A/51/PV.83 General Assembly

Friday, Dec. 13, 1996 — Session 51, Meeting 83 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 10.15 a.m.
Vote: A/RES/51/124 Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (159)
Vote: A/RES/51/126 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (157)
Vote: A/RES/51/127 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (163)
Vote: A/RES/51/128 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (159)
Vote: A/RES/51/129 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (152)
Vote: A/RES/51/130 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (159)
Vote: A/RES/51/131 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (76)
✓ Yes (79)
Vote: A/RES/51/132 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (156)
Vote: A/RES/51/133 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (152)
Vote: A/RES/51/134 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (149)
Vote: A/RES/51/135 Recorded Vote
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (153)
Vote: A/RES/51/136 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (170)
Vote: A/RES/51/138B Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (172)
Vote: A/RES/51/139 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (162)
Vote: A/RES/51/140 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (107)
Vote: A/RES/51/141 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (115)
Vote: A/RES/51/146 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (143)
Vote: A/RES/51/147 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (154)

Reports of the Fourth Committee

The President #21512
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 19, 90 and 12, 91 to 93 and 19. I request the Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee to introduce the reports of the Committee in one intervention. Mr. Doudech (Tunisia), Rapporteur of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(interpretation from Arabic): I have the honour to submit to the General Assembly for its consideration 13 reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) relating to agenda items 12, 19 and 82 to 93. The first report of the Fourth Committee, in document A/51/588, relates to those Territories that were not covered by other items on the agenda, which the Committee took up under agenda item 19, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. Set out in the report are three draft resolutions concerning Western Sahara, New Caledonia and Tokelau and the 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. On a procedural motion by the representative of the United Kingdom, the Committee voted in favour of the motion to defer consideration of the consolidated draft resolution on the small Territories, with the exception of Tokelau, until March 1997. The Committee’s decision relating to Gibraltar is also set out in the report. The Fourth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the related draft resolutions in paragraph 26. The second report, contained in document A/51/589, relates to agenda item 82, “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 34 delegations. The draft resolution is contained in paragraph 8 of the report and the Fourth Committee recommends its adoption by the General Assembly. The third report, contained in document A/51/590, relates to agenda item 83, “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, among other things, endorsed the report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and adopted two draft resolutions without a vote. They are recommended for adoption by the Assembly and appear in paragraph 13 of the report. The fifth report, on agenda item 85, “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/51/592. Sixteen speakers participated in the general debate on the item and the Committee adopted five draft resolutions, which are contained in paragraph 19 of the report. The Fourth Committee recommends those five draft resolutions to the General Assembly for adoption. The sixth report, on agenda item 86, “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects,” is contained in documents A/51/593 and Corr.1. The Fourth Committee devoted five meetings to that item and heard 58 speakers. The Committee adopted, without a vote, an orally revised draft resolution, which is contained in paragraph 15 of the report, and recommends it to the General Assembly for adoption. The seventh report, on agenda item 87, “Questions relating to information”, is contained in document A/51/594. After hearing 45 speakers on the item, the Fourth Committee, decided, by general agreement, to consider and take simultaneous decisions on the two draft resolutions before it relating to the item. The Committee adopted, without a vote, draft resolutions A and B contained in paragraph 8 of the report. The Fourth Committee recommends them to the General Assembly for adoption. The eighth report, contained in document A/51/595, relates to agenda item 88, “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 its adoption. The ninth report is contained in document A/51/596 and relates to agenda 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”, and to agenda item The tenth report, contained in document A/51/597, relates to agenda item 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”, and to agenda item 12, “Report of the Economic and Social Council”. The related draft resolution, which appears in paragraph 8 of the report, is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The eleventh report, in document A/51/598, 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 twelfth report, on agenda item 92, “The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia”, is contained in document A/51/599. The related draft decision, in paragraph 4, was adopted by the Fourth Committee and is recommended to the General Assembly for adoption. The thirteenth and last report of the Fourth Committee is contained in document A/51/600 and relates to agenda item 93, “Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations”. In the draft decision contained in paragraph 4 of the report, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the deletion from its agenda of the item entitled “Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations”. On behalf of the Fourth Committee, I should like to recommend these reports to the attention of the General Assembly. Before concluding, I should like to express my deep appreciation to the Chairman of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), Ambassador Alounkèo Kittikhoun of the Lao People’s I should also like to express my gratitude to the members of the Fourth Committee for the cooperation they extended during to me during the session. In particular, I wish to thank the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Abdur Razzaque Khan, his colleagues and other Secretariat members of the Committee for their cooperation and assistance, especially in the preparation of documentation, which greatly facilitated my tasks as Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee and for which I am grateful.
The President #21513
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 (Fourth Committee) that are before it today.

