S/38/PV.25 Security Council

I extend to you, Sir, my delegation's very sincere congrat- ulations on your outstanding election to the presidency ofthe thirty-eighth session ofthe General Assembly. You succeed Mr. Imre HoIlai, a distinguished representative of Hungary, who guided the work of the tmrty-seventh session so effectively. 2. In you, Mr. President, we recognize not only an astute statesman and an accomplished diplomat whose career testifies to his commitment to the causes of the poorest and weakest countries, but also the representative ofPanama, that country friendly with mine whose actions at the international level always provide evidence of a fervent dedication to the guiding principles of inter- national relations, in particular those of self-determina- tion, independence and territorial integrity. There can be no doubt that under your wise guidance the thirty-eighth session will be a milestone for the Organization. 3. I take this opportunity also to say how happy my delegation is about the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis as the 158th Member of the United Nations and to express again to its delegation the readiness ofthe People's Republic of the Congo to promote mutually advantageous co-operation between our two countries and our peoples. 4. Throughout this session eminent heads of State or Government, responding to the wish expressed at the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi from 7to 12March, and by its Chairman, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, have spoken from this rostrum to draw the attention of the international community to the serious problems which are proliferating.throughout the world. Many of those problems arise in Africa, and it is about them that I wish to express the concern of the People's Republic of the Congo. 5. Prominent among the frustrations which have dashed the hopes of the African peoples is the questIon of southern Africa. The solution of the problem of Namibia has been deliberately torpedoed by part of the Western contact group which has sided with South Africa by introducing into the negotiations with the South West Africa Peoples Organization {SWAPO] and the front-line States conditions which are totally extraneous to the spirit and letter of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). 6. The right to independence of the Namibian people is not merely peremptory, considering the special respon- sibility assumed by the United Nations in respect of that colonial Territory, but also an indispensable element for promoting lasting peace in southern Mrica. 7. Thus there are no grounds for the establishment of any link between the presence or absence ofCuban troops NEW YORK in Angola and the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations plan ofaction, or for any other false pre-eonditions, such as the guarantee ofthe impartiality ofthis Organization, much less the guarantee ofneutrality that the Republic of South Africa seeks to obtain from Namibia before the people of that country is allowed to exercise the full range of.its inalienable rights. 8. Hence we are determined to continue to support any ce:Hective effort to resolve the situation in Namibia in order to secure the total withdrawal ofSouth Africa from the whole ofNamibia, including Walvis Bay, the Penguin Islands and all the other offshore islands, as well as the unconditional withdrawal of the Pretoria troops from Angolan territory, part of which they occupy with, apparently, the complicity of certain Powers. 9. It is the guaranteed impunity which enables racist South Africa blithely to pursue its criminal policy of "rationalization ofapartheid". To the frenetic establish- ment of bantustans it now wishes to add a bogus consti- tutional reform which would divide the majority of the people by conferring on Indians and Coloureds a dubious representation which it denies to the majority black population. 10. We hope that no effort wiII be spared to put an end to this masquerade, which has lasted all too long and the price of which is paid every day by the front-line States, in particular, Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 11. While the South African tragedy continues, defying all the principles oflaw and justice, another tragedy has arisen in the centre of Africa with the deterioration of the situation in Chad. There has been a lot of fuss and manoeuvring on this s'lbject, giving the problem of Chad an international dimerldion and an ideological element for which the people of Chad have no use. 12. Last August, at BraztzaviIIe, several heads of State and Government of central Africa, in the presence of Colonel Mengistu Haile-Mariam, the current Chairman of the Organization ofAfrican Unity, set down in a state- ment which was distri.buted in the Security Council l the basic principles for a solution to the tragedy of Chad. They proposed negotiations as basic action, recommend- ing a cease-fIre rather than the continuation of the fra- tricidal war, followed by the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from Chad, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Chad. 13. As has been stated by President Denis Sassou- Nguesso, the Congo does not believe in a military solution to the problem or in the illusion that it is possible for one group alone to govern Chad. So far this has led only to a dangerous pendulum movement, arbitrarily favouring the periodic domination ofone group by another, as the result, constantly called into question, ofthe use of arms,. III our (Ipinion, the only solution to this tragedy of the brother. people of Chad lies in the reconciliation of the sons and daughters of that country in order to combine their efforts to bring about national reconstruction. 