A/50/PV.82 General Assembly

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1995 — Session 50, Meeting 82 — New York — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 56 unattributed speechs — ⚠ 16 duplicate speechs
▶ This meeting at a glance
67
Speeches
10
Countries
36
Resolutions
Resolutions: A/50/603, 57/60, 57/61, 57/60, 57/61, 31/37, 32/132, A/RES/50/39, A/RES/50/38[B], A/RES/50/28A, A/RES/50/28C, A/RES/50/28D, A/RES/50/28E, A/RES/50/28F, A/RES/50/28G, A/RES/50/29A, A/RES/50/29B, A/RES/50/29C, A/RES/50/29D, A/RES/50/32, A/RES/50/33, A/RES/50/34, A/RES/50/38[A], A/RES/50/40, A/RES/50/38[B-I], A/RES/50/38[B-II], A/RES/50/38[B-III], A/RES/50/38[B-IV], A/RES/50/38[B-V], A/RES/50/38[B-VI], A/RES/50/38[B-VII], A/RES/50/38[B-VIII], A/RES/50/38[B-IX], A/RES/50/38[B-X], A/RES/50/38[B-XI], A/RES/50/38[B-XII]
Topics
UN resolutions and decisions Global economic relations Arab political groupings Security Council deliberations Israeli–Palestinian conflict Human rights and rule of law

In the absence of the President, Mr. Pibulsonggram (Thailand), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/28A Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (145)
Vote: A/RES/50/28C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (147)
Vote: A/RES/50/28D Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (150)
Vote: A/RES/50/28E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/28F Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (98)
Vote: A/RES/50/28G Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (148)
Vote: A/RES/50/29A Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (80)
Vote: A/RES/50/29B Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (147)
Vote: A/RES/50/29C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (144)
Vote: A/RES/50/29D Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (139)
Vote: A/RES/50/32 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (153)
Vote: A/RES/50/33 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (93)
Vote: A/RES/50/34 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (107)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[A] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/40 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (133)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-I] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-II] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-III] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-IV] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-V] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-VI] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-VII] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-VIII] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-IX] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-X] Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-XI] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
Vote: A/RES/50/38[B-XII] Recorded Vote
✓ 146   ✗ 4   3 abs.
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— Abstain (3)
✓ Yes (146)
The meeting was called to order at 10.30 a.m.

82.  Effects of atomic radiation Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/603)

Vote: A/50/603 Consensus

Reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

The Acting President unattributed #23624
This morning, the General Assembly will consider the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on agenda items 82 to 88, 89 and 18, 90 and 12, 91 to 93, and 18. I request the Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee to introduce the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in one intervention. Mr. Breier-Castro (Venezuela), Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (interpretation from Spanish): I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration 13 reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) relating to agenda items 18 and 82 to 93. The first report, contained in document A/50/603, relates to agenda item 82, 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 13 speakers in the general debate, adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution sponsored by 39 delegations. The draft resolution is contained in paragraph 6 of the report and the Fourth Committee recommends its adoption by the General Assembly. The second report, contained in document A/50/604 on agenda item 83, is entitled “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”. The Fourth Committee considered the item in three meetings and heard 19 speakers in the general debate. The Committee, inter alia, endorsed the report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and adopted the draft resolution without a vote. The draft is recommended for adoption by the Assembly and appears in paragraph 9 of the report. The third report, contained in document A/50/605, relates to agenda item 84, entitled “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”. In the general debate, 27 speakers took part and the Committee adopted seven draft resolutions on this item relating to different aspects of the work carried out by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The related seven draft resolutions A to G are contained in paragraph 29 of the report and are recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The fourth report, on item 85, entitled “Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and The fifth report, on item 86, entitled “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects”, is contained in document A/50/607. The Fourth Committee devoted five meetings to and heard 69 speakers on this item. The Committee adopted without a vote a draft resolution, orally amended, which is contained in paragraph 9 of the report. The sixth report, on item 87, entitled “Questions relating to information”, is contained in document A/50/608. After hearing 39 speakers on the item, the Fourth Committee decided, by general agreement, to consider and take a decision at one and the same time on the three draft proposals before it relating to the item. The Committee adopted, without a vote, draft resolutions A and B contained in paragraph 8 and a draft decision which appears in paragraph 9. The Fourth Committee recommends their adoption to the General Assembly. The seventh report, contained in document A/50/609, relates to item 88, entitled “Information from Non-Self- Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations”. The related draft resolution is contained in paragraph 8 and is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The eighth report is contained in document A/50/610 and relates to item 89, “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”. The same report contains a separate decision on the military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration. The related draft resolution on economic activities and the draft decision on military activities are contained in paragraphs 11 and 12, respectively. The Committee recommends these proposals to the General Assembly for adoption. The ninth report, contained in document A/50/611, relates to item 90 of the agenda, “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 The tenth report, in document A/50/612, relates to agenda item 91, “Offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories”. The related draft resolution is contained in paragraph 7 and is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The eleventh report, on “The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia”, is contained in document A/50/613. The related draft decision in paragraph 5 was adopted by the Fourth Committee and is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The twelfth report is contained in document A/50/614 and relates to item 93, entitled “Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations”. The Committee decided to defer consideration of the item to the fifty-first session and its recommendation on the item is contained in paragraph 3. The thirteenth and last report of the Fourth Committee, contained in document A/50/602, relates to those Territories that were not covered by other items on the agenda, which the Committee took up under agenda item 18, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. Set out in the report are two draft resolutions concerning Western Sahara and New Caledonia, respectively, and a consolidated draft resolution on American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands. The Committee’s decision relating to Gibraltar is also set out in the report. In adopting these proposals, the General Assembly would, among other things, reaffirm the inalienable right of the people of those Territories to self-determination and independence and state that it is ultimately for the people of those Territories themselves to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the related draft proposals, contained in paragraph 29. Before concluding, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Chairman of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), Ambassador Francis Kirimi Muthaura of Kenya and the two Vice-Chairmen, Mr. Niall Holohan of Ireland and Mr. Jalal Samadi of the Islamic Republic of Iran, for their guidance and cooperation. I should also like to express my gratitude to the members of the Fourth Committee for the cooperation they extended to me during the session. I also wish to thank the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Ozdinch Mustafa and his colleagues, Mr. Khan and Ms. Fritsche, and other Secretariat members of the Committee for their cooperation and assistance, which facilitated my tasks as Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee and for which I am grateful.

