that has affected the universality of the United Nations, making it truly representative of the international community of States, it is the process of decolonization, a process which gathered momentum after the adoption of the historic Declaration on 14 December 1960 and which we are committed to conclude by the year 2000, when there will be no more colonial countries. The Special Committee hopes that the challenges facing it with regard to steering the smooth implementation of the Declaration on the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories can be peacefully overcome by the end of the current decade. (Mr. Shaheed. Rapporteur. Special Committee of 24) We must note, however, that there remain some areas of potential conflict or cases where the socio-economic, cultural or human rights of the people concerned may not be respected. There is no doubt that such cases will call for the active preventive diplomacy that our Secretary-General has emphasized in his recent report on the work of the Organization (A/47/1) and in his "Agenda for Peace" (A/47/277). In this connection, our Committee notes with concern the delay in implementation of the settlement plan for Western Sahara, and calls on both parties to extend their full cooperation to the Secretary-General and his Special Representative. It is our earnest hope that restraint will prevail and that the indispensable climate of confidence will be rebuilt. Such a climate of trust is essential to achieve speedy progress in the implementation of the plan for a just and definitive lasting solution of the question of Western Sahara. We also continue to support the holding of consultations as well as the negotiations under way between the Member States concerned regarding East Timor, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The Territories that now remain the focus of the Special Committee's work are, for the most part, small island Territories in the Pacific and Caribbean regions characterized by small or sparse populations and limited resources. The Special Committee has repeatedly stated that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and relative absence of natural resources should in no way prevent the peoples of the small Territories from exercising their inalienable right to political and constititutional advancement. While we continue to adhere firmly to these principles, we realize that creating the optimum social, economic and political conditions for the free exercise of the right to self-determination and independence in the small island Territories would require special efforts by us and the international community. The Special Committee strongly believes that these efforts must be based on first-hand information and be in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. The problems faced by the small Territories are indeed unique and peculiar, and in some cases additional to those of island developing and sea-locked countries. The Special Committee continues to believe that the administering Powers have primary responsibility for the Territories and that their cooperation is of the utmost importance for the completion of the decolonization process. The Committee also attaches the greatest importance to the dispatch of United Nations visiting missions to Non-Self-Governing Territories. Likewise, the (Mr. Lohia. Chairman. Special Committee of 24) Special Committee has continued to request the administering Powers to provide the United Nations with up-to-date information on the economic, social, cultural and political conditions in each Territory in accordance with their obligations under Article 73 e_ of the Charter. The Special Committee will continue to report regularly on the social, economic and political advancement of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and to mobilize international support for and assistance to the populations concerned. Accelerated economic and social development can only contribute to rapid implementation of the goals outlined in the plan of action. However, this objective cannot be achieved without the active participation of the administering Powers in our work. In this and other areas the Committee will continue its efforts for cooperation and dialogue with the administering Powers. We deem it equally important that the people of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and their representatives participate in the work of the Special Committee and establish regular contacts with the United Nations, thereby ensuring that the international community is made aware of their views and aspirations concerning the future of their Territories. In this connection, it might be worth mentioning that many representatives and non-governmental organizations from the Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Caribbean region participated in the regional seminar that the Special Committee held in Grenada early this year. The outcome of the seminar is reported in document A/AC.109/1114. Members will note that in its conclusions and recommendations the seminar largely reflected the views of the peoples of the Territories concerned. Last year the mandate of the Special Committee was strengthened yet further by the General Assembly's adoption of resolution 46/181, entitled "International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism", by which it declared that the ultimate goal of the Decade was the free exercise of the right to self-determination by the peoples of each of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories in accordance with the Declaration and all other relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the General Assembly. The General Assembly further declared that the exercise of the right to self-determination should be carried out freely and without outside pressure, in a manner reflecting the authentic interests and aspirations of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories concerned, and with the United Nations playing an appropriate role. The General Assembly also adopted a plan of action outlining measures and activities that should be undertaken by the Special Committee and the United Nations system as a whole, as well as by other governmental and non-governmental organizations, to assist the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories effectively in their progress towards self-determination and independence. During the past year the Special Committee has introduced a number of alterations and improvements in its approach, methods and procedures in order to ensure greater efficiency in its work. In 1991 the Special Committee established an open-ended Working Group which has recommended the adoption of a number of concrete steps aimed at eliminating various forms of duplication as well as ensuring the efficient and effective use of the Committee's limited resources. Among the measures that have already been implemented are the (Mr. Lohia. Chairman. Special Committee of 24) merger of its two Subcommittees into one and the consolidation into one single omnibus resolution of the individual resolutions on 10 of the Territories. Furthermore, since 1990 the Special Committee has systematically reviewed the language of its resolutions and introduced a number of changes in order to enhance its ability to fulfil the mandate given to it by the General Assembly. The Special Committee is aware that some delegations may believe that the Committee has not gone far enough in this reform process. However, it should be noted that, as we travel the road that should lead us to complete decolonization by the year 2000, further adjustments will certainly be made in line with the progress achieved towards self-determination in the Territories under the Committee's responsibility. During the current session we have often heard it said that the work of the Organization in the field of decolonization is drawing to a close and that we no longer need to waste our time and efforts on matters that are becoming increasingly obsolete. Indeed, no one can deny that the achievements in this field during the last 47 years represent a singular noteworthy success story in the annals of this community of nations, the United Nations. Yet we must at all times remind ourselves of the solemn obligations assumed by all Member States under the Charter in respect of the peoples of the Trust and Non-Self Governing Territories. In keeping with the relevant provisions of the Charter, the Assembly, in its resolutions and decisions, has established the tenets and procedures for promoting and ensuring the well-being of the inhabitants of those Territories. Thus, as long as there are Non-Self-Governing Territories falling within the purview of the Charter, the work of the Organization in (Mr. Lohia. Chairman. Special Committee of 24) this sector must continue unabated, and conseguently all necessary resources must be placed at its disposal for the fulfilment of its tasks in this field. Economy in the use of resources a pretext often used to undermine indispensable activities of the United Nations in the area of decolonization could be achieved most effectively through the Declaration's full and speedy implementation, thus reducing the list of colonial Territories to zero.* Mr. Kalpage (Sri Lanka), Vice-President, took the Chair. (Mr. Lohia. Chairman. Specia] Committee of 24) We in the Special Committee will continue to fulfil our mandate and ensure that conditions in the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories are reviewed regularly, taking into account the genuine interests of the inhabitants. We therefore must concentrate our efforts on assisting the peoples of those Territories to express their true aspirations and wishes with regard to their future political status, in conformity with the Declaration. In September this year I had the privilege, in my capacity as Chairman of the Special Committee, to attend the tenth Summit Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Jakarta. I was most encouraged by the strong support given by the Secretary-General and numerous Heads of State or Government to the decolonization process. The United Nations was repeatedly praised for its accomplishments in this field, which were rightly recognized as the true success story of the Organization. The Final Declaration of the Summit included a section on decolonization in which the Heads of State or Government reiterated their support for the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and stressed its importance in securing the progressive eradication of colonialism. They also stated that the final consummation of the decolonization process remained the Movement's major objective, and pledged their unswerving support for the implementation of resolution 43/47 of 22 November 1988 declaring the period 1990-2000 as the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. In conclusion, I would like to make a few personal remarks. During this year, as Chairman of the Special Committee, I have been able to rely on the full cooperation of my colleagues in the Committee and the staff of the Secretariat in assisting us in our work. I wish to express my appreciation to them, particularly to the Vice-Chairmen and the other members of the Bureau. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for the interest he has shown in the work of the Special Committee, and to Mr. James Jonah, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. Allow me to pay a tribute through them to the staff of the Secretariat for their constant cooperation and support throughout the year. Finally, having briefly reviewed some of the principal developments in the field of decolonization, and in keeping with long-established practice, I now have the honour, on behalf of the sponsors, to introduce the two draft resolutions submitted under this item, contained in documents A/47/L.17 and A/47/L.18 respectively. As these two draft resolutions reflect both the developments and the problems that I have just outlined, I need not elaborate on their substance.