83.  International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(A/51/590)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
It was so decided.

85.  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/51/592)

Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 79   ✗ 2   76 abs.
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— Abstain (76)
✓ Yes (79)

19.  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/51/588)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President #21514
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that, under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that: “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee”. May I also remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee), I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner 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 (Fourth Committee).

82.  Effects of atomic radiation Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(A/51/589)

The President #21515
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 8 of its report (A/51/589). The Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/121).

86.  Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(A/51/593 and Corr.1)

Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The President #21516
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 82?
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 156   ✗ 2   3 abs.
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✓ Yes (152)
It was so decided.

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/51/591)

Vote: 57/60 Recorded Vote
✓ 157   ✗ 2   1 abs.
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✓ Yes (157)
The President #21517
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 13 of its report (A/51/590). The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) adopted draft resolution I, “Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 51/122).
Vote: 31/100 Recorded Vote
✓ 152   ✗ 2   6 abs.
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✓ Yes (152)
The President #21518
The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) also adopted draft resolution II, “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space,” without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Vote: A/51/588 Consensus
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 51/123).
Vote: 57/61 Consensus
The President #21519
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude it consideration of agenda item 83?
It was so decided.
Vote: 32/95 Recorded Vote
✓ 149   ✗ 2   8 abs.
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✓ Yes (140)
The President #21520
The Assembly will now take a decision on the seven draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 22 of its report (A/51/591). After all the votes have been taken, representatives will again have an opportunity to explain their votes. We turn first to draft resolution A, “Assistance to Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 159 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions (resolution 51/124).
The President #21521
We now turn to draft resolution B, “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: 31/169 Recorded Vote
✓ 153   ✗ 1   9 abs.
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✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (107)
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 51/125).
The President #21522
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 Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C was adopted by 157 votes to 2, with 1 abstentions (resolution 51/126).
The President #21523
We turn next to draft resolution D, “Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 163 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 51/127).
The President #21524
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 Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution E was adopted by 159 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 51/128).
The President #21525
We turn now to draft resolution F, “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution F was adopted by 152 votes to 2, with 6 abstentions (resolution 51/129).
The President #21526
We now turn to draft resolution G, “University of Jerusalem Al-Quds' for Palestine refugees”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution G was adopted by 159 votes to 3, with 1 abstention (resolution 51/130).
It was so decided.
The President #21527
The Assembly will now take a decision on the five draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 19 of its report (A/51/592). After all the votes have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution I, “Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 79 votes to 2, with 76 abstentions (resolution 51/131).
The President #21528
We turn now to draft resolution II, “Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.] A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mali, Mozambique and Namibia informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution II was adopted by 156 votes to 2, with 3 abstentions (resolution 51/132).
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution III was adopted by 152 votes to 2, with 6 abstentions (resolution 51/133).
The President #21529
We turn now to draft resolution IV, “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mali, Mozambique and Namibia advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution IV was adopted by 149 votes to 2, with 8 abstentions (resolution 51/134).
The President #21530
Lastly, we shall turn to draft resolution V, “The occupied Syrian Golan”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Mali, Mozambique and Namibia advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution V was adopted by 153 votes to 1, with 9 abstentions (resolution 51/135).
The President #21531
I shall now call upon the representative of Swaziland, who has asked to make a statement in explanation of vote.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #21532
My delegation does not intend to cause any troubles with regard to the President’s tight schedule. However, I feel I would not have done my duty were I not to explain my delegation’s votes. It should be noted that in the Fourth Committee, my delegation participated only half way owing to some changes in the delegation. As a result, we might appear to be more active in the plenary meeting. However, we have gone through the documents, and the positions we are taking here are a reflection of our country’s policy and our positions. In the voting on draft resolutions in which my delegation has abstained, we did so because we are convinced that the parties involved therein should continue to allow negotiations and diplomacy to prevail.
It was so decided.
The President #21533
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 15 of its report. The representative of the United States of America has asked to make a statement in explanation of vote before the voting, and I now call upon him.
Mr. Robinson USA United States of America #21534
The United States has actively participated in the work the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and believes that the report of that Committee, document A/51/130, contains highly worthwhile recommendations. However, the United States stresses that it is essential that any recommendation of the Committee that has budgetary implications be implemented within already-appropriated funding levels. My Government understands that, in the absence of specific proposals for implementing elements in the report of the Special Committee, there are no financial implications associated with this draft resolution. In view of that situation, the United States can now join the consensus in support of the draft resolution. However, we will not be able to support any future proposals to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations unless they can be accommodated within existing resource levels.
The President #21535
We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote before the voting. We shall turn first to draft resolution I, “Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects”.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #21536
We next turn to draft resolution II, “Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel”. The Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 51/137).
The President #21537
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.

