S/38/PV.50 Security Council

Just two weeks ago the international (';ommunity learned with indignation and shock that tiny Grenada, one of the smallest countries in the world, had been the victim of armed invasion by the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America, together with a small, pathetic group of policemen from six Caribbean countries whose leaders agreed to serve as creatures of Yankee imperialism in this, its most recent military inter- vention in our America. 2. The excuses given by the invader could not be more tenuous or mendacious: the rescue of American citizens who were never in any danger; the purported threat, never substantiated, posed to the security of neighbouring coun- tries by the tragic events of 19 October b St. George's; the response to an alleged appeal by the would-be Gov- ernor-General, who, it turned out, never made any such request; and finally-the acme of brazenness-the deli- rious statements by President Reagan that he had invaded Grenada just in time, because it was "'being occupied by Cuba and the Soviet Union". 3. One after another, the Goebbels-like appara.tus of the United States offered these lies, but they were exposed as the facts were revealed. The truth is preached upon the housetops, according to the Bible, and the "act of heroism" proclaimed by the Yankee leaders pmved to be a cowardly and vile attack on a small country which had dared to declare itself free and independent. 4. The aggression against Grenada, the consequences and implications of which for the peopl~ of the world and in particular for the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean still have to be clarified, sheds new light on the machinations and intentions of imperialism in Central America. S. In its attempt to impose its economic, political and military supremacy on the world, the American Admin- istration has engaged in a reckless warlike policy leading to increasingly dangerous confrontations on the interna- tional scene and to the typically intolerant dogmatism of witch-hunters domestically. Statements by Govern- ment leaders smack ofpatriotic jingoism, reminiscent of William Randolph Hearst Sr., Theodore Roosevelt and Joseph McCarthy, and even of the advocates of European fascism. 6. In 1980, candidate Ronald Reagan, raising the speci:re ofan alleged foreign threat, exclaimed, "We are the last domino" and claimed that there was a sinister Cuban- Soviet conspiracy which might subvert the whole of Latin America from Patagonia to Mexico if the United States, advocates of "the American way of life", did not wholly NEW YORK do away with, not just hunger, ignorance and poverty in Central America which generate social conflicts in many countries of the area, but also the ignorant, the hungry and the miserable people who are fighting for a better life and a better destiny in spite of the oligarchies which President Reagan was defending. 7. In 1983, Ronald Reagan, already President, stated quite- bluntly, "I do believe in the right ofa country when it believes that its interests are best served to prac- tice covert activity". That unblushing statement can be matched only by Hitler's military expansionism. In fact, the theory of the defence of America's vital interests wherever they may be in the world, as defmed by the Yan- kee leaders, is born of the Nazi doctrine of lebensraum. 8. The aggression against Grenada, like the invasion of Poland in 1939, could have been conceived as the prelude to direct aggression against Nicaragua. The covert actions from within Honduras, the American-Honduran military manoeuvres without a fIxed closing date and the presence of the Yankee fleet off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Nicaragua have been foreseen for some time. 9. The dirty secret war oftheCentral L'1telligenceAgency [CIA) and of the Pentagon against the countryofSandino is becoming more and more dirty and less and less secret. Henry Kissinger, during his trip to Central America, divulged the true p'lsition of the Yankee Government when he said to those listening to him that the only solu- tion for Central America was the overthrow of the San- dinist Government in Nicaragua. More recently, Mr. Fred C. Ikle, Under-Secretary of Defense of the United States, corroborated that statement when he admitted that Rea- gan's Government was pursuing a military victory in Central America and not a negotiated agreement. 10. In this context. it should be recalled that the Gov- ernmtnt of the United States publicly welcomed the ini- tiative of the so-called Contadora Group, made up of Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Panama, whose pur- pose is precisely to bring about a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the problems of Central America. 11. How are we to interpret, then, the statements by the American representatives in the Security Council and the General Assembly, when they say that they support that peace initiative, while at the same time there have been quite different objectives announced by Mr. Ilde and in private by Mr. Kissinger? 12. The deeds, better than the words, show the real policies of the United States, and those deeds, as was stated by the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua, Mr. Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, at the 47th meeting, are the fol- lowing, inter alia: the killing between December 1982 and now of 786 workers, farmers, students, professionals and members of the Nicaraguan armed forces by ex-Somozist guards operating from Honduras, organized and fmanced by the CIA and the Pentagon; acts of sabotage which have caused losses amounting to $103 million over the past 10 months; the bombing of the airport of Managua and the installations of Corinto harbour by counter- revolutionary elements in the pay ofthe CIA, using equip- ment given by the American agency. ~nterference in the internal affairs of States. 25. The increased tension and the threat to peace and security in the Central American region are the result of the way in which the United States Administration deals with the peoples and nations of Central America. 26. Since the people of Nicaragua overthrew the regime of the lackey Somoza, established its national authority and chose a way of life toat will serve its interests and fulfIl its aspirations, the United States Administration has been issuing feverish statements and waging a media campaign against Nicaragua and its Sandinista move- ment. The United States has also resorted to mobilization of the remnants of the Somoza regime; it has trained, armed and financed them to carry out incursions across the borders of Nicaragua, as well as to undertake internal subversion against vital, strategic infrastructures of the country, in an attempt to destabilize the regime internally. All this has been accompanied by United States land, air and naval manoeuvres, in co-operation with States that are neighbours of Nicaragua. A naval blockade has also been put into effect against Nicaragua. Moreover, Nica- ragua is blamed for any actions against the regimes l8. The United States, by virtue of its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations a:1d its perma- nent membership in the Security Council, must respond to the call for peace, and respect the sovereign rights of the peoples of Central America to self-determination and to choose their own economic and social systeffiS. It must not appoint itself the guardian of the destiny of those peoples. 39. The position of Democratic Yemen on the situation in Central America may be summarized as follows. 40. First, we condemn the policy ofaggression pursued by the American Administration in Central America and especially against Nicaragua. Secondly, we call upon the United States to cease intervening in the internal affairs of Nicaragua and to refrain from supporting the forces ofcounter-revolution that were rejected by the people of Nicaragua in 1979. Thirdly, we call upon the United States to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nicaragua and cease all military provocations and manoeuvres threatening peace and security in Central America. 41. III the interest of finding an honourable solution satisfactory to all parties in Central America, we call on the United States at this time to respond sincerely to Nicarag'.la's peace initiatives and the proposals of the Contadora Group. 42. Finally, we reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Nicaragua in its just struggle to establish its own 44. T~ere is in Central America a profound crisis both in the poHtical and in the economic and social sphere, which are closely related. A storm has blown up over this crisis; but we must recall that very often storms clear the air and contribute to the fertility of the land. Let us hope that from this storm we Central Americans will learn to live in peace and seek justice, improving the standards of living of our peoples without losing what is so great and wonderful: pluralistic democracy and freedom. 45. After the Second World War, for 33 years-from 1945 to 1978-we witnessed a dynamic growth in the economies of the five Central American countries. Of course, there were differences from country to couniry. This growth was realized without any changes in the economic structures of the countries. That is not to say that these structures were just or that there was a fair distribution of the wealth thus generated. But it must be pointed out that we did have economic growth and sta- bility. According to information from ECLA this year, over those three decades the annual growth rate of the gross internal product in real terms was 5.3 per cent, and even during the period when petroleum prices were rising -from 1970 to 1978-the average annual growth rate in real terms was over 5.6 per cent. Exports to areas outside the region rose from $250 million to $3.2 billion; imports also rose, from 18.6 per cent in 1950 to 33.6 per cent in 1978. External financing played a decisive role, so that any drop in exports did not have to be accompanied by a corresponding drop in imports. 46. The population of the Central American region also increased, from 8 million to 20 million, and the gross internal product went from $1.95 billion to $7.52 billion. The urban population, which represented 16 per cent in 1950, rose to 43 per cent in 1980, which meant better access to certain services. Despite this growth in at least four Central American countries, the living standards of the rural population did not improve significantly. How- ever, they did not decline; and there was work avail- able and conditions did improve compared with pre- vious years. Central America was scarcely affected by inflation. 