S/31/PV.79 Security Council

Before commencing the main busi- ness for this morning may I refer to the disaster that occurred in Turkey, in the Diyadin area on 24 November, which resulted in a tragic loss of life and extensivematerial damage. This is not the first time in recent years that Turkey has been the victim of such a natural disaster. May I, on behalf of the members of the General Assembly and on my own behalf, express to the representative of Turkey, the Government of Turkey, and the bereaved persons our sincere sympathy in their tragic loss. May I also express the hope that the international community will respond promptly and generously to any request from Turkey for help in its present plight.

Mr. President, I should like to express to you my deep gratitude for the expression of sympathy in connexion with the recent disaster that struck eastern Turkey. 3. We are also grateful to the Secretary-General for his message to my Government and for hisprompt response in providing emergencyassistance. 4. As the press reports indicate, the earthquake has taken thousands of livesand has caused extensive materialdamage over a wide area. The distress of the victimsis compounded by subfreezing temperatures and snow. My Government, with the support of relief organizations, is endeavouring to alleviate the sufferings of hundreds of thousands of people affected. 5. Mr. President, I shall not failto transmit the sentiments expressed by you on behalf of the General Assembly. I am certain that the Turkish Government and people will be deeply touched by this manifestation of human concern and solidarity. NEW YORK

I wish to invite the attention of the Assembly to document A/31/349, which contains the text of a letter from the Permanent Observer of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. In that letter the Permanent Observer asks to be given, as last year, the opportunity to participate in the debate on the special report of the Security Council [A/31/330j. May I consider that the Assembly decides to accede tothe request of the Permanent Observer of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam? If I hearno objection, it will be sodecided.

I now call on the representative of Sri Lanka, who will introduce draft resolution A/31/L.2l and Add.l.

I speak this morn- ing with much pleasure-and indeed with a sense of appreciation of the honour conferred on the delegation of Sri Lanka-to present to this Assembly draft resolution A/31/L.21 and Add.l, concerning the admission of new Members to the United Nations, in this case, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. 9. Nine additional States wish to join the present 64 sponsors of the draft resolution. This represents more than half the total membership at the present time of this Assembly. and is indicative of the very strong views that delegations have on this matter. 10. We have to take note of the report of the Security Council to the General AssemblyrA/31/330j, and you will all appreciate that, as a result of the negative vote of a permanent member of the Security Council, that bodywas unable to recommend to this Assembly the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to its membership. If I may say so, it is with great regret that we have had to take the recourse we took last year of bringing before this Assembly this morning a draft resolution which is simple, straightforward and, we hope, non-controversial. We con- sider that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam should be admitted to membership in the United Nations, and we therefore recommend that the Security Council should reconsider the matter favourably, in strict conformity with Article4 of the Charterof the UnitedNations. 11. We are here talkingabout the admission of a nation to membership in this Organization, a nation which, in the * Resumed from the 1st meeting. 12. This is a question which is almost unique in its simplicity. The Charterrequires that, before an applicant be admitted to membership in the United Nations, it should fulfil some necessary conditions. lt is the firm conviction of the delegation of SriLankaand of the 86 sovereign States Members of this Organization which belong to the non- aligned group of nations and on whose behalf I am also speaking, in my capacity as representative of the current Chairman of the group, that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam satisfies everyone of the conditions required for membership in this Organization. 13. The fact that Viet Nam is a politically independent, sovereign State surely cannot be questioned at this stage of history. Perhaps more than many nations seated here this morning, that young nation has proved by its heroic struggle conductedover 30 long years that it is dedicated to the concept of independence. It hasnow beenrecognized as a sovereign State by more than two thirds of the mem- bership of the General Assembly of the United Nations; it has diplomatic relations, bilaterally, with over a hundred nations. Fourteen members ofthe Security Council, includ- ing four of its permanent members, voted ID favour of recommending to this Assembly the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The sponsorship of this draft resolution, as you will see, covers the entire spectrum of the geographical and regional concepts as well as the ideologies of the world. 14. If I may be pardoned for making any particular distinction, we are happy to see as a sponsoring delegation of this draft resolution the delegation of France. If there is anyone nation in this Assembly that can be regarded as most conversant with VietNamin its past, andindeedin its present, it is the Republic of France. We are gratifiedthat, with a show of statesmanship and of vision, the French Republic has instructed its delegation here to join in sponsoring this draft resolution on the admission of Viet Nam, France was a colonial Power in Viet Nam for a long period of time and itself was one of the countries against which the Vietnamese peoplestrove for so long to assertits right to self-determination and independence. Viet Nam,as we all know, has in its recent history known nothing but the shedding of blood, the sacrifice of its treasure, the serious erosion of its cultural tradition, the defoliation of . its territory, and the serious ecological complications that have been introducedinto thisoncepeaceful land. 15. It is our submission that this Assembly, representing the world's Governments, acting, aswe claim it does, as the moral conscience of mankind, should at least now show that the past isover and that welookforward to a future of co-operation, as the collective representation of the world, with the small, heroic, valiant, chivalrous nation, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. TheVietnamese have great tasks ahead of them in rebuilding their war-torn territory -among which is the great task of resettling vast numbers 17. We do not and cannot accept the theory that, just because a nation, albeit a permanent member of the Security Council, has certain bilateral problems or diffi- culties with another nation, such a consideration should be allowed to prevent the applicant nation from taking its rightful place in this Assembly. That theory, if recognized and acknowledged, would do serious harm to the United Nations. We are not here concerned with which nation is making an application or with which nation is preventing the admission of that applicant. We are here concerned with a principle. 18. Since the United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco in 1945 the General Assembly has seen its membership almost trebled-and that is one of the great historical forces of the. latter half of this century. At this stage of near-universality, how can we account to our peoples, on whose behalf the Charter was signed, for the fact that one nation is being prevented from playing its proper role and making the contribution it is able to make-and we are sure it will make-to the maintenance of international peace and security in the world by beingkept out. 19. We of Sri Lanka, and indeed of all the non-aligned nations, have placed prime importance on the concept of universality. If one examines our votes on applications for membership in recent years, we have nothing to be ashamed of, because the principle to which we have solemnly adhered, as we were bound to do by the Charter itself, is that of universality. 20. If we were to try to prevent others from joining us or to expel Members now represented in this Organization simply because of the bilateral difficulties anyone of us may have with any other country, it is our humble submission that we would have taken the first step in the disintegration of the United Nations. And who in this hall would like that result as the year 1976 ushers in the last quarterof this century? 21. It is our sincere belief that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is fully qualified under Article4 of the Charter. Its Government has, on more than one occasion, solemnly undertaken to fulfil the obligations that the Charter places on Members. It has solemnly shown that it will treasure the independence it has won after so long a struggle. It has shown us that it willbe a peace-loving nation; and indeed it has entered into discussions and negotiations with the very Government which is today preventingits admission to this Organization. 22. The draft resolution is self-explanatory; I do not have to nor do 1 wish to take up the time of this Assembly by Assembl~ to .meet this mor~ing will reconsider its position. That nation IS a gr:at one; It has contributed considerably to human progress In every field. I think what is nowbefore that nation for decision is a challenge to its own states- manship and vision of where the world is to go from now. 23. I do not wish to go back to the events leadingto this situation. History has alwaysshown us that it would be well for us all to learn some of the lessons it has been trying to teach us. If some of us refuse to hearken to those lessons and learn from history, then surely we cannot blame anybody but ourselves if we fall into pitfallsthat we could very well have avoided by some show of vision. While we can draw the appropriate lessons from history, it would be futile and counter-productive for us to go through events of history that are best forgotten. 24. It is in that spirit that I appeal to the United States Government and the United States delegationto reconsider its position on this issue and, when the Security Council meets again to consider the recommendations of this Assembly, to show by its statesmanship that it is in the general trend of the forward movement of the international community, and realize that whatever difficulties of whatever nature it may have at present with the Govern- ment of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam or whatever problems it may have at this particular time in accounting for a change of its attitude are trivial in comparison with the great issues that are now being discussed here in this forum this morning. 25. I do not wish to draw any analogies, but I am sure that we have very much in mind the attitude adopted by the same permanent member of the Security Councilregarding the proper representation in this Assembly of a great nation, also of the Asian continent. For 25 years the General Assembly missed the opportunity to have partici- pating in its deliberations the recognized and legal represen- tatives of that nation. Fortunately, the errors of omission that led to that situation have now been rectified. And who can deny that that rectification has added to the fruit- fulness of our discussionsand contributed immeasurably to the maintenance of international peace and security? I am sure that the permanent member of the Security Council which delayed that process for so long would now be the first to admit that a serious error of judgement had been made by its Government for 2~ years. Let us hope and pray that that part of history will not be repeated. Let us hope and pray that that Government will reconsider very seriously and take into account the plea we are makingto it through this Assembly and the Security Council regarding the admission to membership of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. 26. As I said at the beginning of my remarks, I am proud to be here speaking on behalf of the chairman of the 86-nation group of non-aligned States. I am proud to be here advocating the admission to this Assembly of a sister 27. It is our firm conviction that that little, courageous nation-the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam-has earned its way to membership in the international community.And if we deny that nation the right to participate in our deliberations, if wedeny that nation the right to contribute to what the UnitedNationshas so far achieved in the world and if we deny that nation the right to participate in the advantages and benefits of joining with us in our delibera- tions, we shall not only be doing that nation a great injustice but we shall also be doing ourselves more than an injustice: we shall be doingsomethingof which, in thelong run, allof us willnecessarily haveto be ashamed. 28. As I leave this podium, I make a special and fervent appeal-not only on behalf of the sponsors of this draft resolution but, in the light of past practice, also for a much wider spectrum of the international community-to one single State Member of this Organization, that Member which by virtue of its privileges as a permanentmember of the Security Council, has so far been placing obstacles in the wayof the assumption by the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam of the place it is entitled to in our ranks. I hope that this appealon behalf of 73 nations, in the first place,and I believe on behalfof more than half the representation here, will make some impact on that nation which has so far made it impossible for the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to join our ranks. 29. As my Prime Minister said in this very forum[ 11th meeting], I think the time has comefor us to ensurethat, if the requirements of Article 4 of the Charter are met and if the existing machinery still permits the refusalof that right to an applicant sovereign State, then the time has comefor us to consider whether that machinery should not be revised, reviewed and reformed, so that this situation will not be allowed to impede the progress of the United Nations in achieving that degree of universality which our Organization, its ideas, its purposes and its very namehave cometo symbolize in our time.