87.  Questions relating to information Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(A/51/594) Amendment (A/51/L.61)

The President #21538
The Assembly has before it draft resolutions A and B, recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 8 of its report. In connection with draft resolution B, the Assembly also has before it an amendment submitted by Costa Rica and circulated in document A/51/L.61. I call upon the representative of Costa Rica to introduce the amendment in document A/51/L.61.
Mr. Sáenz CRI Costa Rica on behalf of Group of 77 and China [Spanish] #21539
Costa Rica, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, proposes the deletion of operative paragraph 29 of draft resolution B in document A/51/594. The Group of 77 and China is of the view that operative paragraph 29 establishes an unusual and difficult procedure without specifying who will be responsible for its implementation. That might have a negative impact on resolutions relating The Group of 77 and China is also of the view that paragraph 29 appears to give the draft resolution a legal nature different from that of other resolutions the General Assembly has adopted, and it also seems to limit the Assembly’s authority to decide on each draft resolution separately. The most important thing about operative paragraph 29 is that it contradicts the general position of the Fifth Committee and of its Chairman — one that is strongly supported by the Group of 77 and China — that financial considerations should be left up to the Fifth Committee and should not be included in draft resolutions adopted by Committees other than the Fifth. The Group of 77 and China has always tried to support decisions adopted in the various Committees. Nevertheless, we are introducing this amendment for the reasons I have just given. We hope that it will be adopted without a vote in order to maintain consensus on the draft resolution as a whole.
The President #21540
I now call upon those representatives wishing to make statements in explanation of vote before the voting.
Mr. Holohan IRL Ireland on behalf of European Union #21541
On behalf of the European Union, we will be calling for a recorded vote on this particular amendment. I should like to take this opportunity to make the following explanation of our position in relation to the proposal the representative of Costa Rica has just introduced to delete operative paragraph 29 of draft resolution B. The European Union is deeply attached to the consensus that has existed on all draft resolutions emanating from the Committee on Information in recent years. The draft resolutions before us today were adopted by consensus at the Committee’s eighteenth session last May after difficult negotiations involving experts representing all segments of the international community. That consensus was confirmed only six weeks ago in the Fourth Committee. We believe that it is quite improper that the consensus should now be called into question at this late stage. Operative paragraph 29 of the draft resolution in question does not contain any hidden or subversive implications. It has been included, in our view, merely to assist good administrative practice on the part of the Department of Public Information. Fears regarding the unintended effects of operative paragraph 29 are completely The appropriate place for discussion and negotiation of issues such as those contained in operative paragraph 29 is not here in the General Assembly but, rather, among the information experts who will be meeting again at the nineteenth session of the Committee on Information in only five months’ time. The European Union, accordingly, calls ardently on all delegations to reject the proposal to delete operative paragraph 29. We appeal to all to maintain the consensus that was achieved after such lengthy deliberations by the appropriate experts last May. Let us not undo their handiwork, and let us not create further divisions between us when none need exist.
Mr. Robinson USA United States of America #21542
We are being asked today to reject a consensus agreed to twice by Member States in order to indulge in meaningless political theatre that does nothing to advance the cause of the proponents but has the effect of undermining months of careful negotiation by our United Nations delegations. That is why we so strongly oppose the decision of the Palestinian delegation to proceed with this amendment. The impact would be to strike language negotiated and agreed at the Committee on Information and in the Fourth Committee and that reflects the concern of all Members to rationalize the work of the Department of Public Information, to ensure that the Department is able to use its allocated resources in the most effective way possible and that its mandates can be adequately funded. For these reasons, the Department of Public Information has consistently and strongly supported the inclusion of this paragraph in the draft resolution. The section of the draft resolution that this amendment would delete does nothing more than encourage greater transparency and accountability in the Department’s budget process. It would ensure that the Department is better able to fulfil the mandates given to it by the General