47. Although there was sustained growth for three dec- ades, conditions did not improvesubstantially; but neither did they worsen. What, then, gave rise to the crisis? In the economic sphere, it is partly due to the depression of the world economy and the fall in the world market prices ofCentral American products on which the growth ofCentral America's economy largely depends. However, without any doubt one powerful factor in the crisis has been the entry on the Central American scene of outsiders representing international forces that had played no part in the region bekore, and here the economic crisis becomes linked with the political problem, since an arms race has begun in the area, subversive groups are·being encour- aged, trained and assisted and military advisers have been introd.uced-all of which has created a feeling ofinsecu- rity and led to an absence of domestic and foreign private investments, the flight of capital, the abantlonment of farm production and the destruction ofthe infrastructure. ~ion of the Contadora Group by introducing new organs or individuals. Nor must we be defeatist and think of carrying over the question of the situation in Central America to the next session of the Assembly, for the urgency of the matter requires that peace be brought swiftly to the region and that the necessary commitments be made. 60. Only understanding among Central Americans, only their determination to bring about peaceful change and their ability to live together without serving as an instru- ment of other, hegemonistic interests, will make it pos- sible for us to achieve peace with justice. 61. Mr. GUMUCIO GRANIER (Bolivia) (interpreta- tion/rom Spanish): A year ago the constitutional Presi- dent of Bolivia, Mr. Hermin Siles Zuazo, stated2 in the Assembly that the grave crisis affecting the sister countries of Central America was a cause of deep concern to my country. He said that tension, threats, and escalating violence were all factors in the conflict which was devel- oping and rapidly weakening the foundations of peace. He warned that the peoples of Central America had already suffered too much under totalitarian regimes to have to suffer now the terrible scourge of war. 62. Today, one year later, this concern is felt even more deeply. We are dismayed to see the Central American woman continuing to suffer when she loses her husband, brother or son, killed in unjust conflicts. VIe regret that the number of orphans, missing persons and those obliged to seek refuge has increased alarmingly. We are concemed over the destruction of the infrastructure of public works and productive centres, becau~e we know that they are achieved with much difficulty, at t.he cost of great sacri- fice and contributions on the part of the workers of Central America. 63. Since 1952 Bolivia has experienced a great social change as a result of the implantation of a model of ~teaganAdministration has never provided any concrete evidence to back up that accusation. 78. Despite the intensification ofits undeclared war and all the efforts to provoke a popular uprising in Nicaragua, the CIA has not been able to realize its dreams. On the contrary, the revolutionary people of Nicaragua have closed their ranks around the Government, according to recent reports by some American television stations. 79. Thwarted by this failure, the CIA has been pro- moted to undertake another ill-considered step in its war, and to attack economic installations by sabotaging har- bour installations and fuel storage tanks, bombing the Managua airport, and so on, the purpose being to slow down the national reconstruction of Nicaragua. Since it no longer has the courage to stand up to the military, it is now proceeding cravenly to attack civilian targets. 80. Furthermore, in order to find some pretext for waging an open war against Nicaragua, the CIA has planned various stratagems: one of them is to goad the Sandinist army into invading Honduras; another, even more abject and insiduous than the fIrst, is to launch attacks against economic targets and populations of Hon- duran and Costa Rican territories-attacks that would be attributed to the Sandinist Government. But in neither case have the Sandinist leaders fallen for the trick; they have even denounced those manoeuvres. 81. In this connection, listening to the brazen statements made by United States leaders to the effect that their country is not at war with Nicaragua and is not attempt- ing to remove its Government, we find it difficult no\. to be disgusted by such hypocrisy. 