A/PV.2351 General Assembly

In accordance with the procedure followed in the past, I should now like to invite the General Assembly to consider, und~r agenda item 22, the positive recommendations by the Security Council in documents A/10187, A/IOI88 and A/IOI89 for the admission to membership in the United Nations of the Republic of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the People's Republic of Mozambique. 78. This special procedure has been applied previously in order to give States recently recommended

In documents A/I0187, A/10188 and A/10189 the Security Council has recommended the admission ofthe Republic of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the People's Republic of Mozambique to the United Nations. The draft resolutions concerning the admission of these new Members are contained in documents AIL.760 and Add.l, A/L.761 and Add.1 and A/L.762 and Add.1. 83. We shall consider first draft resolution AIL.760 and Add.1 on the admission to membership in the United Nations of the Republic of Cape Verde. 84. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts the draft resolution unanimously? 90. May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts the draft resolution unanimously?

I declare the People's Republic of Mozambique admitted te membership in the United Nations.

Several representatives have expressed a desire to speak at this juncture, after the admission of new Members. I call first on the representative ofPortugal. 93. Mr. da COSTA LOBO (Portugal): Mr. President, the Portuguese delegation today is delighted at your election to the presidency of the thritieth session of the General Assembly and notes with pleasure the fact that circumstances have enabled it to be the first delegation to present to you its sincere felicitations. One of the reasons for the satisfaction which I have just expressed lies in the fact that Luxembourg and Portugal maintain close ties, based on common cultural traditions and reinforced during the last few years by human factors which have given a new dimension to the relations between our two countries. Furthermore, we are confident that your personality and experience will constitute valuable assets favouring the smooth progress and efficiency of the work of this Assembly. My delegation wishes you the greatest success in the fulfilment of your functions and promises yOU its loyal co-operation. 94. We are present today at the entry of three new States, Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe, into the United Nations. 97. At this time, I should like to render homage to the intelligence and clear vision of the leaders of the new nations, who, in their attitudes towards Portugal, were able to distinguish between the temporary and the permanent, between the consequence of the erroneous policy of a Government and the true sentiments of the great majority of the Portuguese people, and between the episodes that could divide us and the spontaneous friendship and common aspirations that should unite us. 98. I have no doubts that. thanks to the weight that history always lends to that which is permanent over that which is temporary, a closeness between Portugal and its ex-colonies, sooner or later, will become inevitable. But the fact that co-operation based on friendship has been initiated by the new States since independence is due in large part to their leaders. 99. Perhaps it would not be inappropriate at this time to point out that once the colonial policy of Portugal was radicaHy changed by the revolution of 25 April 1974 the decolonization of the three countries just admitted into the United Nations took place in a relatively short period of time, in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Assembly and with total respect for the agreements reached between the Portuguese Government and the liberation movements. 100. I do not wish to suggest that, in execution of the policy initiated on 25 April, we were doing a favour for which we now seek thanks, for in reality we were complying with an obligation. However, it would perhaps be fair to acknowledge that it was not an easy policy; and, in spite of this, at no moment was our determination to follow that policy to its fioal consequences weakened. For this very reason I believe that our sincerity in following this same policy with regard to the Territories in which the decolonization process has not yet been completed cannotbe doubted. 101. The first of the three new Member States to obtain independence was Mozambique. The fundamental step in this process was the signing of the Lusaka Agreement with the Frente de Liberta9ao de M09ambique [FRELlMO] on 7 September 1974. It was thus that the date for independence was set and the institutions on which political and administrative life would be based during the transitional 102. With respect to Cape Verde, the final step in its decolonization was set forth in the Agreement signed at Lisbon between the Portuguese Government and the Partido Africano da Independencia da Guine e Cabo Verde [PAIGC] on 18 December 1974. In this case also, and in accordance with tne terms of the Agreement, political and administrative life were based on co-operation between the Portuguese authorities and the local liberation movement, in this case, the PAIGC. As the mission 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 which visited Cape Verde last February can testify, the collaboration between the parties took place without problems, although severe difficulties arising from the precarious economic situation of the archipelago had to be confronted. The distinct causes of this situation have been explained on other occasions. At this time, and with an eye on the future, it seems to me that it is most important to emphasize the necessity that, by international co-operation, the people of Cape Verde be assisted to create an economic structure that can allow it to overcome its difficulties in a stable manner. 103. The last of the three countries to achieve independence was Sao Tome and Principe, in accordance with the Agreement signed by the ~ortuguese Government and the Movimento de Liberta9ao de Sao Tome e Prfncipe [MLSTP] at Algiers on 26 November 1974. Again, with respect to this territory, the final step took place in accordance with the stipulations of the pact, enabling Sao Tome and Principe to accede to independence on 12 July 1975. In the economic field, Sao Tom~ will have to overcome the difficulties inherent in a monoculture, a situation which unfortunately afflicts so many countries in the third world. Thus, also in this case, we believe in the indispensability of international assistance directed at the creation of a more diversified economy, and therefore one less subject to variations of climate and market fluctuations. 104. Please permit me to make a brief~side. I should like to take advantage of this opportunity to transmit the congratulations of my country to the people and Government of Papua New Guinea, which today achieved independence and which we hope to see as a Member of the United Nations in the near future. 105. Portugal feels particularly happy at the entry into the United Nations of the Member States whose admission was approved a few moments ago. We judge it opportune to note that the number of Portu- 112. By the same token, their individual and joint responsibility for the progress and effectiveness of the United Nations in finding common solutions for mankind is commensurately greater. The recent nonaligned meetings at Havana and Lima pronounced themselves on that subject very specifically. We have no doubts that the presence in our ranks of Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe, their gifted peoples and cadres, steeled by the struggle of liberation and socialism, will be a major contribution in that direction.

