A/PV.2428 General Assembly
▶ This meeting at a glance
9
Speeches
4
Countries
0
Resolutions
Topics
Global economic relations
Diplomatic expressions and remarks
Security Council deliberations
General debate rhetoric
Latin American economic relations
7HlR7 IE7 H SESSION
22. Admission of new Members to the United Nations (concluded):* (b) Other reports of the Security Council I. The PRESIDENT (illterpretation from French): The General Assembly will continue consideration of agenda item 22. In document A/I0413 the Security Council recommends the admission of Surinam to membership in the United Nations. A draft resolution, in document A/L.781/Rev.1 and Add.I, has been cir- culated. 2. May I take it that the Assembly accepts the recom- mendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/L781/Rev.1 and Add.l? The draji resolution was adopted (resolution 34/3 (XXX)). 3. The PRESIDENT (illterpretation jhnll French): I declare Surinam admitted to membership in the United Nations. The dele!fatioll ofSul'inam was escorted to its pla('(' ill the General Assembly hall. 4. The PRESIDENT (illterpretatioll jhnl1 Frellch): On behalf of the General Assembly, it is an honour and a pleasure for me to offer sincere congratulations to the delegation of Surinam and to welcome it to the United Nations. 5. Mr. KOOIJMANS (Netherlands): On behalfof the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I am honoured and privileged to have the opportunity of being the first to congratulate from this rostrum the Republic of Surinam on its admission to the United Nations and to welcome in this hall the delegation of Surinam headed by Prime Minister Henck Arron. It is fitting that the Netherlands representative should be the first speaker on this happy occasion, since until the day of its independence, 25 November 1975, Surinam was united with the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles in the Kingdom of the Neth- erlands. * Resumed from the 2402nd meetlllg. Thursday, 4 December /975, at 3.40 p.m. NEW YORK 6. The ties between the Netherlands and Surinam date back to the seventeenth century. Without dwelling too long on the past, I might recall that the territory of Surinam was taken from the British by a Dutch fleet in 1667. Dutch sovereignty was confirmed by the peace treaty of Breda of 1667 between England and Holland. The same treaty legitimized the British hold on Nieuw Amsterdam, later named New York. 7. The relationship between Surinam and the Neth- erlands as that of a colony with its metropolitan coun- try came to a definitive end more than twenty years ago with the adoption of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. That Charter entered into force on 15 December 1954, and gave full autonomy and equal partnership to the three parts of the Kingdom: the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Surinam. The termination of the colonial relationship was re~ognized by the General Assembly at its tenth session when, on 15 December 1955, by its resolution 945 (X) it expressed the opinion that the cessation of the transmission of information under Article 73 (e) of the Charter was appropriate. During that session of the General Assembly the Netherlands delegation declared that each of the partners of the Kingdom would be entirely free to leave the constitutional framework of the Kingdom, if and when it should so wish. 8. It was, therefore, fully consistent with this policy that the Netherlands Government wholeheartedly and fully co-operated with the Government of Surinam, when it recently expressed its desire to dissolve Surinam's ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I am happy to state that the consultations between the two Governments that preceded Surinam's full inde- pendence took place in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, genuine understanding, and wiIlingness to reach mutually acceptable solutions on all points ~~hat were subjects of discussion. 9. It will be evident from what I said before that the Netherlands welcomes Surinam as a newly-inde- pendent and sovereign State. The Government of the Netherlands is pleased to have been able to take the initiative in submitting the resolution which has just been adopted unanimously. In this connection, I should like to express my Government's appreciation to the sponsors of that resolution and to all those States which during the general debate in this thirtieth session desired to welcome Surinam as a new meClber of the world community. 10. Surinam has been an autonomous and self- governing country for more than 20 years. Diplomats of Surinam, furthermore, have, as members of the Netherlands foreign service, made a valuable contribu- tion to the diplomacy of the Kingdom of the Nether- lands. For example, representatives of Surinam have been members of the Netherlands delegation to the United Nations ever since 1948. As another example 12. Surinam has now entered the United Nations. It will be able to participate in the work of the Organ- ization as a Member State in its own right. as a member ofthe group of Latin American States, and as a member of the large group of developing nations. Once more, on behalf of my Government and of the Netherlands delegation, I extend a warm welcome to Surinam.
I now call on Mr. Waldron-Ramsey of Barbados, who will address the Assembly on behalfof the Group of Latin American States.
I have come to this podium to salute the Government and the gallant people of the Republic of Surinam upon their accession to complete independence and their admission to membership of the United Nations. Mr. President, in the name of the delegations of the Latin American States, I beg your leave to congratulate the delegation of Surinam, led by its Prime Minister. Mr. Henck Arron.
15. The Republic of Surinam is a sister republic located on the continent of South America. Its people, history and culture reflect the richness of the diversity and vitality of the nation and of the continent itself. But there has always been another geo-political and social dimension to the Republic of Surinam. for Surinam has always kept open a window of spiritual contact and communication on the panorama of Caribbean experience. And, indeed, that factor has helped to forge a special link between Surinam and those of its neighbours which make up the Caribbean community. And, further afield, a community of interests has always sufficed to provide an intimate fraternal bond amongst the States of the whole region.
