A/49/PV.83 General Assembly

Friday, Dec. 9, 1994 — Session 49, Meeting 83 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Mr. Arzoumanian (Armenia), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/49/33 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (165)
Vote: A/RES/49/35A Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (164)
Vote: A/RES/49/35C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (160)
Vote: A/RES/49/35D Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (165)
Vote: A/RES/49/35E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (162)
Vote: A/RES/49/35F Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (113)
Vote: A/RES/49/35G Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (161)
Vote: A/RES/49/36A Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (75)
✓ Yes (85)
Vote: A/RES/49/36B Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (155)
Vote: A/RES/49/36C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (145)
Vote: A/RES/49/36D Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (145)
Vote: A/RES/49/39 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (166)
Vote: A/RES/49/40 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (113)
Vote: A/RES/49/41 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (119)
Vote: A/RES/49/43 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (142)
The meeting was called to order at 10.55 a.m.

75.  Effects of atomic radiation: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/617)

Vote: A/49/617 Consensus

84.  Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/626)

Vote: A/49/626 Consensus

Introduction of reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

The President #15415
This morning the General Assembly will consider the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on agenda items 74, 75, 76 and 147, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 and 18, 83 and 12, 84, 85, 86, 148 and 18. I request the Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention. Mr. Ndiaye (Gabon), Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (interpretation from French): I have the honour to submit for the General Assembly’s consideration 15 reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on agenda items 18, 74 to 86, 147 and 148. The first report, on agenda item 74, entitled “Protection and security of small States”, is contained in document A/49/616. The Fourth Committee devoted three meetings to consideration of this agenda item and heard 18 speakers in the general debate. The draft resolution appearing in paragraph 5 of the report was sponsored by 72 delegations and was adopted without a vote. The second report, contained in document A/49/617, deals with agenda item 75, entitled “Effects of atomic radiation”. The Fourth Committee considered the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and, after hearing 12 speakers in the general debate, adopted a draft resolution sponsored by 44 delegations without a vote. The draft resolution appears in paragraph 6 of the report, and the Fourth Committee recommends it to the General Assembly for adoption. The third report, contained in document A/49/618, relates to agenda items 76 and 147, entitled, respectively, “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space” and “Question of the review of the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies”. In view of the nature of these issues, the Fourth Committee considered them together in the course of four meetings and heard 23 speakers in the general debate. Among other things, the Committee endorsed the report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. It also adopted two draft resolutions. The one on the enlargement of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was adopted by a recorded vote. The one on both agenda items was adopted without a vote. The Committee recommends these two draft resolutions, appearing in paragraph 11 of the report, to the General Assembly for adoption. The fourth report, contained in document A/49/619, is on agenda item 77, entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. Twenty-seven speakers took part in the general debate. The fifth report, on agenda item 78, entitled “Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, is contained in document A/49/620. Twelve speakers took part in the general debate on this issue. The Committee adopted four draft resolutions, appearing in paragraph 16 of the report. The Fourth Committee recommends these four draft resolutions, lettered A to D, to the General Assembly for adoption. The sixth report, on agenda item 79, “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects”, is contained in document A/49/621. The Fourth Committee devoted six meetings to consideration of this item and heard 55 speakers. The Committee adopted the draft resolution in paragraph 10 of the report. The