Mr. President, let me first of all congratulate you on your election to the high post of President of the General Assembly. At the same time, I should like to stress our great admiration for the way in which the President of the twentyninth and seventh special sessions, Ambassador Bouteflika, guided us through those historic sessions. 113. I would only like to state here that we very much hope that very soon we shall be in a position to admit to our membership the Republic of Angola, a country whose liberation movement has been waging a heroic struggle for so long, a struggle that must be permitted to culminate in the complete independence and territorial integrity of that important State, without any foreign interference whatsoever. 109. Again this year we have admitted three new States to membership in our world Organization. The very fact that almost no regular session of the Assembly can pass any longer without some new Members joining us is already a cause for the deepest satisfaction, as it is unassailable proof not only that the United Nations is an irreplaceable and vital instrument ofthe community of nations but that it constantly grows stronger, and is needed more all the time. I!4. We cannot but address ourselves to what can be called the second part of item 22-"Admission of new Members to the United Nations"-of this thirtieth regular session, which is the right of admission ofthe Republic ofSouth Viet Nam and the Democratic Republic of North Viet Nam. 115. The position of my delegation, a position of full and unwavering support for their due and speediest entry into our ranks, was fully explained in our statement in the Security Council,2 and I do not need to repeat it here. It was most unfortunate and unjust that the veto of a single delegation prevented the representatives of the two Vietnamese States, of their heroic peoples who suffered so much in achieving their historic victory, to assume their rightful place among us. They cannot be long denied their right, a'i no stand against the tide ofhistory can long endure. 110. This time our Organization has again taken a new, long step towards full universality by admitting Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe to membership. On behalf of the Government and peoples of socialist, non-aligned Yugoslavia, let me congratulate the peoples, liberation movements, Governments and leaders of those three countries whose revolutionary liberation wars have contributed a new glorious page in the history of struggle against colonialism, imperialism and any other form offoreign domination. My country, which itselfemerged 30 years ago from a liberation war that was at the same time a socialist revolution, maintained the closest links with the liberation movements of those three new Members and endeavoured to help them in all possible ways, conscious of the debt of solidarity. For, whiie the true liberation of every people and country must be the result of their own struggle, no one can fight in isolation, and every true revolution, every true liberation war, enjoys the sympathies and support of progressive freedom-loving humanity. Ill. This day is a great one for the United Nations and, at the same time, it is a great day for the nonaligned movement. It is no accident that almost every new or newly liberated State wants to join, and joins, the group of non-aligned nations. Non-alignment, as I16. They are supported by an overwhelming number of States from all groups. The Lima Conference of the Foreign Ministers of the non-aligned countries has indeed decided on behalf of the group of nonaligned countries to move a resolution by which this Assembly would request the Security Council to reconsider the matter. Our position is that neither the action of this General Assembly nor that of the Security Council-which will meet during this Assembly's session-should be unduly delayed. 117. I cannot conclude my statement without expressing our greatest pleasure at seeing the Royal Government of Cambodia, after their tremendous victory, resume their rightful place in the world Organization. 124. Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe and the Cape Verde Islands, following Guinea-Bissau, have joined the other free peoples of the world and have taken their rightful place in the family of nations. 125. We have a common past of suffering and struggle, and now that we are sovereign nations, and are facing the great task of national reconstruction in our respective countries, we are well aware that our destiny requires that we strengthen further the bonds 130. Our delegation once again reaffirms its unfailing solidarity with the valiant and heroic people of Viet Nam, and it is with much regret that we see that that sovereign and independent people cannot join our international Organization, which is contrary to the objectives of the' United Nations. 131. In conclusion, we wish to reaffirm here and now our determination to work unstintingly for the maintenance of international peace and security, and we wish our Assembly every success in the work that lies ahead.