14. It is towards that end, anr1 that end alone, tha~ all effolts should be directed by those that claim to be the 19. The OAU already has a committee whose mission is to monitor the implementation of GAU resolutions, in particular the one adopted at the nineteenth session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization ofAfrican Unity (see A/38/312, annex]. 20. Africans have a duty to ensure that this referendum is meaningful and to imd an appropriate solution to this conflict which has recently threatened the very existence of the OAU. We also ask that the United Nations assist the OAU so as to ensure the full success of efforts to rC'~olve the problem of Western Sahara. 21. As the years have passed, the crisis in the Middle East has reached its most critical state of tension. The absurdity of such a development is undoubtedly encour- aged by two extremely negative factors. First, there is the refusal of Israel and those supporting it to recognize the Palestinian fact and to draw therefrom the necessary conclusions; secondly, there is the internal interference which, under the pretext of miracle solutions, merely further complicates the situation, which ;s viewed only from the point of view of spheres of influence and so- called vital interests. 22. Among the adverse consequences of this state of affairs are the continuing occupation by Israel of terri- tories that do not belong to it; the alteration of the human and material structure.of what should be the Palestinian homeland; the disorganization of Le!Janon, whose sov- ereignty and. the integrity have been flouted; and, fmally, the massacres, the genocide and the desolation. 23. Since the question of Palestine is the central element of the overall situation in the Middle East my country endorses the conclusions of the International Conference . on the Question of Palestine, held at Gen,;;va from 29August to 7 September, and espec~allythe appeal for an international peace conference on the Middle East, with the participation of all the parties concerned-in particular the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO],. as well as ofall the great Powers which have any influence at all in the affairs of the region. 24. In order to guarantee the integrity and authority of such a conference the United Nations should sponsor it faithfuln~ssto the basic principles of international law concerning mutual respect, non-interference and the non- use of force. 29. The Congo hopes that those principles will prevail in settling the; question ofthe Falkland (Malvinas) Islands, in ending the blockade of which Cuba is a victim and in removing the pressures being applied against Nicaragua, Grenada and Suriname. My country also hopes that the progress in the talks between Guyana and Venezuela, which has brought agreement on the procedure to be followed, will lead to a final solution to the border problem between those two countries. 30. I express similar wishes with regard to the situation in Asia, where we believe the main requirements for inter- national peace and security are understanding between the great peoples of China and the Soviet Union and peaceful coexistence between the peoples of Indo-China and their neighbours. 31. By supporting the Secretary-General's efforts, the Soviet Union, China and other Powers can play an extremely positive role in creating a climate favourable to clearing up the misunderstandings in Afghanistan and those artificially sustained with regard to Kampuchea. 32. In our view, the international community has no choice but to assist all those peoples, which are linked by culture and history, to promote conditions favourable to the restoration of peace in this important region. 33. Only regional co-operation, particularly by those concerned, can reduce the constant danger oflocking East and West in confrontation that is inherent in certain problems that are incorrectly viewed, such as the Korean question. For the peaceful settlement of this question, we see no alternative to the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Korean peninsula and the ending ofmanoeuvres intended to intimidate, in order to make possible a direct dialogue between the sons of the Korean homeland themselves. ' "not" wars which are scattered throughout the worId- and especially in the third world-which serve the ends of thos~who stir them up, and the stateofpoverty which marks the end of the twentieth century-paradoxically given the astonishing scientific feats of the age. 49. Justice and well-being remain basic needs, access to which should be denied to no country. no people. no race, and neither sex. SO. It is towards that end that efforts should be directed, and the shape of the international community's activities should be redefmed by giving fresh impetus to t..'te United Nations. I am convinced that there is no way to stave off the risks ofthe irrevocable other than by all of us together devoting our efforts to bringing about understanding among all the peoples of the world. To this end. the United Nations offers the machinery and the ways and means to fulfll this plan. All together, let us devote our generosity and our enthusiasm to bringing about the suc- cess of this noble cause. 