seventh report, on agenda item 80, “Questions relating to information”, is contained in document A/49/622. After having heard 44 speakers, the Fourth Committee decided to consider at the same time the three drafts before it and to take action on them. The Committee adopted draft resolutions I and II, in paragraph 11, without a vote, as it did the draft decision in paragraph 12, as orally amended. The Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolutions and decision. The eighth report, in document A/49/627, concerns agenda item 85, “Science and peace”. The draft decision in paragraph 5, which was adopted without a vote, recommends to the General Assembly the deletion of the item “Science and peace” from its agenda. The Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft decision. The ninth report, in document A/49/628, concerns agenda item 86, “Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations”. The Committee decided to defer consideration of the agenda item until its fiftieth session, and its recommendation to the General The tenth report, in document A/49/630, concerns agenda item 148, “The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia”. The draft resolution in paragraph 5 was adopted by the Fourth Committee by a recorded vote, and the Committee recommends to the General Assembly that it adopt the draft resolution. The last five reports, in documents A/49/615 and 623 to 626, concern questions of decolonization under agenda items 18, 81, 82, 83 and 12, and 84. The Fourth Committee held a general debate on those items over six meetings and heard 24 speakers, 2 representatives of Non- Self-Governing Territories and 17 petitioners. The eleventh report, in document A/49/623, concerns agenda item 81, “Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 of the Charter of the United Nations”. The draft resolution is contained in paragraph 7 of the report, and the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution. The twelfth report, in document A/49/624, concerns agenda item 82, “Activities of foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in Territories under colonial domination”, and agenda item 18, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. It contains in paragraph 9 a draft decision on military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration. The draft resolution on activities of foreign economic and other interests is contained in paragraph 8. The Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution and the draft decision. The thirteenth report, in document A/49/625, concerns agenda items 83 and 12, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations” and “Report of the Economic and Social Council,” respectively. The Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolution contained in paragraph 7 of the report. The fourteenth report, in document A/49/626, concerns agenda item 84, “Offers by Member States of The fifteenth and last report of the Fourth Committee, in document A/49/615, concerns Territories which were not covered by other agenda items. The Committee dealt with them within the framework of agenda item 18, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. Paragraph 27 of the report contains four draft resolutions: draft resolution I, on Western Sahara; draft resolution II, on New Caledonia; draft resolution III, on American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands; and draft resolution IV, on Tokelau. Three draft decisions, on Gibraltar, Pitcairn and St. Helena, respectively, are contained in paragraph 28 of the report. In adopting those draft resolutions and decisions, the General Assembly will reaffirm, inter alia, the inalienable right of the peoples of those Territories to self-determination and independence and will emphasize that it is in the final analysis up to the peoples of the Territories to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Peoples and Countries. The Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the draft resolutions and decisions in paragraphs 27 and 28, respectively, of the report. On behalf of the Fourth Committee I commend these reports to the General Assembly. Before concluding, I should like sincerely to thank the Chairman of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), Mr. Borys Hudyma of Ukraine, and the two Vice-Chairmen, Mr. Utula Utuoc Samana of Papua New Guinea and Mr. Abelardo Moreno Fernández of Cuba, for their advice and wholehearted cooperation. I should also like to express my gratitude to the members of the Fourth Committee, who cooperated with me throughout the session. Lastly, I should like to thank the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Ozdinch Mustafa, and all the members of the Committee’s secretariat, for their assistance and for having thereby facilitated my task as Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee.