I now call on the representative of Egypt, who will speak on behalf o~ the African Group.

Mr. President, before I make my statement on the admission of the three sister nations, I wish to convey to you my most heartfelt and sincere congratulations on your election to the post of President of the thirtieth session of the General Assembly. My Foreign Minister will express to you personally 136. The presence of Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe among us today, and during this session, can be considered as a landmark on the path towards the liquidation of colonialism, a path which was not hit upon accidentally but, as I have already said, was opened up by a long and bitter struggle. That path is marked by the sacrifices of the peoples of those three sister States. Had it not been for their convictions, their objectives, their principles, had it not been for the world-wide support embodied in the numerous resolutions of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity [OA U] and the conferences of the non-aligned countries and other bodies, along with the moral and material support of all the peoples of the world and, finally, the wind of liberty which began to blow in Portugal when that country at last responded to the conscience of the world, nothing would have been possible. The fact that the three States have become Members of the United Nations is proof that we are on the right road and that it is possible, within the international framework, to arrive at an acceptable form of international co-operation in the economic, social and cultural fields, in the interests of the welfare of mankind. 144. With the decisions we have adopted today the United Nations has taken a new step towards the achievement of universality of the Organization and recognition ofthe right ofall peoples to be represented in this Assembly. The process towards universality in our Organization is an irreversible one in contemporary history, exerting a profound influence on the march of world events. We are convinced that, in this context, the new Members will contribute new ideas and initiatives to the United Nations. 137. The independence of Mozambique and its entry into the United Nations should be duly taken into account in any United Nations resolutions or strategies drafted with a view to overcoming the colonialism and racism which still disfigure that part of Africa. 138. The admission of the three new States to membership in the United Nations is of great significance. Those States need international economic and tech- 145. The group of Western European and other States is gratified at the admission of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and 151. The thirtieth session is taking place at a historic moment when the world is undergoing tremendous political, economic and social changes. In the giant continent of Africa we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the shameful colonial system that has for centuries subjugated the Mrican peoples and plundered their wealth. May I in this respect pay a special tribute to the valiant freedom fighters in Mozambique, the Cape Verde Islands and Sao Tome and Principe, who by their courageous struggle regained their human dignity and in so doing made a remarkable contribution to the reinforcement of the noble ideals embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and gave great hope and encouragement to those still struggling against colonial domination on our continent. We are proud of ·these young and dynamic Mrican nations, and we take great pleasure in welcoming them to this world body. We also assure them of our co-operation in the important role which they will be playing in shaping a better world for ourselves and future generations. 152. In celebrating the well-deserved victories of these young nations we should not forget our sisters and brothers who are still languishing under aOOmi- 165. On behalf of the Canadian Government, it is my pleasure to welcome as new Members of the United Nations the Republic of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the People's Republic of Mozambique. The entry of these three States in the V tited Nations reflects the maturing process of the ~.:coionization effort begun by Portugal in April 1974. The proc~ss as regards these three States has been a peaceful one and makes us optimistic about their future as independent mem- bers of the international community. The two smaller nations, the Republic of Cape Verde and the Demo- cratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, will face many problems common to island territories and in addition will be required to cope with the resettle- ment of large numbers of returning citizens. The task is a major one, and the Canadian Government has great sympathy for their aspirations. It will support the fullest possible attention on the part of the institu- tions and the agencies of the United Nations to the development of appropriate programmes which respond to their Governments' priorities:

Mr. President, may I, on behalf of my delegation, tell you how pleased we are to see you presiding over the thirtieth session of the General Assembly, and extend to you our most heartfelt congratulations. I shall have another opportunity to convey to you the expression of our highest regard and that of the Government of Madagascar. 172. The admission of new Members to our Organization has always afforded us an opportunity for rejoicing. The presence among us of the Republic of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the People's Republic of Mozambique bears witness to the fact that the principles 175. The revolutionary experience that Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe bring to our Organization cannot but enrich it. It shows that the world can no longer remain insensitive to the upsurge of progressive forces. It gives the international community a new impetus. It offers a picture of what the world of tomorrow will be like. 176. Together with these three countries, we share the same destiny, the same aspirations and the same options. We are nurtured by the same traditions and have grown up in the same culture. It is for this reason that we most warmly applaud their access to international recognition. Because we have co-operated with them in other groups and regional bodies, we are acquainted with the committed and positive contribution they will bring to the promotion of our ideals and the achievement of our objectives. That contribution will do honour to Africa as a whole and provide proof that the peoples of Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe act responsibly. 177. Our satisfaction today would have been greater had we been able at the same time to applaud the admission to the United Nations of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of South Viet Nam. We deplore the fact that manoeuvres inherited from the cold war and arbitrary conduct should have prevented these brotherly nations from being able to sit among us today. 178. Be that as it may, the struggle for the liberation of peoples will be pursued and we hope that the path traced by the national liberation movements ofMozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe will lead to the definitive elimination of colonialism and imperialism in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

I call on the representative of the German Democratic Republic, who will speak on behalfofthe Eastern European States. 235bt meetinR-I6 September 1975 IS attainment by this Organization ofits goals and aspirations, namely. to bring about peace throughout the world and to win respect for mankind and its right to self-determination. 195. There are peoples who are still suffering under the yoke of colonialism and foreign occupation in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. There are peoples who are still subject to racism and apartheid, and it is our duty to strive to liberate them. There are independent and other countries in the final stages of liberation, and we must hasten to bring them here among us. All our efforts should be deployed here in this Organization to bring about understanding and co-operation in international relations and to lay the foundation of justice, to consolidate peace and international security and to promote economic and social development in all areas. 196, This is not a day of rejoicing for Africa alone but also for Asia and the whole world. This is a day when we honour the victory of the struggle for liberation and we hope that the struggle of other peoples for their liberation will be successful and that all countries will take their place in the world community. 197. The world will only know peace when it hears the voice of all peoples, especially those who have been under occupation and who are still under domination. Our Organization must ensure that these efforts succeed; it mu~t also ensure thatjustice prevails and that aggression is eliminated from the Earth so that justir;e and peace may reign in the world. 198. Mr. SARIN (Cambodia) (interpretation from French): Mr. President, my delegation associates itself with previous speakers in conveying to you its sincere congratulations and best wishes for success in your new office as President. 199. My delegation is very happy to welcome the representatives of the People's Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe at the time of the admission of these three countries to the United Nations. May I be permitted to extend to the brave peoples ofthese States the warmest and most brottlerly congratulations and best wishes of the Government and people of Cambodia. We are convinced that they will make a most valuable contribution to our Assembly by bringing their co-operation and experience in order to promote the cause of peace and sodal progress throughout the world. tions to you at a later stage. But here and now I wish to pledge our constant co-operation. 189. We are speaking at this stage, at the very outset of the session, for two specific reasons. The first is that we wish to join with others in bidding welcome to the new States which today are full-fledged Members of the United Nations. It is a source of sincere pleasure for Cuba to see how perseverance in the revolutionary struggle has demolished the foundations of colonialism and ha5 led to triumphs over domination. The People's Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Cape Verde Islands and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe are then, in this context, entering our Organization today. Cuba wishes to congratulate them whole-heartedly and to pledge our militant solidarity. 190. Secondly, we wish to say that we support the righting of an historic wrong, the result of political short-sightedness on the part of those who have denied the obvious facts. Here I am referring to the vetoes of the United States cast against the admission of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Repuhlic of South Viet Nam at the 1836th meeting of tile Security Council which was held on 11 August 1975. 191. The delegation of Cuba spoke, when invited to do so at that meeting, and stated very clearly that if a veto was cast, then the discussion of the matter would be continued in the General Assembly. Consistent with that statement, we will associate ourselves with the ct..·· _;.ts of the letter addressed to the President of the Security Council by the Permanent Observers of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and. the Republic of South Viet Nam.3 My delegation is convinced that the joy with which today we welcome Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe will, sooner or later, be part of the joy which we shaH feel as we welcome the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of South Viet Nam. Cuba will work constantly towards that end. Republic) ent. may ofty post e General list coun- ~ambique, J Principe pe Verde tions. We who have ence after Dd exploiesent time gle. Republic ort to the ape Verde : for inde- •traditions d with the States. epublic of a historic vas also a peoples to re world. lybetween n our colfMozamaspirations rRELIMO,· he present he burdens , a difficult If Mozam- Irt. ~ People's : Republic rde Islands t the same lc Republic Viet Nam