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/50/602)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #23625
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee that are before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/132 Consensus
The Acting President unattributed #23626
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that, under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee.” May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee.
The Acting President unattributed #23629
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/50/603). 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 50/26).
The Acting President unattributed #23631
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 82?

84.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/605)

Vote: 57/60 Recorded Vote
✓ 147   ✗ 2   0 abs.
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (150)
It was so decided.

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/50/23 (Parts I- VII), A/AC.109/2012, 2013 and Corr.1 and Add.1, 2014, 2015 and Add.1, 2016 and Add.1, 2017 and Add.1, 2018, 2019 and Add.1, 2020 and Add.1, 2021-2023, 2025, 2028 and 2029 and Add.1) Draft resolutions (A/50/L.45, A/50/23, Part II, chapter III, para. 9)

Vote: A/RES/50/39 Recorded Vote
✓ 130   ✗ 4   26 abs.
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✓ Yes (130)

83.  International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/604)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #23634
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 9 of its report (A/50/604).
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/27).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #23636
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 83?
Vote: 57/61 Consensus

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/50/605)

Vote: 57/60 Recorded Vote
✓ 144   ✗ 2   7 abs.
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✓ Yes (137)
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #23638
The Assembly will now take a decision on the seven draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 29 of its report (A/50/605). After all the votes have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Assistance to Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Cape Verde, Grenada, Latvia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Norway and the United Republic of Tanzania informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 145 votes to 1, with 1 abstention (resolution 50/28 A).
Vote: 57/61 Recorded Vote
✓ 139   ✗ 1   13 abs.
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (132)
The Acting President unattributed #23641
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 adopted draft resolution B without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 50/28 B).
The Acting President unattributed #23643
Draft resolution C is entitled “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Cape Verde, Grenada, Latvia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Norway and the United Republic of Tanzania informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C was adopted by 147 votes to 2 (resolution 50/28 C).
The Acting President unattributed #23645
We turn next 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 was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 150 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 50/28 D).
The Acting President unattributed #23647
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. [Subsequently, the delegations of Grenada, Mauritania, Mozambique, Norway and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution E was adopted by 146 votes to 2, with 3 abstentions (resolution 50/28 E).
The Acting President unattributed #23650
We come now to draft resolution F, “Revenues derived from Palestine refugees’ properties”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Grenada, Mauritania, Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of Norway had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution F was adopted by 98 votes to 2, with 48 abstentions (resolution 50/28 F).
The Acting President unattributed #23651
We now turn to draft resolution G, entitled “University of Jerusalem Al-Quds' for Palestine refugees”. I call on the representative of Swaziland.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #23652
My delegation had taken a position on draft resolution G, but that position is not reflected in the report. We would therefore to indicate that we have chosen to abstain in the voting on draft resolution G.
The Acting President unattributed #23655
The Secretariat will take note of the explanation of the representative of Swaziland. We will proceed to take action on draft resolution G. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Grenada, Mauritania, Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution G was adopted by 148 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 50/28 G).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #23656
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 84?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #23765
I shall now call upon those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Tejera-París VEN Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela [Spanish] #23769
My delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolutions contained in the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. My delegation wishes to reiterate its full support for and appreciation of the peace process that has been ongoing since the Madrid Conference, in which the framework for negotiations was conceived, and the signing by the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements at Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993 and the subsequent implementation agreements, including the Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, signed at Cairo on 4 May 1994, and the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, signed on 28 September 1995. My Government commends the commitment the parties have shown to implement fully those agreements and continue to advance the peace process. We also wish to express the hope that the favourable development of the process will mean that at the next session it will no longer be necessary for such a draft resolution to be submitted to the General Assembly nor for the item to be considered in the Fourth Committee.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #23772
My delegation maintains its long-standing policy of advocating peaceful dialogue with regard to this subject. Any draft resolution on the Middle East question that ignores the present avenues will not receive the support of my delegation. We continue to urge the recognition of all the peace accords that have been entered into, and we urge all parties to still the noise of guns and turn to the mightiest of all instruments, namely, peaceful discussion and dialogue.
The Acting President unattributed #23774
The Assembly will now take action on the four draft resolutions recommended by the We turn first to draft resolution A. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 69 votes to 2, with 80 abstentions (resolution 50/29 A).
The Acting President unattributed #23776
We turn now to draft resolution B. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution B was adopted by 147 votes to 2, with 4 abstentions (resolution 50/29 B).
The Acting President unattributed #23777
We turn now to draft resolution C. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C was adopted by 144 votes to 2, with 7 abstentions (resolution 50/29 C).
The Acting President unattributed #23778
We turn finally to draft resolution D. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 139 votes to 1, with 13 abstentions (resolution 50/29 D).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #23780
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 85?
It was so decided.