Assembly. At no stage in the drafting or debate process in either Committee was any concern expressed that the To make this point clear, we proposed to the Palestinian delegation this week a simple amendment, the insertion of the words “to the maximum extent possible” after the first two words of the paragraph. That change would have made it possible for the draft resolution to remain a consensus text rather than lead to the divisive vote we are about to take. Unfortunately, this change was not acceptable to the Palestinian delegation, which insisted on the deletion of the entire paragraph. We repeat that this paragraph is not aimed at, and will not have a negative impact upon, any particular mandate of the Department of Public Information. It is purely an effort to assist the Department in carrying out its mandates and to maximize the transparency that should be the basis of all of our work at the United Nations. The amendment is misplaced and misconceived, and it reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the United Nations legislative process. These are the reasons that we will vote against the proposal to delete operative paragraph 29, and we urge others to do the same.
Mr. Maximov BGR Bulgaria on behalf of my delegation and in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Information #21543
I should like to make a statement on behalf of my delegation and in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Information. First of all, I should like to express full support for the statements made by the representative of Ireland, on behalf of the European Union, and the representative of the United States of America in explanation of vote before the voting. I should also like to say how unfortunate, in my opinion, I find the proposal made by the Group of 77 and China at this late stage of our work. They are represented in the extended Bureau of the Committee and they actively participated in the Bureau’s long and tireless work on the draft resolution. I regret to say that, in my opinion, it is not only a bad precedent, but also one that could have a negative impact on the Committee’s future work.
The President #21544
The Assembly will first take a decision on draft resolution A, “Information in the service The Fourth 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 51/138 A).
The President #21545
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution B, recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 8 of its report, and on the amendment thereto, contained in document A/51/L.61. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly will first take a decision on the amendment, which, if adopted, would delete operative paragraph 29 of draft resolution B, and subsequent paragraphs would be renumbered accordingly. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The amendment was adopted by 101 votes to 55, with 5 abstentions.
The President #21546
We shall now take a decision on draft resolution B, contained in paragraph 8 of the report (A/51/594), as amended. Draft resolution B is entitled “United Nations public information policies and activities”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution B, as amended, was adopted by 172 votes to none, with no abstentions (resolution 51/138 B).
The President #21547
I now call upon those delegations wishing to make statements in explanation of vote after the voting.
Mr. Gorelik RUS Russian Federation [Russian] #21548
The delegation of the Russian Federation voted against the amendment in document A/51/L.61 deleting operative paragraph 29 of draft resolution B (resolution 51/138 B) on United Nations public information policies and activities, contained in document A/51/594. We voted against the amendment with regret. We believe that the text of the resolution should have been maintained as agreed in the Committee on Information and in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee Based on our position of principle that the regular United Nations budget must not be exceeded, we believe it that new mandates in any area of United Nations activity, including those related to information, can be assigned only within existing resources.
Mr. Koziy UKR Ukraine #21549
The delegation of Ukraine voted against the proposal to delete operative paragraph 29 of the resolution on United Nations public information policies and activities submitted by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) under agenda item 87, “Questions relating to information”. The delegation of Ukraine is very concerned by the fact that the consensus that existed for many years on resolutions relating to information has been broken. This has created a bad precedent in the decision-making process in the General Assembly. Our delegation wishes to recall that the decision to include the aforementioned paragraph was adopted by consensus at the eighteenth session of the Committee on Information and by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) at the current session of the General Assembly. Therefore, our decision was based purely on procedural points and can in no way be viewed as an act against any country.
The President #21550
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 87?
It was so decided.