I now call on the representative of Lebanon, who will speak on behalf of the Asian Group.

Mr. President, the head of the Lebanese delegation will, in due course, extend his congratulations to you. But I should like to take this opportunity to express to you my personal congratulations and those of the Asian Group, which Lebanon has the pleasure ofpresiding over this montn, on your election as President of this session of the General Assembly. This appreciation is directed also to your country, which is noted for its civilization and for its love of peace. the Demolic of South ical terms, ganization. the coming sion of the e Republic ,e resolved the univer- 200. We must nevertheless deplore the absence of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of South Viet Nam, which thus far, and by reason ofthe veto cast by the United States ofAmerica, have been unable to be in our midst. We believe that, after waging a long and heroic struggle for over30 years for its national liberation and after winning a brilliant victory, the people of Viet Nam do not deserve to be further penalized by our Organization. We venture to hope that, in the very near future, the Demo!::ratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of South Viet Nam will be represented in this Assembly. 194. On behalf of the Asian Group, including Lebanon, I would like to welcome the new Members which were admitted to the United Nations-namely, the Republic of Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, and the Republic of Cape Verde. These States which have long struggled to achieve independence will undoubtedly contribute to the various activities of the Organization. Their presence among us is of particular significance as we are witnessing the liquidation of colonial times, the increasing independence of free countries, and the ) the reprethe Demope and the re prepared o-operation the Charter 201. For many years. although geographically fal' apart, the peoples of Cambodia. Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe, as well as other countries of Asia and Africa, have waged a common struggle side by side in defence of L) (interpredelegation congratl;lla- 205. Similarly, I should like to express my gratitude to the President of the twenty-ninth sessicn of the General Assembly, Mr. Abdelaziz Boutetlika, for his untiring service in guiding this body throughout its previous session and the seventh special session. 206. It is a great pleasure for my delegation that the General Assembly has just decided unanimously to admit the Republic of Cape Verde the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the People's Republic of Mozambique to membership in t'ne United Nations. On this auspicious occasion I wish to express, in the name of the delegation of Japan, our sincere congratulations and warm welcome to these new Member States. My personal gratification is a1! the more because it was last month -that the Security Council, during my term as its President, unanimously decided to recommend to the General Assembly lliat they be admitted. 207. We rejoice with the Governments and the peoples of these three nations on the achievement of their complete independence. Their glorious independence has made it possible for them to take their rightful place in this Organization and to join in our 213. Speaking now on behalf of the European Economic Community and its member States, I should like to take this oprortunity to welcome most warmly the three new Membe,r§ of our world Organization -Mozambique, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe. May I add that we regard this event, namely, the admission to the United Nations of these three former Portuguese Territories, as a most significant one, since it marks another shining milestone on the road to independence of most of the African peoples. 214. We rejoice furthermore that the accession to ind~pendence and self-determination by these countries has gone through its final and fruitful stage thanks to the full understanding, collaboration and support nf the ,-~vemment of Portugal. The EEC countries in fact have long advocated and urged such a constructive change in the relationship between Portugal and these peoples as well as with Africa as a whole. 215. On behalf of the EEC countries may I add, with your permission, Sir, that we all look forward to an era of full co-operation with the new Member States. Our expectations rely confidently on their capacity to bring into our Organization the healthy approach and stamina of youth as well as the expe-

