A/47/PV.85 General Assembly

Monday, Dec. 14, 1992 — Session 47, Meeting 85 — New York — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 32 unattributed speechs — ⚠ 2 duplicate speechs
▶ This meeting at a glance
32
Speeches
0
Countries
22
Resolutions
Resolutions: 47/66, 31/37, 57/60, 57/61, A/47/613, A/RES/47/69A, A/RES/47/69D, A/RES/47/69E, A/RES/47/69F, A/RES/47/69G, A/RES/47/69H, A/RES/47/69I, A/RES/47/69J, A/RES/47/69K, A/RES/47/70A, A/RES/47/70B, A/RES/47/70C, A/RES/47/70D, A/RES/47/70E, A/RES/47/70F, A/RES/47/70G, A/RES/47/74
Topics
Arab political groupings UN resolutions and decisions Nuclear weapons proliferation Israeli–Palestinian conflict Humanitarian aid in Afghanistan Economic development programmes

The President on behalf of all the members of the Assembly unattributed #15093
May I, on behalf of all the members of the Assembly, extend to the Government and people of Bolivia recently struck by a huge mudslide, and to the Government and people of Indonesia recently struck by an earthquake, our deepest sympathy at these disasters that have caused tragic loss of life and extensive material damage. May I also express the hope that the international community will show its solidarity and .respond promptly and generously to any request for help. Mr. OSSIO ilUSTILLOS (Bolivia) (interpretation, from Spanish): On behalf of the Government and people of Bolivia, I wish to express our deepest thanks to you, Sir, and to the international community for your words of solidarity on the recent tragedy in my country, where a mudslide caused by torrential rains buried the town of Llipi in the province of Larecaja under tons of mud and stone and killed more than 200 miners, injured hundreds more, • and wreaked great material damage. The area has been declared a disaster area by our national Government. I should also like to express our thanks for the expressions of sympathy from all those who, in recent days, have sent me~sages of support. All of this encourages us, deepens our trust in international solidarity and strengthens the bonds of friendship uniting our peoples. Mr. WISNYMURTI (Indonesia): On behalf of the Indonesian Government and people, my delegation would like to express cur sincere appreciation to your, Sir, and to the entire membership of the United Nations, for the (Mr.Wisnumurti, Indonesia) expression of deep sympathy in connection with the earthquake that rocked Flores Island in East Nussa Tengga Province yesterday. While the magnitude of death and destruction have yet to'be fully determined, it is clear from preliminary reports that several hundred people have died, and rescue workers are still searching for survivors. Entire coastal villages have been wiped out,by ocean waves.' Damage has also been extensive, as many buildings and residences have been wrecked, in addition to schools, mosques and churches~ We remain hopeful that adequate relief efforts I will be made for those affected. 1 will immediately convey the sentiments thac have just been expressed on behalf of the Members of the United Nations to the Indonesian Government and people, and especially to the bereaved families • ." AGENDA ITEMS 70 TO 77 SCIENCE AND PEACE: REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/47/60B) EFFECTS OF ATOMIC RADIATION: REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/471609) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE: REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/47/610) UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALEST;]:E REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST: REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/47/611) REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ISRAELI PRACTICES AFFECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND OTHER ARABS OF THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES: REPORT OF THE S~ECIAL'POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/47/612) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION OF PEACE-KEEPING OPERATIONS IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS: (a) REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/47/613) (b) REPORT OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE (A/471770) QUESTIONS RBLATING TO, INFORMATION. (a) DPORT OF TIIB SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEB (Alo61IG14) (b) REPORT OF TIIB I'IP'lII COHMIftBE (Alo67/771) QUESTION OF THE COMPOSITION OF ~'nB IBLEVANT ORGANS OF TBB UNITED NATIONS: RBPORT OF THE SPBCIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (Alo67/G15) Th' PRESIDlNTz I request the Rapporteur of the Special Political Committee to introduce the reports of the Special Political Committee in one intervention. Mt, SBBVCBBNKO (Ukraine), Rapporteur of the Special Political Committee: I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration this morning eight reports of the Special Political Committee. The first report, which is before the Committee in document Alo67/G08, relates to agenda item 70, "Science and peace", The Committee devoted one meeting to this item and, on the proposal of the delegation of Costa Rica, adopted without a vote a draft decision sponsored by six delegations, Th~ draft decision, which appears in paragraph 6 of the report, is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption, The next report. contained in document Alo67/609, relates to item 71 of the agenda, entitled "Effects of atomic radiation", The Special Committee considered this item at two meetings and, after hearing 16 speakers in the general debate, adopted without a vote a draft resolution sponsored by 36 delegations. The draft resolution, which appears in paragraph 9 of the report, is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The third report which I haye the honour to present today relates to agenda item 72, "International cooperation in. the peaceful uses of outer space"~ and is contai~~d in document A/47/6l0. The Special Political Committee devoted four meetings to consideration of this item and after hearing 28 speakers in the general debate, adopted without a vote two draft resolutions: one entitled "Int~rnational cooperacion in the peaceful uses of outer.space"; and another .. a new one this year - entitled "Principles relevant to the use of nuclear power sources in outer space". These draft resolutions appear in paragraph 12 of the report and are recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The fourth report~ contained in document A/47/6ll, relates to item 73 of the .agenda~ entitled "United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East". The Committee held its general debate on this item at five meetings. Eleven draft resolutions~ which appear in paragraph 37 of the report~ are recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. Two of the draft resolutions were adopted without a vote, and the rest by recorded votes. The report of the Committee with respect to 4genda item 74~ "Report of the Special Committee to Investi~ate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories"~ is contained in docum~nt A/47/6l2. Fou~ meetings of the Special Political Committee were devoted to the discussion of this item. Seven draft resolutions~ all of which were adopted by recorded votes~ appear in paragraph 24 of the report and are recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. (Mr. SheycheDko, Rapporteur, Special Political COmmitte~) ~e nest report, contained in document A/47/613, relates to item 7S of the agenda, entitled "Comprehensive review of the whole qu8stion of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects". The Committee considered this item at six meetings and, after hearing 51 statements 1D the 9$neral debate, adopted two draft resolutions without a vote -,one on "Comprehensive review of. , the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects" and the other on "Protection of peace-keeping per'sonnel". These draft resolutlons appear in paragraph 20 of the report and are recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. Turning to agenda item 76, "Questions relating to information", the Committee's report is contained in document A/47/614. Six meetings dealt with' the consideration of this item and 43 speakers participated in the general debate. Two draft resolutions submitted by the A~ting Chairman of the Committee on Information on behalf of its Bureau ~ere adopted by the Special Political Committee. The two draft resolutions which appear in paragraph 11 of the Special Political Committee's report are recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. Further, the Special Political Committee, in paragraph 12 of its report, also recommends to the Gener~l Assembly decisions to increase the membership of the Committee on Information from 79 to 81 members, and to appoint the Republic of Korea and Senegal"to that Committee. Lastly, I present the Commit'tee 's .report on agenda i t.Jm 77, "Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the Uniced Nations", which is contained in document A/47/615. For the reasons set out in paragraph 3 of the report, the Special Political Committee recommendd that the General Assembly include this item in the provisional agenda of its forty-eighth session. ThtPBI§IDW•. ·I~ tb_re iSllopropos.al ~4el:rule 66 of the rules ofpro.,edure, I shall ~aJl:e!t thatt!l.'G'Dtral~lerAJ:)lyde<:i4tsDot to discuss , ' thereJ1Ort$ ofth.,Special POlitical.Co~lt~ee'whichaJ:tbeforethtAssembly tOdaY· It was SO 'decIded. The PBISIPlG: Statementa,,111th.,refore be lillitecl to ezplanations of vote. The positions of delegations reqat>ding the various recommendations of the Special Politicral 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 General Assembly decision 34/401 the General Assembly agreed that "When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Comm.ittee ",..nd in plenary meetinq, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary ~eeting unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee." May I also remind dslegations that, again·In accordance with Gftneral Assembly decision 34/401, ezplanntions 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 Spacial Political Committee, I should like to advise representatives thnt, unless delegations have alreftdy notified the Secretariat otherwise, we shall proceed with the voting in the same manner as in the Special Political Committee. This means that where recorded or separate votes were taken, we shall do the same. I would also hO:f:Je that we may procefBd to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted wlthout a vote in the Special Political Committee. We turn first to the report (A/47/608) of ths Special Political Committee on agenda item 70, "Science and peace". (The President) The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Special Poli~ical Committee adopte4the draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly ~ishes to do tbe same? The draft decision vas adopted.
Vote: A/RES/47/69A Recorded Vote
✓ 136   ✗ 0   2 abs.
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (136)
Vote: A/RES/47/69D Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (139)
Vote: A/RES/47/69E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (138)
Vote: A/RES/47/69F Recorded Vote
✓ 103   ✗ 24   14 abs.
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✓ Yes (103)
Vote: A/RES/47/69G Recorded Vote
✓ 103   ✗ 2   37 abs.
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✓ Yes (103)
Vote: A/RES/47/69H Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (100)
Vote: A/RES/47/69I Recorded Vote
✓ 138   ✗ 2   1 abs.
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (138)
Vote: A/RES/47/69J Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (139)
Vote: A/RES/47/69K Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/47/70A Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (83)
Vote: A/RES/47/70B Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (141)
Vote: A/RES/47/70C Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (143)
Vote: A/RES/47/70D Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (142)
Vote: A/RES/47/70E Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (143)
Vote: A/RES/47/70F Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (142)
Vote: A/RES/47/70G Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (143)
Vote: A/RES/47/74 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (144)
The President unattributed #15094
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration ,of agenda item 70? It was so decided.
The President unattributed #15096
We shall now consider the report (A/47/609) of the Special Political Conunittee on agenda item 71, '~Effects of atomic radiation". The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The draft resolution vas adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? ~ draft resolution was adopted (resolution 47/66).
The President unattributed #15098
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 7l? It was so decided.
Vote: 47/66 Consensus
The President unattributed #15100
I now invite representatives to turn to the report (A/47/6l0) of the Special Political Committee on agenda item 72, "International cooperation in the peaceful uses o! outer space". The Assembly will take a decision on the tW( draft rssolutions recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 12 of its report. Draft resolution~, "Xnternational cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space", was' adopted by the Special Political Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution I vas adQpted (resolution 47/67).
The President unattributed #15101
The Special Committee also adopted without a vote draft resolution 11, "Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space". May I take it that the General Assembly also wishes to do so. Draft re$olution 11 was adopted (resolution 47/68).
The President unattributed duplicate #15104
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 72? It was so decided.
The President unattributed #15106
The Assembly will now consider the report (A/47/6ll) of the Special Political Committee on agenda item 73, "United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees iX!. the Near East". The Assembly will take a decision on the 11 draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 37 of its report. After all the votes have been taken representatives will be given an opportunity to Jxplain their votes. I first put to the Assembly draft resolution A, "Assistance to Palestine refugees". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote WAS taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benil)" Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Berzeqovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkiua Paso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombift, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Biss&u, Guyana, Baiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of/~ Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, LaD People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luzembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myamnar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands,'New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama" Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal., Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federatio~, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the GreDadine~, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arab~a, Seneg"l, Singapore" Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad ~d Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: None Abstaining: Dominica, Israel Draft resolution A was a~~~~nd bY 136 votes to Qc with 2 abstentions (resoluLion 47/69 A).* * Subsequently, the delegations of Dominica, Ghana, Guinea, I~aq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leohe, Tajikistan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.