I now call on the representative of Grenada, who will introduce draft resolution A/47/L.16.

I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/47/L.16, on cooperation and coordination of the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations in their assistance to Non-Self-Governing Territories. The following countries have joined the original sponsors listed in document A/47/L.16: Belize, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Vanuatu. Grenada is pleased to introduce this draft resolution on behalf of the sponsors; it was requested to do so by a number of interested delegations. A year ago Grenada offered to host the first in a series of regional seminars to be held in the Caribbean and the Pacific, where most of the remaining Territories on tha list of Non-Self-Governing Territories are located. The seminar, held in June this year, was attended by representatives of United Nations Member States, representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories, eminent personalities, and representatives of regional organizations and non-gover imental organizations. There is no doubt that it afforded a useful exchange of views between representatives of the Special Committee on decolonization and the leaders of Caribbean Governments, institutions and non-governmental organizations. I am pleased to say that in December Grenada will host the fourteenth ministerial session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC). Prior to the ministerial session there will be a meeting of the CDCC Working Group on Non-independent Countries, which includes Caribbean Non-Self-Governing Territories together with Aruba and the Netherlands. Draft resolution A/47/-,.16 is an update of resolution 46/70, which was adopted without a vote at the forty-sixth session. That resolution essentially called on the specialized agencies and international organizations associated with the United Nations to increase their participation in the debates in the General Assembly in order to apprise the Assembly of the development programmes in those Territories and to facilitate informed debate on their work. Resolution 46/70 also requested the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to promote and expand cooperation and coordination between the specialized agencies and international organizations associated with the United Nations in their assistance to Non-Self-Governing Territories and to report to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session on the implementation of that resolution.