86.  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/50/607)

The Acting President unattributed #24039
The General Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 9 of its report (A/50/607). The Committee adopted this draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/30).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24042
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 86?
It was so decided.

Questions relating to information Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/608)

The Acting President unattributed #24044
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 8 of its report (A/50/608), and on the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 9 of the same document. The Assembly will first take action on the two draft resolutions recommended in paragraph 8 of the report. Draft resolution A is entitled “Information in the service of humanity”. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 50/31 A).
The Acting President unattributed #24046
Draft resolution B is entitled “United Nations public information policies and activities”. The Special Political and Decolonization 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 50/31 B).
The Acting President unattributed #24047
We turn now to the draft decision contained in paragraph 9 of the report. 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 General Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President unattributed #24048
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 87?
It was so decided.

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/50/609)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24050
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/50/609). A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 153 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (resolution 50/32).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24052
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 88?
It was so decided.

89.  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 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/50/610)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24054
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 11 of its report (A/50/610) and on the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 12 of the same document. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “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”.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 93 votes to 51, with 3 abstentions (resolution 50/33).
The Acting President unattributed #24056
We now turn to the draft decision, entitled “Military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 95 votes to 48, with 4 abstentions.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24058
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 89?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #24060
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 18.

90.  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 Economic and Social Council (A/50/611) Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/611)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24061
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/50/611). 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. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 107 votes to none, with 50 abstentions (resolution 50/34).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24063
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 90?
It was so decided.

91.  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/50/612)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24064
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. The draft resolution was adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/35).
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24067
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 91?
It was so decided.

92.  The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/613)

The Acting President unattributed #24069
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. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24070
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 92?
It was so decided.

Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/50/614)