The PRESIDENt unattributed #15107
Draft rasolutionB is entitled "Workinq Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East". The Special Political Committee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise? Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 47/69 B).
The President unattributed #15109
Draft resolution C, entitled "Assistance to persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subseque:lt hostilitie8"~ was also adopted without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly widhes to do the same? Draft resolution C was adQp~ (resolution 47/69 C).
The President unattributed #15111
We turn nent to draft resolution D, entitled "Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestine refugees". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan* Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Arqentinaa Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, .BelaruB, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, BUlgaria, Burkina 1a80, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, C~echoslovakia. Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica,' Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, GrenaQa, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Demucratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshal! Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, \ . Republic of Korea, ,Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Se~egal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lnnka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of hmerica, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: None Abstaining: Israel Draft resolution D waii adopted by 139 votes to 0, with 1 abstention (resolution 41/69 D).*
The President unattributed #15113
Draft resolution E is entitled "Palestine refugees in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour; Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Banqladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei D~russalam, BUlgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Et~iopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece. Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau,' Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, 'Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sa;nt Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Toma and Principe, Saudi Arabia, * Subsequently thE delegations of Ghana, 3uinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Tajiklstan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Se:retariat that they hall intended to vote in favour. Senegal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, SWllziland, Sweden, Syria», Arab Republic, ,Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, T.unisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: None Draft resolution E was adopted by 138 votes to 2 (resolution 47/69 E).*
The President unattributed #15115
Draft resolution F is entitled "Resumption of the ration distribution to Palestine refugees". A reccrded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussal&~, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet NalTl, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbahwe Against: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, I~~~~l, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherla~ds, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour. Abstainipg:. Albania, Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Poland, Republic of Moldo~a, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Spain Draft resolution F was adopted by 103 votes to 24, with 14 abstentions (resolution 47/69 F).*
The President unattributed #15118
We now come to draft resolution G, entitled "Return of population and refugees displaced since 1967". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In fayo~r: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Greecs, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Oatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, Unite~States of America Abstaining: Albania, ~rgentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, N,~therlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, 3uinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour. Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Draft resolution G was adopted by 103 votes to 2. with 37 abstentions (resolution 47/69 G).*
The PRESIDENt unattributed #15120
We come nezt to draft resolution H, entitled "Revenues derived from Palestine refugees' properties". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Fasc~ Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon. Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali. Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambiq~e, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore. Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, 1~ailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia. Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela. Viet Nam. Yemen, Zambia. Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Albania. Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia. Finland, France. Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy. Japan. Latvia. Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland. Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania. * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea. Hungary. Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone. Tajikistan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretar~at that they had intended to vote in favour. Russian Federaf;ion, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa,S",eden, '.rogo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Draft resOlUtion B was adopted by 100 votes to 2. with 39 abstentions (resolution 47/69 B).*. * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, ~uinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Tajik:.~tan and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they hat! intended to vote in favour. " Tbe PRESIDENT: Next we turn to draft resolution I, entitled "Protection of Palestine refugees. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barb"\.;,';:,\, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Camoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti" Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Biss3U, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia. Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco. MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, 'Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland. Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Ham, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Russian Federation Draft resolution I was adopted by 138 votes to 2. with 1 abstention (resolution 47/6 91).* * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Ni~aragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Tajiki~tan and United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.
The President unattributed #15121
WC now come to draft resolution J, which is entitled "University of Jerusalem 'Al-Quds~ for Palestine refugees". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, 'Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, 'India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan~ Kuwait, ~ao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mor~cco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Ph~lippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, ROlhdnia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinE's, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SenegaJ, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinwme, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain ,and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezu~la, Viet Nam, Yemen, Z~~ia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of Ameri~a Abstaining: Russian Federation Draft resolution J was adopted by 139 votes to 2. with 1 abstention (resolution 47/69 J).* * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tajikistan and United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended tu vote in favour. Dv nESIPBNT: Finally~wecome to draft resolution It, entitled "Protection of Palestinian students and educational institutions and safeguarding of the security of the facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in the occupied Palestinian territories". A recorded vote has been request~d. A recorded vote vas taken. Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antiqua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaija-~, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Daru8salam, BUlgaria, Burkina Faso, Camaroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark"Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Biasau, Guyana, Haitii"Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger. Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname. Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe In favour: Against: Israel, United States of Ameri~a Draft resolutiop K was adopted AY 141 votes to 2 iresolution 47/69 K) •• • Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, 3uinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tajikistan and Unith3 RepUblic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat tt.at they had intended tu vote in favour. The PREs.~rl: May I take it that the ~eneral Assembly wishes to conclude its Qonsideration of agenda item 731 It was so decided.
The President unattributed #15123
We turn now to the repor~ of the Special Political , Committee (A/47/612) on agenda item 74, "Report of the Special Committee to Inv~stigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Righ~s of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories". The Assembly will take a decision on the seven draft resolutions, A to G, recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 24 of its report. After all the votes have been taken, representatives will again be given an opportunity to explain their vote. The Assembly will first take a decision on draft resolution A. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Di~bouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius,' Mexico, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Princip~, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic~ Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, Marshall Islands, Romania, United States·of America, Vruquay Abstl'ining: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, C~erooniCanada, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, J~aica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxgmbourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portuqal, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Spain, Surin~e, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Draft resolution A was adopted ~ 83 votes to 5. with 55 abstentions (resolution 47/70 A).*
Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 100   ✗ 2   0 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (84)
The President unattributed #15125
We will now turn to draft resolution B. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 1. Is there any objection to that request? There is none. I shall therefore put it to the vote first. A recorded vote has been requested. .# I A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussal~, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, . Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cate d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (IsI~ic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, J~aica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tajikistan and United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour; Malawi had intended to abstain. Micronesia (Fedel'&tec1$tatesof:), Mongolia,. Mol'oCCO, MY&mllar, Namibia,·ltepal, Netherioncts, New. zealand, lUg-er, Nig-eria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan" panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines; Poland,.Pol'tugal,. Qatar,·· Republic of Korea, Republic o~ }.foldov2i.,- Romal1ia, Russian,. Feaeration, Rwanda, Saint. Iaucia, Saint Vincent·an,d the.GreXladinell, Samoe, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia,Seneg-al, Sierra Leol1e, Sinqapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, SwazU811d, Sweden, Syr~a11 Arab Republic, Thailand, Toqo, Trinidad and ~obaqo,Turd.sia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emil'ates, United Ki~~dom of Great Brita~n and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela,Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel Abstaining: Bolivia ParagrAPh 1 was retain~d by 143 votes to 1. with' 1 abstention. * Subsequently the delegations of Bolivia, Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat chat they had intended to vote in favour. "Tt' PRESIDEl\t: I shall no'W)?ut, to the vo'Ge '4raf~ liesolution B.. as a whole. ~ recorded vote has been req~ested. ~'recordedyotewas taken. In favour: Afghanistan.. Albania.. Algeria.. Anczola.. Antiqua and Barbuda.. Argenti~a.. Australia.. Austria.. Azerb~ijan.. Bahrain.. . . Bangladesh.. Barbados.. Belarus.. Bel9'i~un .. Belize.. Benin.. Bhutan.. Bolivia.. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana.. Brazil, Brunei Darussalam.. Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, .Chile, China, Colombia, comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia.. Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Lur.embourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nami,bia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, NigeE~ Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraquay, Pela, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Aribia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, S~i Lanka.. Sudan, . Suriname, SW,aziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey.. Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruquay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Y~men, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel Abstaining: Cote d'Ivoire, Micronesia (Federated States of), Russian Federation, United States of America Draft resolution B. as a whole. was adopted by 141 votes to 1. with 4 abstentions (resolution 47/70 B).* * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favouI.
The PRESIDENt unattributed #15127
I now invite members to turn their attention to draft resolution C. A recorded vote has been reques~ed. A recorded yowas ~aken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angol~, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belar~s, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cauada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ec~ador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indcnesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Irel~nd, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome ano Principe, Sandi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan,Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kinqdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic ~f Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel Abstaining: Micronesia (Federated States of), Russian Federation, United States of America Draft resolution C was adopted by 143 votes.to 1, with 3 abstentions (resolution 47/70 C).~ ~ Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat t.hat they had intended to vote in favour.
The President unattributed #15128
We now turn to draft resolution D. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In fayou~: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Ch~le, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niqer, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, 'Poland, Portugal, Oatar, Republic of Korea, Republi~ of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzani~, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Micronesia (Federated States of), Russian Federation Draft resolution D was adopted by 142 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 47/70 D).* * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat that the~ had intended to vote in favour. The P~SIDENT: Next 1 put to the vote draft resolution E. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, BOlivia, Bosnia and Herzegovin~, Botswana, Brazil, Brune~ Darussalam, BUlgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel Abstaining: Micronesia (Federated States of), Russian Federation, United States of America Draft resolution E was adopted by 143 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions (resolution 47/70 E).* * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.
The President unattributed #15129
I now put to the vote draft resolution F. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorde~ vote was taken. In fayou~: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belqium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, CO£loros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic RepUblic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, MOZambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of MOldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka. Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland~ Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic. Thailand, Togo. Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia. Turkey, UKraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel Abstaining: Cote d'Ivoire, Micronesia (Federated States of), Russian Federation, United States of America Draft resolution F was adopted by 142 votes to 1. with 4 abstentions (resolution 47/70 F).* * SUbsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and T~jikistan advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.
The President unattributed #15130
-Finally, I put tQ the vote draft resolution G. A recorded vote has been requested._ A recorded vote was taken. In faycur: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Da~ussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, ~hina, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mal.aysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, ~ozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania; Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Micronesia (Federated States of), Russian Federation Draft resolution G was adopted by 143 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions (resolution 47/70 G).* * Subsequently the delegations of Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour. 7hj PRESIDENT: I now Q(lll on the representative Q;f ·,~e. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,,·who wishes to speak in explanation' of vote. Mr.JELBAN (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (interpretation from Arabic) : While we voted on Friday" 11 December 1992, in favour of ~ll the draft resolutions pertaining to <the situation in the. Middle Sast and to the question " . of Palestine, and voted today in favour Of all the draft ~esolutions concerning the question of ?alestine dea.lt. with in the Special Political Committee, my delegation should like to put on record its reservation - regarding any reference therein that-could be construed as e~licit or implicit recognition of the Zionist entity.
Vote: 57/60 Consensus
The President unattributed duplicate #15131
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 74? It was so deoided.
The President unattributed #15132
We shall now consider the report (A/47/613) of the Special Political -Committee on agenda item 75, "Comprehensive review of the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects". The Assembly will take a,decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 20 of its report. Draft resolution I is entitled "Comprehensive review of the whole - question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects". The report of the Fift~ Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/47/770. Draft resolution I was adopted by the Special Political Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution I wa~_adopted (resolution 47/71). .The 'PR'SIDENT: ,Draft r&e;olution IX, which is entitled "Protection of peace-keepinq personnel!'; was also -adopted by the Special Political I Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewiSe? Draft resolutiQn II was adQpted (resolution 47/72). . . The PRESIDENT: May I take it that it is the wish Qf the General, Assembly tQ cQnclude its CQnsideration Qf agenda item 75? It was SQ decided. • (t". The PRES~~ENT: T~e Assembly will nQW cQnsider the report (A/47/6l4) Qf the Special PQlitical C~mmittee Qn agenda item 76, "QuestiQns relating tQ informatiQn" • The Assembly has befQr~ it tWQ draft resQlutiQns, A and B, recommended by the Special PQlitical CQmmittee in paragraph 11 Qf its report and Qne draft decisiQn recQmmended by the Special PQlitical CQmmittee in paragraph 12 Qf that report. The Assembly will nQW prQceed to the cQnsideratiQn Qf the recQmmendatiQns cQntained in the repQrt Qf :he Special PQlitical CQmmittee. The Assembly will first take actiQn Qn draft resolutiQn A, "InfQrmatiQn in service Qf humanity". The Special PQlitical CQmm~ttee adQpted draft resQlution A withQut a vote. May I take it that t~e General Assembly wishes tQ do the same? Draft resQlutiQn A was adQpted (resolution 47/73A).