82. AnotherfaCtor whichmakes for tensionintheregion is the constantly deteriorating situation in El Salvador. Last April President Reagan stated before the Congress that democracy was beginning to take root in that coun- try; but the facts belie that. The edition of Harper's to which I have already referred describes the situation as follows: "Mass murderers now doIll4tate civilian politics, and as United States military involvement has increased, Salvadorian officers deeply implicated in the slaugh- ter of the civilian population have increased their con- tro1.O'r the MinistrY of Defence and the main fIeld commands. n • 83. To date, more than 30,000 persons have been mas- sacred in that· country; American intervention is daily 108. My delegation believes that this extremely impor- tantinitiativeto solve regional problems througha regional approach free from the interjection of external inter- ests or designs deserves universal support. Therefore we appeal to all parties concerned to go beyond verbal expressions of support and to refrain from any actions that would only detract from the Contadora approach and make its realization infinitely more difficult. 109. In facing the challenges and problems and their specific manifestations in Central America, my delegation believes that the premise for progress must always be based on scrupulous adherence to the principles of the Charter ofthe United Nations and the basic tenets of non- alignment, especially those relating to non-intervention and non-interference in the internal and external affairs of States and the inadmissibility of the threat or use of force in the settlement of disputes. These principles can be realized i>nly through dialogue, which will remove the misunderstandings and misperceptions that have led to frictions or conflicts in the past, and not by engaging in mutual recrimination, futile confrontation or resort to military means. The only path out of the quagmire is JIrough negotiations, in good faith, leading to a consen- sus which would facilitate the realization of the political and economic objectives of'the States in the region in accordance with their own choice and priorities. 110. My delegation shares the conviction of the Con- tadora Group that the effective way to defuse and de- escalate the conflict situation in Central Americu must begin with the adoption of certain measures. Among those identified in the Document ofObjectives, my dele- gation would underline an end to the arms build-up in the region, the elimination oftraffic in arms both within and from outside the region, and the reduced presence of foreign military advisers and other foreign forces involved in military and security activities. In our view, the implementation of these measures should avert a further deterioration of the situation and establish a climate of mutual trust and confidence, which is indis- pensable for the attainment of subsequent objectives. Ill. The Assembly has before it a unique opportunity to recognize and endorse a historic effort to overcome regional problems through regional initiatives. It is the sincere hope of my delegation that this precedent-setting example will commend itself to the peoples of Central America and will become a beacon of hope for the many other troubled regions in the world. 112. Mr. de PINIES (Spain) (interpretation/rom Span- ish): It is very reassuring, Sir, to make my statement under your presidency, for we are convinced that you will guide our deliberations to a successful conclusion. 113. The Spanish Government has been following the Central American crisis with growing concern. Ever sUIce it started, the Spanish authorities have maintained COIl- tinuous close contacts with the countries in the area and have given resolute support to all initiatives aimed at establishing a regional framework for peaceful coexist- ence and co-operation. Within the United Nations my Government recently stated in the Security Council the Spanish point of view on the root causes of the conflict and the conditions necessary for a settlement.5 "The CIA agency has launched the massive cam- paign of espionage, air strikes, propaganda, and other support for a now notorious 'secret war' against the leftist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua. Clearly the cloaks and daggers have come out of cold storage at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia . . .". The study continues: "In one of the agency's most exposed undercover missions, covert operatives are spending an estimated $80 million to direct a widespread war against the regime in Nicaragua, helping to supply some 10,000 troops in the field, conducting air strikes and espionage raids against installations within Nicaragua and master- minding a variety ofpropaganda activities to destabilize the Sandinistas. All this is coordinated from United States operational centers in Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador." The United States Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission in El Salvador, Kenneth Bleakley~ stated, "Our position is that we don't even acknowledge that the CIA is in operation in El Salvador." The mag~ne continues: ".But several lower-ranking State Department offi- cers with experience in the country say that the CIA 163. This ignominious act of international piracy, which was launched in arrogant violation of every single rule of law, promptly gave rise to strong condemnation and indignation by the world community. The United States left no room, even for those who harbour illusions about United States policies, to doubt that it does not feel itself bound by any principle of international conduct. 