88.  Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations

The President #21551
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 8 of its report (A/51/595). A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 162 votes to none, with 7 abstentions (resolution 51/139).
The President #21552
May I take it that the Assembly wishes 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/51/596)

The President #21553
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 12 of its report (A/51/596) and on the draft decision recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 13 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution, “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 has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 107 votes to 49, with 4 abstentions (resolution 51/140). [Subsequently, the delegation of Burundi informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
The President #21554
We now turn to the draft decision, “Military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration”. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, 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, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, 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 Abstaining: Mauritania, Micronesia (Federated States of), Palau, Republic of Korea, Uzbekistan
The draft decision was adopted by 109 votes to 47, with 5 abstentions.
It was so decided.
The President #21555
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 19.

90.  and agenda item 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 Report of the Economic and Social Council Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(A/51/597)

The President #21556
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 8 of its report (A/51/597). 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.
The draft resolution was adopted by 115 votes to none, with 51 abstentions (resolution 51/141).
The President #21557
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.
The President #21558
The Assembly has concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 12.

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/51/598) 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 A/51/142).
The President #21559
May I take it that the General Assembly wishes 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/51/599)

The President #21560
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 4 of its report (A/51/599). May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #21561
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.

93.  Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations Report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)(A/51/600)

The President #21562
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 4 of its report (A/51/600).
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #21563
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 President #21564
I would like to inform the General Assembly that I have been conducting consultations with interested delegations concerning agenda item 19, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,” and in particular the draft resolution concerning the 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. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) decided on 22 November to defer consideration of the draft resolution until March of next year. I have been assured by the administering Powers concerned that the reason for their proposal for a deferral of consideration of the draft resolution was to give them and the Special Committee on the situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples more time to continue the informal dialogue initiated and coordinated by the Chairman of the Fourth Committee. The administering Powers have confirmed that it is not their intention that this dialogue should jeopardize the continuation of the work of the Special Committee relating to the Non-Self-Governing Territories in question and that issues involved would be considered in the context of the informal consultations. To those ends, the parties have agreed that their informal discussions will resume at a certain date early in January, to be scheduled by the Chairman of the Fourth Committee, and will continue until 20 March 1997, when As a result of those assurances, the Acting Chairman of the Special Committee has informed me that the Special Committee can accept the decision of the Fourth Committee to defer consideration of the draft resolution until March and is ready to continue the informal dialogue under the coordination of the Chairman of the Fourth Committee, with the Special Committee’s hope that the administering Powers will cooperate with the Special Committee in discharging its responsibilities mandated by the General Assembly. I now call on the Chairman of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) on a point of order. Mr. Kittikhoun (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) Chairman of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee): In recent days, there have been various interpretations of the informal talks I have conducted. For the sake of transparency and for the record, I should like to make the following statement, since I believe that Member States have a right to know what has happened and what is happening now. First, as to the reasons why I took the initiative of conducting informal talks between the administering Power and the Committee of 24: As Chairman, I thought it my duty to resolve the issue insofar as possible, before it came up before the Committee. I picked on the omnibus draft resolution because I had thought that there was a chance that we could solve it. The objective of the informal talks was, first, to start a process of cooperation between the parties concerned: the administering Power and the Committee of 24. I know that the issue is a delicate and sensitive one. I first sought out, privately, the opinions of the parties concerned. At one point, I even thought of abandoning the idea, but I found that the parties themselves had come to realize that they too were willing to engage in informal talks. I imposed nothing on the parties concerned; I had no pressure to exert. They took a decision on their own; came to me and said that they, too, were willing to engage in informal talks. As Chairman, I have observed strict neutrality and impartiality. I did not side with either party’s interpretation. I merely brought the issue before the Fourth Committee for consideration and guidance and, as we all know, the Fourth Committee, upon the motion of the United Kingdom, decided to defer action on the omnibus draft resolution until March 1997. That is the situation as it occurred. Today, as a result of the President’s efforts and consultations, the parties have agreed to continue dialogue until 20 March 1997, with myself again acting as coordinator, to resolve the issue. To be honest, I thought that I had already failed. If I am asked to try again, I shall accept the responsibility but, with all due respect to all Member States here present, in this exercise I would very politely issue the warning that I need, first, seriousness, reliability and, above all, the sincere cooperation of all the parties. This is an important issue. The interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories are involved. We all have to do our utmost to preserve and defend them. This is a historic responsibility. As coordinator, I promise to do my best and I will report the results of this informal dialogue to the Fourth Committee at the scheduled time. Let me assure the President that I, like him, try always to be on time and that in this regard I will not fail.
The President #21565
The Assembly will now take decisions on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Fourth Committee in paragraph 26 of its report (A/51/588) and on the draft decision recommended by the Committee in paragraph 27.
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 51/143).
The President #21566
Draft resolution II is entitled “Question of New Caledonia”. The Fourth Committee adopted draft resolution II without objection. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 51/144).
The President #21567
Draft resolution III is entitled “Question of Tokelau”. The Fourth Committee adopted draft resolution III without objection. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 51/145).
The President #21568
We now turn to the draft decision, “Question of Gibraltar”, contained in paragraph 27 of the report. The draft decision was adopted by the Fourth Committee without objection. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #21569
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 19. The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) before it.