Vote: 57/61 Recorded Vote
✓ 142   ✗ 2   2 abs.
Show country votes
The President unattributed #15133
Draft resQlution B is entitled "United NatiQns public infQrmatiQn pQlicies and activities". The repQrt Qf the Fifth CQmmittee Qn the prQgramme bUdget implicatiQns of the draft resQlutiQn is contained in dQcument A/47f77l. The Special Political Committee adopted draft J:'esolution B without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise? Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 47/73B).
The President unattributed #15134
The Assembly'will now take a decision on the draft decision: entitled "Increase in the membership of the Committee on Information". The Special Political. Committee adopted the draft decision without a vote. May I take i~ tha~ the Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft decision was adopted.
The President unattributed #15135
May I takfJ it that it is the wish of the General I Assembly to conclude its coasideration of agenda item 76? It was so decided.
The President unattributed #15136
W turn now to the report (A/47/6lS) of the Special Political Committee on agenja item 77, "Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations". In paragraph 5 of its report the Special Political Committee recommends that the General Assembly should include in the provisional agenda of its forty-eighth session the item entitled "Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the Unitad Nations". In the absence of any objection, may I take it that the Assombly adopts that recommendation? The recommendation was adopted.
The President unattributed #15137
M~y I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its coasideration of agenda item 77? It was so decided.
The President unattributed #15138
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Special Political Committee.

26.  (Continued} Zone of Peace and Cooperatiot; of the South Atlantic: Draft Resolution (A/47/L.24/Rev.~)

The President unattributed #15139
I remind representatives that the debate on this item took place at the 73rd plenary meeting, held on 25 November. I wish to· announce that Morocco has joined the list of sponsors of draft resolution A/47/L.24/Rev.l. The Assembly will now take a decision on that draft resolution. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Paki~t~n, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Q~ar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Fe~eration, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal. Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sucan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainl, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britai~ and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, '"'rnuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe United States of America Ag.ainst: ., • < Draft resolution A/47/L. 24/Rey.1 was adQpted.by 144 votes to 1 (resolution 47/74).* The PRBSIDENT: I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in ezplanation of vote. May I remind·delegati9ns that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutos and should be made by delegations from their seats. Miss MENDBZ (Portugal): Portugal sUPPo:;'\:ed draft resolution Al47/L.24/Rev.l, just adopted, concerning the zone of peace and. cooperation of the South Atlantic. My delegation would like to express its appreciation to the sponsors fo'r being sensitive to the concerns expressed by many delegations and for taking them into account in the final drafting of the resolution. The evolution of the new and positive trends in international relations has yet to bring lasting solutio~s to all regional conflicts. Thus, regional arrangements of the type now before the Assembly remain important in the maintenance of i.nternational peace and security. Pcrtugal's long-standing historical ties to this region of the globe, where the vast majority of Portuguese-speaking countries are located, are of the utmost importance to us. We should like to ~3lcome in particular the reference to Angola and the reiteratian of the i~.\ortance of respecting the commitments made by all parties to the Bicesse Acc(rds. Portugal considers that stability in the region is predicated on peace in Angola, which in turn can be achieved only if the commitments to the Peace Accords are maintained. * Subsequently, the delegations of Cape Verde, Chile, Guinea, Hungary and Tajikistan advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote'in favour. Nevertheless, with regard to draft resolution AJ47/L. 24/Rev.l, we maintain our re~ervations, which have been expressed in the past, since a clear geographical delimitation. of the z.one of peace is' DOt established. Nor is the exact nature of the obligations incumbent upon the relevant States . defined. We consider that the resolutio~ wQuld have been imprQved had those matters bean addressed. Mr. ROBINSON (United States of America): The United States would like to take this opportunity to explain why, regretfully, we had no alternative to voting once again agai~st the draft resolution on this item. First, however, we thank the sponsors of the draft resolution for making a sincere attempt to address one of our major concerns, that of freedom of navigation, referred to in paragraph 4. In view of the territorial claims of some States in the region, however, the resolution insufficiently protects the freedom of navigation and overflight as well as ~~e right of innocent passage through territorial waters and seas established under customary international law. My Government also remains concerned that the underlying 1986 resol".tion purported to create an internationally recognized zone of peac~ by General Assembly fiat. That concern is not addressed by the current resolution. The ." United States believes that zones of peace can be created only through multilateral negotiations among the relevant parties. In this case such negotiations have never taken place. We further note that the resolution refers to the proposed zone in the present tense, implying that it already exists. (Mr. bbipson; United StotglO Ov.r thlrc1cQDCern is,~lltth. r.solution re~tarstoa,numberofissues, . ' _. ; . "~ .. , . - '- . such 1l• .ba~lIIlrdo~~ "llstes,c1e.velopmental assist.anc., and fishiDCJ methods, which have llt.t.le to ,do"lt.htlle 'subj,ctOf theresOluti<)D.' , DOPUSIDINT: May I take it· that it ls~the wi'shof the General Assembly'to conclude its consideration ot agenda item 261 It'was so 'decided. " (
Vote: A/47/613 Consensus

97.  (com;inued) HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS (b) HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJO'!MENT OF HUMANRIGBTS .~ FUNJ)AMENTAL .FREEDOMS . OPENING CEREMONIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR FORTBE WORLD ~ S'INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: DRAFT RESOLUTION (Al47/L.3~) Mr. ESPINQSA (Mexico) (interpretation from Spanish): We are marking the opening of the International Year for the World's Indigenous People, as well as the award of the Nobel Prize for Peace to the distinguished social activist Mrs. Rigoberta Menchu in recognition of her praiseworthy work. I take this opportunity also to thank the Secretary-General for all he has done for the indigenous peoples. Today, cultural diversity cannot be separated from society. Although urbanization has changed cultures, it has not eliminated cultural differences. This is to be seen unequivocally in the recent events in the world's most urbanized continent, where that diversity has come to be of paramount political importance. Moreover, tOday's great political and economic changes have stimulated world-wide migration towards certain of the most developed countries, which increases their cultural diversity. Within countries with indigenous popu1ations, it has also stimulated a migration of a portion of those populations to the cities. The globalization of the economy brings us into frequent contact with cultures different from our own. The populations of the developed countries, which were long seen as true melting pots of cultures, are now composed of groups with diverse cultures, which want to remain diverse. (Mr. Espinosa, Mexico) ~,J Cultural ~iversity;is a reality that thrives all over the world, and that should of(er new oppo;tunities to the ~ndige~ous inhabitants of various countries.~ut the mere .acknowledgement. of that diversity can lead to isolation - or, e~enworse,confront~~ionbetween populations - unless dialogue between cul~ures can be established. Indigenous cultures have their own ways of generating knowledge, based on principles that differ substantially from those that gave rise, for example, to European epistemology. This creates both an opportunity and a difficulty. It is an·opportunity because these peoples have survived in very adverse conditions thanks to the strength of that knowledge. It is a difficulty because the dialogue between cultures will be complex. The majority of the indigenous populations live in poverty. But "indigenous" and "poor" are not synonyms; if most live in poverty, often extreme poverty, it is not because of their culture, but because of historical processes that have excluded them. In fact, their cultures include forms of organization and production that, given equal conditions, have advantages over those that now prevail; these include respect for ecological balance. Indigenous peoples do not need to abandon their cultures to improve their standard of living. That has not been sUfficiently understood; that lack of understanding manifests itself in practice in a form of discrimination against those peoples. It is the wish of indigenous peoples to remain indigenous; they claim the right to their cultural differences. They are not 'asking for special treatment, but equal treatment with a right to th~ir cultural differences. In • word or in deed, they make that demand in all regions. Consequently, we must create national and international legal instrumebts. (Mr. Espinosa, Mexico) Mexico has ratifiedConvel1tion 169 of the International Labour. Organisation (ILO), on indigenou.s populations'; 'we believe'that other Governments too should consider ratifying it. Work on the draft declaration on the rights' of indigenous peoples being prepared by .the United Nations should continue until a document is placed ~. before the General Assembly for adoption. The proposal needs further discussion, but we feel that in its present fo~ ~tcontains many elements that respond to the claims of indigenous peoples. The Mexican Constitution was amended this year to recoqnize the rights of indigenous peoples. That reform is the starting point of a. lengthy legislative process that will take place with increasing participation by our indigenous peoples with a 'view to adapting regulations to the specific characteristics of our various regions. We are now working on proposed by-laws for these constitutional reforms. In Mexico and its various regions, the indigQnous peoples have repeatedly stated their desire to become better organized. That is why they have responded so amply to the alternative offered by the National Solidarity Programme, which implements the Government's social policy. This was not only created for our indigenous peoples as one of their priority goals, but was inspired by their customs of mutual support. It ~acoqnizes them as the main protagonists in their regi>ns. One of the Progra-nme't\ basic principles is respect for the wishes of individuals and communities and for their initiatives and the ways they organize themselves in order to implement those initiatives. The diversitYlrepresent~d by Mexico'~ 56 indigenous peoples is reflected in their claims and in the alternative approaches to achieving them. the, comm~it~e~ in ~e(~~$.nq~; ~arryi.nq o~t;, ~\1P~:I:'vi~iXlq an.dtjtvaluatinq a,ctivit:;ies; in ~oilJ.q·thil:J, they shoul.d.cont:r;i~ute ~e~ro~la»o"l.lr and materials from"their own reqions. The third principle is joint responsibility ,so that the various individuals and entities involved can specify clearly. the cooperation ~d fundinq ~ey are~contributinq. The fourth principle is honest, efficient management of resources, so that all participat~ng individuals and communities will know how these have been utilized. Tbis is il:iustrated by the Regional Solidarity Funds that brinq communities and organizations together. These elect representatives to a~ assembly. Each Fund receives financing from the Government; the communities and orqanizations p~opose projects to make use of it; and the assembly determines which should be supported. Excess resources belonq to the constituent communities and organizations and are ~eturned to ,the Fund to finance other projects. ·These Regional Solidarity Funds enjoy outside technical assistance. In 1990, 75 Reqional Solidarity Funds were established; in 1991, 25 more were added; and in 1992, an additional 28 were set up. These 128 Funds bring toqether more than 2,000 communities and organizations, and represent nearly 600,000 members of indiqenous populations. A total of $86. million has been provided to the Funds; it has been inve.sted in 2",)50 projects. Demand for f~dinq is, of course, qrowiDq. The case of indiqenous physicians illustrates this desire to become orqanized. With their abundant knowledge, these physicians provide medical , c,re'lnarella ""hQr. patients haVe" v!J:tually no~lteJ;'~.tivell. ;They 'have established a,'National,Ccun.ci1.oftra~Uticnal,'Medi:"c!ne, "ithamembersbip "Of • , " more than 3,000 physiclans. Xt hali4eveloped atraaitional~~dicineprogramme, that was recently presented tcthehi'ghest: Government.au,tborities~ It "received a positive response to its request for legislation acknowledging this '. . form Cfrned,icine. It. has also obtained an expression·of wi11inCpless to establish a fund for traditional medicine and to issue credentials to indigenous physicians." T~is org8,nization is a ~~y to combine the two forms of medicine - the indigenous and the non-indigenous - and thus to gi~e the population better health care. FUrthermore, requirements