76.  International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/618)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 165   ✗ 1   0 abs.
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80.  Questions relating to information: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/622)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

18.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/615)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
It was so decided.
The President #15416
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/410, the General Assembly agreed that: “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, that is, either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/410, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, unless the Secretariat has been notified otherwise. This means that where recorded votes were taken in the Committee, we will do the same. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee that were adopted without a vote in the Committee. Protection and security of small States: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/616)
Vote: A/49/616 Consensus
The President #15417
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 5 of its report (A/49/616). The draft resolution was adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 49/31).
The President #15418
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 74?
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
The President #15419
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 6 of its report (A/49/617). The draft resolution was adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

78.  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 Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/620)

Vote: 57/60 Recorded Vote
✓ 145   ✗ 2   17 abs.
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The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 49/32).
The President #15420
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 75?
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
It was so decided.
The President #15421
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 11 of its report (A/49/618). Draft resolution I is entitled “Enlargement of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts a n d N e v i s , S a i n t L u c i a , Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Against: United States of America

77.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/619)

Vote: 57/60 Recorded Vote
✓ 160   ✗ 2   4 abs.
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— Abstain (1)
Vote: 57/61 Recorded Vote
✓ 145   ✗ 1   15 abs.
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✗ No (1)
Draft resolution I was adopted by 165 votes to 1 (resolution 49/33).
The President #15422
In the resolution just adopted, the General Assembly decided: “to expand the membership of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space from fifty-three to sixty- one, that is, by not more than two seats for each of the regional groups that had expressed interest in having a greater representation in the Committee, and to ask the President of the General Assembly, after consultations with the regional groups concerned, to appoint no more than eight new members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.” The President has been informed that the African States have endorsed Senegal and South Africa. The President has also been informed that the Asian States have endorsed Kazakhstan and that, for the remaining seat, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia have mutually agreed on a system of rotation every two years, beginning with the Republic of Korea as of 1 January 1995. The President has been further informed that the Latin American and Caribbean States have endorsed Nicaragua and that for the remaining seat Cuba and Peru have agreed on a system of rotation every two years, beginning with Cuba as of 1 January 1995. Lastly, the President has been informed that the Western European and other States have decided to terminate the practice of rotating membership between Greece and Turkey, and between Portugal and Spain. Therefore, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Turkey will now be permanent members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. In the light of that information, the President has appointed Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Peru, the May I take it that the Assembly takes note of those appointments?
It was so decided.
The President #15423
We now turn to draft resolution II, which is entitled “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, including the question of the review of the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 57/61 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 49/34).
The President #15424
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda items 76 and 147?
It was so decided.
The President #15425
The seven draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) are contained in paragraph 23 of the report (A/49/619). Before putting them to the vote, I call on the representative of Lebanon, who has asked to speak in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Moubarak LBN Lebanon #15426
My delegation will abstain in the vote on preambular paragraph 6 and paragraph 3 of draft resolution A, entitled "Assistance to Palestine refugees", because it has not been consulted as a member of the Consultative Committee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)and because it has strong In supporting the draft resolutions submitted to us, my delegation has always been supportive of General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 1948, relating to the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Many times in the past, and also during this current session of the General Assembly, Lebanon has consistently backed resolution 194 (III). Once again, we would like to reaffirm our solemn support of that resolution. I underline clearly and categorically that the issue of the repatriation of Palestinian refugees is of basic and crucial importance to Lebanon. We categorically reject any attempt whatsoever to settle permanently in Lebanon Palestinians living on our soil. This constant position is embodied in the Lebanese Constitution, in accordance with the Taif Agreement of 1989. It represents a firm and unshakeable national consensus among all Lebanese. Lebanon remains fully committed to the realization of the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.
The President #15427
The Assembly will now take a decision on seven draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 23 of its report (A/49/619). After all the votes have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their votes or positions. Separate, recorded votes have been requested on the last preambular paragraph and on paragraph 3 of draft resolution A, entitled “Assistance to Palestine refugees”. Is there any objection to this request? There is none. I shall therefore put these paragraphs to the vote first. The Assembly will take a decision on the last preambular paragraph of draft resolution A. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The last preambular paragraph of draft resolution A was adopted by 163 votes to none, with 2 abstentions.
The President #15428
I shall now put to the vote paragraph 3 of draft resolution A. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Tajikistan, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: None Abstaining: Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic A recorded vote has been requested.
Paragraph 3 of draft resolution A was adopted by 160 votes to none, with 2 abstentions.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 164 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (resolution 49/35 A).
The President #15429
We now turn to draft resolution B, entitled "Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East". The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) adopted draft resolution B without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 49/35 B).
The President #15430
Draft resolution C is entitled "Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities". A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Japan, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Samoa
Draft resolution C was adopted by 160 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions (resolution 49/35 C).
The President #15431
We next turn to draft resolution D, entitled "Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestinian refugees". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 165 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 49/35 D).
The President #15432
Draft resolution E is entitled "Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution E was adopted by 162 votes to 2, with 3 abstentions (resolution 49/35 E)
The President #15433
We now come to draft resolution F, entitled "Revenues derived from Palestine refugees’ properties". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution F was adopted by 113 votes to 2, with 51 abstentions (resolution 49/35 F).
The President #15434
We now turn to draft resolution G, entitled “University of Jerusalem Al-Quds' for Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Israel, United States of America Abstaining: Japan, Russian Federation
The President #15435
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 77.
The President #15436
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 16 of its report (A/49/620). We turn first to draft resolution A. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 85 votes to 2, with 75 abstentions (resolution 49/36 A).*
The President #15437
We turn now to draft resolution B. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution B was adopted by 155 votes to 3, with 5 abstentions (resolution 49/36 B).*
The President #15438
We turn next to draft resolution C. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C was adopted by 145 votes to 2, with 17 abstentions (resolution 49/36 C).*
The President #15439
We turn finally to draft resolution D. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 145 votes to 1, with 15 abstentions (resolution 49/36 D).*
The President #15440
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 78?
It was so decided.