19.  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/51/23 (Parts I- VIII), A/AC.109/2041 and Corr.1, 2042, 2043, 2044 and Add.1, 2045, 2046, 2047 and Add.1, 2048, 2049 and Corr.1 and 2, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054 and Add.1, 2055, 2056, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065) Draft resolutions (A/51/L.51, A/51/23, Part II, chapter III, para. 9) Amendment (A/51/L.46)

The President #21570
I call on the Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to introduce the Special 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 (A/51/23) of the Special Committee covering its work during 1996. The report, which relates, inter alia, to item 19 of the agenda, is submitted in accordance with operative paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 50/39 of 6 December 1995 on the implementation of the Declaration, in 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 self- determination 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, by adopting resolution 46/181, “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, among others, the organization during the Decade of seminars in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, alternately. During the year, the Special Committee was able to discharge the tasks entrusted to it by the Assembly and to submit appropriate recommendations on all the items referred to it for consideration and report by meeting between February and July and by holding extensive consultations throughout the year among its members. 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. During the year, the Special Committee devoted considerable attention to the decolonization of the small island Territories. In that connection, the Special Committee was especially mindful of the fact that United Nations visiting missions had provided effective means of assessing 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 Special Committee will continue to seek the full cooperation of the administering Powers so that visiting missions to Territories under their administration could be undertaken. On the question of publicity to be given to the work of the United Nations in the field of decolonization, 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 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and for mobilizing world public opinion in support of the peoples of colonial Territories in their efforts to achieve self- determination, freedom and independence. Bearing in mind the important role being 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 During the year, in the light of the constructive results achieved and in keeping with related decisions of the Assembly, the Special Committee decided to continue to maintain close contact with the organizations concerned and to participate in the related conferences arranged by them and by other United Nations bodies. The objective of such contacts was to facilitate the effective implementation of the decisions of the various United Nations bodies and to foster cooperation between the specialized agencies and those regional organizations in their assistance to the Non-Self- Governing Territories in those regions. I should like to draw the attention of members to the proposals outlined in section J of chapter I, “Future work,” which the Special Committee hopes will meet with the Assembly’s approval, in order to enable it to proceed with the effective discharge of the task that remains to be completed. The Special Committee recommended that the General Assembly renew its appeal to the administering Powers concerned to take all necessary steps for the implementation of the Declaration and the relevant United Nations resolutions, in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples of the 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 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 Special Committee, I commend the report to the attention of the General Assembly. Before concluding, permit me to express to all of the members of the Special Committee, and in particular to Ambassador Utula Utuoc Samana of Papua New Guinea, Acting Chairman of the Special Committee; to Ambassador I also wish to thank Mr. Abdur-Razzaque Khan and his colleagues and other associated members of the Secretariat for their assistance, which facilitated my task as Rapporteur.
The President #21571
I now call upon the Acting Chairman of the Special Committee, Mr. Utula Utuoc Samana of Papua New Guinea, who will in the course of his statement introduce draft resolution A/51/L.51 and the draft resolution in paragraph 9, part II, chapter III, of the report (A/51/23) of the Special Committee.
Mr. Samana Acting Chairman, Special Committee on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples #21572
It is an honour for me to address the General Assembly in my capacity as Acting Chairman of the Special Committee on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Please allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your outstanding and effective leadership in presiding over the work of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. I am speaking today to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/51/L.51 on the question of the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which is sponsored by Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Fiji, Grenada, Indonesia, the Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and my own country, Papua New Guinea. While adhering to the principles inherent in the Declaration, the Special Committee has in recent years considered the question of decolonization in a more realistic and pragmatic manner, taking into account the prevailing international situation as well as recognizing the specific requirements and conditions that exist in the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. During the fiftieth-anniversary celebrations of the United Nations, world leaders recognized decolonization as one of the greatest achievements of the Organization. Should this world body, after having achieved so much in the field of decolonization, ignore the plight of the peoples of the remaining 17 Non-Self-Governing On the basis of the existing mandate of the United Nations and the moral responsibilities incumbent upon us, the agenda on decolonization should deserve some degree of recognition and priority with respect to the defence of the rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. I am sure that the Assembly will continue to stand firm, as it has always done, in fulfilling its obligations in the field of decolonization. The peoples of the remaining 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, through their elected representatives, have consistently and rightfully called upon the United Nations to maintain vigilance and, specifically, to urge the international community to focus particularly on the social, economic and