The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24072
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. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President unattributed duplicate #24074
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 93?
It was so decided.
The Acting President unattributed #24076
The Assembly has before it three draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 29 of its report and a draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 30 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 again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to the three draft resolutions contained in paragraph 29 of the report. Draft resolution I is entitled “Question of Western Sahara”. 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? 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 I was adopted (resolution 50/36).
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/37).
The Acting President unattributed #24078
Draft resolution III is entitled “Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, Tokelau, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Mozambique informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 146 votes to 4, with 3 abstentions (resolution 50/38 A and B).
The Acting President unattributed #24080
We turn now to the draft decision contained in paragraph 30 of the report. The draft decision, entitled “Question of Gibraltar”, was adopted by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President unattributed #24081
We have 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).
The Acting President unattributed #24087
The General Assembly will now continue its consideration of the question of the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, as a whole, under agenda item 18. The Assembly has before it the report of the Special Committee (A/50/23) and a number of related documents, as listed in the Journal. The Assembly also has before it a draft resolution that has been issued as document A/50/L.45 and a draft resolution that is contained in Part II, chapter III, paragraph 9 of the report of the Special Committee. I now call on the Rapporteur of the Special Committee, Mr. Farouk Al-Attar of the Syrian Arab Republic, to introduce the Committee’s report. Mr. Al-Attar (Syrian Arab Republic), Rapporteur of the Special Committee: As the Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration of 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 1995 (A/50/23). The report, which relates, inter alia, to agenda item 18, is submitted in accordance with paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 49/89 of 16 December 1994, on the implementation of the Declaration, by which the Assembly requested the Special Committee to continue to seek suitable means for the immediate and full implementation of the Declaration and to carry out those actions approved by the General Assembly regarding the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism in all Territories that had not yet exercised their right to selfdetermination and independence, and in particular to formulate specific proposals for the elimination of the remaining manifestations of colonialism. At its forty-sixth session, the General Assembly, in 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 During the year the Special Committee was able to discharge the task entrusted to it by the Assembly and submit appropriate recommendations on all the items referred to it for consideration and report. Meeting between February and August and holding extensive consultations throughout the year among its members, and bearing in mind in particular the specific request addressed to it by the General Assembly in resolution 49/89, the Special Committee reviewed the implementation of the Declaration relating to the remaining Territories and formulated a series of recommendations with a view to enhancing the path of decolonization and facilitating the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples in those Territories. In addition, the Special Committee submitted recommendations specifically relating to activities of foreign, economic and other interests which impede the implementation of the Declaration, military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration, the implementation of the Declaration by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations and information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter. We note here that the Special Committee devoted considerable attention to the decolonization of the small island Territories. In that connection, the Special Committee was especially mindful of the fact that the United Nations visiting missions had provided effective means of assisting and ascertaining the wishes and aspirations of the peoples regarding their future status in those small Territories. Accordingly, it once again stressed the importance of dispatching such missions to colonial Territories in order to facilitate the implementation of the Declaration. In that respect, the Committee will continue to seek the full cooperation of the administering Powers in ensuring that visiting missions to Territories under their administration can be undertaken. On the question of the publicity to be given to the work of the United Nations in the field of decolonization and as reflected in chapter III 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 provisions of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. It also reiterated its importance for mobilizing all 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 as well as by other United Nations bodies. The objective of those contacts was to facilitate the effective implementation of the decision of the various United Nations bodies and to foster cooperation between the specialized agencies and the regional organizations in their assistance to the Non- Self-Governing Territories in the respective regions. I should like to draw members’ attention to the proposals outlined in chapter I, section J, entitled “Future work”, in order to enable the Committee to proceed with the effective discharge of the tasks that remain 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 continue to cooperate with the Committee in the discharge of its mandate and in particular to participate actively in its work relating to the Territories under their respective administration. The General Assembly may also wish to renew its appeal to all States and to 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.
The Acting President unattributed #24089
I call on the Acting Chairman of the Special Committee, His Excellency Mr. Alimamy Pallo Bangura of Sierra Leone, who will, in the course of his statement, introduce draft resolution A/50/L.45 and the draft resolution contained in Part II, chapter III, paragraph 9, of the report of the Special Committee (A/50/23).
Mr. Bangura SLE Sierra Leone #24092
It is an honour for me to address the Assembly 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. At the outset, allow me to congratulate Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral on his election to preside over the fiftieth session of the General Assembly. My warm felicitations go also to his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Amara Essy, on the efficient manner in which he conducted the affairs of the forty-ninth session. A few weeks ago, at the start of the general debate in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on the item on decolonization, I had the privilege of making a statement in my capacity as Acting Chairman. In that statement, I drew the attention of the members of the Committee to the mandate entrusted to the Special Committee since its establishment in 1961. I also emphasized the progress achieved since then by the Committee. “1. The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and cooperation. “2. All peoples have the right to selfdetermination; by virtue of that right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. “3. Inadequacy of political, economic, social and educational preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying independence. “4. All armed action or repressive measures of all kinds directed against dependent peoples shall cease in order to enable them to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete independence, and the integrity of their national territory shall be respected. “5. Immediate steps shall be taken in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories or all other Territories which have not yet attained independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples in those Territories, without any