79.  Comprehensive review of the whole question of peace- keeping operations in all their aspects: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/621) The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 49/37).
The President #15441
The Assembly has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of agenda item 79.
The President #15442
The Assembly will take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 11 of its report (A/49/622) and the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 12 of the same document. The Assembly will first take a decision on the two draft resolutions contained in paragraph 11 of the report. Draft resolution I is entitled “Information in service of humanity”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 49/38 A).
The President #15443
Draft resolution II is entitled “United Nations public information policies and activities”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 49/38 B).
The President #15444
We turn finally to the draft decision contained in paragraph 12 of the report (A/49/622). The draft decision, entitled “Increase in the membership of the Committee on Information”, was adopted by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President #15445
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 80?
It was so decided.

81.  Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 (e) of the Charter of the United Nations: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/623)

The President #15446
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its report (A/49/623). A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 166 votes to none, with 3 abstentions (resolution 49/39).
The President #15447
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 81?
It was so decided.

82.  Activities of foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in Territories under colonial domination: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/624) Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/624)

The President #15448
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 8 of its report (A/49/624) and the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of the same document. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America
The draft resolution was adopted by 113 votes to 44, with 6 abstentions (resolution 49/40).
The President #15449
The draft decision is entitled “Military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 114 votes to 48, with 2 abstentions.
The President #15450
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 82?
It was so decided.
The President #15451
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 18.

83.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/625) Report of the Economic and Social Council: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/625)

The President #15452
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its report (A/49/625). The draft resolution is entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
In favour:
The draft resolution was adopted by 119 votes to 1, with 48 abstentions (resolution 49/41).
It was so decided.
The President #15453
The Assembly has concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 12.
The President #15454
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 7 of its report (A/49/626). The draft resolution was adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 49/42).
The President #15455
If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Assembly has concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 84.
It was so decided.

85.  Science and peace: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/627)

The President #15456
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 5 of its report (A/49/627). May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision without a vote?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #15457
We have thus concluded our consideration of agenda item 85.

86.  —

The President #15458
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 3 of its report (A/49/628). May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt this draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #15459
May I take it that it is the Assembly’s wish to conclude this stage of its consideration of agenda item 86?
It was so decided.

148.  The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia: report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/49/630)