In accordance with the decision just taken, I shall call now on the Permanent Observer of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. In doing so, I must mention that we have a long list of speakers and I would appeal to all speakers to be asbrief as possible.

Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you upon your election to the lofty function of President of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly. IfI you I salute an outstanding diplomat and a worthy representative of Sri Lanka. Your wisdom and competence in directing the work of this session of the Assembly, as well as the work of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, and as chairman of the group of non-aligned countries, are well known. I am particularly pleased to note that the friendly 32. It is with deep emotion that we have learned of the most recent news concerningthe earthquake in Turkey. We wish to offer our profound condolences to the victimsand the Governmentof Turkey. 33. I should like to express, on behalf of my Government, my most sincere thanks to Mr. Kurt Waldheirn, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his solicitude and personal efforts to contribute actively to the mobiliza- tion of the assistance given by the international organi- zations to the Vietnamese people in their efforts to overcome the innumerable difficulties they are facing in reconstructing their country, ravaged by several years of war. 34. My delegation is happy to see that the People's Republic of Angola will soon assume its rightful place within this Organization. We warmly hail this historic diplomatic victory of .the heroic and fraternal people of Angola. 35. I wish to take this valuable opportunity to express, on behalf of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, our most sincere thanks to the representatives of the 14 member States of the SecurityCouncilwhich supported our application for admission at the Council's 1972nd meeting on 15 November last and to all the representatives of the States Members of this Organization who expressed support for our application in the general debate at the thirty-first session of the General Assembly. We wish particularly to thank the 73 countries which have spon- sored or willsponsor draft resolution AI31 jL.21, which the representative of Sri Lanka, on behalf of his own country and on that of the group of non-aligned countries, has just brilliantly introduced in the Assembly. Our most sincere thanks are likewise addressed to all the socialist countries, to the group of non-aligned countries and to its Co- ordinating Bureau, and to the other countries which have extended their most valuable support to us. That support is one of the most eloquent manifestationsof the recognition by Virtually all the members of the international com- munity of the intention and ability of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to carry out the obligations incumbent upon Members of the United Nations, as was affirmed by Mr. Amerasinghe, President of the General Assembly, in his inaugural statement before this Assembly ! 1st meeting]. 36. Those eloquent manifestations of extensive support for the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam are also a categorical rejection of the fallacious allegations made by the United States representative, at the last meeting of the .Security Council, When he said that he doubted that Viet Nam was ready to assume its obligations under the Charter. a statement which was intended to serve as a pretext for opposing the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. That unilateral and arbitrary decision is a flagrant defiance of the judgement of virtually the entire membershipof the United Nations. 2 Agreement on Ending the War andRestoring Peace in Viet-Nam signed at Paris on 27 January 1973. ' 38. It is a well-known fact that all of these manipulations, which derive from an erroneous and anachronistic policy of the United States Government, have aroused general indig- nation within the Organization as well as within American and world public opinion. 39. Going further in its hostile policy towards the Viet- namese people, the United States representative resorted to an argument which has nothing to do with Article 4 of the Charter by sayingthat the Vietnamese people: ".. _persists anguish and missing men advantage."! in its attempts to play upon the deep the uncertainty of the families of those in order to obtain economic and political This is an unforgivable attitude, a serious affront to the honour of the whole of the Vietnamese people and an act revolting to the conscience of all men having any sense of morality. 40. The Vietnamese people is the victim of a long and barbarous war of aggression waged by the United States, and this war has caused it profound wounds which will take several score years to heal. But after the end of the war the Vietnamese people, conscious of its tradition of generosity and humanitarianism, shares the sufferings of the American families which have lost their sons in this war, because those American families are themselves victims of the erroneous policy of their own Government. The Viet- namese Government has on several occasions stated that it is ready to settle with the American Government the problems which are still pending after the war concerning the two countries, including the problem of missing Americans. More than that, in compliance with article 8 [b] of the Paris Agreement on Vlet Nam,2 we have on four occasions transmitted a list of names and the remains of several Americans who were killed while committing their acts of war in Viet Nam and whom we were able to identify. We have permitted all the Americans stranded in South Viet Narn after the war to return to the United States with all the members of their families. 41. If the problem of the Americans missing in action has not so far been resolved, this is due to the unilateral and arrogant policy of the American Government, Which has 42. As for the problem of the contribution of the American Government to binding up the wounds of war and to the reconstruction of the country after the war in Viet Nam, I should like to repeat that this is a matter of conscience, responsibility and honour which the American Government cannot evade. So far, four years after the signing of the Paris Agreementon Viet Nam, one and a half years after the end of the war, the American Government continues to maintain an attitude of indifference and irresponsibility to the destruction which it has inflicted upon the Vietnamese people. Moreover, it has attempted by all means to create more difficulties for the Vietnamese people in its efforts to reconstruct the country. It continues to freeze all our holdings in American banks, to impose a total embargo on trade with our country, goingso far asto block the humanitarian aid of religious and people's organizations of the United States to our people and systematically, but vainly, to oppose our admission to several international organizations, suchas the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Food and Agri- culture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 43. All these arbitrary acts will in no way facilitate the settlement of the problems which still remain to be resolved by the two parties after the war. These problems can be settled only on a bilateral and reciprocal basis in conformity with articles 8 (h) and 21 of the Paris Agreement on Viet Nam. 44. We consider that, in the long-term interests of the two peoples-Vietnamese and American-out of respect for the noble purposes of the United Nations Charter and so that peace and friendship among peoples may prevail, the American Government must ceaseits hostilepolicy towards Viet Nam. It must cease to oppose the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations; it must show goodwill and adopt a serious attitude in the settlement of problems that are still pendingbetween the two countries in connexion with the Paris Agreement on Viet Narn, in order to proceed towards a normalization of relations between the two countries. 45. We believe that that is also the wish of the American people and, indeed, of all the countries of the international community. 46. We are firm in our confidence that justice and common sense will prevail and that we shall soon take up our rightful place in this Organization. Although our admission to the United Nations has been arbitrarily blocked, we shall continue actively to contribute to the common struggle of peoples for the defence of peace and international security, for the safeguarding of the inde- pendence and sovereignty of peoples and for the achieve- ment of the noble purposes of the United NationsCharter.