16. The Netherlands Government had exercised a benign imperium over Surinam since 1667; but since 1954, the Government of Surinam, in its turn, has enjoyed full internal self-government, while it remained a full and integral part of the constitutional Kingdom of the Netherlands. Today the cortstitutional nexus which joined these two political entities together is now formally broken, and the Republic of Surinam stands here today in this Assembly in the resplendent majesty of a sovereign State. And we, members of this Assembly, rightly pay homage to this exercise offreedom by the Government and people of Surinam; for nothing is more deserving of respect than the
21. The Latin American States welcome Surinam to our midst as a gallant sister-State. and extend the hand offriendship and full co-operation to the Government and people of the Republic of Surinam.
I now call on Mr. Essonghe, the representative of Gabon, who will address the Assembly on behalf of the Group of African States.
It is with deep' satisfaction that, on behalf of the Group of African States, I welcome the entry of the Republic of Surinam into the great universal family.
24. I congratulate the Netherlands. which, with intelligence and generosity. has led Surinam to independence. It is my hope that the Netherlands will fulfill its moral obligations by assisting Surinam as it takes its first steps in independent life.
25. A country 142.822 square kilometres in area, with 400,000 inhabitants, the world's third-ranking producer of bauxite, Surinam is a country possessing all the qualifications for statehood as it comes onto the international scene.
26. On this solemn historic and memorable day, when the heart ofthe people ofSurinam beats with happiness, the group of African States, that is to say, Africa, wishes it every success as it sets out on its road of independence.
48. Indeed. it is gratifying to see that the first official act of newly independent States is to seek membership in this world body. Contrary to any pessimistic views about the United Nations. its viability and its effectiveness. the sharp increase in the membership of States in this Organization is an indication of the fate of the peoples of the world in the United Nations.
I now call on Ms. Bailey. the representative of the United States. to speak as the representative of the host country. 58. Ms. BAILEY (United States of America): Just as we warmly supported Surinam's candidacy in the Security Council. the United States has co-sponsored whole-heartedly the resolution on the admission of Surinam to membership in the United Nations. We extend our enthusiastic greetings to Surinam as the newest member of the United Nations. 59. As host country representative. my delegation extends a warm welcome to Surinam's representatives at this Headquarters. My delegation otTers a particularly cordial welcome and greeting to Prime Minister Arron and Mrs. Arron. and the others members of the Surinam delegation who have come to the United Nations on this historic occasion. It is the sincere hope of my delegation that this day marks the beginning of even closer and friendlier ties between the Government of the United States and the Government of Surinam as we engage in a common etTort to realize the goals of the Charter of the United Nations. 60. Surinam's achievement of independence is a tribute to the dedication and capacity of its elected leaders and their ·commitment to the well-being of their peoples. It is also a tribute to the progressive policies of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 61. The United States and Surinam have historical links which go back to the early colonial days of the Western Hemisphere. In fact. in 1667 the colonies of Surinam and Nieuw Amsterdam. as New York was called at the time. were exchanged by the then metropolitan Powers. The United States Consulate in Surinam. established in 1790. was elevated to an embassy on 25 November 1975. when Surinam became an independent nation. 62. Surinam's diverse and capable population. its rich natural resources and varied agricultural production. along with a commitmer'lt to liberal trade policies.
49. Today. with the admission of the friendly State of the Republic of Surinam. the United Nations is coming ever closer to its goal of universal representation of all peoples-large and small. It is a happy occasion to see the people of Surinam attain its independence and sovereignty in an orderly and smooth manner. We trust that other Territories and peoples still under colonial rule will be able to attain independence and enjoy membership in the United Nations.
50. I should like once again to welcome the delegation of Surinam and wish its friendly people progress and prosperity.
I call on the representative of Uganda. Mr. Kinene. to speak on behalf of the Organization of African Unity.
Once again. and in less than one month. we are gathered here to welcome yet another fully-fledged Member of our Organization-the Republic of Surinam.
53. This is indeed a very happy occasion which once again confirms that the days of colonialism are numbered. It also once more confirms the inalienable right of all peoples-large or small-to self-determination and independence. We are quite, sure that those peoples still under colonial rule will defeat their enemies and also join us here as Members of the United Nations.
54. It is with this in mind that I have the great pleasure and honour. on behalf of my President and the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity. AI Hadji Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada. his Govern-
80. For Grenada. Surinam's attainment of independence and its admission to full membership in the United Nations are great historic achievements which merit our sincere and warm congratulations to the Prime Minister. Mr. Henck Arron. and the Government and people of Surinam.