for medicinal plants make it essential to set up gardens to grow them in, which will also contribute to preserving the biodiversity of the regions. Society owes an enormo~s aebt to the indigenous peoples, and a sustained, intensive effort must be made, in cooperation with them, to pay it. I will finish by quoting Carlos Salinas de Gortari, President of Mexico: "Solidarity is a generous concept, lacking any vestige of .. paternalism~ It means respect, recognition, association, collaboration and, above all, co-responsibility. This is what we want to offer: committed and co-responsible solidarity with Mexico's indigenous peoples; no false promises, but a firm hope that we may all together correct a historical injustice in order tc create a bec.ter future." Mrs. LIMJQCO (Philippines): 1 wish to thank you, Sir, for the honour and opportunity of addressing this special plenary meeting to launch 1993 as the United Nations International Year of the World's Indigenous People. The Philippines is home to many indigenous groups. The geographical texture of the country, with 7,000 islands, big and small, engendered a diversity of indigenous groups, each with its own traditional culture, yet related in some way to one another. There is a lovely legend in Philippine folk lore ~f how the Philippine islands came to be peopled. The old folks say that after a great fl~od a lonely bird flew to and fro over the water looking for something solid on which to alight. And then it saw in tLe distance the trunk of a tree bobbing (Mrs. Limjugo. Phill;pines) in the w&ter. Kith renewed energy, the bird flew towards the log~ whiclll was being swiftly borne by a current towards what appeared to be dry land. In a short while the log hit land with a jarring thud. Suddenly, the little bird heard noises coming from inside the tree, and with its sharp bill it pecked on the tree trunk until it was rent asunder. And 10 and behold, from its dark '. and damp interior sprang forth two strange creatures. One was tall and strong and the other lovely, with long" flowing hair. The strong one, Malakas, and the beautiful one,· Maganda, became the first man and woman in the Philippines. They had many children, and when the waters receded, they paddled primitive boats to the many other islands, where they eventually settled. And they, according to our storytellers, became the forefathers of our indigenous peoples, related by ancestry but diverse in their socio-economic development and cultural patterns. Ethnic and traditional cultures are but parts of a whole, which is the nation. In a message to the Philippine Government on the occasion of the Philippines' hosting the First International Festival and Conference on Indigenous and Traditional Cultures, held in Manila from 23 to 27 November 1988, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar, wrote that a nation was the richness that resulted ~ from the coming together oe various ethnic and tr,ditional ways of life. Premised on the notions that a nation that understands its heritage understands itself, and that a nation that underscands itself is pr~~ared to promote international.understanding, the Festival and Conference gathered together 1,500 tribal representatives and their surporters from 24 countries, including the Philippines, and focused on tribal cultural survival and ecology. (Mrs. Limjuco, Philippines) The Festival and Conference was a launching activity, desiqnated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for the World Decade for Cultural Development, which hed been proclaimed by the General Assembly. Its focus Wa~ wisely chosen, for there has always existed a symbiotic relationship between indigenous people and the environment, a relationship that has meant survival. And around this special relationship was woven the fabric of their traditions. For again in the words of former Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar, there is a cultural dimension to development which is as essential to the wholeness of a human being as is economic and social progress. In fact, they go hand in hand. But the serpent has entered the forest - the serpent in the guise of the demand for resources and s~ace. Forests are beinq cut down in the name of progress, cut down thoughtlessly and indiscriminately. Trees that took decades to grow are felled in a matte1 of minutes, or burned to charcoal by slash-end-burn farmers. T4e peoples ~f the fores~s and mountains are being driven from their traditional homes and are being integrated into national societies that too often treat them with discrimination, exploit their innocence and violate their rights with impunity. The 1993 International Year of the World's Indigenous People, which we are launching today, will, in the words of the Year's Coordinator, Mr. Antoine Blanca, "provide an opportunity to focus the attention of the international community on one of the planet's n,ost negle~ted and vulnerable groups of people". It is the hope of the community of nations that the Year will bring about a recoqnition, an awareness, of the rights of indigenous peo~'e. It will be an occasio~ to evaluate programm~s and activities relating to indigenous people, to strengthen them where they are inadequate, ~d to develop them where they are non-existent. It will be a time for international cooperation on the , concerns of indigenous groups relating to ecology, economic progress, human rights, education, health and welfare; the preservation of traditional ways, against the need for modernization; and, for those who wish it,. inteqration with the mainstream of society at the pace and to the extent that they want for themselves and for their children. In observance of the International Year of the World's Indigenous People, the Pliilippines will host from 12 to 19 April 1993 a Global Youth Earth-Saving Summit, or a "Global YES", with the theme "Indigenous People and Youth Partnership for Sustainable Development", a complement to the United Nations Environment Programme's Global Youth Forum. This initiative, a follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to implement Agenda 21, seeks to reinforce the traditional perspective of tribal communities on ecological balance and peaceful harmony with the environment. With the participation of youth and indigenous groups, the "Global YES" will be an inter-cultural encounter with the aim of designing a creative communications action plan to harness and mobilize the vision, expe~tise and energies of the tribal leaders and the young people. (Mrs. Limjuco, Philippines) It wi11 also be an occasion for a unique arts olympic and-an indigenous media~arts gathering on eco1oq,y, which we hope would produce a rich harvest of educational materials drawn from traditional cultures and values to teach our people simple Earth-saving techniques towards the solution of the environmental crisis. The Global YES is being spearheaded by the Earth Savers Movement, a non-governmental organization based in the Philippines, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Youth Forum and with the endorsement of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and'Cu1tural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ~nd the Inte;:nationa1 Labour Organisation (ILO). The Earth Savers Movement was also responsible for a unique programme undertaken in conjunction '~ith the Inter-Cultural Cooperative Theatre Arts and the Philippine Centre of the International Theatra Institute, which makes effective use of the arts and media as catalysts for community development. Finally, for this Ye~c the Philippine Government will accord due recognition to outstanding indigenous leaders in our country with the SOIL Award. (SOIL is an acronym for Select Outstanding Indigenous Leader.) We are told that UNEP has expressed interest in globalizing this Award. Last Thursday, 10 Decamber, on the occasion of the launching of the International Year for th~ World's Indigenous People, we had with our delegation a contingent re~resenting various indi'lenous communities in the Philippines. The contingert was headed by Datu J~seph Sibug, Chief of the Manobo Tribe of Mindanao and President of the Tri~al Communities Association of the Republic of the Philippines. In his young~r days he had been chosen (Mrs. Limjuco•. Philippines) one of 10 out;.stan.din9' ~oun9,men ~n the ,Philippines fol' his work in uniting the various indigenous groups in our country and in. r~ising the awareness of the nation to the plight of th~indigenous peop:e. Our indigenous'contingent performed a number during the cultural programme held Thur~day evening, celebrating in song and dance the role of indigenous' people in the preservation of the enviro~nent. Last;.ly, I wish to inform you also that our indigenous group was complemented by youth and \10men Earth Savers led by Mr. Alejandro Roces, former Secretary of Educae!on of the Philippines and a UNESCO Vice-Chairman, and a distinguished advoca':e and supporter of '~raditional arts. The Philippine delegation conveys its hopes for a fruitful and meaningful Year for the World's Indigenous People and its wishes for a joyfUl and peaceful holiday for all. Mr. AYALA LASSO (Ecuador) (interpretation from Spanish): We are gathered here today at tl~ United Nations, confid~nt in the purposes and principles that guide the vork of our Organization, to hold the opening ceremonies for the International Year of the World's Indigenous People. We wish to recall on this occ~sion that our meeting falls within the framework of General Assembly resolutions 45/164 and 46/128, which emphasize the need to strengthen international cooperation for the sol~cion of the problems faced by indigenous communities and ethnic minorities in such areas as human rights, the environment, developme~t, education and health. My country wished to participate in the ceremonies for the International Year with a delegation th~t included representatives of our indigenous communities: Mr. Jose Quit,,11), Coordinator and Ac.lTiserfor Indigenous Affairs of the Office of the President of the Republic; Mr. Alfonso Guacho, Chairman (Mr. Ayala Lasso. Ecuador) of the Ecuador$.2UlFederatlon Of :Evang~:lical' Indigenous 1>eoples; Mr. .~lias:Pi.llahuaje, Advi$ur to the indigenous Sequoia Siona Qrganizations of Ecuado~'s Amazo~ region, andMlss Carmelina Purate, representative of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador. This occasion gives us an opportunity to emphasize some key aspects of the EcuadorianlGovernment's philosophy and policies with regard to indiqenQus affairs. Ecuador is an Andean country whose his,toricaland cultural fabric is woven of various ethnic components. The essence of Ecuadorian society, whose noble lineage dates from millenia.before the Christian era, is noteworthy for its cultural achievements, ·.,hich enabled it to develop the oldest of America's ceramic work in.the regions of Valdivia, the most daring aesthetic concepts in Manta, La Chorrera and La T~lita, and the most beautiful legends evoking the world of the hummingbird and the toucan, the jungle, emeralds and gold. For thousands of years the varibus indigenous peoples of Ecuador, navigators and artists, exp~essed their personalities in fabrics and jewelry of incomparable beauty. Then came political and cultural unification under the empires of the Incas, whose presence in Ecuador lasted no more than 50 years. With the death of the Incan Emperor Atahualpa, son of Queen of Quito and Emperor Huaynacapac, who was born in Quito, we come to the end of one of the major phases of Ecuador's cultur~l history and the beginning of the Spanish presence in the Ame~icas. The second cultural co~ponent in Ecuador is the result of Spain's cultural implantation and contributions on American soil, contributions that acquired a life of their own and became part of our national soul, helping to define contemporary Ecuadorian society. (Mr. %fala Lasso, Ecua~) EcuadoJ:•.thetefor~. is a State chl(lra.C?terizedJ3, a multicultural. mUlti~ethnic society whose ~eatuJ:es ar~ cqotdinated. interdependent and int.ertvined in 8. definite and unique social fabric that is nevertheless clearly marked as belonginq to one and the same country. Ecuador's political Constitutionrecognize~~at reality and sets forth ways and means to protect it and to promote its expressions i~ all fields •. Throu9~out.,a lonq period in our history the indiqenouR populationslacked appropriate recognition, and no attempt was made to promote their participation in the formulation of policies or the definition of government qoals. In the past, political forces and, indeed, the Government ofte~ dealt with indigenous affairs, not to resolve problems, but to gain political advantage by mobilizinq forces within the indigenous communities. The State also adopted a paternalistic attitude that implied a lack of recognition of the values and realities underlyinq the indiqenous communities and ethnic minorities. (Mr. Ayala Lasso. Ecuador) This has radicallY' ~h'anged.All EcuaClorians now se'ek tb."e greatest possible integration of indigenous organi:l;ations. We recognize the.ir rights and we encourage'their·acti-Vities. Ecuador believes, that it is indisp'ensable to safeguard and strengthen'the cUlturalinteqrityofindigenous peoples and of all ethnic minorities, not only because we canthus help' to strengthen the multicultural reality of the country and thus recognize the multicultural heritage to which all Ecuadoreans owe a debt of gratitude, but also because, above all, one of':'the essential human rights that must be protected and respected is the right to express philosophies and ideas .:. that is, cultures and social identities. That is why the Ecuadoran Government is involved in the preparation of plans and programmes seeking to equalize the standards of living of all Ecuadoreans in the best possible conditions. To that 'end, we are devoting particular attention to indigenous populations. Official use of the Quechua language in the educational systems of the various components of the social community is another