The President #15460
Before putting to the vote the draft resolution recommended for adoption under agenda item 86, I call on the representative of Mexico for an explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Macedo MEX Mexico [Spanish] #15461
The Government of Mexico has studied very carefully the draft resolution contained in document A/49/630, on agenda item 148, recommended by the Fourth Committee for adoption by the General Assembly. The draft states that the so-called "occupied territories" - which have been designated United Nations Protected Areas - should be reintegrated into Croatia. The text does indeed contain basic principles on international coexistence that Mexico fully supports, such as recognition of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, respect for its international borders and the appeal to parties to resume negotiations. All of these have been endorsed by the international community and have figured prominently in various resolutions adopted by the Security Council. The Government of Mexico understands Croatia’s desire to preserve its territorial integrity and shares its concern to defend one of the basic principles underlying this Organization. However, we feel that the final solution Accordingly, Mexico felt obliged to abstain in the voting on the draft in the Fourth Committee and will once again abstain in the voting in this plenary meeting. We reiterate here our firm belief that only the parties themselves can resolve their dispute, and we express the hope that next year this item will no longer be on the agenda of the General Assembly.
The President #15462
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 142 votes to 0, with 18 abstentions (resolution 49/43).
The President #15463
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their votes.
Mr. Verdier ARG Argentina [Spanish] #15464
The Republic of Argentina voted in favour of the draft resolution as a means of supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, a country with which we have excellent bilateral relations. Argentina, as a country contributing troops to the United Nations Protection Force, trusts that that peace- keeping force will help to bring a peaceful solution to the dispute in the region through negotiations. In this context, my country, which has a battalion deployed in Croatia, would like to reaffirm its conviction that the impartiality and neutrality of the peace-keeping forces of this Organization must be maintained. As has been pointed out repeatedly, the peace- keeping operations are not an end in themselves. Rather, they are an instrument within the logic of peace, an instrument that it uses in its endeavours to consolidate peace. Their purpose is to facilitate political settlements and overcome violence.
Mr. Ponce ECU Ecuador [Spanish] #15465
The delegation of Ecuador abstained in the voting in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee on draft resolution A/C.4/49/L.4 because of some unclear ideas that the draft contains and because there is insufficient Having obtained additional information, and despite some lack of clarity that still exists in the text, my delegation voted today in favour of the resolution, thereby confirming the paramount importance that Ecuador attaches to the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory through the use of force.
Mr. Granic HRV Croatia #15466
Croatia would like to take this opportunity to express to the General Assembly at this its forty-ninth session deep appreciation for its strong vote of support for Croatia and likewise for its strong vote of confidence in the Charter of the United Nations. We are especially grateful to the 23 sponsors of this resolution. Their geographical dispersion confirms that the resolution is not exclusively about Croatia. For the majority of the Assembly’s Members — the small States — it is a harbinger of well-being and an expression of hope that the well-established principles of international law and standards in managing international relations will not be sold short to barbaric force and aggression at any cost. For Croatia, this resolution is of critical importance. It is the strongest-yet defence of Croatia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Moreover, this document addresses more clearly the responsibility of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for the present situation in some parts of Croatia, and it calls on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cease all activities — military and other — that promote and allow the occupation of sovereign Croatian territory. This support for Croatia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is of critical benefit to the peace process in Croatia. It clearly establishes the course that the international community will pursue. It is no wonder that members of the Contact Group have emphasized to us the value of this document to the peace process in Croatia, especially at this time. The Serbs in Knin should view the resolution as an extension of the three-step negotiating process. Their future is in Croatia. The economic-reintegration package that was signed last week showed that their economic welfare and prosperity is tied to Croatia. Similarly, the benefits of political reintegration into Croatia far outweigh the costs of further isolation, sanctions and war. This is not just about the objectives of my Government but about the will of the international community at its highest level. I say once again that Croatia is grateful for the Assembly’s overwhelming vote. This resolution is not only a clarification of the problem in the occupied territories of Croatia but also a formula for its solution — a formula that will protect Croatia but also maintain the principles enshrined in the Charter of this Organization and the principles that protect the security and welfare of a large majority of the General Assembly’s Members.
The President #15467
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 148?
It was so decided.
The President #15468
The Assembly has before it four draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 27 of its report (A/49/615) and three draft decisions recommended by the Committee in paragraph 28 of the same document. The Assembly will now proceed to take decisions on the various recommendations of the Committee. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have an opportunity to explain their votes. We turn first to the four draft resolutions contained in paragraph 27 of the report. Draft resolution I is entitled “Question of Western Sahara”.
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 49/44).
The President #15469
We now turn to draft resolution II, which is entitled “Question of New Caledonia”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft resolution II without objection. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 49/45).
The President #15470
Draft resolution III is entitled “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 49/46).
The President #15471
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Question of Tokelau”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft resolution IV without a vote? May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 49/47).
The President #15472
We turn now to the three draft decisions contained in paragraph 28 of the report. Draft decision I is entitled “Question of Gibraltar”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft decision I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision I was adopted.
The President #15473
Draft decision II is entitled “Question of Pitcairn”.
Draft decision II was adopted.
The President #15474
We turn now to draft decision III, entitled “Question of St. Helena”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft decision III was adopted by 115 votes to 2, with 50 abstentions.
The President #15475
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 18. The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).

18.  Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (A/49/23 (Parts I- VIII), A/AC.109/1179-1183, 1185-1186, 1188-1195 and 1197) Report of the Secretary-General (A/49/492) Draft resolutions (A/49/L.51, A/49/L.52)