51. Mr. AL-THAWR (Yemen) (interpretGtion from Arabic): Allow me at the outset to express to you, Sir, the warm congratulations of the delegation of the Yemen Arab Republic and myself on your election to the presi- dency of this session. I am confident of your ability to carry out the great task which has been entrusted to you, for your political expertise and wisdom are weII-known. 52. I wish also to express our appreciation and thanks to your predecessor. Mr. Imre HoIIai. who fulfilled his responsibilities brilliantly. I cannot fail to pay a tri- bute to the valuable and unstinting efforts made by the Secretary-General in the service of the Organization and its purposes. He has been discharging his complex duties with great skill and ability. and we wish him continued success. 53. My delegation and I are pleased to welcome Saint Christopher and Nevis to membership in the international Organization. 54. Each year when we ascend this rostrum we are filled with hope that we will be able to realize many of our aspirations for justice, stabilityand prosperity before the following session. Most regrettably, however. realities :~:~~:~:ti::~:Ch_~:w::: tu~elage. 91. Man's achievements in this century in the efforts to eliminate all forms of colonialism and racism consti- tute a bright chapter in modern history, marred only by the continuing racist colonialism and foreign occupation in Namibia and Palestine. The alliance between the two racist Governments of Pretoria and Tel Aviv is clearly aimed at uniting their efforts to suppress the national liberation movements in Palestine and Namibia and to stifle the ambitions and aspirations of the peoples of the two countries and their right to freedom, independence and self-determination. 92. We also view with profound concern the increas- ing co-operation between the racist regimes of Pretoria and Tel Aviv in the manufacture of weapons, especially nuclear weapons, since this constitutes provocation and a threat to the stability and security of the Arab and African States. We call on the countries that provide those two regimes with the material and the potential for the manufacture of nuclear weapons to stop their dealings with those regimes, and at the same time we call on the Arab and African States to increase their vigilance and their co-operation and to close their ranks in order to frustrate the aggressive designs of the two racist regimes. 93. Our people, which is proud of its long-standing struggle and its rejection of all forms of foreign dom- ination, oppression, and tutelage, has firmly and uncon- ditionally supported the legitimate struggle of the people of Namibia for freedom and independence, under the leadership of SWAPO. 94. There is no other way to stamp' out the racist occupation of Namibia except by imposing effective defus~the various crises which threaten world peace and secunty. 118. My country is far removed from the centres of conflict and is in a region that has thankfully enjoyed peace. However, despite the distance and the peace that we enjoy, we are not insensitive to the plight and suffer- ings of the victims of conflicts elsewhere in the world. Nor are we unmindful of our international responsibility for positive and tangible action in the quest for peace. Ind'eed, it was Fiji's commitment to peace that led us to our direct involvement in the United Nations efforts to bring peace and stability in Lebanon. It is regrettable that this past year has witnessed no progress at all towards a durable solution in Lebanon. 119. But the question of Lebanon is part of the overall problem of the Middle East. My Government acknow- ledges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every State in thi5 war-tom region, including Israel. At the same time, we support the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and a homeland. To this end, my Government believes that the essential elements for a peaceful solution are already embraced in the various United Nations resolutions and peace plans. These ele- ments provide sufficient basis for dialogutand can pave the way for a negotiated and durable solution which has defied us for decades. But for that to succeed, courage, imagination, understanding and flexibility are required for all sides. 120. Regrettably, peace has been absent for many ~ears from parts of Asia. We fully share the interna- tIOnal concern over foreign interventions in Afghanistan and Kampuchea. Such interventions continue to vio- late the sovereignty of their victims. In both cases, the mie~ of small island States in my part of the region partIcularly harshly. At the same time, it has brought into sharp focus the very peculiar problems facing small island States that na~d to be addressed urgently. 126. Island States have many unique developmental problems that appear paradoxical at first sight. The social indicators point to solid, positive achievements: higher life expectancy, higher school enrolment, declining fer- tility rates and be\\ter health services. These positive achievements tend t~1 obscure the natural disadvantages that place a real burden on island States in developing their economies. 127. The disadvantages faced by small islands are many an4 include an open economy with a strong dependence on Imported goods and services, small population, limited land size, a low level of economic opportunity» isola- tion from the major markets and proneness to natural disasters. 128. In addition to these problems, many island States are fragmented and scattered over vast expanses of ocean. Their fragmentation, combined with smallness and remoteness, effectively hampers development. These factors are a strong disincentive to overseas investment. 