In connexion with the 48. Theunited Vietnamese State, the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam, already deserves now, and not at some time in the future, to be among us and to take an active part in the Organization's work. During their long, heroic struggle the people of that country successfully defended their inalien- able right to freedom and national independence and has created a unified and independent State. The Vietnamese people has demonstrated in practiceits readinessto assume the obligations containedin the UnitedNations Charter and to work, together with the other Members of the United Nations, for the establishment on earth of genuine inter- national peace and security and to strive towards the extension of detente in international relations throughout the world. 49. The historicvictory of Viet Nam in the spring of last yearwaswelcomed with satisfactionand happinessby all of progressive mankind, which was attentively following the struggle of the Vietnamese people against attempts by the imperialist forces and their proteges to perpetuate the division of the country. This was a fitting culmination of the war of resistance for the national and social salvationof the country and began an era of the building of socialism throughout the whole of Viet Nam which is the most outstanding in the history of the country. The establish- ment of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the unification of the nation into one State has concluded the liquidation of an barriers to a genuinely free and independent development of the country along the path of socialism. 50. At the present time the Vietnamese people, which is engaged in constructive work, is preparing for a particularly important event in its history: the opening of the Fourth Congress of the Vietnamese Workers' Party. It was precisely that Party which brought the people together in the struggle for the salvation and the independence of the country. It was precisely that Party which led the heroic patriotic war waged by the Vietnamese people. It was precisely that Party which led the Vietnamese people to victory in that war. It is precisely that Party which is now leading the Vietnamese peoplein the construction of a new, happy and secure life for the whole people. 51. TIle Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is making a great positive contribution to the cause of strengthening peace, friendship and co-operation among the peoples in Asiaand the rest of the world. It is only natural, therefore, that the prestige and authority of the Vietnamese Government should be constantly increasing in the international com- munity. The Vietnamese people has many friends. One need only recall that lastyear 123 countriesvoted in favour of the admission of both Vietnamese States to membership 52. Only recently, during the general debate at the thirty-first session of the General Assembly, 90 countries came out firmly in support of the immediate admission of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations. They stressed the undeniable fact that that country is playing an important role in the maintenance of international peace and security and in the carrying out of the lofty purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Those delegations emphasized that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam fully meets the requirements laid down in the United Nations Charter for membership. They pointed out that any attempts to link admission to membership in the United Nations with the fulfilment of any other require- ments not laid down in the Charter would lead to the violation of provisions of the Charter. It can be stated that during the general debate the overwhelming majority of members of the international community confirmed their position in favour ofthe immediate and positive solution of this question. They spoke in favour of the restoration of elementary justice for the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and its people. 53. Only a few days ago, 34 countries participated in the Security Council's discussion of the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for membership in the United Nations and gave firm and unreserved support to Viet Nam's application for admission to membership in the United Nations. 54. It would be wrong and contrary to the Charter to link the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership of the United"Nations with any other questions having nothing whatever to do with its application and falling within the purview of bilateral relations between sovereign States. This was pointed out by the delegations which took part in the recent meetings of the Security Council. 55. It is very regrettable indeed that in the Security Council the just and lawful application of Viet Narn was once again blocked by one of the permanent members of the Security Council. That prevented the Security Council from adopting the draft resolution which would have correctly solved the question of Viet Narn's admission. That draft resolution was submitted by 11 members of the Council? and supported by 14 members; but the negative "This action is unjustifiable and contrary to the United Nations Charter and the desire of almost all the members of the international community, and represents a chal- lenge to the international community." 56. Webelieve that the time has come to put an end to the creation of artificial difficulties and barriers to the admis- sion of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. To ignore the virtually unanimous view that Viet Nam should immediately take its rightful place in the United Nations, is not to the credit of those who like to speak of respect for the right of peoples to self-determi- nation and of the value of universality for increasing the prestige and authority of the United Nations. It is precisely for that reason that it is more important now than ever before for the General Assembly to confirm the inalienable, unshakable right of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to assume its lawful place in our Organization. 57. The Soviet people and the Soviet Government, be- cause of their feelings of deep friendship and sincere brotherhood for the Vietnamese people, have always given and will continue to give that people assistance and support. We did that during that people's war for national salvation. We are doing it now during the peaceful reconstruction of the independent, united and socialist Viet Nam, The friendship, solidarity and comprehensive co- operation between the Vietnamese and the Soviet peoples will grow and become ever stronger. 58. The Soviet Union firmly supports the proposal that Viet Nam should be admitted to membership of the United Nations and believes that its full participation in the work of the world Organization will help all the organs to contribute usefully and effectively to the solution of important problems before the United Nations. 59. The Soviet Union's support for the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for admission to mem- bership in the United Nations is based on the consideration that this just demand is fully in keeping with the principal purpose of the United Nations: to ensure genuine peace and security on our planet. At the same time, we believe that any further delay in admitting this sovereign State will not contribute to enhancing the prestige and authority of the United Nations. All measures must be taken to bring about a speedy and favourable solution to the question of the admission of the Socialist Republic ofViet Nam. 60. The delegation of the Soviet Union is in favour of immediately reconvening the"Security Council to consider the question of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations and to adopt a positive recommendation on that question. We call 61. As one of the sponsors of the draft resolution now before the Assembly, the delegation of the Soviet Union expresses the hope that that text will be supported by the overwhelming majority of States Members of the United Nations taking part in the work of this Assembly. 62. In the next few days, the heroic country of Angola will become a Member of this Organization. We are convinced that Viet Narn also wiIl be with us. The just cause of the Vietnamese people must triumph, and it will triumph. 63. Mr.JAROSZEK(Poland): This meetingof the General Assembly could have and in fact should havebeen avoided. This meeting of the General Assembly is, unfortunately, a product of necessity rather than of jubilation, which it could have been, had it not been for the circumstances. This meeting has been brought about by practices in our Organization that were unheard of long ago and are deplored by all. 64. Indeed, the last 16 months have seen enough positive movement in favour of Viet Nam's admission to the United Nations. The Security Council held 11 meetings in three separate series; there was discussion in the General Assem- bly and the unopposed adoption of resolution 3366 (XXX), requesting the Security Council immediately and favour- ably to reconsider the application for membership in strict conformity with Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations; dozens of representatives spoke in the Security Council and the General Assembly in support of Viet Nam's successive applications, to mention only the general debate of the current sessionof the Assembly. Yet within less than a year and a half all those efforts were thwarted by five arbitrary and unjustifiable vetoes cast by one permanent member of the Security Council. 65. The Polish delegation would have preferred today to welcome the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as a full Member of the United Nations instead of reiterating our steadfast position on its membership to come. Actually, it was from this very rostrum two months ago[5th meeting] that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland, Stefan Olszowski, expressed my country's unequivocal support for the prompt admissionto the United Nationsof the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,which has paid dearly for its right to an independent existence and has satisfied all the require- ments set forth in the Charter to take its rightful place in the United Nations family. 66. More recently the same position wasreaffirmed in the joint statement signed in Moscow this month by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party, Edward Gierek, and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Leonid Brezhnev, on the occasion of the visit 67. The political and, for that matter, the moral implica- tions ~nd repercussions of the casebefore us are regrettably of a multidimensional nature. The Polish delegation dwelt on some of them last week during the debate in the Security Counctl.s Today, however, three of the unfortu- nate features of this case assume exceptional prominence. 68. First, the recurrent vetoing of the admission of Viet Nam to the United Nations flouts the lofty purposes and principles of the Charter. It violates the basic rule of the Organization, that of universal membership. Thisis the only way to qualify the grave misuse of the veto by a permanent member of the SecurityCouncil. I believe it willnot be out of place in this context to recalI that as far back as 30 years ago the Senate of that permanent member called upon the executive to forswear the use of the veto in the United Nations in questions involving the admission of new Members. 69. Secondly, the decision to block Viet Nam'sadmission to the United Nations is the result of a whim based on expediency and open inconsistency. In three consecutive debates of the Security Council, the United States has each time advanced a different reason to block the required recommendation by the CounciL In August of last year the two Vietnamese States were prevented from admission to membership on the artificial grounds that they were insufficiently established in authority. A month later a flimsy new argument appeared, making the admission dependent on the simultaneous acceptance of a totally unrelated application. Last week, an entirely new obstacle was cited, one which lies exclusively within the realm of bilateral relations between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the United States and has nothing to do with the legal criteria for membership in the United Nations. Small wonder, therefore, that the world conununity promptly perceived the consecutive vetoesas actions more concerned with diplomatic manoeuvring than with international prin- ciple. 70. Thirdly, the vetoes against Viet Nam seemto have set the inadmissible and dangerous precedent of the creation of new andirrelevantconditions for membership in the United Nations, whereas the only valid criteria for admission are laid down in Article 4 of the Charter. It is precisely those criteria and no others that have been either expected of or required from any previous applicants for membership in the Organization. It was those criteriawhich,on 11 August 1975, rightly prompted the representative of the United States to stipulate that: "The United Nations should be as near as possible to universal in membership. Asnew nations are formed they 4 Ibid.• Thirty-first Year. 1971st meeting. 71. For our part, we can only reiterate that: the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is a peace-loving State; the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam accepts the obligations contained in the Charter; the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is able and willing to carry out those obligations; the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam needs no other credentials to become a Member of the United Nations. n. It is in the spirit of those undeniable truths that Poland has joined those sponsoring draft resolution A/31/ L,21 and Add.l , We trust it will receive unanimous support from this Assembly.