conditions or reservations in accordance with their freely expressed will and desire, without any distinction as to race, creed or colour, in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom.” (resolution 1514 (XV)) The Declaration, which was adopted without a dissenting vote, was an expression of the world’s desire to speed up the liberation of colonial peoples. It gave new hope of freedom and independence to millions still living under colonial rule. A year after the adoption of the Declaration, the General Assembly established the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The mandate of the Committee is examined every year by the General Assembly after it has reviewed the Committee’s report. Since its establishment, the Committee has carried out its mandate faithfully. Over the years, it has diligently and methodically pursued its task of reviewing the situation in the Non-Self-Governing Territories, hearing petitioners, sending visiting missions to Territories, disseminating information on decolonization with a view to mobilizing public opinion, and making suggestions and recommendations on the progress and extent of the implementation of the Declaration in its reports to the General Assembly and the Security Council, as appropriate. The Special Committee on decolonization has scored outstanding success in the promotion of the exercise by the peoples of the colonial Territories of their fundamental right to self-determination. However, contrary to the belief in certain quarters, this noble mission, as set forth clearly in its mandate, remains unaccomplished. The Committee, in tune with the times, has constantly reviewed its approaches and rationalized its method of work, appropriately adjusting to changing circumstances and improving its efficiency, keeping in step with the whirl of developments in international relations. More recently, particularly with the end of the bipolar world, the Special Committee on decolonization has been noticeably practical, flexible and innovative in its work, as reflected in its recommendations to the General Assembly. However, the Committee has remained conscious of its responsibility and has never lost sight of the interests and welfare as well as the specific needs of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, which have always been and remain paramount. The continuing process has gained renewed impetus since 1991, when the General Assembly adopted resolution 46/181, entitled “International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism”, and a plan of action aimed at ushering in, in the twenty-first century, a world free of colonialism. Paying close attention to the specific needs of each of the Territories, and recognizing the importance of the views of the people concerned and of the territorial Governments, the Special Committee has always encouraged their participation in its work and adopted constructive measures to facilitate that participation. Acknowledging that the remaining Non-Self- Governing Territories, many of which are small island Territories, suffer handicaps arising from the interplay of such factors as their size, remoteness, geographical dispersion, vulnerability to natural disasters, lack of natural resources, and migration, particularly of people with high-level skills, the Special Committee has assiduously concentrated its efforts within the context of the International Decade on the search for specific measures which will promote the development of these Territories. To this end, the Special Committee continues to seek the cooperation of the administering Powers and the assistance of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. Realizing the importance of achieving the goals of the United Nations in respect of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the Special Committee has sought unremittingly over the years to obtain the cooperation of the administering Powers. Now, in the context of the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism by the year 2000, such cooperation has gained added significance, particularly in view of the conviction that visiting missions are important in facilitating the work of the Committee as a means of obtaining first-hand information on colonial Territories and as a means of ascertaining the wishes of the people. In this context, I should like to refer to draft resolution A/50/L.45 entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”, sponsored by Algeria, Chile, Cuba, India, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, the Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe, and the draft resolution contained in document A/50/23, Part II, chapter III, paragraph 9, on the dissemination of information on decolonization. In line with a practical and innovative approach to the work on decolonization, the texts of the draft resolutions have been somewhat modified from last year’s texts in that, while not compromising the interests of the colonial peoples and of the Territories, some of the old usages have been changed to wording that will encourage everyone, including the administering Powers, to adopt the draft resolutions without a vote. I therefore commend the resolutions to the Assembly this morning. In conclusion, let me join the Rapporteur in expressing my profound appreciation to all the members of the Special Committee, to the Secretariat and to everybody else.
Mr. Rai PNG Papua New Guinea #24096
At the outset, I wish to compliment the Chairman of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, Ambassador Francis Muthaura, the Permanent Representative of Kenya, and his Bureau for the expeditious manner in which they have guided the work of the Committee to its efficient conclusion of the agenda items allocated to it by the General Assembly. I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to Ambassador Bangura, the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone who, in his capacity as Acting Chairman, has ably guided the work of the Committee of 24 during the year. My delegation also wishes to express its gratitude to the Secretariat for furnishing the Committee with the various reports before us and also to pay tribute to the many petitioners who have made presentations before the Committee. My delegation fully subscribes to the statement by the Acting Chairman of the Special Political and Since the General Assembly adopted resolution 46/181 of 19 December 1991, entitled, “International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism”, which, inter alia, proclaimed the decade 1990- 2000 as the decade in which colonialism would be eradicated, my delegation, as an active member of the Committee of 24 and current Chair of the Subcommittee on Small Territories, Petitions, Information and Assistance, has been concerned that, with the exception of New Zealand, the administering Power of Tokelau, all other administering Powers of these small Territories have noticeably absented themselves from the work of the Committee. This lack of cooperation from the administering Powers was clearly demonstrated when substantial amendments were introduced in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee by some administering Powers with regard to resolutions emanating from the Special Committee, and in particular on the Committee’s omnibus resolution A/AC.109/2035, without due consultation with the members of the Special Committee of 24. While my delegation welcomes all proposals to improve the work of the Special Committee, it must register its regret at the demonstrated inability of administering Powers to undertake the normal process of dialogue to reach common consensus at the appropriate Committee levels. These actions demonstrate to my delegation that the bypassing of the Committee of 24, which has a Subcommittee dealing with the small Territories, is a clear indication of a lack of will on the part of administering Powers to collaborate with the Special Committee in order to reach common consensus and to expedite a successful conclusion of the responsibilities given to the Special Committee by the General Assembly. Therefore, in that regard, my delegation urges all administering Powers to work closely with the Committee, given the fact that the current membership wishes to ensure that the Committee’s work is progressive, innovative and responsive to the realities of the new international order in relation to special social, economic and political conditions pertaining to the Territories under consideration, and that we do so within the mandate of the Charter and the relevant General Assembly resolutions. The onus is on the Assembly to fulfil its responsibilities under the Charter, in order that people The world is watching the United Nations, whose one area of success is decolonization. Therefore, the United Nations must complete the process of decolonization by the year 2000.