164. We reaffirm our strong condemnation of this United States act of lawlessness and associate ourselves with the call ofthe overwhelming majority ofnations for the immediate withdrawal of the United States aggressive forces of occupation from that country. 165. The recent ominous developments in CentralAmer- ica and th : Caribbean have caused legitimate concern in other independent small countries of the area. Economic and military pressures against the fraternal countries of Suriname and Guyana have escalated. According to the United Stat~s pattern of behaviour, those pressures con- stitute first steps towards more direct intervention and, ultimately, aggression. 166. While expressing our full solidarity with the peo- ples and Governments of Guyana, Suriname and other independent countries of the area, we warn against fur- ther imperialistic aggressive adventures in the region. 167. Our all-out support for and solidarity with the heroic people and Government of Cuba is further con- solidated in the face ofAmerican threats to their security and independence. We hail their valiant struggle in the course of their 25-year revolution to preserve their free- dom and stand by their internationalist principles against overwhelming odds. 168. To conclude, allow me to quote from the statement made by my Foreign Minister on 6 October 1983, in the course of the general debate at the current session of the General Assembly. He said: "The situation in Central America has become a source of increasing concern, not only for the people of the region, but for the entire international commu- nity as well. That the main cause of tension and hos- tility in the area lies in the interventionist and aggressive policy of the United States is beyond question. " "We reiterate our support for the initiative of the States members of the Contadora Group in finding an amicable and peaceful solution to the present situation in CentralAmerica." [21stmeeting,paros.101and105.] And I would add, and now in the Caribbean. . 169. Mr. FOUNGUI (Congo) (interpretation from French): The situation in Central America has deterio- rated so rapidly that it now takes pride of place in the unfortunately too long list ofsensitive points in the world. This dubious distinction is due above all to a dual mis- understanding, at once internal and external. 170. Internally, there has been misunderstanding when, instead of seeking to initiate a constructive dialogue 173. Central America is an integral part of the geo- graphical and cultural subcontinent called Latin America, which comprises the southern part of this hemisphere as well as the Caribbean region. It is therefore difficult to look at the problems of this region out of their overall context, whatever approach we take in considering them. 174. One of the causes of controversy that was high- lighted, in this connection, by the invasion ofGrenada on 25 October-an invasion which my country condemned as a serious and unwarranted violation of the norms of international law-was the hypothesis of a world-wide conflict between what has been called "democracy" and the other system, which is described as "totalitarian". 175. The delegation of the Congo is not one of those that like to bandy about scholarly definitions of concep~ such as democracy. Such an exercise is pointless not only in the light of the real substance of the needs and aspira- tions of most peoples but also and above all in the light of the fate reserved for this sorry democracy by those that are its main standard bearers. 176. Democracy cannot be measured simply by the option given to unscrupulous oligarchies to turn them- selves into trade unions subject to orders from outside. There is certainly no more democracy in a society where the power of money reigns supreme than in those in which any other misused criterion determines the fate of indi- viduals. Ifdemocracy has any attributes, these signify for us the right ofeach and every person to health, education, development and freedom. But what connotation can we give to democracy when those that are its most passionate advocates are the very ones that unblushingly support colonialist and racist regimes and violate with impunity the sacred right of peoples to self-determination and freely to choose their own future? 177. The relevant texts on which our Organization is founded enjoin upon all its Members the duty to refrain from restricting in any way the full exercise of freedom by a people or a State, and from the threat or use offorce against another State with the purpose of changing its policies or obtaining from it concessions of any kind. Quite obviously, such behaviour would fall short of the ideals of the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant instruments, such as the 1970 Declaration on Principles ofInternational Law concerning Friendly Rela- tions and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charterofthe United Nations [resolution2625(XXJ1J or the 1981 Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Inter- vention and Interference in the InternalMfeirs ofStates [resolution 36/103, annex]. sov~reignty and equality of States. 