The President #15476
I now call on the Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to introduce the Committee’s report. Mr. Al-Attar (Syrian Arab Republic), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples: As Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration the report of the Special Committee covering its work during 1994, which is contained in document A/49/23. At its forty-sixth session the General Assembly, by adopting resolution 46/181, entitled “International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism”, and the Plan of Action, mandated the Special Committee to undertake a series of activities during the Decade, including the organization of seminars to be held alternately in the Caribbean and Pacific regions during the Decade. During the year, the Special Committee, by meeting between February and September and by holding extensive consultations throughout the year among its members, was able to discharge the tasks thus entrusted to it by the Assembly and to submit appropriate recommendations on all the items referred to it for consideration and reporting. Bearing in mind in particular the specific requests addressed to it by the General Assembly in resolution 48/52, the Special Committee reviewed the implementation of the Declaration relating to the remaining Territories and formulated a series of recommendations with a view to stepping up the pace of decolonization and to facilitating the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples in those Territories. In addition, the Special Committee submitted recommendations specifically relating to activities of foreign economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration; military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration; implementation of the Declaration by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations; and information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter. On the question of publicity to be given the work of the United Nations in the field of decolonization, as reflected in chapter II of its report, the Committee again reiterated the importance of effecting the widest possible dissemination of information on decolonization as an instrument for furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and for mobilizing world public opinion in support of the efforts of the peoples of colonial Territories to achieve self- determination, freedom and independence. Bearing in mind the important role played by non-governmental organizations in the decolonization process and in the dissemination of information on the situation in all the remaining small island Non-Self-Governing Territories, the Special Committee requested the departments concerned to continue their cooperation with those organizations in the dissemination of information on decolonization issues and to provide support to the peoples of those Territories. During the year, in the light of the constructive results achieved, and in keeping with related decisions of the General Assembly, the Committee decided to continue to maintain close contact with the organizations concerned and to participate in the related conferences arranged by those organizations and by other United Nations bodies. The I should like to draw the attention of members to the proposals outlined in section J, “Future work,” of chapter I of the Special Committee's report, which the Special Committee hopes will meet with the Assembly's approval so that it can proceed with the effective discharge of the task that remains to be completed. The Special Committee recommended that the General Assembly renew its appeal to the administering Powers concerned to take all necessary steps for the implementation of the Declaration and the relevant United Nations resolutions, in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples of the Non-Self- Governing Territories. In that connection, the Special Committee, bearing in mind the useful results achieved as a consequence of the active participation of the administering Powers in its work, recommended that the General Assembly again urge the administering Powers to cooperate, or to continue to cooperate, with the Special Committee in the discharge of its mandate and, in particular, to participate actively in its work relating to the Territories under their respective administrations. The General Assembly may also wish to renew its appeal to all States, the specialized agencies and other organizations within the United Nations system to comply with the various requests addressed to them by the United Nations in its resolutions on the question of decolonization. On behalf of the Committee, I commend the report to the attention of the General Assembly. Before concluding, I should like to express to all the members of the Special Committee and, in particular, to Ambassador Fernando Remirez de Estenoz Barciela of Cuba, the Acting Chairman of the Special Committee; to Mr. Andrew Bangali of Sierra Leone, the Vice-Chairman; to Ambassador Amor Ardhaoui of Tunisia, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Small Territories, Petitions, Information and Assistance; and to Ms. Cecilia Mackenna of Chile, the Rapporteur of that Subcommittee, my deep gratitude for the cooperation and support I have received from them, which has greatly facilitated my task as Rapporteur. Mr. Remirez de Estenoz Barciela (Cuba), Acting Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (interpretation from Spanish): As Acting Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, I have the honour to address the Assembly on agenda item 18 of this forty-ninth session. Since an account of the work of the Special Committee has been given by its Rapporteur, Mr. Farouk Al-Attar of the Syrian Arab Republic, I shall confine my remarks to some of the principal developments and the remaining tasks before us in the field of decolonization. Permit me at the outset to express the Special Committee's satisfaction that the last remaining Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau, has acceded to independence and that it will be joining the membership of the Organization during the course of this month of December. The Special Committee looks forward to working closely with the delegation of Palau in the future. During this past year, the Special Committee has given close attention to the particular problems of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, resulting from their small size and population, their isolation from the main markets and their limited resources — as is pointed out in the related conclusions and recommendations in the Special Committee's report. However, it has been a constant concern of the Committee to ensure that those characteristics are not allowed to interfere with or limit in any way the exercise by the peoples of those Territories of their