The Acting President unattributed #24100
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this morning. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/50/L.45 and the draft resolution contained in Part II, chapter III, paragraph 9, of the report (A/50/23) of the Special Committee. I shall now call on a representative who wishes to make a statement in explanation of vote before the voting. May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. DeCotiis USA United States of America #24102
The United States deeply regrets that the two draft resolutions on decolonization considered directly in plenary — on dissemination of information on decolonization and on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples — both perpetuate an approach to decolonization that has, quite simply, outlived its usefulness. The United States has praised the success of the United Nations in bringing a full measure of selfgovernment to hundreds of millions of people in scores of Territories throughout the world since the Second World War. We support fully the principles of decolonization that led to that success and take seriously our obligations under the United Nations Charter to promote to the utmost the well-being of the inhabitants of the Territories under United States administration. Support for those principles, however, does not extend to support for resolutions that do not recognize the reality in Territories whose people, in exercising their right to selfdetermination and thereby achieving a full measure of selfgovernment, have long since made clear their satisfaction with their relationship with the United States. Recognition in the third preambular paragraph of the other draft resolution on decolonization of the need for is meaningless if it is not followed by action towards that end. We would certainly welcome such action and would note that the amendments that my delegation proposed to the draft resolution on 12 Territories in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee would have pointed us in the right direction. We are disappointed that the opportunity to move in that direction was lost but were heartened by the closeness of the vote, which we think signalled a recognition that such approaches not only are needed but should be adopted without further ado. Unfortunately, they have not been adopted in the draft resolutions before us today. Regarding the draft resolution on the dissemination of information, the United States sees no need for the United Nations to provide information on the options of self-determination to people of Territories who have exercised their right to self-determination. This is especially true at a time when available United Nations resources are best directed at priority needs. In addition, when members of the Special Committee on decolonization themselves would never agree on which Territories should receive such information, we should not accept their assumption that the people of the United States Territories, for example, need that information. The aspirations of the people in the United States Territories are clear. A series of plebiscites has given the people of Guam ample opportunity to voice their preference on political status. A Commission on Self- Determination was established in 1988 as the vehicle for the elected Government of Guam to use for discussing a proposal for commonwealth status with the United States federal Government. The Commission will ultimately put into effect legislatively the freely-expressed wishes of the people on this matter. In American Samoa, a majority of the Territory’s voters and elected officials have seen no reason to change their current political status as an unorganized, unincorporated Territory of the United States. The United States Government makes periodic inquiries through both the executive and legislative branches, offering to enter into discussions on political status or to hold a referendum. The message we have received in response through the years has been consistent: the people of American Samoa are satisfied with their relationship with the United States and see no reason to change it. And in The United States remains committed to the principles of decolonization. We urge the members of this General Assembly, however, to consider with us whether those principles apply in the vast majority of Territories under consideration. We also urge the members to consider with us whether these draft resolutions accurately portray the situations in the Territories and whether we need to continue operating through the filter of a Special Committee set up more than 30 years ago under circumstances that simply no longer apply. The proud history of United Nations success in the field of decolonization should no longer be marred by resolutions that ignore present-day realities. We would hope that the resolutions and decisions we consider at the fiftyfirst session of the General Assembly will set the record straight and allow us to focus our efforts on the real problems facing these United Nations.
The Acting President unattributed #24104
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/45/L.45, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Paraguay informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A/50/L.45 was adopted by 130 votes to 4, with 26 abstentions (resolution 50/39).
The Acting President unattributed #24105
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution contained in Part II, chapter III, paragraph 9 of the report of the Special Committee (A/50/23), entitled “Dissemination of information on decolonization”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Against: Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [Subsequently, the representative of Paraguay informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
The draft resolution was adopted by 133 votes to 3, with 25 abstentions (resolution 50/40).
The Acting President unattributed #24106
The representative of the United Kingdom has asked to speak in explanation of vote on the draft resolutions just adopted. May I remind him that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Gomersall GBR United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland #24108
Once again, I regret that the delegation of the United Kingdom has found it necessary to vote against the resolutions on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples However, my delegation cannot accept that the request for the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Public Information to publicize decolonization issues is an effective way to spend scarce resources when the Organization is facing a serious financial crisis. In the resolution on the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples there remain unfortunately far too many examples of language that is out of touch with present-day reality. For example, we do not accept that the presence of military bases in our dependent Territories could in any way constitute an obstacle to the granting of independence or impede them from expressing their views on self-determination. The two draft resolutions submitted to this General Assembly do nothing to advance the wishes and interests of the indigenous people of the remaining dependent Territories, which remain the foundation of the British Government’s policies. More generally, my delegation recognizes that the United Nations has a positive and cherished record in the area of decolonization, achieved during its first 50 years, and that the principles upheld by this Organization have an enduring validity. We pay tribute to those who have worked successfully and with goodwill in this field, and we shall continue to fulfil our obligations with regard to the situation in the United Kingdom’s dependent Territories. However, reflecting on all the activities and debates on decolonization issues in the Committee of 24 and in the Fourth Committee, which have culminated in the adoption of the clutch of resolutions this morning, my delegation believes that the cost and effort devoted to these issues are disproportionate to the scale of the real remaining problems. We believe that the United Nations has more important goals, affecting vastly greater numbers of the world’s population, which merit higher priority.
The Acting President unattributed #24110
We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the vote. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 18 as a whole?
It was so decided.