As the twentieth century approaches its closing years, we the States Members of the United Nations can legitimately look back with pride at one of the greatest achievements of this Organization the wave of decolonization that, in the 47 years since the San Francisco Conference, has transformed the political map of the globe. So many of us who are present here today in this Hall achieved freedom from colonial domination during those turbulent yet exhilarating years, long years of ceaseless struggle and determination, immense sacrifice and abiding faith. The first half of this century witnessed India's own struggle for national independence, nay a movement based on non-violence and respect for individuals under the unique leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, which fired the hearts and minds of the Indian people to such a degree, enabling them to undergo supreme sacrifices for the cause of independence. This has inspired our people ever since. As a founding Member of the United Nations, and a sponsor of the historic 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, India has striven unceasingly, since achieving its own freedom in 1947, for the basic rights and human dignity of those who similarly yearned for the independence to decide their own destiny. To quote our former Prime Minister, the late Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, from one of his very first statements before the United Nations: "It is an astonishing thing that any country should still venture to hold and to set forth this doctrine of colonialism, whether it is under direct rule or whether it is indirectly maintained in some form or other. Any Power, great or small, which in that way prevents the attainment of the freedom of those peoples does an ill turn to world peace." Our motivation has been the common values which all of us share, values of essential humaneness and coexistence, of progress and freedom, and of world peace. And side by side with this has been the firm conviction that only the strength born out of national independence and sovereignty can overcome^ that common vulnerability whose roots lie in political and economic dependence. (Mr. Kyndiah. India) Today, 32 years after the Declaration was adopted, much of the turbulence has ebbed. The trust which the Charter of the United Nations imposed on us stands very nearly vindicated. And in the last few years a ground swell of democratization, respect for basic human rights and dignities, political freedom and economic opportunity has swept the globe. With the vanishing of cold war antagonisms, this provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to complete our task. For, as the report of the Special Committee on decolonization makes evident, some problems - admittedly a small number - are still on our agenda. The very fact that they remain unsolved is indicative of the complexity and delicacy of the tasks involved. The Assembly has declared the last 10 years of this century the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. This is apt, for it highlights simultaneously both the nearness of the goal and the increased vigour and determination that will be needed to achieve it. A plan of action for the Decade, proposed by the Secretary-General, is also before us. Its successful implementation will require the same new-found spirit of cooperation and political realism, understanding and flexibility on the part of all of us Administering Powers and others alike. This must be given freely and transparently. It must remain the core of our endeavour. Some of the issues on our agenda are already being tackled. A plan for holding a referendum in the Western Sahara is under way, and my delegation would like to express its full support for the considerable efforts being made by our Secretary-General to fulfil his delicate and monumental responsibility. We firmly believe that, with the cooperation and support of the parties, his efforts will be crowned with success. In other parts of the world, in the Malvinas, or Falkland, Islands and in New Caledonia we are encouraged by the dialogue in progress between the parties concerned. Some mutually acceptable agreements have already been reached, and we encourage the parties to build upon them in that spirit of peaceful cooperation that alone will achieve their successful solution. Most of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories on our agenda are small island Territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean. The work done by the Special Committee on decolonization vividly portrays the complexities of each situation, yet it is evident that the inherent right of each of these Territories to decide its own political future is widely cherished. Some of the administering Powers claim that their island Territories are prospering under democratic governance, and the peoples of these Territories have the opportunity to participate in and express their political will through regular and periodic elections. There does exist a plurality of political opinion on these Territories from which their people can choose. These are positive aspects which should be built upon. We also note that in some of these island Territories there does not appear to be any expressed desire for independence at this time. Nevertheless, a heavy responsibility lies on the administering Powers to protect the vulnerable economics and ecologies of these islands, while continuing to provide the people with the opportunity to determine freely, from a well-informed standpoint, what they perceive to be in their best interest. For its part, the Special Committee on decolonization must bear the responsibility of supporting the just interests of the Territories, for the latter have no one else to turn to. We call on the administering Powers and (Mr. Kyndiah. India) Though we are near the end of the road, the last few steps are often the most difficult. It is imperative now that we join hands in earnestness to complete successfully the task that we have set ourselves to eradicate colonialism in its remaining vestiges from the Earth within this decade.