policy of the Ecuadorian Government, as well as the promotion of other native languages which constitute an invaluable cultural heritage. We feel certain that we are thus preserving our past and building our future. Human diversity contributes to the greatness of nations when it entails equal respect for all and the equal obligation of all to contribute to the common good of the nation. In the final analysis, the development of an appropriate policy in this area can be summed up in the concept of respect for individual and collective rights without exception. Among those basic human rights is the right of each social component part of the State to preserve its cultural identity. (Mr. Ayala Lasso. Ecuador) Accordingly, a State that wishes to sacrifice pluralism and encourage a single culture or a single ethnic gro~pwil1 be violating fundamental h~an rights, committing errors that are often irreparable, "and promoting crisis situations; whereas a State that seeks to strengthen the pluralism of the cultures that compose it will achieve that pluralism precisely through the exercise of those rights, and will thereby strengthen its own political unity. Ecuador is aware of the importance for many indigenous communities of the relationship between man and the Earth, and considers the Earth not only as a factor which, together wit.h work, provides the basis for production, but above all as a habitat to preserve and strengthen the cultural values that form part of our national soul. That is why, for a number of years, considerable tracts of land have been handed over to indigenous communities in Ecuador. My country is not exem?t from the historical mistakes that have so often been made in America with respect to indigenous communities, the rights and aspirations of which have often been ignored or postponed. But progress along the road to democracy and freedom has been opened up through education for everyone and has made it possible for Ecuadorean society first to recognize those historical mistakes and above all to resolve firmly to amend them. Fortunately, my country has not known endemic political violence. We have listened to the voice of the people, the true owner of its own future. Acco~dingly, in a process that we hope will continue and grow ever stronger, Ecuadorians are resolved to contribute in a dynamic way to ensuring equal rights for all human beings as individuals and within ethnic communities within the social fabric. My Government is determined to pursue firmly and unwaveringly the road of internal understanding that will be the basis for the future of Ecuadorean sQciety. The indig~n~us cQmm~nities~ fQ~ their part, are attentiv~ an~alert to the activities Of the Government. They are working actively In the development of specific plans andpro.posals and they are seekingtQ develop the best possible methods of p~ttinq them int9 practice. In this respect, they have not stQod idly by waiting fQr the Government to take initiatives. Quite the contrary: many regions of the co~ntry have already set in motion community activities based on ancestral traditions and institutions to build roads, SChools and health centres, thus cQntributing to the general progress Qf the country. The International Year Qf the World's Indigenous People, which we are commemorating tQday, has the great merit of placing this topic in the appropriate international context and thus of recognizing that, just as there is a universal obligation to respect universal human rights, there is also a universal obligation of all States tQ cooperate with each other towards that lofty end. Meeting a few m.)nths ago in Madrid, the Heads of State and Government of the 21 Ibero-American countries resolved to establish a fund for indigenous development. It would seem appropriate to adopt a similar decision at the world level, open to the financial involvement of all States. The financial and credit bodies could play an important role in its administration. Its basic 2urpose should simply be to foster and promote projects aimed at the full exercise of human rights within an egalitarian format for the benefit of the indigenous communities. My country is committed to continuing its contribution of practical and effective measures to the p!rsuit of the purposes and policies that we have defined in this area. We hJpe that the International Year of the World's Indigenous People will awaken a universal awareness in that respect and mark a tQwards lib~rty. ; Mr.. INSANALLY (Guyana): I~,is.Qf mQt:ethanpassing significance that 'the Internati.onal YearQf th,e World· s IndicjenousPeople: is .being launched to coincide withtha. 44th anniversary of the Universal DaclarationQf Human Rights. That 'Declaration is founded on the prQposition that glQbal peace and progress cannQt be achieved without respect for the inherent dignity and equality of all mankind. The purposes Qf this year can therefQre best be fulfilled by the strict implementation Qf that landmark charter and the advancementQf a complementary declaration on indigenous rights fQr consideration at the fiftieth session Qf the Commission on Human Rights. As we now contemplate the preparation of a suitable programme Qf activities, we are greatly assisted, I believe, by the wide range Qf ideas Qutlined by the Secretary-General in his report on the programme and organization Qf the Year (A/46/543) and by the consensus resQlution adopted at the forty-sixth sessiQn of the General Assembly (resQlution 46/128). These two documents provide a useful framework Qf action at both the national and the internatiQnal level. W3 are also indebted tQ Mr. Antoine Blanca, Co-ordinator fQr the year 1993 and DirectQr General of the Centre for Human Rights; Mrs. Erica Irene Daes, Chairman of the Working Group; and all those non-governmental organizations and associations fQr their continuing labour in the cause of indigenous peoples everywhere. We in Guyana have already begun to implement many of the prQposals outlined in the Secretary-General's report in the interest Qf our own indigenous peQples. Our eXgerience has taught us that an Qutreach programme Sll(;c:ei!l~t\lJ,,9i1~1'.'i~'·1t"llibafied o~·!!li!ll.Q9U."with the'pecpie$ concerned. ,Poli.cy decisi,olls that ma.yd"J?octoll th.l~,icom.nunitl.sI\Ddll1res ShOllld •..bewQrk.d~o\lt;;, through,consultations",,,1th 'them ~t: :yzlr:loui$qovernment-'l _4 loci!,l n0I1;iogovernmenta:L~:qJ.'9'al1izat1l')nal levels. ,.'., .. ' Through "aD; iJlt~"racti9D; 1)ased.o\~' ~is ~pprQoach a -partnership can be develofed ~oUDded on ~ospect and trus~~· , W~,the~efore find it entirely appropriate t!;J.atthe 'theme chosen for th~ye~t'1993 is UIndiqenousPeople -a nelf partnership. u. ~or withou~ genui::1e' pa~tnership::there' is little prospect of meaningful cooperation. We wish to stress the need for this approach as we set about planning our activities, for it is often the case that the cultural ethnocen~rism to which we have been subjected in the past blinds us to the true concerns and needs of our peoples. Our perceptions of their life are derived not from direct contact and information but rathe~ from the stereotypes of the past. They appear in our mind's eye alternately as Rousseau's noble savage or as the caricatures conceived by th~ fantasies of Hollywood. There is much value, therefore, in studying the historical past in order better to understand the Gituation of our indigenous peoples. Were it not for the writings of Las Casas a~d Pare Labat, for example, one could never imagine the vicious tyranny to which the Arawaks and the Caribs of our part of the world were subjected. From our reading we can still picture the Cacique Guarocuya refusing the rites of baptism because he did not wish, it is said, to enter a heaven full of people like those who had so cruelly sought to convert him. This story is a constant and vivid reminder that our philanthropy, however well 'neaning, may not always be in the best interest of those whom we would like to help. We would do well, therefore, to remember this during the Year. Mindful of this lesson, Guyana remains fUlly committed to involving its own indigenous communities in the promotion of their welfare. We are sensitive to the' neec1"for an =int~qrated polieyaimeel,~t.pJ;omo.tinq ~heir ' eelucatiqnj health, 'd&vel,opment.. lanqul\lqe Dnel eulture.1We lis,ten and act on their eoncernsas expressed throuqh their representative councils. Today, our eons.,t,itllt4on ensllrines.the~~ fUl1damel1tal rj,qhts. and, protects their titles to lands which their aneestorshave traditionally occ~pied. The present Government of Guyana has.. taken a step further. It. has 'recently set up a separate Ministry for Amerindian Affairs, headed by an Amerindi~, to cater fully to·the'need~ q~all our indiqenous peoples. The necessary structures will be put in plae~ to pro~note cooperation at both the na~ional and the internationa~ levels. 'We look forward to collaboratinq in, t~~ years ahead with all those who are 'dedicated to enhancing the welfare ofindiqenous peoples everyw~~re. In so far as the actual suqqestions for activities are concerned, I should like to hiqhliqht very ,briefly one area which we believe to be of paramount impqrtance, namel¥, that of the environment. As the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities ha2 remarked, ItAll indigenous communities have and uphold a complete code of rules which are applicable t~ the tenure and conservation of lands as an important factor in the production process, the foundation of family life and the territorial basis for the existence of their people. It The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development has duly recognized the role which indigenous peoples can play in the protection of the environment. As provided i~ Agenda 21, they should therefore be given all required assistance to buil~ their capacity for cUltivatinq sustainable development. We must seek in turn to learn from them the symbiotic relationship which -the. indlgenou$:pe,oples nav.e; ,alwa;rs .had with their' As -the Sioux Chief Flyiug lIawk· is repor.ted to have said 'lnold environment. age, "Indians and animaJ:s ~now how to' live betteJ:' than white man; nobody can be in good health if he does not have fresh air, sunshine and goodwateJ:'." In this observation, we believe, is resumed, the most basic lesson on the environment man can follow. As a sponsor of the commemorative dJ:'aft resolution before us today, my delegation hopes 'that its' adoption will lead to the sensitization of all States and the entire Unitel Nations system to the needs of the indigenous peoples of this world. We trust that it will indeed open doors of opportunity for them to improve on the social, cultural and economic development of their communities. To this end t~e Coordinator of the International Year will be expected to play an importa4t role in galvanizing international support for the efforts being made by local populations to attain higher levels of development. This will entail the collection and study of information relating to their specific economic and social needs. It will also require the provision of adequate financial resources to ensure their swift resolution. We therefore u£ge Member States to make substantial contributions to the Voluntary Fund that has been established by the Secretary-General. We weJ:'e pleased to learn of the appointment by the Secretary-General of the Nobel Laureate Mrs. Rigoberta Menchu as his 'Goodwill Ambassador for the Year. Her dedication to th9 cause of her people has won her recognition and respect in the world abroad. She is symbolic of the empowerment of the indigenous peoples that for so many centuries have been held hostage by exploitation and oppression. She and other representatives of indiganous peoples continue to speak eloquently by both word and deed of their place in society. We must heed what they haVe 'to 'say about th~ir hopes and aspirations. They must no longer be patronized 'and treated as c~ildrenof the forest, untutored and uttequal. In 1993 and beyond, we. must help tb,em to regain the proud·heritag& whicb,is rightfully theirs in the family of man. Mr. PRESSLER (Unit~d. States of America): . I have the honour to speak for the United States of Amorica on the occasion of the launching of the . International Year of the Wurld's Indiegenous People, to be celebrated in 1993. It has been. enlightening to listen to the diverse voices of indigenous people from around the world•. My Government hopes that the International Year will serve their cause in c)ncrete, constructive ways. My Government respects and protects the rights of all its citizens. We are committed to ensuring that members of indigenous groups are fully able to exercise their human rights. Nevertheless, we are aware that there are many obstacles that sometimes complicate our efforts to guarantee complete enjoyment of these rights. We recognize particularly the social problems that plague some members of the world's indigenous groups. Although in principle the United States does not support the establishment of international days, years and decades - since we believe scarce United Nations resources can be better directed to concrete programmes - we hope that the International Year of the World's Indigenous People will serve as an impetus for greater attention to the unique problems of the indigenous people. We pledge to continue to work with various indigenous groups towards overcoming these problems and obstacles alto~ether. I should like to call to the Assembly's attention a few of my Government's efforts to work with indigenous people in making sure their rights are fully protected. We know our efforts are not perfect, but we believe they are a good beginning. ror 'examplef ~yGov'rnmei1tis co_ltted to't1phQlding~e'idea180f., ' To.pr()~otethOl$eJ.deals the UJ:J,itedStatel5 " - .•,' - : " , . > ',~ . , Government ~as'carri.d Qut the fol1owingactionsl ~,"',~ '.