The General Assembly now has before it the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for admission to membership in the United Nations. This application was first considered by the Security Council recently and because of the negative vote of one permanent member of the Security Council-namely, the United States of America-the Council was unable to recommend the application of Viet Nam to this Assembly. The question that immediately arises is whether the negative vote of the United States of America was justified. 74. In the opinion of the Indian delegation, that negative vote was unjustified in terms of the criteria laid down for membership in Article 4 of the United Nations Charter. There is no doubt in our mind that Viet Nam fulflls all the conditions required for membership in the United Nations. It is a peace-loving country and it accepts the obligations of membership in the United Nations. It now remains for this Organization as a whole to judge whether Viet Nam is able and willing to carry out those obligations. 75. This matter was considered by the General Assembly last year, at its thirtieth session, when it adopted resolution 3366 (XXX) without a single negative vote and expressed the view that the former two States of Viet Nam were qualified and fit for admission to the United Nations-that is to say, that they were able and willing to carry out the obligations of the Charter of the United Nations. Those two States have now become unified in the present State of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, which is ipso facto equally able and willing to fulfil the Charter obligations and is consequently fit for admission to the United Nations. Draft resolution A/31/L,21 and Add.l , of which India is a sponsor, seeks, therefore, to request the Security Council to reconsider favourably the application of Viet Nam, We trust that this draft resolution will also be adopted without a single negative vote, because the situation has by no means changed materially since last year. 5 Ibid., Thirtieth Year, 1836th meeting. 77. It is our submission that unresolved bilateral issues between an applicant State and permanent members of the Security Council are not strictly relevant and therefore should not militate against the admission to the United Nations of the applicant State. It is indeed stretching the point too far to argue that the mere fact of non-settlement of certain bilateral issues, regardless of the validity of the reasons there for', is tantamount either to inability or unwillingness on the part of the applicant State to fulfil the obligations contained in the United Nations Charter. Such an argument is untenable in terms of the Charter and the advisory opinion of the Court. 78. My delegation would appeal to the permanent member of the Security Council concerned to suspend the use of its veto of the application of Viet Nam for admission to the United Nations. By doing so, nothing would be lost; on the contrary, a certain something might be gained which might well contribute to improvement of bilateral relations between it and the applicant State of Viet Nam. My delegation has the utmo~t understanding and sympathy for the families of persons missing in action; but we refuse to believe that these unfortunate families, steeped in grief as they are, would wish to prevent the admission of Viet Nam to the United Nations when, by allowing Viet Nam to join the United Nations, the processes of normalization might be hastened and the uncertainty of the fate of missing persons might be ended. The use of the veto in such a situation seems to be nothing more than an act of frustration. It is counter-productive and should be avoided. 79. It is in this belief that my delegation has chosen to sponsor with more than 70 other Member States the draft resolution before this Assembly. We have no doubt that it will receive the General Assembly's overwhelming endorse- ment. More important, this draft resolution will remind the Security Council that it should be guided exclusively by the considerations laid down in Article 4 of the Charter and that it should not allow itself to be swayed by extraneous and irrelevant considerations. We sincerely hope that the message of this Assembly. given in clear and unmistakable.. terms in the draft resolution, will be fully respected by all members of the Security Council. In the name of corn- passion we would specifically appeal to the United States of America to end the uncertainty of Viet Nam's admission to the United Nations, because by doing so we might possibly help also to end the uncertainty concerning the fate of missing persons. 6 Admission ofa State to the United Nations (Charter, Article 4). AdVisory Opinion, 1.C.J. Reports, 1948, p. 57. ar~er or admission to membership. Norisit necessary to States to decide, but it bears a remarkable resemblance to convince the MemberStates of the United Nations that that what may be termed a diktat. However, the United States country h~s a rightful place to occupy among us, for, cannot dictate to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam-a perhaps with the exception of one delegation we are all lesson which might at least have been drawn from the war. convincedof this truth. ' 81. On this occasion I should rather like to speak about some thoughts we have in the wake of the action of the Security Council-or, to be more specific, of one of its permanent members, the United States-and about the p.ossi~le ways of proceeding appropriately in the prevailing situation, 82. The United States voted against the admission of the ~ocialist ~epublic of ~iet Nam to membership because, as It stated m the Secunty Council, "the United States has serious doubts about the willingness of Viet Nam" to "carry out the obligations of the United NationsCharter".' But what can the United States invoke in support of such doubts? Is it perhaps that Viet Nam is failing to pursue a policy of peace, that it is threatening some countries or that it is using force against any? No, quite the contrary is the case. It was Viet Nam against which force was used by those who now call in question its willingness to carry out the obligations of the Charter. But why isit questioned? I shall quote again from the same statement made in the Security Council: "The Socialist Republic of Viet Namhas failed so far to manifest satisfactory humanitarian or practical concern regarding American servicemen missing in action. It has failed ... to account satisfactorily for Americans missing in action ...". 83. Many speakers before me-for instance, in the debate in the Security Council-have said that this question is to be resolved within the framework of bilateral relations and that the conditions for admission of new Members are those, and only those, contained in Article 4 of the Charter. In using this matter as a pretext for its veto, the United States. was not acting in accordance with the Charter. However, even if, for the sake of argument, we disregard that aspect for a moment and take an independent look at the question of the missing in action, is it perhapsthe case that Viet Nam has been totally inactive in this field? Hasit ever claimed that those who disappeared in the warwere all aggressors and that it will therefore not care about them and their relatives? No, Viet Nam did not act in that way, but instead set up a special commission to seek out and identify Americans missing in action. As recently as 6 September the Socialist Republic of Viet Narn conveyed 84. Another thought that we have about such an attitude is that it is not only contrary to the Charter but that it implicitly creates the impression that none but the United States is in the right and that everyone who supports Viet Namisout of step. 85. We wonder if the leaders of the present administration have stopped to ponder, at least for a moment that the right could, after all, be on the side of the overwhelming majority of the StatesMembers of the United Nations.One is led to the conclusion that the present American administration seems unable to act in an objective manner on the question of Viet Nam. Subjective impulses, which are counter-productive, are particularly ill-advised in the realm of internationalrelations. The United States isone of the five permanent members of the Security Council bearing a special responsibility for international peace and security. It would be more reassuring for all Member States to see the United States showing due regard for the objective realities that prevail in present-day international relations. 86. By its decision the United States has unfortunately done a disservice to the cause of the United Nations, and even to that of peace in general. 87. The main purpose of today's debate and of the vote which we are going to take in the General Assembly is to express our solidarity with, and support for, the just aspiration of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for membership. At the same time, the vote will have the important side effect of showing the Member States' disagreement with the veto exercised by the United States to block the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Namto membership in the United Nations. 88. We are sure that the overwhelming majority of the Member States will reaffirm their support for the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Namto membership in the United Nations and willvotefor draft resolution A/31/L.21 and Add.I, which my country hasjoined in sponsoring. 89. We are also no lesscertainthat, howeverslowly and at times painfully, the United States will also have to recognize and learn to live with the realities of the contemporary world. The Socialist Republic of Viet Narn willtakeits rightfulplacein the United Nations. 90. May 1 again assure the Vietnamese delegation from this rostrum and through it, the Government and people of 91, Mr. LAl Ya-li (China) (translation from Chinese): On 10 August 1976, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam submitted its application for admission to membership in . the United Nations [A/31/180-S/12183/. Between 10 September and 15 November, the Security Council con-· sidered the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam." The Chinese delegation stated that, in accordance· with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was fully qualified for membership in the United Nations and that we therefore firmly supported its application and maintained that the Security . Council should forthwith recommend to the General Assembly the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Natlons.s . However, the United States went so far as to misuse the veto and unwarrantedly prevented the Security Council from recommending the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations under an absurd pretext. This is utterly unjustifiable. The Chinese delegation expresses deep regret at this and holds that the General Assembly should adopt a resolution urging the Security Council to rectify the above unreasonable state of affairs. Accordingly, China has decided to sponsor draft resolution A/31/L.21 and Add.l . . 92. Under the leadership of their great leader, President Ho Chi Minh, and the Viet Nam Workers' Party, the Vietnamese people, with a glorious revolutionary tradition, waged protracted and arduous struggles for national libera- tion and independence and won Victory in the August revolution of 1945. On 2 September of the same year the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam was born in glory. Thereafter, in their just cause of consolidating the north, liberating the south and reunifying the fatherland over the long period of three decades, the heroic Vietnamese people waged incessant valiant battles against the foreign aggressors and the traitorous reactionary forces fostered by these aggressors. In the spring of 1975 the Vietnamese people and their armed forces defeated the imperialist aggressors and the domestic reactionary forces with irresistible mo- mentum, liberated the whole of south Viet Nam and won complete victory in the war against United States aggression and for national salvation, thus achieving the independence and liberation of the entire nation. The Vietnamese people's victory in their war of national liberation consti- tutes an important contribution to the cause of the liberation of the oppressed nations in the world and a heavy blow to imperialism, colonialism and hegemonlsm. 93. The great victory of the Vietnamese people paved the way for the reuniflcation of the north and south of Viet Narn. The Sixth National Assembly of Viet Nam, held last 8 Ibid., 1955th and 1970th·1972nd meetings. 9 Ibid., 1970th meeting. 94. We are also glad to see that, since the victory of the war, the entire Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Viet Nam Workers' Party have made continual new successes in consolidating the fruits of victorychealing the wounds of war, and rehabilitating and developing the . economy. 95. China and Viet Namare friendly neighbours linked by mountains and rivers. The peoples of China and Viet Nam have always Sympathized with and supported each other and forged a profound, militant friendship in prolonged revolutionary struggles against imperialism. The Chinese people warmly hail the great historic victory, won by the Vietnamese people in the great cause of achieving the independence and liberation of the whole nation and achieving the reunification of their fatherland. The Chinese people will, as always, continue to make contributions to the strengthening of the revolutionary friendship between our two peoples and wishes the Vietnamese people con- tinual new and greater victories in their revolution and construction in the future. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has. already stood on its own feet in the family of nations .as an independent and sovereign State. Although a super-Power veto can obstruct it from being admitted to the United Nations for a time, this cannot do the slightest harm to the Vietnamese people, but will only land the super-Power in greater political isolation, The Chinese delegation will, together with the delegations of all the justice-upholding Member States, continue to work for the. attainment of the full rights of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in the United Nations,