150. We also welcome Saint Christopher and Nevis as a new member of the Organization. It is a country also belonging to the family of Latin American nations. 151. Before beginning my address, I should like to express our sympathy to the victims of the attack against government officials ofthe Republic of Korea. We extend our condolences to them. This deed demonstrates the state of violence in the world and deserves the most emphatic condemnation. 152. Uruguay comes to this session of the General Assembly to renew its commitment to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. The efforts made by the Organization and the activities of the various organs of the system to attain faithfully all their noble goals, therefore, merit our firm support. 153. We must observe, unfortunately, that many centres of conflict and political tension persist and contribute, in one fashion or another, to keeping the world in an unstable and dangerous state of affairs. Given this uncer- tain situation in which the peace and security of mankind are at stake, we cannot permit procrastination or omis- sions, for the United Nations has a vital role to play to prevent conflicts and to contribute to the peaceful solu- tion of disputes. 154. Today, more than ever before, we must do our utmost to attain peace, through the full implementation of the principles of international law. 155. Our country is deeply committed to this goal and has reiterate'& our steadfast confidence in the peaceful settlement of disputes, in moderation and in construc- tive dialogue, inspired by respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. 156. We have come to the Assembly deeply disturbed at the extremely difficult times that mlJ.Ilkiud is going through, a time of deep crisis in supreme spiritual values, a time of economic crisis, of distrust and lack of 177. Uruguay firmly supports United Nations efforts for disarmament, especially the efforts directed towards a comprehensive programme. 178. Likewise, the creation ofdenuclearized zones, fol- lowing the example set for Latin America by the Treaty of Tlatelolco,s would be a positive and pr , ..tieal step worthy of our every encouragement. 179. As I said at the beginning of the statement, Uru- guay is completely at one with the need to mobilize the political will required to reach real solutions. If we believe we will attain such results by simply talking, if every period of tranquillity is interpreted as weakness that can be exploited to pursue a destabilizing armaments policy, we shall not be able to translate into reality the demands of our peoples. That can be attained only with the clear and uniform conviction that peace is the essential and supreme good. Inevitably, all efforts must be aimed at reaching this inescapable goal, leaving aside rhetoric and dial~ics. 180. The question of the Malvinas Islands occupies a significant place among the matters deserving the atten- tion of the international community. My country has taken a clear and well-defined position on the ::;ubstance of the question, the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic to sovereignty over the islands. 181. Twenty years ago, the Uruguayan delegation stated the need for a negotiated solution. Today we reiterate that position based on international law. It is therefore neces- sary, as we requested at the thirty-seventh session md as was approved by an overwhelming majority, that this dispute be placed firmly in the framework of negotiations within the United Nations and with the participation of the Secretary-General. 182. It is necessary to avoid military preparations and te set aside all the factors which could provoke confron- tation. Uruguay once again reiterates its fervent appeal for a search for peaceful and worthy solutions and again expresses its retdiness to co-operate with other nations to this end. The United Nations can and must play a proper role in the creation of a legal and political frame- work that will make such solutions possible. 183. My country, as a member of the family of Latin American nations, :~ uarticularly affected by the scale of suffering afflicting ': .~ianyhuman beings because of the persistence of tens1; ~ and violence in Central America. ,~eople and Government. 209. Despite temporary procedural difficulties, the Government has prepared, and is keeping to, an insti- tutional schedule, some important stages of which have already been completed, such as the reorganization of political parties and the election of their officers by popular vote. The schedule, recently reaffirmed, pro- vides for the holding of general elections in Novem- ber 1984 and the transfer ofpower in March 1985 to those elected. 210. This is the path on which the Government has embarked with unswerving determination, a path that leads, with peace and moderation, towards the institu- tionalization of full democracy, in keeping with our secular, civic traditions and with the consent and under- standing of the Uruguayan people. 211. The Government will maintain its firm detea- mined and genuine commitment to reinstitutionalize the country. NOTES 4See Report ofthe United Nations Conference on the Least Devel- opedCountries, Paris, 1-14September 1981 (United Nations publication. Sales No. E.82.I.8). STreaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (United Nations. Treaty Series. voI. 634. No. 9068.1J. 326). 60fficial Records ofthe General Assembly, Thirty-seventh Session. Supplement No. 1.