political developments of their Territories in a manner that will facilitate their progress towards self- determination. The international community, and the Administering Authorities in particular, have an obligation under the legal and customary norms of the United Nations to implement the goals of the Declaration. Where Administering Authorities have cooperated with the work of the Special Committee, both in terms of participating in its formal sessions and in allowing visiting missions to visit the Territories to ensure transparency in the implementation of the requirements of the Decade, much progress has been achieved in assisting the constitutional, political and economic development of the Territories, thereby enabling the peoples of the Territories to gain greater autonomy and responsibility in governing themselves. In this connection, I should like to pay tribute to the Government of New Zealand, as Administering Authority over the Non-Self-Governing Territory of Tokelau, for its outstanding and exemplary effort in assisting the constitution and political development of that Territory. Some have argued that, given the changing international climate and the difficulties faced by many of these Territories, complete independence may not be viable and that therefore the question of decolonization may be a non-priority, and that the international community may be wasting time and energy in considering these issues. The Special Committee is fully aware of the impediments that may limit the options for full and complete independence, but they should not therefore be used as a rationale for maintaining colonial situations. They should not be used as an excuse to undermine and deprive peoples of the Territories concerned of their ability to gain their rightful political status and autonomy, to control and develop their resources and to pursue development goals and objectives suited to their political, economic and cultural interests. The Special Committee has, however, made serious efforts to look at options that are more suited to meeting the circumstances of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories; this would not have been possible without the product of the work of the regional seminars. The principles inherent in the Declaration are specific and clear on the question of the right of peoples freely to determine their international political status in accordance with their own wishes. Within the framework of the Declaration, the Special Committee is entrusted with the task of continuously seeking suitable ways and means of implementing the requirements of the Declaration, with the cooperation of the administering Powers. The Special Committee has continued to carry out its mandate judiciously and faithfully. Over the years, it has diligently pursued its task of reviewing the situation in the Non-Self-Governing Territories, hearing petitioners, sending visiting missions to the Territories, disseminating information on decolonization with a view to mobilizing public opinion and making suggestions and recommendations on the progress and the extent of the implementation of the Declaration and reporting to the General Assembly. This noble mission of eradicating colonialism remains unaccomplished. The Special Committee has constantly reviewed its approaches and rationalized its In its endeavour to keep up with changing circumstances and situations the Special Committee, however, has remained conscious of its ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and protecting the interests and welfare of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, guided by their specific needs and aspirations. The adoption by the General Assembly in 1991 of a plan of action for the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism gave further impetus to the work of the United Nations in the process of eradicating colonialism. The International Decade’s specific Plan of Action is aimed at ushering in the twenty-first century, a world free of colonialism. While the General Assembly has repeatedly reaffirmed that such factors as population size and remoteness should not prevent the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories from freely exercising their rights to self-determination, the Special Committee is also cognizant of the fact that complete decolonization by the year 2000 will require innovative and realistic solutions that can be achieved only with the cooperation and active participation of the administering Powers in the work of the Special Committee. The Special Committee has, in a spirit of cooperation, entertained a number of amendments proposed by the Administering Authorities and other interested parties, in particular the European Union, with respect to resolutions relating to decolonization. The Special Committee will continue to open its doors to dialogue and consultation in order to reach consensus and cooperation with the Administering Authorities, which we all believe is critical in facilitating a speedy process for achieving the objectives of decolonization. However, such dialogue and consultation must be done with a clear objective of serving the interests of the peoples concerned, interests that the international community is obligated to uphold. Dialogue and consultation must be focused on how best we can collectively pursue the process of decolonization within the framework of the legal and customary norms of the United Nations and not aimed at redefining and shifting basic principles to suit other interests that may be contrary to the wishes of the peoples. In conclusion, I should like to propose that the Assembly adopt the draft resolution as presented on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and in the light of the changing mood to improve cooperation and consultations between all parties, I should like to urge further that we adopt the draft resolution without a vote.
The President #21573
I now call upon the representative of Ireland to introduce an amendment (A/51/L.46) to the draft resolution contained in Part II, chapter III, paragraph 9, of the report of the Special Committee.
Mr. Holohan IRL Ireland #21574
It is not out of any desire for confrontation with the Special Committee on Decolonization that the European Union has put forward its amendment (A/51/L.46) to the draft resolution relating to the dissemination of information on decolonization (A/51/23(Part II), para. 9). We merely wish to recognize the role that is in fact being played by the administering Powers in transmitting information under Article 73 e of the Charter. The purpose of our amendment in this instance is not to attempt to destroy the substance of the draft resolution but rather to improve it and to bring the text more into line with the realities of the current situation. Accordingly, we urge all delegations to support our amendment, which is aimed simply at making the draft resolution before us more acceptable to a wider segment of the international community.