It is a great honour for my delegation that also on this occasion it can voice its determined and ardent support for the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for membership in the United Nations. 97. The recent United States veto in the Security Council cannot in any way change the proved truth that unified Viet Nam fully meets all requirements for membership in the United Nations. The full qualification of Viet Nam for membership is a clear, definitely established fact that cannot be refuted. It is regrettable that the. United States has not yet been able to disengage itself from the policy of hostility against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and has again taken refuge in concocted pretexts for the justifi- cation of its position. 9B. The Vietnamese people have achieved their unification after 30 hard years of struggle against aggression and have gained the admiration and esteem of the whole world. The United States veto obviously cannot change that fact in any way, nor can the explanations offered by the United States delegation, which are destined more for the jingoistic sections of American consumers rather than for the sensible 99. When we recall last year's United States veto of the admission of the then two States of Viet Nam on the pretext that such admission must be conditional on the simultaneous admission of South Korea, the reason for today's pretext also becomes clearer. If last year's pretext suggested something like "a package deal" between the United States and the world majority, this year it is rather a Pharisaical solicitude for human lives-the lives of American soldiers. Humanitarian views, which American diplomacy likes to display, were disregarded at the time when American pilots and soldiers were sent to Viet Nam and the other two countries of Indo-China to destroy and bum down towns and villages. 100. The real reason for the American attitude lies somewhere else: it is the uneasiness that the ideals for which the Vietnamese people have fought-that is, freedom, peace, independence and socialism-are becoming a reality in Viet Nam and that the world has been accepting it as a matter of course, and many countries even as an example. It looks as if the United States is not interested in the improvement of its international reputation, which has been tarnished by the bloody war in Indo-China. On the contrary, the United States sets conditions and preaches strange morals, which would permit the former aggressor to ask for gestures of goodwill by its former victim. 101. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has had experi- ence in diplomacy and patiently continues to seek ways to solve the problems of this stage too in American-Viet- namese relations. The question of information on the missing American soldiers can be solved on a bilateral basis. Similar questions, which are the residue of every war, have so far always been solved, and can only be solved, on a bilateral basis as part of anew, peaceful stage in relations with the formerly hostile countries. 102. Proceeding from the principles of its peaceful foreign policy I the Vietnamese Government has proposed to the United States to negotiate the unsettled questions and to normalize relations. After all, bilateral negotiations are taking place between Viet Nam and the United States in Paris, where the question of the missing American soldiers is on the agenda, as well as other issues. 103. Czechoslovakia has stood on the side of brotherly socialist Viet Nam in its historic struggle for a unified and free State. We stress that the membership of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in the United Nations is in accord with the conditions of Article 4 of the United Nations Charter and can only represent a contribution to this Organization. In the interest of the United Nations, the United States should free itself from the vicious circle of revenge and start with the building of a new stage in its relations with the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,