~ ,- , .. .. > ..: c. . ~ '. ' First"in th..pa~t four years, 'Working dlr,ct1:r wit:htfJblll leadership and t;htoug.h ,their direction,. we have implemented thoSelf,..Go.yernan.c, . . . ',. " ' . . " . . ~ . . ',' . ,, - Demonstration Project X~itiative, Unde~Self,..GovernancethetribQS ha.ve more ". ' . flexi~ility to determine thair o~ priorities and to use Gove~~e~t resources " they receive to address those ~riorities as they see fit, (Mr. Pressler, United States) We have signed landmark self-governance compacts with 17 tribes, enabling them to administer their own budget and programme operations with a minimum of federal participation. There are currently 17 tribes operating under negotiated agreements with the Department of the Interior, and the number is expected to expand to 30 by 1994. We have a new policy to govern the protection and treatment"of sacred objects and human remains on federal lands. This policy affirms the rights of tribes and other American Indian groups to determine the treatment of Indian remains. The United States Government has made education a top priority. In pursuit of our goal of a better education for every native American child, we have, first, established in Government-financed schools a pilot programme on early childhood/parental involvement; and, secondly, provided funds for a comprehensive review every four years of each school to improve accountability to parents, school boards and tribes. As a result, in the past four years, through specific goals and objectives, achievement test scores of students in Government-run schools have increased by 10 percentage points. Some problems affect all segments of our society. Native Americans are not immune. Therefore, we have moved to further curb child abuse or neglect by initiating a mandatory policy for all employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect; by starting a programme to train supervisors and school prin~ipals in the detection of child abuse; and by developing clear, strong guidelines on how to respond to reports of child abuse. (Mt,Pressler, Upited States) We have taken additional 'steps in other important areas that affect the social well-being and health of our native American citizens, Let me give three examples. First, in 1990, we gave grants' ranging from $11,000 to $50,000 to each of 15 tribes and Alaska native groups for cultural-heritage-p~eservationprojects, Secondly, we signed an agreement to coordinate actions of United States Government agencies and the Indian Health Service to enhance protection of the environment and human health through pollution control on Indian lands, Thirdly, we established 14 departmental negotiating teams to resolve water-rights claims of Indian tribes, Thus, in the last four years we have taken major strides in the negotiation of disputes concerning Indian water resources, Through the establishment of the water-rights negotiation teams, which bring all parties to the table, we have achieved a significant nwnber of agreements aimed at protecting and enhancing Indian water rights and resources, My Government believes that these and other actions demonstrate the strong commitment of the United States to the goals of the International Year, In the words of the aonourable Joc De La C,'UZ, Chairman of the Quinault Nation, "For the first time in the history o~ communication between Indian tribes and the United States Government, we lave a real bilateral relationship on important issues of national ~olicy, The fundamental principle of democracy - the consent of the governed - has finally been applied in practice to Indian country, Certainly [this] '" is not a perfect process, but it has proved that bilateral decision-making can work between tribes and the United States," Mr. RAZALI (Malaysia): Malaysia joins the other Members of the United Nations in proclaiminq 1993 as International Year of the World's Indiqenous People. Indeed, the time has come for the international community to recoqnize the existence of indiqenous people and the disadvantage and mistreatment that they have suffered throughout history since the discovery of the so-called new world. Political memories usually run short, but even as, today, we make our commitment to alleviating the lot of the indigenous people, it is only honest that we should recall the horrible deeds inflicted in the past on thousands and thousands of indigenous people - especially in the Americas - in the name of so-called civilization and religion. My delegation does not believe that any action now can atone for actions perpetrated by immigrant races that came as so-called conquerers, spiritual teachers and settlers, exterminating resistance and wrestinq control. Those acts of infamy not only eliminated thousands of indigenous people but al~o forfeited for the world a rich and varied legacy of culture, values and thought processes. In this context, if historical cUlpability is a factor, we should question the countries responsible, in terms of their commitment now. The United Nations cannot lend support to certain countries undertaking acts of tokenism for the purpose of gaininq absolution for acts of the past. Much worse would be for these countries to be called champions and to point fingers at others. The United Nations has estimated that, toda~. in the world - in more than 70 countries - there are about 300 million people who are classified as indigenous. That number constitutes about 7 per cent of the world's population - a valid reason for all of us to channel our efforts towards (Mr. Razali, Malaysia) protecting and assis~~ng the.e people in the overall context ofa people-centred development process and basic human rights. The indigenous people are still disadvantaged and subject to exploitation. In many countries, non-indigenous people hold power over economies and politics, while indigenous people remain second-class citizens in their own countries. But, consistent with positive changes taking place around the world, it has been determined that we must address the plight of indigenous people. Efforts must now be undertaken to improve their standard of living and to bring them into the mainstream of the societies in which they live, while respecting their culture and traditional way of life. For this reason, Malaysia fUlly supports the theme "Indigenous people - a new partnership" for the International Year. Malaysia is a land of indigenous people, 'though there are important immigrant races living in harmony with indigenous groups. There are more than 30 groups of indigenous people in Malaysia. Most of them left the forests a few hundred years ago and settled in the valleys and plains to grow rice and set up villages, which, in time, became towns. My indigenous group - the Melayu - is one of those that left the forests, and, though our roots go back to those beginnings, we have made our choice towards modernization. Malaysia is now a modestly successful country that is proud of the multifaceted nature of its origins. We draw strength from our diverse antecedents, just as we have tapped the constructive energies of the immigrant races that came to Malaysia more than 100 years ago, as partners on the road to nationhood. Arguably, Malaysia is one of the few countries where the existence of the immigrant races has not resulted in their dominance. The process of achieving (Mr. Rala1i,HA1nysia) this state of affalrs has not been without setbacks, but a8";'e go into the nezt century we can be 'l'e1atively sure that our found.atiOns are;stronq for the challenqes ahead. In peninsular Malaysia, about 83,000 indiqenous peop1e·belonqinq to three major qroups and. 18 subgroups are still practising their traditional modes of life. The interests and rights, of the 'people as citizens and 'as qroups with special needs are protected by the constitution. With the help of the Government of Malaysia, most of these people have been resettled in 779 settlements, where they COD be reached easily for 'the provision of basic I health, social, educational and other services. Since, most of the time, these settlements are at the frinqe or concentrated in the middle of the junqle, these people are Dot really re~oved from their natural environment. In fact, most of them still practise their traditional skills, as hunters and gatherers, to earn additional income. (Mr. Raz.ali. Malusia) To assist. those people, the14alaysian Govermnent has developed a comprehensive plan and strategy,. which include education, training in commerce and industry, provision of medical services, improvement of educational skills and development facilities. Currently more than 14,000 aborigine children are in school, and many families have of their own accord decided to change their way of life from hunting and gathering.and slash-and-burn cultivation to organized farming and animal husbandry in Government-sponsored land schemes. Efforts have also been made to promote their arts through the promotion and commercialization of artifacts that provide them with additional income. Today the Iftembers of this community are working as doctors, accountants, engineers and teacher.s. The Malaysian Government is confident that, with the progress made, the aborigines as a community will be able to achieve social progress and enjoy the benefits of development programmes. In the states of Sabah and Sarawak there are over 26 indigenous groups, but no single ethnic group dominates another, because none makes up more than 30 per cent of the total of 1.7 million people in those states. Their rights, like those of other indigenous Malaysians, are protected by the Constitution. Their participation in government means that they are able to articulate their interests and concerns more effectively and ensure that their rights are protected by various pieces of legislation and customary laws. The Government has co,centrated development efforts by providing schools, developing air and river communications, and providing clinics and flying doctor services to serve people in the outlying areas. Efforts are also being made to encourage those in the jungle to settle i4 locations where they can be provided with services and engage in modern farming methods. In 1991 about 21,000 tribal children were in school; 840 of them came from the most isolated and nomadic of tribes - the Penan. (Mr. Ralla1L Malaysia) In promotinq the cIuality of life of,the Pen~, the Government, has devoted per capitaexpendit~reon them exceeding the aver,aqe per capita expenditure on other citizens, ~dit continues to increas~ yearly. ~oday, of 10.,000 Penans; only about 400 are still livinq in the junqle in their nomadic lifestyle. The Government is committed to qivinq them the choice of a more settled way of life; in which they can be qiven basic services, tauqht to qrow their own food" improve their traditional handicraft skills and have a sense of responsibility to community and country instilled. It is not my intention to paint an idealistic picture,suqqestinq that there are no problems at all with reqard to those indiqenous people who have left the forest and those who have chosen to stay. Sweepinq modernization is beinq experien~ed by many countries of South-East Asia, includinq Malaysia. Our people, both immiqrant and indiqenous, are benefit1.nq to the maximum from the fruits of the path we have charted for ourselves to modernize and to make progress. We do not ape the West; there are many aspects of the relentless pursuit of modernization and unsustainable lifestyle that we want to have nothing to do with. But, selectively and on the basis of our roots and enerqies, modernize we must in order to compete ana thrive. This is our collective national commitment. There is no qoinC) back to the idyllic life of yesteryear, as that situation perpetuates continu~d dominance of, and dependence on, industrialized countries of the north. In the context of the collective will of the nation to, achieve progress, there are important issues to be reconciled, includinq the ,situation of those Malaysians who choose to live in the forests, as iL the days of the past. The Malaysian Government believes :that in this reqard we must offer to all, (Mr. Razali., Malaysia) especially to. those indigenous people in the forests, the same choice aathe rest of us were presented with earlier. We would lfant ·thoselfho have not opted to join the. mains.treem to consider seriously the critical implications involved. There is no attempt. to place any group at a disadvantage; there is no coercion. Obviously, economic activities and sOcial upl;r~ have a strong bearing on the choice to be made~ There is also a need to strip away all the misplaced idealism associated with living in forests. There is nothing exotic about human beings' living in the jungle, exposed to the elements without adequate shelter, nutrition, clothing and, mos~ of all, the basic elements of human rights, education and a chance to enjoy physical and social mobility. There is also nothing romantic about a life of poverty and dt:;privation, high infant mortality rates, tropical diseases and a life eXpectancy half the national average. Nevertheless, if the choice is not to join the mainstream, the Malaysian Government will respect that choice. To that end, the Government has set aside a total of 65,700 hectares of forest in two districts of Sarawak to enable those who so choose to follow their way of life. The Government has also set aside forest reserves totalling 23,400 hectares fo~ Penans who still wish to maintain their spiritual and traditional relationship with the forest. In addition, their right to roam the forest near where they live is also protected by law. At the same time, the Government of Malaysia is also committed to the goals of sustainable development. Our active involvement in the process of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the Rio Summit itself and the post-Rio efforts testifies to this commitment. Malaysia is aware of the negative impact of uncontrolled logging on the environment and (Mr. RalaliA Malaysia) on those people-].iving in the forests. We know only too well that our forest resources are not limitless. The Government of Malaysiowill do its utmost in the coming