The notion of post-cold-war detente is so common now that it is at risk of becoming completely hackneyed. It is by referring to this "ending of antagonisms", which for us is a synonym of hope for the freedom of peoples, peace and prosperity, that people try to convince us of the obsolescence of the Committee on decolonization. In my delegation's opinion, the Committee has not completed far from it the task assigned to it by the United Nations. Resolution 1514 (XV), the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, will not cease to be valid until the last Non-Self-Governing Territory has freely exercised its inalienable right to self-determination, irrespective of its size and no matter what political, economic or strategic value it has, or might have, on the global chessboard. The inevitability of the interdependence of nations is part of the spirit of this end of the century period, particularly in the economic sphere and with regard to the environment. Regional organizations are now called upon to serve as melting-pots for trade and as ramparts to protect the interests of their member nations. In this context, and in the light of the well-known difficulties confronting the inhabitants of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the international community has a duty to help them not only freely to express their choice of the form of government most appropriate for them, but also, and above all, to advance beyond their present condition as wards of the nations which colonized them. We welcome the fact that to this end the United Nations has drafted and implemented, and is continuing to implement, assistance programmes for the inhabitants of the Territories. We encourage and support the efforts being made to adapt these programmes to the special features, needs and possibilities of each Territory. Once again, my delegation puts the emphasis on the development of human resources, especially through an appropriate system of education and training whose establishment is an essential step in progress towards an act of self-determination. (M,-... Ravntondramhow, Madagascar) Promotion of conditions favourable to job creation is the corollary of this postulate. For this reason we cannot but regret that the paragraph specifically relating to job creation was deleted from one of the recommendations of the Committee on decolonization. Like Galileo in other circumstances, one can only sigh and say "and yet ...". We are convinced, therefore, that measures to favour job creation for the inhabitants of the Territories can have only positive effects on the future political stability of these Territories. Being assured of a job is one vitally essential element for the active age group in the population, especially the young people. Being assured of a job would contribute to inhibiting migration and would spare the administering Powers some problems which in the past were more serious in their own home countries. Along with preparation for managing human resources, natural resources and protecting and conserving the environment, is the equally important aspect of political education. We are thinking here of the principles of democracy. No matter how universal and irrepressible the aspirations of peoples for freedom, we must recognize that the sense of democracy is not the most widely shared idea in the world. It is, if one needs to be convinced, reflected negatively in the tales of intolerance, reprisals and massacres which inundate our daily lives. Our Organization will have rendered the greatest service to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing-Territories when it has helped them to find and to respect the form of democracy they will judge to be best adapted to their mode of living. It is up to us to help them to avoid the errors of intransigence. (Mrs. Rakotondramboa. Madagascar) sectarianism and the abuse of power, those extremes which continue on the very threshold of the third millenium to grind down the mass of innocent populations. Another agent of assistance to the Non-Self-Governing Territories whose activities we support is the United Nations Department of Public Information. Dissemination of information on decolonization sensitizes international public opinion to this issue. The United Nations Information Centres play a focal role both in the regions of the Non-Self-Governing Territories where the Department uses the vernacular if necessary to reach the indigenous populations and in the large metropolitan centres of the administering Powers themselves. We encourage more frequent conferences and exhibitions on the topic of decolonization in universities and in the cultural centres of all regions of the world. Finally, we invite the continued holding of meetings for the dissemination of information and the distribution of publications on decolonization for the benefit of non-governmental organizations, whose contribution to the process under way need no further proof. All of us are witnessing the efforts to rationalize the work of the Committee of 24. We are also aware of dissension concerning the formulation of the texts of resolutions and, in particular, the persistent mention of the word "apartheid". My delegation invites the Assembly to consider that when some refer to "opposition to change" they are evincing not a lack of realism but rather a concern to see an acceleration of the process of eradicating apartheid from South Africa once and for all. (Mrs. Rakpt-nnrtrambcTi-i "»**qascar) My Government supports the efforts under way to bring about regular participation of the representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories in the work of the Committee of 24. As those most directly concerned, the inhabitants of the Territories are capable of providing exact information on the development of the situation in their countries and on the impact of regional programmes carried out by the specialized agencies and other United Nations affiliates. We invite the administering Powers to facilitate the regular sending of visiting missions to the Territories. Such missions would supplement information provided by those administering Powers under Article 73 e_ of the Charter by allowing visiting missions to carry out firsthand assessments of the situation in the Territories involved. We have welcomed with satisfaction the holding in Grenada of the first regional seminar on decolonization which was organized under the Plan of Action within the context of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. Seminars provide a framework for consultations and offer a forum in which each of the parties concerned has the opportunity to make a contribution to the search for solutions and to the development of strategies that accommodate the interests of all parties. The differences of viewpoint within the Committee of 24 should not be discouraging. We trust that those differences will not become the tree that prevents our seeing the forest; we hope that they will not lead to division or cause us to overlook the interests of the inhabitants of the Territories. Existing obstacles are not insurmountable: if the political will of one side joins with the good will of the other side, we shall soon see colonial peoples freely exercising their right to self-determination and rejoining the ranks of free peoples. Mr. SHAHEED (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic): More than 30 years have passed since the adoption by the General Assembly of the historic resolution 1514 (XV), Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, a real milestone in the history of the United Nations. It is thanks to that resolution that tremendous progress has been achieved in the process of decolonization. Notwithstanding that achievement, however, a large number of territories still remains under colonial domination and their peoples continue to be deprived of exercising the inalienable right enshrined in that resolution to self-determination and independence. While the right to self-determination is a principle enshrined in the Charter, the 1960 Declaration proclaimed it as the right of all peoples: "All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development." (resolution 1514 (XV)) Security Council resolutions 183 (1963) and 218 (1965) reaffirmed this interpretation of self-determination as laid down in the Declaration. Consequently, it was not astonishing that the Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countries at their Tenth Summit Conference held in September 1992 in Djakarta should reiterate that the final consummation of the decolonization process remains the Movement's principal objective. Indeed they pledged their unswerving support for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 43/47 of 22 November 1988, which declared the period 1990-2000 as the "International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism". They noted that, while colonialism is on the retreat, removing its remaining manifestations continues to be a major preoccupation of the movement until all its peoples have exercised their inalienable right to self-determination and have attained freedom and the independence of their homelands. We say nothing new when we affirm that in order for the decolonization process to be successfully concluded, the following is required, as reiterated by the General Assembly time and again: first, that the administering Powers and the representatives of the Territories concerned be involved in the work of the relevant United Nations bodies; secondly, that United Nations visiting missions be dispatched to those Territories to verify at first hand the real aspirations of the people concerned; thirdly, that the United Nations be involved in activities relating to the exercise of self-determination already under way in the Territories with a view to determining their future status. So far, the profound transformations that have taken place in international relations have not had any positive effect on colonial countries and peoples, for regardless of those transformations, certain administering Powers still fail to cooperate with the Special Committee. In a number of cases, the information those Powers provide to the Secretary-General in compliance with article 73 £ of the Charter is old and dated. Most of the administering Powers have not authorized the dispatch of visiting missions for years. In this connection, I should like to add that it is extremely important that the administering Powe s be called upon to stop exploiting the natural and human resources of the colonial countries and peoples, to definitively stop using those Territories for political and strategic purposes, to withdraw their military installations, as they pose a threat to the security of the peoples concerned and the security of neighbouring countries, and not to use the Territories in any activity that may be harmful to their peoples such as conducting nuclear tests or dumping nuclear wastes, for example. It was with this in mi.id that the Heads of State and Government of the Non-aligned Countries urged the administering Powers to give priority consideration to the economic and social development of the Territories and to cease all military activities and arrangements that constitute obstacles to the exercise of the right to self-determination. Neither do we say anything new when we state that the presence of economic, military and other foreign interests in colonial countries and Territories constitute, above all, an obstacle that obstructs the implementation of the Declaration. It is a well-known fact that one of the principal aims of colonialism is the realization of the economic, military and other ambitions of the colonial Powers. It is inconceivable that the activities which aim at the realization of such ambitions could truly serve the interests of the colonized peoples. This is especially demonstrated by the fact that the economic structures in the colonized Territories tend to be oriented towards the exploitation and mining of the natural resources of those Territories to meet the requirements of industry in the colonial Powers and to serve the interests of their trading partners. If it were not so, there would have been no incentive, in the first place, to colonize those Territories and to keep many of them under colonial domination to this date. This is further illustrated by the fact tha; the Territories in question are colonized in most cases, by metropolitan Powers that are at thousands of miles removed (Mr. RhahBed. S v r i " * " * Republic) geographically and that have no affinity, whatsoever, culturally or ethnically, with the colonial Territories or their peoples. It is also known that the Non-Self-Governing Territories have their distinctive characteristics in terms of area size, geographic location and size of population. We absolutely reject claims to the effect that most of those Territories, on their own, could not become viable independent entities within the international community or that their current situation reflects the will of their indigenous populations. Indeed, there is consensus of opinion that such arguments should not be used to impede the full implementation of the Declaration in respect of these colonial Territories, which aspire to have their names removed from the Special Committee's agenda at the earliest possible time. This is a fact that has been reaffirmed by the Tenth Summit Conference of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement in Jakarta in September 1992. In their Final Act the participants in that Conference reaffirmed the right of peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to self-determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) regardless of their Territories' size, geographic location, size of population or limited natural resources. The participants recognized that one of the major issues is the continuing problem of promoting the development of the fragile economies of those Territories, most of which lack the basic infrastructures that are necessary to a self-sustaining economy. In this context, the participants recognized that continuing and unremitting efforts will be required to ensure that in the process of the exercise of the right to self-determination, the (Mr. Shaheed. Syrian Ar»h Republic) national unity, territorial integrity and economic viability of those Territories should be fully respected and should not be sabotaged or undermined in any way whatsoever. The refusal of certain States to respect the rights of peoples struggling against colonialism, racism and apartheid could lead, as of necessity, to the creation of major hotbeds of tension in the world and encourage violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a grand scale, as, indeed, is happening in the occupied Arab territories and in South Africa. No one can deny that depriving peoples of such inherent and inalienable rights means nothing other than the return to the age of colonialism in the course of which whole peoples were deprived of such rights while the colonial Powers manipulated at will, the geographical situations and the very destinies of the colonized peoples. Anyone who denies peoples the right to self-determination and freedom, or subjects them to domination and exploitation, must realize that such conduct contravenes the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two international Covenants concerning human rights, as well as the 1960 Declaration. We h?pe that before the end of this century it will be possible for all peoples, including those now under colonial domination, to exercise their right to self-determination and independence and to join the international community - as sovereign States Members of the United Nations. We reaffirm our unswerving commitment to the principles enshrined in the Declaration, as well as our faith and belief that these principles are just as valid today as they were in 1960 when the General Assembly adopted the Declaration. (Mr. Shaheed. pyriMi A r a b Republic) It is true that the world as a whole is undergoing profound transformations, yet the principles of the United Nations Charter and the provisions of the Declaration embodied in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) remain valid and unchanged. The peoples of the colonial countries and Territories continue to aspire after playing an effective role within the United Nations and do not for a moment doubt that the international Organization will continue to be, as ever, the appropriate forum for translating into effective .-eality the right of all peoples to self-determination, freedom and the abolition of all forms of colonialism, oppression and injustice. (Mr. Shaheed. Syrian Arab Republic)