[ have the honour to speak on behalf of the non-aligned countries of Europe-the Republic of Cyprus, Malta and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia-in connexion with the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for admission to the United Nations. 106. We are again faced with the question of the admis- sion of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam because that sovereign and independent country has again been pre- vented, as a result of the use of the veto, from exercising a right that justly belongs to it under the Charter of the United Nations. Such a development cannot but cause serious concern to all countries dedicated to the realization of the principles and objectives of the world Organization; 107. Our delegations have already explained their viewson the right of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to be admitted to membership in the United Nations several times. However, we are compelled to speak again in this Assembly because-in spite of the will of the vast majority of the States Members of the world Organization clearly expressed at the thirtieth session of the General Assembly and despite the 14 votes cast in favour of admission in the Security Council-the United States has prevented the adoption of a positive recommendation. 108. In considering this question again, we must bear in mind that what is really involved is the case of a peace-loving country which has provided ample proof of its respect for the principles of the Charter and the objectives of the United Nations. It is a country which, after the longest and most devastating war in recent history, in which huge losses in human lives and immense material damage were inflicted upon it, won its independence and achieved the unification that had been denied it for many years. A country which has paid such a high price for its freedom can best appreciate the freedom, peace and independence of other countries. 109. During the short period since achieving its inde- pendence the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has mani- fested, by its peaceful policy and constructive initiatives with regard to its neighbours, its desire and readiness to live in peace. It opted for the policy and movement of the non-aligned while still waging its liberation struggle. That is undoubtedly a clear sign that its policy is founded on the same principles as those on which the vast majority of States Members of the United Nations base their inter- national relations. Viet Nam thereby contributes to the strengthening of the international order founded on the Charter of the United Nations and, consequently, both formally and substantively fulfils all the conditions laid down by the Charter for the admission of new Members. 111. The delegations of Cyprus, Malta and Yugoslavia believe that the General Assembly should express its concernover a stand aimed at preventing the adoptionof a positive recommendation for the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. In this case, the duty of the General Assembly isallthe greaterbecause its authority also is brought into question by such action. 112. Our three delegations fulIy support the draft reso- lution upholding the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations and recommending that the Security Council reconsider favourably the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in strict accordance with Article 4 of the United Nations Charter.