Mr. President, it gives me honour and pleasure, on behalf of the Arab Group and as Chairman of that Group, to extend to you our warmest congratulations on your election as President of the thirtieth session of the General Assembly. We are eeply convinced that this session will be crowned with success under your leadership. On this occasion I should like also to express our thanks and appreciation to your predecessor, our brother Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, for the great success he achieved during hh, presidency of the twenty-ninth session. 224. On this occasion I should like, on my own behalf and on behalf of the A:-ab Group, to welcome whole-heartedly those States which have been admitted to our Organization: the Republic of Cape Verde, 225. We hope to see here among us in the very near future the true representatives of South Africa, Palestine, Rhodesia, Namibia, Angola and all the colonized peoples who are living under racist settlement regimes.

On behalf of my delegation, I ask you, Mr. President, to accept our sincere congratulations on your election as the thirtieth President of this body. 227. As Africans, my delegation's sentiments with r~gard to the acceptance of the three new brother States of Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe and the People's Republic oi Mozambique have been eloquently expressed by the representative of Egypt, Chairman of the African Group for the month of September, and were again well articulated by the representative of Uganda, the current Chairman of the OAU. 228. I..s a southern Africa.n, as a friendly neighbour of the People's Republic of Mozambique and, above all, as a blood brother of the people of Mozambique, I would be failing in my duty if I did not express, on behalf of His Majesty King Sobhuza 11 and the people of the Kingdom of Swaziland, how happy we are in Swaziland that at last our brothers have done it. They have made it after a very long and bitter struggle. It was a high price to pay; I know no other price as high ~H, the price of life. It was worth it. 229. The independence of Mozambique represents a new era to us. It is a significant step on the long road to the total liberation of the whole area. The gaining of independence by Mozambique through the gallant FRELIMO-the true heroes of the independence of that country-has brought a new ray of hope, not only to us as Swazis, but to the people of southern Africa as a whole. Words cannot convey with sufficjent accuracy the expectations of our brothers who aspire one day to run the affairs of their people. Negotiating machinery is in motion to fulfil those aspirations. Talk ofindependence is in the air. The winds ofchange which have long been blowing in Africa have gathered new momentum; old men and children are dreaming dreams of freedom. It is the belief of my country that through peaceful means those dreams, will one day materialize and our brothers in the region as a whole will one day participate in the decision-making process of their country, the country they helped to build. 230. The admission of our three brother countries symbolizes the resistance of the African people to a dominant superculture that has been imposed on them throug:' the long, long years with vigorous brutality. They have survived. We have all survived the strongest "mega-machine" that this century h9..• ever known. We all wish that our brothers in Mc ~ambique look forward to the future with courage.

Mr. President, I am sure that the leader of our delegation would have me say that he congratulates you on your election to your high position. I am sure also that in his own way and at another time he will make a similar and more gracious statement. 233. As a representative of the host country, it brings me great satisfaction to welcome three new Members to the United Nations family. We are particularly pleased to welcome the delegation of the Republic of Cape Verde. As many of you who are here know, the greatness of the United States of America is due in part to the fact that we have been blessed by fortune with contributions from many lands. Our culture has been enriched by almost all of you who are here through those who left your countries to come here and become citizens of our nation. 234. A long history of friendship and co-operation exists particularly between the peoples of Cape Verde and the United States. We have enjoyed co-operation and there is a bond of kinship that binds us. Over the decades a large number of Cape Veraeans have emigrated to the United States. Leaders of the Cape Verdean community estimate that between 200,000 and 300,000 American citizens are of Cape Verd~an descent. That number approaches the population of the Cape Verde Islands themselves. 235. We extend our congratulations to the rerresentatives of the Republic of Cape Verde. the People's Republic of Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. We assure them of the full co-operation of the delegation of the United States and extend to them the warm greetings of all the American people.