81. My delegation has been motivated to endorse the statement of welcome which has already been extended to Surinam on our behalf by the Ambassador of Barbados in his capacity as Chairman of the group of Latin American States because of the special and excellent realtionship which exists between my Prime Minister. Mr. Eric M. Gairy. and the Prime Minister
91. The entry of Surinam into the United Nations is a further encouragement to the endeavour to make of our Organization a genuinely universal one. It recalls to us the need to resolve promptly and in accordance with the almost unanimous will of the Assembly the question of the admission of the representatives of heroic Viet Nam.
92. We also trust that the United Nations will shortly be able to welcome the People's Republic of Angola. The independence of Surinam and its entry into the United Nations coincide with the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 1514 (XV). This is the time to proclaim our determination to persevere in our struggle against colonialism in all its forms and manifestations. until we bring about the emancipation of all the peoples still subject to foreign domination. To them we renew today our assurances ofCuba's complete solidarity. In particular, we transmit our message of solidarity to the people of Angola and to the fighters of the Popular Liberation Movement of A:tgola, which is struggling to consolidate the independence of the country. and with untlagging courage and determination is confronting the combined aggression of the imperialists and racists.
93. We are convinced that Surinam will make a positive contribution to the common endeavour of the Latin American countries and the Caribbean to establish a new international order which will enable their peoples to consolidate their independence and promote economic and so~ial development.
94. Barely a month ago. members of the Committee on Co-operation and Development of the Caribbean of the Economic Commission for Latin America. meeting in Havana. stated our common wish to have the complete and active participation of independent Surinam. Consequently. it gives us profound satisfaction to welcome its entry into the United Nations today. and we extend our warmest welcome to its representatives and offer its delegation our willingness to co-operate with. it in its future tasks within our Organization.
It is a particular honour and privilege for me. as the representative of Indonesia. to extend. on behalf of the Government and people of Indonesia. our warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Surinam on the
ji-OI1l Spanish): On behalf of the people and Government of Venezuela. it is a great pleasure and honour for me to say a few words of welcome on the admission to the United Nations of a new country from our region.
100. Venezuela has awaited with interest and. at times. with anxiety the hour of independence of Surinam as we await the hour of independence of the other Territories in our region which have not yet acceded to it.
101. I welcome Surinam on behalf of the delegation of Venezuela. and join preceding speakers in recognizing that the Government of the Netherlands has shown flexibility and intelligence in guiding Surinam along the road to independence.
102. In welcoming Surinam to this world organization I am perhaps anticipating by also welcoming it. on behalf of Venezuela. to our specific regional organizations. such as the Latin American Economic System. I mention it because. as we are well aware. Surinam is an important country in the production of raw materials and because Surinam enters the United Nations at a propitious time for countries which. for more than a hundred years. were supplying raw materials to the major countries of the affluent society.
103. On behalf of Venezuela. therefore. I welcome Surinam and extend my promise to this young country of Latin America our complete solidarity. co-operation and goodwill.
112. I avail myselfof this opportunity as well to thank you for the congratulations directed to the Government and people of Surinam and for your statement that the independence of Surinam marks an important example of how independencf: can be achieved in conditions of peace and security and in accordance with the provisions ofthe Charterofthe United Nations when there is goodwill and understanding by all concerned. has deeply touched us. Surinam's independence is based on its people's own free will. by mutual consent ofthe Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles.
113. May I inform the Assembly that. even after Surinam's independence the Netherlands has under-
! 15. Many countries are more or less in the same boat as Surinam. They are not affiuent. On account of a lack of funds. their resources can be utilized only with the help of others. All these countries. the socalled developing countries. can be elevated only if they mutually co-operate. We shall therefore join their ranks in order to improve one another's chances in life under the auspices of the United Nations. We shall co-operate with the developed countries as well. since we greatly appreciate any aid and co-operation without, however. sacrificing our own dignity. 116. The Republic of Surinam is ready. together with all nations. to establish and main~ainpeace in the world. Surinam will therefore contribute constantly to the maintenance of universal aspirations for peace among nations and in all cases concerned it will be a priori against the use of arms. The division of the world into
117. We fully realize that our admission to the United Nations implies responsibilities and commitments. which we are ready to undertake and perform. Our attitude. both nationally and internationally. will be based on the principles of the Charter and on the rules of international law. We intend to establish friendly and oeaceful relations with all nations. and whe.e such relations exist they will be reinforced.
118. Thus we are ready to make our entry into the world community on the basis of liberty. equality, brotherhood and human solidarity. so that a future of peace. justice and prosperity for all nations can be built by mutual co-operation and understanding.
My presidency of the General Assembly will not go down in the history of the United Nations as one marked by particular understanding for interruptions ofmeetings and for congratulations following speeches. which interrupt the work of the Assembly. However. I thought that the admission of Surinam to the United Nations was important not only for that country but also for the United Nations, which is celebrating its admission. That is why I did not wish to interrupt the congratulations. I should like in my turn to thank the Prime Minister of Surinam and to associate myself with the tribute which he paid to the delegation of the Netherlands. as well as to thank all who have taken part in this debate.
The meeting rose a/ 5./0 p.m.
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