197. Roque Saenz Pefia, who participated in the first Inter-American Conference, held in 1889, underscored the solidarity among our countries "in that it represents unassailable respect for sovereignty, harmony and friend- ship among all the States of the continent"; Honorio Pueyrred6n, at the sixth Pan-American Conference, stated in categorical and precise terms that "the sovereignty of States consists in absolute right, in complete internal autonomy, and in total external independence . . . Ifthat right is not consecrated and practised in absolute form, international legal harmony cannot exist." 198. CarIos Saavedra Lamas, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, said, in his dosing statement as Chairman of the special Inter-American Conference for the Main- tenance of Peace, that the principle that no State has the right to intervene directly or indirectly in the internal or external affairs of other States was a significant gain for international co-existence. 199. We are convinced that scrupulous respect for the principle of non-intervention is the necessary first step for bringing peace to Central America. 200. Another essential element in attaining that objec- tive is negotiation as a form of settlement of disputes, without resort to force or the threat of force among sister nations. Its corollary is to prevent the development of an arms race in the context of an ideological confronta- tion among the main centres of power. 201. It is also necessary to increase international co- operation for the region to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people of the area and social justice and security, which are the bases of a lasting peace. As long as poverty and illiteracy exist, as long as there are no prospects of a worthy present and a better future for each and every Central American, the virus of violence will continue to break out in ever more threatening forms. 202. There are still reasons for hope and one of them, the strongest, is the initiative of the countries of the Contadora Group, which are ideally situated to play a fundamental role of peace and conciliation. 203. The Cancun Declaration on Peace in Central America, issued on 17 July this year [A/38/303), consti- tutes a }Jroposal for a specific plan of action to bring peace to the area and guarantee the strengthening of the integration machinery, the increase of intrazonal trade, industrial complementarity, and so on. This clearly proves that Latin American problems can and must be resolved from a Latin American standpoint. 204. With regard to the Powers outside the region, we agree with what is set out in the Cancun Declaration in the sense that it is necessary "that other State~ with interests in and ties to the region should use their political influence in helping to strengthen the channels of under- standing and should unreservedly commit themselves to the diplomatic approach to peace." 205. We urge the Central American countries to solve their differences peacefully and through negotiation, rejecting direct or indirect interference in their internal affairs. ci~velopments in Central America and my delegation has listened with keen interest to the statements made by previous speakers on the current item. 282. As for the problems confronting the international community in Central America at this time, Japan main- tains the position that the States in and around Central America should themselves work together, within the regional framework, to restore peace and stability to the region. It is our belief that long-term solutions to the problems there will be found only if economic develop- ment is achieved and social justice promoted on the basis of free and democratic institutions. To this end, Japan for its part has been extending considerable economic assistance to the countries in the region. Nevertheless, my Government realizes that the slow and painstaking pro- cess of economic and social development will not be possible unless peace and stability prevail in the region. Mr. II/ueca (Panama) resumed the Chair. 283. Accordingly the Government of Japan pays a high tribute to the members of the Contadora Group, that is, the Governments of Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela, for the valuable efforts they have been making since early this year towards the restoration of peace and stability in Central America. We particularly welcome their adoption on 17 July of the Cancun Declaration on Peace in Central America [A/38/303], which, in addition to setting out guidelines for the negotiating process, out- lines a programme to be proposed to the countries of Central America which would require strict compliance with the essential principles governing international rela- tions. The Declaration also calls for "the conclusion of agreements and political commit- ments that will lead, region-wide, to effective control of the arms race; the elimination of foreign advisers; the creation of demilitarized zones; the prohibition of the use of the territory of some States for the develop- ment of political or military destabilization actions in other States; the eradication of transit of and traffic in arms; and the p,rohibition of other forms of aggression The meeting rose at 7.35 p.m. NOTES