TheGerman Democratic Republic as a socialist State shares the view of the Co-ordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned Countries that the Vietnamese people during the years of war made great sacrifices in fighting for their national independence, freedom and unity, and have thus contributed to the peace and independence of other countries; that the Socialist Repub- lic of Viet Nam is a non-aligned country whose foreign policy is oriented towards peace and friendship; and that that country must take its rightful place in the United Nations. 114. My delegation supports the protest of the Co-ordi- nating Bureau of Non-Aligned Countries against the misuse of the right of vetoby the United Statesin connexion with the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The United States position is indeed totally unjustified; it is contrary to the United Nations Charter and the will of virtually all States Members of the United Nations; and it constitutes a challenge flung at the international corn- munity. The reason for the present state of affairs isnot the Charter principle of the concurring votes of the permanent members of the Security Council but solely the negative position of the United States, which no arguments can justify. In principle, no bilateral questions shoulddetermine a decision concerning the admission of any country to membership in the United Nations; the United Nations Charter should be the only guide. With respect to those questions that are bilateral in nature and to which the United States has referred as a pretext for its negative position, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, as is known,has made allpossible efforts to carryout the obligations flowing from the Paris agreements on Viet-Nam-and that, of course, cannotbesaidof the United States. 116. The negative position now taken by the United States in regard to the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as a Member of the United Nations has no future, because it iscontrary to the general development of international relations and will lead only to the isolation of the Government concerned. 117. Like the German Democratic Republic, whose admis- sion was blocked fordecades by certain circles, and like the People's Republic of Angola, whose admission wasdelayed as a result of similar manoeuvres, the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam-of this we are sure-will likewise become a Member of the United Nations. The sooner that admission takesplace the better it will be for our Organization and for its responsible activities with respect to peace and interna- tionalco-operation, 118. That is why we urge the United States not to oppose the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations. Viet Nam must at long last be given the opportunity to assume its proper placein the world Organization.

A little more than a year ago our Assembly, in its wisdom, adopted by 123 votes to none, with only 9 abstentions, resolution 3366 (XXX), in which it recommended that the Security Council should recommend the admission of the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam-which was then made up of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of South Viet Nam-to membership in the United Nations. It is unfortunately painful to note that the Assembly, because of the abuse of the veto by the United States in the Security Council,is this year once again seized of this question, which,in fact, presents no legal difficulties, because in matters related to the admission of new members, Article 4 of the Charter is perfectly clear and self-sufficient. To employ one's inge- nuity to give it another meaning or another interpretation or to add a supplementary clause, as the United States has done, is to engage in a puerile and sterile game which, far from contributing to bringing glory-if there is any gloryin this matter-to its author, only thoroughly discredits and condemns it to total internationalisolation. 120. For some time now, and particularly since the fifth veto cast less than two weeks ago by the United States Government in the Security Council against the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for membership in the United Nations, the world has sought in vain to understand the unjustifiable and indefensible attitude of the Government of the United States, which leads one of the greatest Powers in the world and which, because of that, bears a major and heavy responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. How can 121. The intransigent attitude of the Government of the United States, which has made an abusive, indeed excessive, use of the right of veto, conferred by the Charter on the permanent members of the Security Council, to indicate its extreme irritation and hostility vis-a-vis the Vietnamese people-a people whose only crime was to have said "No" to the American diktat. to have risen en masse against the cruellest and most barbarous aggression of American imperialism, and finally to have triumphantly inflicted a magnificent and historic defeat on that aggression-is intolerable in view of the most elementary rules of democracy which govern our Organization. 122. The arbitrary and illegal attitude is a gross insult to universal good sense and in particular to the common sense of the American people, which is this year joyously celebrating its bicentennial. It is also an offence to the 86 Heads of State and Government of the non-aligned coun- tries which met during the month of August last in Colombo, the beautiful capital of the country of our esteemed President, and which called upon the Security Council to give prompt and positive consideration to the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for admission to membership in the United Nations in accord- ance with resolution 3366 (XXX) [see A/31/197, annex J, para. 101/. 123. The intransigent and arrogant attitude of the Govern- ment of the United States is further defiance of all the members of the Assembly which last year adopted resolu- tion 3366 (XXX), recommending that the Security Council should immediately and favourably reconsider the applica- tion of Viet Nam for membership in the United Nations. Finally and above all, that attitude is a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, which thus creates a grave situation de facto and de jure that is very dangerous for the future of our Organization, whose credibility is seriously jeopardized by the misuse of its right of veto by the Government of the United States. 124. The overwhelming majority of the members of the international community can no longer accept and continue to support American imperialism, which has suffered grave defeats in its policy of world domination and which now wishes to use the United Nations, and in particular its veto right in the Security Council, to impose its will and continually to frustrate the profound aspirations of the peoples of the third world and of all peoples that support justice. The United Nations, which at present is the only guarantor of the hope for peace, equality and justice, would move straight towards its decline, indeed towards its demise, if it were to lose the confidence of the peoples of the world, and particularly the peoples formerly subject to 126. For any independent and sovereign people, whether the Vietnamese or any other, justice is not something that is given, but is something that is inherent. The Vietnamese people, which for 30 years heroically fought and made heavy sacrifices for its ideals of independence, peace and justice, will continue, without striking a blow and with the growing support of peoples that love peace and justice throughout the world, to fight for its just cause and, without any doubt, it will triumph. 127. To conclude, contrary to its habit, my delegation does not wish to make an appeal to the Assembly to request massive support for the draft resolution which is now before it. Such an appeal would be superfluous because justice and right are on the side of the Vietnamese people and of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Furthermore, for each delegation present here the cause has been largely understood, because reason and common sense are more than ever in favour of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the 73 countries which are sponsoring the draft resolution which, thanks to the feelingsofjustice and equity which imbue the members of this Assembly, will receive, we are sure, unanimous support.