I avail myself of this opportunity once again to express our congratulations to Mr. Ganev on the excellent way he is guiding our work at this session, and in particular on his initiative to create the Working Group to consider the Secretary-General's report "An Agenda for Peace", so as to define criteria and means for implementing it, and thus to make it possible to enhance the effectiveness of our Organization in working towards the attainment of its goals and purposes. The adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), adopted on 14 December 1960, marked an event of far-reaching significance, a milestone in the history of international relations; from the day of its adoption it has served as the basic instrument that spurred the process of decolonization. On the basis of that Declaration, the demands and aspirations of over 52 peoples subject to colonial dominion in Africa, Asia and Latin America became reality as they exercised their right to self-determination and attained their independence or decided to join other States members of the international community. The steps taken in the process of decolonization have been substantial and far-reaching elements in the evolution of international relations, leading to both qualitative and quantitative changes across the map of the world. Nevertheless, we find that there are still peoples and Territories under colonial regimes; in this regard the General Assembly has repeatedly declared tiiat resolution 1514 (XV) is applicable to them. Our Organization has play>d the leading role in decolonization, and this deserves the fullest recognition. However, the task is not yet done. We believe that the peoples and the Territories that have not yet exercised their right to self-determination and decided on their own future must continue to be at the centre of the international community's attention, particularly that of the United Nations, in keeping with the responsibilities and the mandate contained in the Charter and with the relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. We can affirm that within the international community there exists a clear moral sense in favour of decolonization, regardless of how lengthy the process has been, with the manr obstacles along the way, including current obstacles, with regard to those Territories that have not yet exercised the right to self-determination. This moral sense was reflected in the adoption of resolution 1514 (XV) without any negative votes cast, and in the adoption by overwhelming majorities of the resolutions on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, as well as other relevant resolutions, some of which received negative votes, but I venture to say that these votes did not in fact question the substance or the essence of decolonization itself. I may add that, from the itatements made by various delegations at the meetings of the Fourth Committee during the current session, it can be inferred that all States, including the administering Powers of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, acknowledge the need to complete the process of decolonization, on the one hand, to live up to the desires of the international community and ths goals and responsibilities of our Organization, and on the other and this is the important thing to give effect to the recognition of the right of peoples still under colonial regimes to realize their desires and aspirations. (Mr. Melendez. El Salvador) In this sense, and in keeping with the objectives of the Charter, resolution 1514 (XV), the recommendations of the Special Committee on decolonization and the Plan of Action of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, we must bear in mind that the efforts towards that end are and must be a matter oZ priority and a commitment for our Organization, to which we must live up, as the Charter points out, regardless of the size of Territories, their geographic location, or the size of their population, and in compliance with the principle accepted by all Member States that the interests of the inhabitants of the Non-Self-Governing Territories are paramount and that their aspirations and struggles are based upon the principles of equal rights and self-determination. The new international situation is the result of a dynamic process of evolution that has given rise to encouraging prospects for cooperation and solidarity in arriving at solutions to problems old and new; the commitment of the States members of the Security Council, particularly its permanent members, entered into at the Summit Meeting of othe Council at the level of Heads of State or Government, to endeavour to improve the effectiveness of the United Nations in fulfilling its goals; and the recommendations contained in