years to follow a policy that conforms to the objectives of sustainable development where forest exploitation is concerned. Regrettably, as is always the case where developing countries are concerned, everythiDg we do is examined for faults by groups and certain countries. With regard to Malaysia, there have been efforts from outside to instigate non-violent indigenous people staying in the forest to claim for themselves huge tracts of land as their natural domain. It has been suggested that these people should be left alone in their natural surroundings and that the Government has no business trying to bring them out of the jungle to join other members of their societ7 outside. It :.s curious that in the countries of these outside groups no one is being encourage~ to go back to live in forests, and that the indigenous peoplt in those ~ountries are in many ways second-class citizens. The GoverlUflent of Mal,aysia is confident that it can resolve any kind of problem in relation to its communities and people. We can do this without interference and harassmenc f~om outside. We are a country at peace within our society and will welcome back the few who feel differently or have grievances. I direct this comment specifically to my indigenous brother, Anderson Mutang Urud of SarawaJr, who i..; with us at this meeting. I appeal to him, as he is himself not l~v' 5", 'the forest, but has chosen the modern mainstream, to examine how well-off the other indlgenous groups in Malaysia are after making the choice to change and modernl~e. I can assure him that the Malaysian Government's cownitment in Rio to t~l& sustainable management of forests will ensure that the forests of Sarawak and all of Malaysia will not disappear, as he fears. Mr.SALAZAR. (Gu~temala) (interpretation from Spanish): It is a great honour for .. to address the General Assembly of the United Nations and to participate in an event to which Guatemala attaches particular importanceq since for the first time in hi8torym~iDdand the international community are beginning a re-evaluation and eXhaustive analysis of the needs, living conditions, culture, hopes and inherent rights of the ~ndig~nous peoples of . America andtne world, rights that must be recognized In every country with minority or majority in~igenous populations an opportunity ie opening up to recognize, respect and promote native cultures and languages, which constitute a vital source and instrument to classify and interpret the universe, maintain human dignity and sustain the capacity to protect the Earth and the identity passed on to us by our founding fathers. This will clearly enhance mankind's capac$,ty to resolve problems created by the supremacy of individualistic competitiveness over solidarity and by the mercantilistic desire to exploit the environment without restoring it. (Mr. Salazar, Guatemala) ~, For ~uate~alB, it i~. important to emphasiz~ that, in spite of the effacts of colonialism in America, our indigenous populations have held up with diqnity, maintaining their culture, 80cial structures, philosophy and their vision of the past, present and future. For the indigenous populations of Guatemala, it is essential to continue developing the basis of Guate~~lan identity. The great Hayan civilization has remained alive in Guatemala for millenia. Its philosophy teaches us how to base human life on a conscious immersion into the cosmos, how to make use of the Earth while maintaining the balance of nature, how to apply the dynamic interdependence between science, art and religion and how to follow the process of observation, realization, repetition and correction in dealing with natural and social phenomena. It instills in us care for the well-being of our communities by treating others with the respect we would wish for ourselves. It instructs us to resolve conflicts through consensus and respect for the counsel, like a fountain of history, that flows from our elders, and for women, the reservoir of ancestral culture. All Guatemala should drink in the essence of its Mayan culture and the meaning of nawal for all people, spaceB and endeavours. Nawal is the protective force given us by the heart of the sky, energy factor of the universe. This symbol is thus an essential contribution of the indigenous Maya to the achievement of a firm and lasting peace and the reconciliation of the Guatemalan family. Allow me to address a message to this Assembly, as has never before been done in its history, in the Mayan language Kaqchikel, one of the 21 languages of the same family that are spoken in my country and that constitute the mother tongue of most Guatemalans: (Mr, 8alalar, Guatemllla) (the follOWing passage WOS first delivered in Kagchikel and repeated in . Spapish) We thank, the heart of the sky, the heart of the water, the heart of the sea and the heart of the Earth. for finding ourselves in this sacred Headquarters of the United Nations. I bring to this great community the , greetings and message of the indigenous people of Guatemala. As was taught us by our grandparents fUld parents, who left us our culture, those who came before us, those who are here today and those who will come after: we must always respect each other and help each other; we must never deny our common I hwnQnity, or the face of the Earth may end, may die, because we all have our mission, our hopes and our calling on this Earth. We are deeply grateful to the United Nations for having heard the cry of the indiqenous peoples of the world, who were made outsiders in their own lands by foreign nations. But we are qrateful also for its having heard and heeded the voice of the conscience of peoples of Western culture who have influenced or shared the ezperience of the indigenous peoples of America and the world. We hope that we are now on the threshold of a new era in which we shall all seek mutual respectwich solidarity and dignity, the right path and the satisfaction of tbe needs of all, so that we may achieve peace and freedom for the nations of the Earth. (continued in Spanish) I have been entrusted with the honour of reading out the letter written by the President of the Republic of Gu~temala to ~he Secretary-General of the United Nations. It reads as follows: (Mr. Salolor, Guatemala) IIMr. Sec;retary-General, III have the honour to address Your Excellency on the inouguration of the International Year of the Worla's Indigenous People, an initiative that comes at a time when.the world finds itself faciJiq an opportunity to create a new international order based OD true respect between nations, in conditions of equality and justice, without discrimination and with . , new structures of peace and security that allow us to reach new horizons in human development. "As a country with an indigenous majority and a multi-ethnic make-up, Guatemala seeks its unity in diversity, acknowledqinq that its culture results from the contributions of the various qroups that have historically coexisted in this nation. My Government pledqes today, toqether with the indiqenous populations, to establish the means, within the frameWOrk of the recoqnition of their riqhts" that lead to the solution of the problems of these populations in the fields of education, culture, environment and development in qeneral. "For this reason, Mr. Secretary-General, Guatemala wishes to express its satisfaction at the mobilization of public opini.on and technical and material resources that the International Year will put at the disposition of the indigenous populations of the world. "As an expression of my Government's adherence to this initiative, we shall soon announce the creation of the National Commission for the International Year of the World's Indiqenous People, with the participation of representatives from the country's ethnic groups. Similarly, we have named a liaison officer who will ensure the proper coordination. (Mr. Salaz~r, Guatemala) . ~.~ " ~ + • .':to, IOFol;' Guatemalans it is a source of national pride that,s.imultaneous Nith the start of the InteJ;national Year of the World's Indigenous People, our compatriot Rigoberta Menchu has been honoured with the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize. We see this as recoqnition of the legitimate aspirations of the indigenous populations of the world with regard to their rights; and it also embodies the hope represented by a contribution to the achievement of peace and reconciliation in Guatemalan society. "I express the hope that this important initiative by the United Nations will result in real and tangible benefits for the indigenous populations of the world and for the recoqnition of their legitimate rights and aspirations, and I take the opportunity to reiterate my highest consideration and personal esteem. "Jorge Serrano Elias, President of the Republic of Guatemala." The message of Guatemala is one of peace and brotherhood among peoples. It reflects the aspiration of our cOmDlunities to live in peace with dignity and in harmony with nature and our societies, within the framework of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. We need the commitment of both developing and developed countries - including their indigenous populations, with their ancestral wisdom - so that the activities and goals outlined for the International Year of the World's Indigenous People can be the point of departure for continuing to strengthen peace and respect for racial and cultural diversity. HL.....:W LIIROp' (Vanuatu): In a few days, after the completion of this phase of ~uo work of the General ~8embly, ..any of us will be leaving New York to return to our respective homes and spend, important holidays with families ant! friends. At festive gatherings all around the world, hundreds of millions of people will joyfUlly embrace their loved ones in tearful but happy reunions. Unfortunately, for some people there will be very little, if any, joy t this holiday season. Some people are homeless and will continue to live without shelter. Some are hungry and will continue to go to sleep with empty stomachs. Some are ill-clothed, ill-treated and otherwise marginalized, while other people continue what appear to be endless cycles of conspicuous consumption and the excessive generation of waste. Sadly, some people who wish to return to their homes to be with their families and friends will not be allowed to do so. For some, the homes they once knew no longer exist, and they are treated as strangers in their own lands. For decades now the United Nations has been seized of the many problems of those who have bean disenfranchised in various ways in various parts of the world. Today, as we commemorate the inauguration of the International Year of the World's Indigenous People, we rejoice in the awakening and the great spiritual reunion that has brought representatives of so many of the world's indigenous people together here at the United Nations. Unfortunately, we must also sadly note that mankind has still not learned two very important lessons - how to live in harmony with our fellow human beings and how to treat all as equals, with dignity and respect. Today, in many parts of the world, innocent men, women and children are being disparaged, abused, tortured and even killed simply because they happen (Mr. Van Lierop, Vanuatu) to be of a different color, observe a different religion, speak a different language or have different social and cultural preferences from those who disparage, Sbuse, torture and kill them. One would have hoped and expected that, as the twenty-first century approaches, the world would be able to put behind it the ignorance that breeds bigotry and hatred. One would have hoped that no man, woman or child living in today's world need fear for his or her life because of an accident of birth or 'because of what should be his or her personal and private preferences and choices. However, today's news headlines remind us that the sad and unfortunate reality is that the world has not yet entered an era of enlightenment and tolerance. Too many people in too many parts of the world are still captives of the ignorance of an earlier era. Xenophobic hatred is resurgent in'more than a,few parts of the world. The flames of that hatred threaten to consume not only the immediate victims of particular acts of racial or sectarian violence: all of us are threatened; all of us will be engulfed and eventually consumed by the flames of hatred now being fanned by the demagogues, unless we stand as one and say we too are Africans; we too are Arabs; we too are Asians; we too are Hispanics; we too are Europeans; we too are Muslims; we too are Jews; we too are Christians; we too are Hindus; we too are Euddhists; we too are indigenous peoples; we too are human beings. Our own progress, our own humanity, our own lives are threatened when the progre~s, humanity and lives ef others are threatened. For far too long the nations of the world have looked the other ~ay when the seeds of intercommuna1 conflict and ethnic strife were planted and then spread like weeds. Hopefully, we hav€t seen enough in recent years, months and even days to shake us out of our comfc.rtab1e complacency and force us to examine more effective ways of working together tl ensure that within our li~etimes, racial, religious ~d ethnic bigotr.f will beco~e things of ~e past. History i~structs us of ~e fate that awaits the world should we fail to do so. Today we are observing the inaugural of an important year. Indigenous peoples of all the world paid a very dear price for the development of what is today called civilization. Many indigenous peoples have been colonized, displaced or marginalized. Today some exist as minorities in their own lands, and others are still colonized. For many, the fact that they and their '" cultures survived at all is a remarkable tribute to them and the vitality of their cultures. One can readily imagine how much the world might have benefited had most of the encounters between indigenous peoples and other societies been treated with honesty and fairness, and as encounters of