The question of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations has acquired particular relevanceand acuity in view of the facts stated in the special report of the Security Council [A/31/330/. 129. The proclamation of the single Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was an historic event in the life of the Vietnamese people, which has crowned its victory in its gallant struggle over a number of years for freedom, independence and national unification. The victory of the Vietnamese people over the forces of imperialism and internal reaction has had a favourable effect upon the whole of the international situation. It has removed one of the most dangerous sources of aggressive war which threatened universal peace and has contributed to the extension of detente and of the sphere of its application. 131. As was to be expected, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, acting in accordance with its peace-loving foreign policy, in August this year submitted its application for admission to the United Nations and solemnly proclaimed its readiness to carry out the obligations contained in the Charter. 132. Objectively speaking, there can be no doubt-nor is there any-that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam fully meets the requirements of Article 4, paragraph 1, of the United Nations Charter, and it is no accident that almost all the members of the international community, representing the widest variety of States with differing social and economic structures, have unanimously supported the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Its undeniable right to be represented in the United Nations was earned by the Vietnamese people at the cost of great sacrifices, as a result of its heroic struggle against aggression and for the restoration of peace in South-East Asia. It has thereby gained the great respect and gratitude of the peoples of the whole world. 133. That is why we are greatly dismayed by the fact that the negative attitude of one of the permanent members of the Security Council has prevented the Council from adopting the only right and just decision. It is significant that the Power which has used the veto against the draft resolution in the Security Council, being incapable of denying the ability of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to carry out its obligations under the United Nations Charter, has resorted to an artificial pretext. 134. The arguments drawn from humanitarian problems, which are ostensibly the basis for the veto, can be refuted by concrete facts. 135. As is known, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, in a display of magnanimity and goodwill, expressed its readiness to normalize its relations with the United States and to settle the problem of Americans missingin action during the war in Viet Nam, 136. A special committee of experts is conducting re- search with a view to the identification of United States servicemen missing in action, the majority of whom were pilots shot down over the sea or over the impenetrable jungles which cover three fifths of the territory of the country. It is understandable that because of this circum- stance the identification of those missing is a difficult and complex matter. By its very nature this problem is one falling within the scope of bilateral relations, and it can therefore in no sense be used as the basis for objecting to admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Narn to the United Nations, especially when the Vietnamese side is displaying a spirit of co-operation in the settlement of that problem. 138. Any attempts to put artificial barriers in the path of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations are justified neither from the legal nor the moral point of view. 139. They are contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, an Organization which by its purpose and char- acter is universal and based on the principles of peaceful coexistence among States with different social structures. They do damage to the authority of the United Nations and its activities for the maintenance of international peace and security. 140. The delegation of the Mongolian People's Republic sees the aforementioned actions as in essence a return to the previous bankrupt policy of discrimination against the socialist countries with respect to membership in the United Nations during the dark days of the "cold war". 141. We call on the country which has used its veto to heed the opinion of the overwhelming majority of the international community and cease its prevention of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. 142. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Mongolian People's Republic, Mr. Dugersuren, in the general debate of this session of the General Assembly stated on 4 October: "... the Mongolian People's Republic fully supports the legitimate request of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for admission to membership in the United Nations and resolutely opposes an unrealistic approach to this question.... We are firmly convinced that the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam ... will contribute to enhancing the prestige and efficiency of this Organiza- tion." [16th meeting, para. 196./ 143. Proceeding from the aforementioned position, the delegation of the Mongolian People's Republic has joined in sponsoring draft resolution A/31/L.21 and Add.l , which emphasizes that the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam must be admitted to membership in the United Nations and recommends that the Security Council reconsider favour- ably the question of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in strict conformity with Article 4, para- graph 1, of the United Nations Charter. 144. We are confident that the Assembly will give very wide support to this draft resolution, thereby contributing to the early admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations.

Only a few days ago, an important discussion was held in the Security Council on the question of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. That discussion confirmed-if any confir- mation was necessary-that the Socialist Republic of Viet . Nam fulfilled all the conditions laid down in Article4 of the Charter for membership in our Organization. It proved, in the first place, that Viet Nam is a State that is deeply devoted to the cause of peace and understanding among peoples. It proved, secondly, that, in the judgement of almost allthe MemberStates, the Socialist Republicof Viet Nam not only accepts the obligations of the Charter but is also capable of doing so and firmly determined to do so. Finally, that discussion proved once again that Viet Nam has immense moral and political authority within the international community. In other words, all the legal, political and moral conditions were met, and we could have today, in strict conformity with the Charter, adopted a resolution that would have been a milestone in the history of the United Nations-a resolution admitting Viet Nam to the world Organization. ]47. Once again a flagrant injustice has been committed against a people that struggled for three decades to defend the principles and purposes laid down in the Charter, in particular the principles relating to the quest for freedom, progress and social justice for everyone and those relating to the independence and self-determination of all peoples. That injustice is the result of the attitude adopted by the United States of America, a permanent member of the Security Council and, indeed, the only Member of this Organization that opposes the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations. There can be no justification for that attitude. It is,first and foremost,in open contradiction with the spirit and letter of the Charter. It is, furthermore, incompatible with the most elementary requirements of law and equity. Finally, it is absurd from the point of view of simple common sense. In a word, it is an untenable attitude, for it is very instructive-although difficult to understand-that the representatives of a great country should have recourseto such ill-founded arguments in trying to justify the refusal to associate themselves with the view so clearly and categorically expressed by the overwhelming majority of States, by international public opinion. 148. The negative vote cast by the United States delega- tion in the Security Council is nothing more nor less than an inadmissibly arbitrary act. It is proof of a persistence in error that, in present conditions, can have no other explanation than political hostility towards the Vietnamese people, a hostility that is badly disguised by arguments that do not hold water. What is more, that attitude has absolutely no foundation if one considers it from the humanitarian point of view. Indeed, it was the Vietnamese people that was subjected to immeasurable trials and 149. Moreover, it is simply inconceivable that the argu- ment should be advanced that the question of the admis- sion of a State may be linkedto pendingbilateral problems with another State, and particularly a State member of the Security Council. Suchan argument demonstrates-and this is the least that one can say-an attitude of rancour and revenge whichcontradicts all the rules of law and morality and is gravely prejudicial to the Charter. ISO. In any case, it should now be clear that the temporary postponement of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations can have no other effect than to emphasize that the deliberate and biased attitude of the United States is prejudicial to the universality and effectiveness of our Organization and to the legitimate right of the Vietnamese people to full representation in the UnitedNations. 151. The Vietnamese people has attained the ideal be- queathed to it by that great son of Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh-that is, the ideal of "building a unified peaceful, independent, democratic and prosperous Viet Nam and thereby making an important contribution to the world revolutionary movement". The main goal of the Viet- namese people's struggle-the reunification of the coun- try-has been achieved. That historic victory by the Vietnamese people marked the beginning of a new era, the era of the construction of an independent, united and socialist Viet Nam. The admission of the SocialistRepublic of Viet Nam to the United Nations is in keeping with an urgent necessity of international politics, and it is more than obvious that that admission would have the most favourable effects on the development of international relations, as well as on the activities of the United Nations. 152. I should like to take this opportunity to repeat from this rostrum that the Government and people of Bulgaria have feelings of brotherly solidarity with the people of Viet Nam, with the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. , 153. I should like also, on behalf of the delegation of Bulgaria, to assure the representatives of the Vietnamese people that the Government of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people as a wholefirmly support the application of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to be admitted to fullmembership in the United Nations. 154. The Government and people of Bulgaria willspare no effort to assist the brave Vietnamese peopleas they engage in the socialist construction of a unified Viet Nam, just as Themeetingroseat 1.15 p.m.