Since the adoption of the landmark Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the world has undergone profound changes. Over the past three decades numerous nations have achieved their independence and joined the United Nations as sovereign Member States. As a result, the Organization is a far more representative body and indeed close to realizing its goal of universality. Indonesia, like many other States in Asia, Africa and Latin America, has been greatly influenced by the struggle for decolonization and national independence. Our deep-seated commitment against colonial domination emanates directly from our own struggle for independent statehood, which instituted in us a strong solidarity with all liberation struggles. As a member of the Special Committee on decolonization and initiator of the historic Declaration, Indonesia is proud to be associated with the Committee's efforts to bring freedom and justice to the oppressed and dispossessed peoples of the world. It should be recalled that the commitment of the newly independent States, born of their shared colonial experience, led to the process that culminated in the adoption of the Declaration. Significantly, this commitment was nurtured at the historic Bandung Conference in 1955. The Asian and African nations were united in the conviction that world peace and security could never be attained without freedom and equality for all nations. The spirit of unity and solidarity expressed at Bandung and the continuing validity of the principles and objectives enunciated in its Final Communique were reaffirmed most recently at the Jakarta Summit, which Indonesia, as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, had the privilege of hosting during September 1992. It is heartening to note the endeavours of the United Nations in the eradication of colonialism. The Organization as a whole can be rightly proud of the role it played in the achievement of independence of many countries and peoples, in particular Namibia's recent independence and joining the United Nations, thus ending one of the most vexing chapters in the annals of decolonization. However decisive the impact that resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV) have had on the progressive demise of colonial subjugation, we should not allow this achievement to obscure the fact that colonialism, although dying, is not dead. The Declaration applies equally to the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, and we should redouble our efforts towards this end. In this regard, neither the territorial size, nor the geographic isolation, nor the limited resources of u given Territory can be justification for delaying or otherwise impeding the right of its people to self-determination, nor can the complexity of the problems associated with the development of the fragile economies of the Territories, many of which lack the basic infrastructure for self-sustaining economies. As we are all aware from our own national experiences, political independence without economic security is independence without substance. It is therefore important that the administering Powers assist the population of the Territories to achieve economic and social development, and ensure that they are directed towards safeguarding the present and future interests of the population. The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries has since its inception championed the cause of the fundamental freedoms of all peoples and countries, development, social progress and full participation in the shaping of their common destiny. It is only through dialogue and cooperation that the new ffr, ITnffrt T"* o n e s i a ) international order can emerge, ensuring harmony, peace, justice and prosperity for all. At the Jakarta Summit, the Movement reiterated its support of the implementation of the Decade for the Elimination of Colonialism. In his inaugural address to this Tenth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, President Soeharto stated: "It may be impossible to measure exactly our Movement's contributions to the global transformations which have occurred over the past three decades. But it cannot be denied that the drive which our Movement gave to the decolonization process and to the struggle against apartheid has hastened the demise of colonial empires." Let us therefore commit ourselves to the final consummation of the decolonization process. We are aware that the task before us is complex and delicate. Indonesia, for its part, remains committed to this lofty goal.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. Action on draft resolutions A/47/L.16, A/47/L.17 and A/47/L.18 will be taken at a later date, to be announced in the Journal.