right to make well-informed decisions on their future status. Therefore, it is essential that the administering Powers recognize those rights and shoulder their responsibility to adopt the necessary measures to permit the peoples of those Territories to make their own decisions, freely and without coercion. Furthermore, in the discharge of their primary responsibility as defined in the Charter, the administering Powers should do their utmost to ensure that the economies of the Territories they administer are placed on a sound basis, and to that end they should organize effective development programmes, both bilateral and multilateral, In our view, one particular area of critical importance for our work, namely, the cooperation and participation of the administering Powers in the work of the Special Committee, will require more urgent and serious attention in the future. The experience of the past few years has clearly shown that the Organization's tasks with respect to the small Territories are less onerous when it receives the full cooperation of the administering Powers concerned and when the peoples of the Territories are accorded a genuine opportunity to express their true aspirations. In that respect, the Special Committee continues to attach the utmost importance to the dispatch of visiting missions to the Non-Self-Governing Territories as the best means of securing first-hand information on the situation prevailing in the Territories and on the real opinions of their peoples. It is imperative that the Special Committee obtain that information if it is to fulfil effectively the mandate given to it by the General Assembly. This year, on the invitation of the Government of New Zealand, the administering Power, the Special Committee dispatched a Visiting Mission to Tokelau. An account of that Mission is contained in document A/49/23, which is before the Assembly. In that connection, I should like, on behalf of the Special Committee, to thank Ambassador Amor Ardhaoui of Tunisia for leading that Visiting Mission. I also wish to thank the members of the Mission for the work they accomplished. The Special Committee's appreciation also goes to the Government of New Zealand for its continuing cooperation in the Special Committee's work and in particular for once again enabling the members of the Special Committee to secure first-hand information on the situation in the Territory and to hear the views of the people of Tokelau regarding their future status. It is the hope of the Special Committee that other administering Powers will change their attitude and extend it the same cooperation regarding Territories under their administration, which indeed they have an obligation to do under Chapter XI of the Charter. They would thus be contributing directly to the discharge of the decolonization task of the United Nations. We are almost at the half-way point of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, which the United Nations regards as the time-frame for completing the important task of decolonization. The objective of the Decade can be achieved only through concrete actions based on proposals reflecting the wishes of the peoples of those Non-Self-Governing Territories. In ensuring the successful attainment of the goals of the International Decade and in accordance with its Plan of Action, the Committee will continue to respond to the tasks entrusted to it. To that end, the Committee, in addition to a mid-term review of the Decade, will continue, as in the past, to conduct a thorough review of the issues on its agenda and make appropriate recommendations for further revitalizing its work. In the course of this year I had the honour, as a representative of the Committee, to attend the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing Countries in Barbados and to participate in the Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non- Aligned Countries held in Cairo. It was encouraging to see the strong support given by the Ministers to the Organization’s decolonization process, which was recognized as one of the greatest successes in the history of the Organization. Furthermore, the Final Declaration of the Meeting of the Non-Aligned Countries included a section on decolonization in which the Ministers reiterated their support for the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and reaffirmed that the successful completion of the decolonization process remained a major objective for the Movement. To that end, I hope that we will enjoy, in the Finally, I should like to make a few personal remarks. This year, I was able to rely on the full cooperation of my colleagues in the Special Committee. I wish to express my appreciation to them, particularly to the Vice-Chairman and the other members of the Bureau, as well as to those high-level officials of the Secretariat who have always given us their valuable support. The hard-working staff of the Secretariat who have serviced the Committee throughout the year deserve special mention, as they have decisively contributed to the successes achieved in our work. I also take this opportunity to pay a tribute to Ambassador Lohia of Papua New Guinea, my predecessor as Chairman of the Special Committee, for his work in the cause of decolonization. I wish him well in his career and in his future endeavours. Lastly, having briefly reviewed some of the principal aspects of the work of the Special Committee and in keeping with established practice, I now have the honour, on behalf of the sponsors, to introduce to the General Assembly the two draft resolutions submitted under this item, contained in documents A/49/L.51 and A/49/L.52. I wish to note first of all that Haiti, Mali, Namibia and the United Republic of Tanzania have become sponsors of both draft resolutions. As these two drafts generally reflect the elements I have just outlined, I need not elaborate on their substance. Draft resolution A/49/L.51 addresses the most general aspects of decolonization and, in referring to the mandate of the Special Committee, approves its programme of work for 1995. Draft resolution A/49/L.52 relates to the dissemination of information on decolonization and, in this context, once again stresses the importance of publicity as an instrument for furthering the purposes set forth in the Charter and the Declaration. On behalf of the sponsors, I submit these draft resolutions to the General Assembly and trust that their unanimous approval will reflect the importance which the international community attaches to decolonization and to the attainment of the objectives of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
Mr. Meléndez SLV El Salvador [Spanish] #15477