21.  University for Peace

The Acting President unattributed #24170
I call on the representative of Costa Rica to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.42.
Mrs. Castro de Barish CRI Costa Rica [Spanish] #24171
Costa Rica is appearing before the General Assembly at its fiftieth session pursuant to resolution 48/9 of 25 October 1993. We are pleased to have the opportunity to report on events relating to the University for Peace, and on its achievements, during the period 1993 to 1995, as well as on its goals and efforts for world peace in the period leading up to the new millennium. We are all very much aware of the profound changes occurring on the international scene and of the course being taken by the international community to build a new international order, in which interdependence and integration are regarded as essential foundations of the United Nations system. In this climate of transition, the University for Peace is trying, through its academic work and in cooperation with peoples and Governments, to identify viable alternative ways of contributing to the promotion of the new culture of peace, which was initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). There is no doubt that this will have a favourable effect on the quality of life, human development and sustainable development. Its promotion responds to the most worthy and realistic imperative of modern times: “disarming the minds” of men and women Within the “Education for peace” framework, projects have been initiated to reduce tension and to promote and enhance understanding, tolerance and solidarity. The University for Peace will from now on strengthen and expand the programmes that it has been promoting since its establishment, and it will develop them with new approaches in the search for solutions to new situations. An important event for the University occurred during the period under review, when in April 1994 the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, in consultation with the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, named the new Council — the University’s highest authority — in accordance with article 6 of the University’s Charter. The Council held its ninth regular meeting on 3 October 1994. The members of the Council are distinguished personalities who have made important contributions, in the academic, political and economic fields, to world peace. They were chosen on a strict basis of wide geographical, cultural and intellectual distribution. The new Council includes: Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; Mr. Cyrus Vance, former Secretary of State of the United States; Mr. Enrique Iglesias, President of the Inter- American Development Bank; Mr. Hans-Dietrich Genscher, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany; Mr. Alfonso Escamez, former President of the Central Bank of Spain; Mr. Thierry de Montbrial, Director of the French Institute of International Relations; Mrs. Dharma Kumar, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Adviser in India; Mrs. Grace Alele Williams, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Nigeria; Mr. Francis Deng, Director of the Brookings Institute; and Mr. George Abi-Saab, Director of the Geneva Institute for Advanced International Studies. The other Council members are: Mr. Rodrigo Carazo, former President of Costa Rica; Mr. Jaime Montalvo, former Rector of the University; Mr. Nitin Desai, representing the United Nations Secretary-General; Mr. Dimitrio Chitoran, representing the Director-General of UNESCO; Mr. Marcel Boisard, Acting Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research; and Mr. Jacques Fomerand, representing the United Nations University. In the period under review the University for Peace provided two academic training projects at the postgraduate, master’s, level — one in cooperation, development and peace and another in ecology and peace. They were attended by students of international relations from all five continents — 46 students from 23 countries. Some specialized programmes were carried out on social-labour concertation, with emphasis on Central America. The first postgraduate specialist course in labour relations and human resources ended on 15 October 1995; developed by the Institute for Labour Relations, it was attended by 20 Central American students representing trade unions, Governments and employers — the tripartite sector. There was also an international programme of indigenous studies in the context of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. That programme, which enjoyed special support, was begun in January 1994 in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Federated College of Canada; 74 students from 19 countries took part. Academic work in recent years has been intense. Master’s programmes and special courses have been offered in natural resources, human rights, education for peace, the peaceful resolution of disputes, labour relations, sustainable development, peacemaking processes and the culture of peace and democratization, with some 2,500 participants from 36 countries. In commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations the University carried out a programme of activities in 1995, in conjunction with the Costa Rican Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations. Among the academic events at the University were workshops on the International Day of Peace, the role of international agencies in Costa Rica and a study on tolerance and indigenous peoples. In the social sphere, a gala concert was held commemorating the fiftieth anniversary. The University’s Gandhi Centre for audiovisual communications prepared documentaries and disseminated In the past five years information programmes have been developed for “third-age” visitors, who have been given lectures related to the academic purposes of the University. Principal responsibility for this initiative has been undertaken by the Costa Rican Foundation of Friends of the University for Peace, which has provided partial financial support to the University. Some 3,000 persons participated in this programme during the period under consideration. I turn to the University’s infrastructure. The University for Peace is situated in property covering 302 hectares — 700 acres — that it owns. Some 200 hectares covered with unspoilt woodland are used for scientific research and environmental education. The facilities of the University for Peace have been built on the remaining land. In 1993-1994, 16 new lecture halls able to accommodate 500 students were built, being added to the six already in existence. A dormitory unit for 20 persons has also been built, as well as a computer room with 24 terminals and plenty of room for expansion. Although I would like to speak in greater detail about the achievements of the University for Peace, I am aware that statements must be of a reasonable length. Therefore, I now turn to the draft resolution in document A/50/L.42, “University for Peace”, which I am pleased to submit on behalf of my own country, fraternal countries of Central America — El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama — and the other co-sponsors: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Chile, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay and Costa Rica, which have now been joined by Burundi and the Russian Federation. We need to amend the first preambular paragraph of the English text. The Spanish text correctly reads, at the end of that paragraph, after the words “promoción universal”, “dentro del sistema de la Universidad de las Naciones Unidas”. The English text reads: “the universal promotion thereof within the United Nations system”. That is incorrect; “the” should be replaced by “its” and “thereof” should be deleted. The end of the paragraph should now read: “its universal promotion within the system of the United Nations University”. The second and third preambular paragraphs recall the chronology of the resolutions establishing the University for Peace in conformity with the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace. The fourth preambular paragraph recognizes the financial limitations which have impeded the full development of the activities and programmes necessary for carrying out its important mandate. The fifth preambular paragraph recognizes the importance of the assistance given to the University during the period 1993-1995 by Canada, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and Spain, as well as the contributions by foundations and non-governmental organizations. The sixth preambular paragraph notes that in 1991 the Secretary-General, with the assistance of UNDP, established a Trust Fund for Peace consisting of voluntary contributions in order to provide the University with the means necessary to extend its sphere of activity to the rest of the world and to take full advantage of its potential capacity for education, research and support of the United Nations. The seventh preambular paragraph, which is new, notes that the University has