I call on the Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee to introduce the reports of the Fourth Committee on agenda items 98, 99, 100 and 12, and 101 in one intervention. Mr. AL-BAKER (Qatar), Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee (interpretation from Arabic): I have the honour to introduce four reports by the Fourth Committee relating to items 98, 99, 100 and 12, and 101 of the agenda, for consideration by the General Assembly. The first of those reports, (A/47/644), relates to agenda item 98 on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations. In its report, the Fourth Committee recommends, inter alia, reaffirmation by the General Assembly that unless the General Assembly itself decides that a Non-Self-Governing Territory has attained a full measure of self-government in terms of Chapter XI of the Charter, the administering Power concerned should continue to transmit information under Article 73 £ with respect to that Territory. The second report, contained in document A/47/645, relates to agenda item 99, on activities of those foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration in colonial Territories; in paragraph 9 of that report the Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution in which the Assembly, inter alia, would condemn the activities of those foreign economic and other interests in the colonial Territories which impede the implementation of the Declaration, and would call once again upon all Governments that have not yet done so to take the necessary steps to put an end to such enterprises and to prevent new investments that run counter to the interests of the inhabitants of those Territories. In a separate draft decision on military activities and arrangements in colonial Territories which might impede the implementation of the Declaration, the Fourth Committee recommends that the General Assembly call upon the colonial Powers concerned to terminate such activities and to eliminate such military bases in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Assembly. The Assembly would also reiterate that the colonial Territories and areas adjacent thereto should not be used for nuclear testing, the dumping of nuclear wastes or the deployment of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. It would also urge the administering Powers concerned to continue to take all necessary measures not to involve those Territories, where such bases are present, in any offensive operations or acts of interference against other States. The third report, contained in document A/47/646, relates to items 100 and 12 of the agenda, namely "Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations" and "Report of the Economic and Social Council". In the draft resolution recommended in that report, noting that the large majority of the remaining colonial Territories are small island Territories and bearing in mind their extremely fragile economies and their vulnerability to natural disasters, the General Assembly would, inter alia, request all specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to strengthen measures of support and formulate adequate programmes of assistance to the peoples of colonial Territories, bearing in mind that such assistance should not only meet their immediate needs but should also create conditions for development after they have exercised their right to self-determination and independence. It would also request those organizations to contribute generously to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in those Non-Self-Governing Territories affected by natural disasters. The fourth report, in document A/47/647, relates to offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories, under agenda item 101. In the draft resolution recommended in this report, the General Assembly, being conscious of the importance of promoting the educational advancement of inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories, would express its appreciation to those Member States that have made scholarships available to the inhabitants of such Territories and being strongly convinced, that the continuation and expansion of offers of scholarships is essential in order to meet the increasing need of students from Non-Self-Governing Territories for educational and training assistance, and considering that students in those Territories should be encouraged to avail themselves of such offers, the General Assembly would urge the (Mr. Al-R«v«r. Rapporteur. Fourth Committee) administering Powers to take effective measures to ensure the widespread and continuous dissemination in the Territories under their administration of information relating to such offers of study and training facilities made by States. (spoke in English) On behalf of the Fourth Committee, I should like to commend these reports to the attention of the General Assembly. The fifth report, on agenda item 18, relating to those Territories which were not covered by other agenda items, will be issued as document A/47/648. In this connection, I wish to inform the Assembly that I am currently holding consultations on this report with the parties concerned. I am hoping to conclude those consultations shortly and to produce the report as soon as possible. I would like to thank the Chairman of the Fourth Committee, Mr. Guillermo Melendez-Barahona of El Salvador, and the two Vice-Chairmen, Mr. James Kember of New Zealand and Mr. Ulli Mwambulukutu of the United Republic of Tanzania, for their leadership and advice, which facilitated my tasks as Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee. I should like also to express my gratitude to the members of the Fourth Committee for the cooperation and assistance they have extended to me during the session.