I now take pleasure in inviting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cape Verde. Mr. Abilio Augusto Monteiro Duarte, to address the General Assembly.

We had to travel a long and difficult road before reaching the historic date of 5 July last. when our national independence was declared. Our people's attainment of sovereignty and control of its own destiny and its recovery of its national identity is part of the great struggl~ of the peoples of the third world for true freedom. dignity. the well-being of all citizens and economic progress and social de'lelopment. 238. Today is the day when our young State has joined the United Nations. the most important international Organization of all time. This is a red-letter day for our people. Today our people becomes a sovereign people and henceforth wil! make a contribution to its own development on all equal footing with all the other peoples of the world. 245. Our bonds with our companions from Guinea- Bissau are very special. We are militants in the same party. we fought side by !iide for the same cause. We pay an earnest tribute to our hrothers who made a direct contribution with lheir sacrifices and their blood to the liberation of Cape Verde. 246. The thirtieth session of the General Assembly is taking place at a particularly complex time in international relations. On the one hand. we welcome with joy the liberation of many countries in Africa and Asia and a certain degree of detente in one part of the world: but on the other hand. we see that elsewhere pence is in danger. the legitimate r:ghts of people 257. To all of them I wish to express here the profound gratitude of the people of Sao Tome and Principe, and that gratitude can find no better expression than in our will to participate in and contribute to the extent of our very limited means to every action aimed at accelerating the reconquest of freedom for peoples deprived ofliberty. Our support ofall measures aimed at achieving that end will be unstinting, and we commit ourselves to helping all victims of domination and exploitation. 258. Yesterday, as slaves, the people of Sao Tome and Principe gave their blood and sweat to nourish the sugar plantations ofAmerica. Later they cDntinued to shed their blood and sweat for the prosperity of a few colonizers producing coffee. Today, having taken their fate into their own hands, those people are firmly determined to expend even more blood and sweat in order to build their own future, a future of peace, prosperity and progress. They have faith in themselves and in the community of men of good will, with whom they intend to work for the building of a better world.

I now call upon the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Joaquim Alberto Chissano.

I am speaking today to express, on bel.alf of the People's Republic ofMozambique and its vanguard organization FRELIMO, our profound appreciation and gratitude for the warm welcome to the United Nations given to our country. I should like particularly to thank all those who sponsored our entry into the United Nations, and the members of the Security Council for having unanimously and without hesitation decided that Mozambique deserved to be represented in this Assembly. That was one of the aims of our struggle-for our people to take their place in the concert of nations so that they might represent themselves and discuss the world issues which affect their destiny. 261. The admission of Mozambique to the United Nations is one more victory in the struggle of the Mozambican people against colonialism and imperialism. It is one tJrther step for the consolidation of the independence achieved through a bitter struggle in which many lives were lost and much blood of our people was shed. We are giad to state that this victory is a victory also for the United Nations. For more than one third of the lifetime of this Organization, in this same Hail, a bitter struggle ·has been waged particularly against Portuguese colonial domination, the only retrograde colonial system. It was through the United Nations that the people of Mozambique tried, first of all, to persuade the fascist G..-vernment of Portugal to accept the right of the Mozambican people to independence, but the refusal of that fascist Government led our people and the Portuguese people into an undesirable struggle which resulted in calamity 267. It is very difficult to speak of small sacrifices and big sacrifices. In this world, we who have been fighting with weapons in hand know only sacrifices; we have always felt the same way, whether we lost one soldier or 100 soldiers. We have always felt that it was a matter of bloodshed and sacrifice. 268. But I think the Assembly will agree with us if we say that the people of Viet Nam, in the North and in the South, have been one ofthe fundamental factors in the victories of those peoples in the world which have fought against imperialism. I think the Assembly The meeting rose at 7.45 p.m. NOTES 1 AIAC.176/7. 3 Ibid.. Thirtieth Year. Supplement for July. August and September 1975, document S/11798.