mutual discovery rather than conquest. We do not 'advocate turning back the hands of time. Nor do we believe that indigenous peoples would have been better off had they lived in isolation without interacting with other peoples and cultures. Rather than dwelling- endlessly on the past, we prefer to look to the future to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. ,Thus we believe that the International Year of the World's Indigenous People affords an opportunity to reflect upon the past and build for the future. We are pleased to be among the sponsors of d~aft resolution A/47/L.33 and certainly u~ge its adoption by consencus. Howev6r, we readily acknowledge that no resolution is ever perfect or covers evel l ' aspect of a particular subject. Therefore, we are prepared to join hands with others in goiDg beyond the resolution, seeking to enhance the International Year of the World's Indigenous People and to help develop its very important substantive dimensions. I~ this 'regard! we support the idea of a coordination mec~anism for operatlQnal aQtlvities that can continue beyond the year 1993. We also support tbf!t idea of, df!tvelQping a mechanism that will. give indigenous peoples a greater voice within the international community and the means to help them set their own development priorities and address their own needs. Indigenous peoples still have much to contribute to our understanding of the world in which we~live. All of us share the same earth, the same oceans, rivers and lakes, and the same atmosphere. None of us can be said to have a monopoly on knowledqe or compassion. In many lands where indigenous peoples are now demographic minorities, the knowledge and compassion of their ancestors made it possibl1e for the early settlers from other places to survive and then to thrive and eventually to expand their own presence in their new surroundings. Indigenous peoples have rarely, if ever, been compensated for what we believe should rightfully be characterized as their intellectual property rights. Admittedly, this is a subject that will not be easy to consider. Very careful thought and analysis will have to be given to reconciling the often competing interesta of what could be termed the intellectual property rights of a group and those of an individual. Many questions immediately come to mind, and even more will be suggested upon closer examination of this subject. None the less, we believe that this is an appropriate subject for consideration some time during the International ~ear of the World's Indigenous People. We are pleased that so many distinguished representatives of indigenous peoples have joined us here at the United Nations today. This is a long-overdue occasion. Recognition is the first step in a very long journey dlscovery i$ncl m1J.t:ua:J.,enqageme~t.'ID 'the CQur••,Of,thoXnteril~ti.o#al'rear'of' . ,,- ,'-' '-, ,"":,' .... ,:.,'..'.'.- -' ,>" '""" ,_:.",-;",,-~,:,-<-:c,\_,.. _:~· . ;:-" :',~,":'~".-Ij':'-~-<, the World ·sIncligeD~uspeople,. "emuat dis~ovorallthat...... can '~out. ~acb; i '- .,' , . - -., -- • . ' . ,,";:~i" ." -- .,"' ~. -':.. - --' •,'- ".. ' -.",,,' ". oth..,r, We'l1lu.tal1'c;onnitoul'selves tomaki:llg>th.eY!l!sr,butone'lSt:epin a , lonq-tttl'm process, This ilS",batwehope ,,111 be- ou~mutua1enqaqement~ThiS ...... is the message "tf) hOPe wUl, be carried from th.isbuildlngtoevery c,orner Of 'to > the earth -oX'f' as some indiq!l!nous'peoples so aptly sayf' "to' th.efot1J;~. ~ . " " f~~ directions", , '. ,-- ,(Hr', Yan'Lierop, "a¥lUat~l Mr. OIDZBQMIIIDZI (Rus.laD re4erat:iollh Today's ..eting of the General Assembly devoted to the start of the United Rations International Year of the World'. Indigenou. People is carr;rlDCJ out the fir.t, and therefore aD e.pecial11 important, a••e....nt of the world CODa1iDity's effort. in the cause of the rebirth of .0-calle4 mall people.. Bowever ~ we lIlu.t acmowledge today, more than 20 years after the United Ration••CJ1Iarely faced this topic for the fir.t time in its history, that all of us have done very little indeed to ensure that indigenous peoples, with their uniCJ1le hi.tory, extremely rich and lui generis culture. and centuries-old tradition., can take their appropriate place in the family of the world' s peoples. Yet it is precisely those peoples that, having settled vast territories on every continent of the world ages ago, were the firs~ to suffer the negative conseCJ1lences of encroac~ing civilization, enforced assimilation, expUlsion from their lands and even physical anni4ilation. Even today, unfortunately, it is precisely those people. that, in many in.tances, remain the objects of direct discrimination and oppressioL and, 110re than any athers, see their legitimate rights infringed. And this means that in our enlightened aqe - an age of outstanding scientific and cultural achievements, the cOD~uest of outer space, profound political and socio-economic transformationa, when States have ended the cold war and set out on the road to peace and cooperation - the indigenous peoples, today numbering alll"aOst 300 million, remain on the sidelines of world development. The effort. made in various countries and region. of the world to preserve small peoples and involve them in the li;e of society - over and above the fact that at times those efforts are und~rtaken without 4ue regard for the interests of those peoples themselves - have so far been largely sporadic and uncoordinat~d. They are therefore naturally incapable of changing the sit~atioD of the indig.nous populations of ou~plan.t asa whole. For that reason, in this cas••s in the case of many other important international problems, the United Ra,tions .9an ~d shoul~, webeJ"ieve, play its leading role as a centre for the coordination of. interDationaJ" cooperation. We must none the less acbowledge with satisfaction that, with reqard to preparing the foundations necassa~ for resolving this problem, the United Nations has not remained idle. Although the work on the draft universal declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples has dragged on for almost 10 years, it is now near completion, anJ the General Assembly is expected to adopt the declaration at its forty-eighth session nezt year. With its adoption at the international level, universal standards for ensuring conditions for the free and distinctive development of indigenous peoples will have been set up, and truly civilized standards for the conduct of States towards such peoples and with regard to their political, economic and other interests will have been established. The observance of the International Year of the World's Indigenous People should, in the opinion of the Russian delegation, be a powerful factor for expediting a solution to the problems of indigenoullI peoples and, to that end, also help to bring the most focused and constructive attention of States - as well as of regional and non-governmental orguizacions and the broad spectrum of society - to bear upon those peoples. The delegation of the Russian Federation has become a sponsor of the draft resol¥tion .~ the International Year of the World's Indigenoulll People, 1993. The theme for the Year - "Indigenous People - a new partnership" - calls for the establishment of relations with indigenous peoples on a positive basis, taking fully into account their needs in the area of development ~d the necessity of cQmprehenSiv.IY~'eitploj,tiit9 the' contdbtltionwhiclithe communities of .indigenous· peoples .<canmufftowardlS·ensut<inq·staDle'nationaldevelol.ment• . Int!i~ RussUm Federation, ''=he pIOblemof' the sit,uat:ion'ofindigenQus peoples ,is very Jte'eilly felt..UneJerA:he· Soviiet State and its national poiicy - the fruits of whiCh tOday are t8hgled Jc;:aot:s" ofittter-ethnic confrontation and bloody conflic::t .. the interests of indiqenous;peoples were all but ignored. But the Russian Federation is home to a4 numerically small peoples, all of them together totalling more than 400,000 persons. As a result, this rather significant part of our country's population not only did not receive the benl!fits'of civilization, which it'had every right to expect, but on the contrary, was left on tie iftdrqins of social development, in the situation of aborigines without rights. Not only social and cultural development but economic development as well was delayed in the regions where numerically small peoples had traditionally lived. Their minerals, raw materials, energy and other resources were exploited for dec::ades in the most wasteful, not to say predatory, way. Not only did such exploitation not lead to economic growth in those regions~ in a number of instances, having partially exhausted their reserves, it led to aerious and sometimes irreversible economic and environmental damage. The earlier decades of almost total State neglect of the fate of numerically small popu1atio~s in our country have left a heavy legacy which, especially in the light of the complexities of today in the area of socio-economic development, is unlikely to be remedied soon. Nevertheless, literally from the ~~ry first days of its existence, the Russian Federation, through decisions taken by tl".8 Supreme Soviet and by the President of Russia, moved vigorously to reverse historical injustices so that the indigenous peoples of our country might become genuine masters of their RUllia~ Federation) own lands and win. the opportunity to exploit their own wealth and build their lives there. Characteristically, 'having set about the elaboration of the concept of the socio-economic development of the territories of numerically small peoples, the Russian State ia now giving un~oDditional priority to the interests and asp,~t'ations of the indigenous peoples thenulelves. This applies equally to the problems of their cultural and humanitarier-..D development and to religious .. cultural .. educational and other questions. We members of the world community - all of U8 together and each one individually - have an unpaid debt to those we must unfortunately call numerically small peoples. Therefore we should all regard the start of the International Year of the World·s Indigenous People not simply as a notable date on the calendar of international events .. much less as a reason to be self-satisfied. This Year.. replete with concrete practical efforts at the national.. regional and international levels.. should be a time for seriously turning to the needs of those who have been undeservedly forgotten ~nd were forced not to live but merely to adapt to the lives of others. We are convinced that this noble goal will enable the world community to overcome the inevitable obstacles on thi~ road and that millions of our brothers in Asia.. Afric~ and Lati~ America, .'~ving in the extreme north or the far east of our planet will.. thanks to our joint efforts.. rediscover themselves and their own voices in the community of people kno~n as Humanity.

The President unattributed #15140
We shall now proceed te consider draft resolution A/47/L.33. Before I call on the representative oi Bangladesh.. who wishes to speak in explanation of vote before the vote.. may 1 remind delegations that.. 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. the 4ra~t r.eISQlution~ontainf1dindoc~nt A/",?/L.'33, (t~titled "In~.,rnation~l ~tiar of t!lelfO;ld'sXndigenolll!l People, '1993". We do so on the understanding. that tile teE1ll "indigenous people", asre~err.ed to in the test, applies only· to those people"bo are tbe original inhabitants of a particular area and not to any o~er group or. gr.OUPl!I of people. We shoulc1also like to. recall here ":bat the President of tha General Assembly noted in his statement at the ...leDing cere~onies of the International Year. ~e said:· "We use the term 'indigenous people' because they were the first to live OD their land, beginning hundreds or even thousands of years ago". (A/41/PV.82, p. 6) It is on this very clear understanding' of the term that my delegation would be pleased to join in the consensus on the draft resolution before us. The PRESIDEn: The Assembly will now take adec.tsion on draft resolution Al47/L.33, entitled "International Year of the World's Indiqenous I • People, 1993". I call on the Director of the Office of General Assembly Affairs. Mr. SUKBQDREY (Director of the Office of General Assembly Affairs): I should liks to draw the attention of members to operative paragrap~ 4 of draft ~esolution Al47/L.33 6 ~y which the General Assembly would request the Coordinator of the International Year for the World's Indigenous People to reconvene from within existing resources, in the three working days preceding the eleventh session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the technical meeting provided for in paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 46/128 with a vlew to concluding its deliberations and finalizing its report. It should be noted that the conference-servicing requirements relating to the convening of the technical meeting would amount to $98,000 at full cost. This amount would cover pre-session, in-session and post-session documentation and interpretation for the six meetings in six languages. Howev~r, as has been the practice, it is assumed that provision for additional meetings that would be authorized subsequent to the· adoption of the proposed programme budget could be authorized provided that the number and distribution of meetings and~onferences in the biennium 1992-1993 was consistent with the pattern of meetings in past years. On that basis, it is estimated that should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/47/L.33 no additional resources would be required for confe~ence-servicingcosts. Th,,.stJ>qrsMa1"X ta'k.-ltthat t11e Ass_mblJ'd.cl~.s to ,a4opt dtaft~.so1utionA/47/L.33? ptaft',ololution.Wt71L,33yal odORtic! (~.lolutiC)n 47l75). . ,. ". .". :t: ';Jut'P,BSII2IB:; ·icie;Cla~. clolea t:h.·~et.md~l.. la~ChiJ1ei'the Inte~.nationa.l Ye.a~ of the "orld's In4ig'enou,p~opl." %hit Jnefitting rOil_ at l,25p,m, ·...
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