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 Fourth Committee which are before the Assembly today. It was so decided. (Mr. Al-Baker. Rapporteur, Fourth Committee)

Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of the Fourth 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, that is, 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 be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Fourth Committee, I should like to advise representatives that, unless delegations have already notified the Secretariat otherwise, we are going to proceed with the voting in the same manner as was done in the Fourth Committee. This means that where recorded votes were taken we shall do the same. I would also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote the recommendation that was adopted without a vote in the Fourth Committee. We shall first consider the report (A/47/644) of the Fourth Committee on

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 98? It was so decided.

We now turn to the report (A/47/645) of the Fourth Committee on agenda item 99, "Activities of those foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in Territories under colonial domination and efforts to eliminate colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination in southern Africa". The Assembly will first take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled "Activities of those foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in Territories under colonial domination and efforts to eliminate colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination in southern Africa". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Gaana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic 'of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Belarus, Congo, Croatia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Ukraine, Uruguay The draft resolution was adopted by 95 votes to 34. with 12 abstentions (resolution 47/15).*

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 10 of its report (A/47/645). The draft decision is entitled "Military actvities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration which might be impeding the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples". A recorded vote has been requested. * Subsequently, the delegations of Mauritius and Mozambique advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour, and the delegation of Cote d'lvoire that it had intended to abstain. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Belarus, Congo, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Uruguay The draft decision was adopted by 98 votes to 39. with 10 abstentions.*

I call on the representative of Malta for an explanation of vote after the vote. * Subsequently, the delegations of Mauritius and Mozambique advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour, and the delegation of Cote d'lvoire that it had intended to abstain.

Malta voted against the draft resolution on the "Activities of those foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in Territories under colonial domination and efforts to eliminate colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination in southern Africa", and against the draft decision entitled "Military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration which might be impeding the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples". We have done so in light of the vastly changed political environment in general and of the specific developments relating to the subject-matter of these texts. We consider that the formulations used in the past to deal with these issues is no longer appropriate.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99? It was so decided.

We turn now to the report of the Fourth Committee on

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100 and of chapters I and V (section 8) of the report of the Economic and Social Council (agenda item 12)? It was so decided. * Subsequently, the delegations of Mauritius and Mozambique advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.

We turn now to the report of the Fourth Committee on agenda item 101, entitled "Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories" (A/47/647). The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report (A/47/647). The Fourth Committee adopted the draft resolution without objection. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 47/17).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101? It was so decided. The meeting rose at 5.40 p.m.