placed special emphasis, in the In the eighth preambular paragraph, which is also new, we point out the importance of education for peace to help foster respect for all the values inherent in peace and universal coexistence among human beings, which the University for Peace has been doing and continues to do in the realm of human relations — relations between all those who take part in its programmes, who are students of peace. The ninth preambular paragraph, another new paragraph, is very significant; it refers to the efforts made by UNESCO for the development and promotion of a new culture of peace. We have recognized this in other forums, for education and the culture of peace are, and will continue to be, most important factors in training designed to promote peace — true peace — in the world. With apologies to the other sponsors for not having had the opportunity to consult them in advance, I wish now to read out a new paragraph for the draft resolution, which should appear as the tenth preambular paragraph: “Noting likewise the research activities for international peace and security being carried out by the United Nations University”. This paragraph thus recognizes those important efforts of the United Nations University. By the eleventh preambular paragraph, as newly numbered, the Assembly recalls that Turkey acceded to the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace on 27 November 1995, for which we are deeply grateful. We urge other States to consider doing the same. By the twelfth preambular paragraph the General Assembly recalls that in its resolution 46/11 it decided to include in the agenda of its forty-eighth session and biennially thereafter an item entitled “University for Peace”; it is important to recall this. I have a number of revisions to the operative part of the draft resolution; these are not complicated, but, once There are no changes to operative paragraph 1, which makes reference to an important matter of which I spoke some moments ago, and by which the Assembly reiterates its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the establishment of the new Council of the University for Peace, which held its ninth regular meeting on 3O October 1994. I shall now read out a revised text of paragraph 2, reflecting changes made to gain universal support for the draft resolution: “Requests the Secretary-General to consider ways of strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the University for Peace and to submit a report thereon to the General Assembly at its fiftysecond session”. Accordingly, paragraph 5, which would have requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the implementation of this draft resolution, should be deleted. By paragraph 3, the Assembly invites Member States, non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental bodies as well as interested individuals and organizations to contribute directly to the Trust Fund for Peace and to the budget of the University. As members can see, this draft resolution has no financial implications for the budget of the United Nations, as these contributions would be purely voluntary. In paragraph 4 the General Assembly invites Member States to accede to the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace, thus demonstrating their support of a global institution for peace studies whose mandate is the promotion of a global culture of peace. With the deletion of the current paragraph 5, paragraph 6 will be renumbered as paragraph 5; by this paragraph the Assembly decides to include in the agenda of its fifty-second session the item entitled “University for Peace”. On behalf of the nearly 50 other sponsors of this draft resolution, my delegation urges the General Assembly to adopt it without a vote, and indeed, if possible, by
Mr. Álvarez URY Uruguay [Spanish] #24172
My delegation welcomes this new draft resolution on the University for Peace. In the 15 years since its establishment, the University has pursued and enriched its founding ideals: the achievement of the supreme value of peace through education, with a humanistic outlook and in conformity with the principles of the United Nations. The University’s activities since 1980 have been marked by a firm commitment to those principles and by high academic standards in all the areas in which it has given courses and seminars. Those standards have been achieved thanks to cooperation from the many Member States and non-governmental organizations that have contributed to these important activities. I should like to highlight the generous contribution of Costa Rica, which, as host to the University, provides the infrastructure it needs. Costa Rica, a peace-loving and profoundly pacifist country, is the ideal location for such an institution. Uruguay acceded to the founding Charter of the University and to the International Agreement on its establishment in 1985, and has been a member of the institution since that year, upon parliamentary ratification of the Agreement. Uruguay’s relationship with the University has been a productive one, in both academic and institutional terms. My delegation is pleased that Turkey acceded to the International Agreement in 1995, and reiterates its invitation to other Member States to do likewise as soon as possible. The delegation of Uruguay also supports the request to the Secretary-General to consider ways of strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the University for Peace, which is an institution unlike any other in the United Nations system. It has made important contributions in the areas of conflict prevention, the maintenance and consolidation of peace and the peaceful settlement of disputes. As a sponsor of draft resolution A/50/L.42, my delegation hopes that the General Assembly will adopt it by consensus.
Mr. Larrain CHL Chile [Spanish] #24173
It is a privilege for the Government of Chile to co-sponsor the draft resolution supporting the activities of the University for Peace. My country shares the objective of promoting an international centre for post-university education, research and the dissemination of knowledge relating to training and education for peace. Chile appreciates the work done by the University for Peace in conflict prevention, the maintenance and consolidation of peace and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is fundamental work not only in supporting the most characteristic work of the United Nations, but also in promoting the peace and security of the human person. Promoting a culture of peace is essential today, since on it depend respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence among peoples. World events since the end of ideological confrontation, characterized by the emergence of intra-State conflicts, emphasize the urgent need to deal with the causes of conflicts and international crises and to promote the values of peace. Because justice, development and peace form an indivisible structure, Governments, institutions and individuals must redouble their efforts in this regard. The University for Peace can make a tremendous contribution to the international community. Its academic nature makes it possible to find imaginative ways to promote peaceful coexistence among individuals and nations. Peace and security is a permanent objective, and efforts to achieve it must be stepped up in the short and long term. The University for Peace requires more human and financial resources; the cause of peace demands that it receive them.
Mr. Izquierdo ECU Ecuador [Spanish] #24174
The delegation of Ecuador would like to add its voice to the expressions of support for the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.42, as orally revised, entitled This academic institution must therefore be universal and must increase its educational and research capabilities, thus making it possible to stimulate United Nations activities to promote peace throughout the world, particularly in conflict prevention and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Ecuador, as a co-sponsor of the draft resolution, had supported the request to the Secretary-General to consider the establishment of a cooperation agreement between the United Nations and the University for Peace in order to consolidate the integration of the University within the United Nations system. This would provide an opportunity for more communication and cooperation between the relevant bodies of the United Nations on topics relating to international relations, such as research and the promotion of human rights.
The Acting President unattributed #24175
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this morning. I should like to inform Members that a revised draft resolution will be issued tomorrow, and action on the revised draft resolution will be taken on Friday, 8 December, in the morning, as the first item. Programme of work
The Acting President unattributed #24176
I should like to inform members that tomorrow, 7 December 1995, in the
The meeting rose at 12.50 p.m.
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