Mr. Núñez Mosquera CUB Cuba [Spanish] #21575
Tomorrow will be the thirty-sixth anniversary of the adoption by the Assembly of resolution 1514 (XV), which contains the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Since that time, many countries have gained independence and become Members of the Organization. However, barely four years prior to the year 2000, at a time when we are almost at the threshold of the It is said that the cold war has ended, but in the past few years the process of decolonization has not advanced, and the eradication of colonialism continues to be one of the United Nations priorities. It is for that reason that barely eight years ago we adopted here resolution 43/47, which declared that the decade that began in 1990 would be the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. The administering Powers were urged to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee without delay the right to self- determination of peoples under their administration, including their right to independence. However, the delay has been inordinately long. In fact, there are still administering Powers that are not cooperating with the work of the Special Committee. Even today, we have had clear proof of this in the results of the votes on questions of decolonization. The official and formal failure — I repeat, official and formal — of some administering Powers to participate in the work of the Special Committee has very negative repercussions on that Special Committee’s work and has kept unavailable an important source of information on what is happening in the Territories they administer. But that is not the only problem. Formally to ignore the work being done by the Special Committee is to disregard obligations assumed under the Charter of the United Nations and a flagrant violation of the human right to self-determination of the peoples of the Non-Self- Governing Territories. The right of peoples to self- determination is an inalienable human right enshrined in a variety of international documents, including the Vienna Declaration, but some prefer to ignore it or simply forget that it exists. The United Nations has a responsibility with regard to the people of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, and the machinery available for that purpose is the Special Committee on Decolonization. Hence, the importance of respect for the work of that Special Committee and of ensuring that it is able to work unhindered. Hence, the importance of not wasting the vital resources the Special Committee must rely on. Hence, the importance of avoiding recourse to procedural manoeuvres to prevent the Special Committee from carrying out its mandate. It is important that all of this be brought out into the open, that it be made known so that the international community can identify the obstacles. How else can we interpret some of the amendments that have emerged in recent days, amendments designed to eliminate all reference to the principle of the self- determination of peoples or any reference to the need to put an end to colonialism by the year 2000? How else can we construe the efforts some are making to avoid the holding of seminars on decolonization, to do away with United Nations visiting missions to Non-Self-Governing Territories or to see to it that the Organization’s medium- term plan for 1998-2001 does not include a subprogramme on decolonization with adequate and clear content? We see such things happening in the United Nations on a daily basis. Indeed, the process has been taken to such an extreme that the activities of the Special Committee have been denounced to the Office of Internal Oversight Services — with no knowledge of from whence the claims have come and without any consultation with members of the Special Committee or the Secretariat. A surreptitious investigation has been launched that has included interference in the activities of sovereign and independent States. Are we going to continue to allow such things to happen? At the next session of the Special Committee it will be necessary to examine this report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services and take whatever actions may be appropriate. Year after year, the Special Committee and the Fourth Committee have heard large numbers of petitioners from all parts of the world, from Puerto Rico to Guam, express in crystal-clear language the will of their peoples to attain self-determination. Before concluding, I should like to express our thanks to you, Mr. President, for your efforts to bring about the understanding we have reached with regard to the draft resolution on small Territories. Cuba construes that understanding as a further demonstration of the Special Committee’s flexibility, which we hope the administering Powers will not abuse. We trust that by March 1997 it will be possible to find a common ground that will not work to the detriment of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. We also trust that no one will attempt to create further delays in dealing with this item, that the General Assembly will be able to exercise its authority and that the Special Committee will be able to continue its work. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/51/L.51, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Eritrea advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 143 votes to 2, with 19 abstentions (resolution 51/146).
The President #21576
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution contained in paragraph 9, part II, chapter III, of the report of the Special Committee (A/51/23) and on the amendment thereto contained in document A/51/L.46. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the amendment will be voted on first. The Assembly will therefore first take a decision on the amendment in document A/51/L.46. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The amendment was adopted by 143 votes to none, with 8 abstentions.
The President #21577
The Assembly will next take a decision on the draft resolution in paragraph 9, part II, chapter III, of the report of the Special Committee, entitled, “Dissemination of information on decolonization,” as amended.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #21578
The representative of the United States of America has asked to make a statement in explanation of vote, and I now call upon him. The resolutions just adopted deal with the merits of issues that are still under active discussion during the informal consultations we will continue. We are confident that, with good faith on both sides, the path we have set will bear fruit within the coming year and could lead to a different result.
The President #21579
We have heard the only speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. We have concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 19.
The meeting rose at 12.25 p.m.