I am pleased to take part in the debate on agenda item 18 — “Implementation of the Declaration on First, we wish to express our satisfaction at the accession of Palau to independence on 1 October this year. We welcome that country as a Member of our Organization and express our earnest hope that the people and Government of Palau will be able to achieve their aspirations and wishes in the new historic era they have entered. We have no doubt that they will enjoy the generous support of the international community in that endeavour. We also express our satisfaction at the progress made in eradicating other forms of domination, in particular in the elimination of racial discrimination. These are two important steps in the process of eradicating colonialism, which runs counter to the current evolution of civilization. We are five years away from the new century and it is difficult to believe, much less to accept that, despite the great progress made in the economic, political and social development of mankind and in technology, which brings countries and peoples closer together and creates greater interdependence between them, there remain vestiges of colonialism in Territories whose peoples have not been able to exercise the right to self-determination and independence. We believe that there is a consensus among States Members of the Organization on the importance of completing the process of decolonization and the need to do so, since there are solid foundations that compel us morally, politically and legally to honour our international commitments arising from our adherence to multilateral organizations and instruments. Since its inception, the Organization has had responsibilities in the field of decolonization. In Chapters XII and XIII of the Charter, the provisions concerning the international regime for administering Trust Territories have been insufficient for ensuring progress in this process. In 1960, the General Assembly adopted resolution 1514 (XV) on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples. Among other things, it affirms that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights and is contrary to the Charter. It reaffirms the right of peoples to exercise self-determination freely and peacefully and the obligation of States to observe faithfully and strictly the This Declaration stimulated the process of decolonization and, fortunately, the Trust Territories gained their independence, were integrated into the international community and became Members of our Organization. Nevertheless, the process has yet to be concluded. Chapter XI of the Charter, which contains the “Declaration regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories”, establishes that the administering Powers recognize that the interests of the inhabitants of the Territories are paramount and accept the obligation to promote their well-being and to assist them to develop self-government, taking due account of their political aspirations. Many of the Territories covered under this concept have gained independence, but there are still 18 Territories whose status has not changed. In accordance with decisions adopted in our Organization, the Declaration on decolonization contained in resolution 1514 (XV) applies to them. In order to expedite the process, and pursuant to the objectives of the Charter in 1991, the Assembly adopted resolution 46/181, proclaiming the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, whose ultimate goal is to enable the people of every remaining Non-Self- Governing Territory to exercise the right to self- determination pursuant to resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly — freely and without outside pressure in order to end the process of decolonization by the year 2000. Resolution 46/181 contains a plan of action outlining the measures to be taken at the national and international levels, the roles of the United Nations and of the administering Powers, the functions to be carried out by the specialized agencies and other bodies of the United Nations system and the activities of the Special Committee on decolonization to conclude with the presentation of reports containing a study and evaluation of the activities carried out and the measures that apparently had not been implemented or had not achieved the desired results. My delegation is of the view that the elimination of colonialism must continue to be one of the Organization's priorities in this decade, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter, resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions, in particular the resolution that refers to the goals of the International Decade for the Eradication of Considering that we will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations next year and that the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism will be half way through its ten-year period, it would be important to assess the process of decolonization in order to determine how much progress we have made, what obstacles arose during the first five years of the Decade, and the measures to be taken to speed up the process and achieve our objectives. My delegation, in reaffirming the validity of resolution 1514 (XV) and in supporting draft resolution A/49/L.51, feels that the efforts and the political will of the administering Powers are important, as is also the involvement of other interested countries, in establishing the necessary conditions so that the peoples of the Non-Self- Governing Territories can exercise their right to self- determination and independence. In this regard, it is essential that they cooperate both with the Special Committee on decolonization, which has been requested to make recommendations to speed up the process, as well as with the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories themselves, so that they can gain the skills and experience that will enable them to establish their own Governments and achieve independence. Finally, we also express our support for draft resolution A/49/L.52, on “Dissemination of information on decolonization” which, we believe, is essential in providing information on the need to put an end to colonialism and to mobilize public opinion in favour of the process of decolonization. We trust that by the end of this decade we shall have put an end to the vestiges of colonialism, when the Organization and its Member States can feel justly proud of having carried out their responsibilities, thus allowing us to enter the new century with true universality in our Organization.
The President #15478
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. Changes in recorded and/or roll-call votes Subsequent to the voting, the delegation of Bhutan advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour of all of the draft resolutions recommended by the Fourth Committee. Resolution 49/36 A, B, C and D Subsequent to the voting, the delegation of Gambia advised the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.
The meeting rose at 12.55 p.m.
Annex