S/39/PV.45 Security Council

26.  Question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas): report of the Secretary-General 1. Mr. SUCRE-FIGARELLA (Venezuela) (interpre- ta~i0!Zfrom Sl!anish): Before I begi~ my statement on thIS Item, I wIsh to refer to the tragiC news which has struck so hard at our hearts and minds. The untimely death of Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, is a sever~ blow not only to her country but, indeed, to J!1an~md. She represented traditions of culture, civi- hzation, peace, freedom, co-operation and justice tha~ are the very foundations ofthe United Nations. I believe that all of us here must therefore be truly grief-stricken at this tragic event. 2. Venezuela is taking part in this debate on the Malvinas Islands in the firm beliefthat it is beneficial to t~e parties to the conflict and to the community of nations represented here, because it may constitute a decisive step towards the beginning of a process of negotiations leading to a definitive solution of the dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. 3. It is well known that my country has always stood in. solidarity with the Argentine cause. But our worl4 VIew 40es not readily encompass inextricable cpnflIct, partIcularly when the other party is a nation hke the United Kingdom, with which, throughout our history, we have experienced some truly out- standing moments of co-operation, such as those that were possible during our war of independence in the last century. London is replete with undying remind- ers of our gr~at, heroic f}gures: Sim6n Bolivar, FrancIsco de Mlfanda, Andres Bello. And in Venezu- el~ t~ere is testimony to the contribution made by the BrItish to our movement of emancipation. 4. Here, at the United Nations, we have found ourselves agreeing on many occasions, particularly those where the aim has been the legitimate process of decolonization. 5. Whatever the reasons that now set thes( two nations against each other, my delegation believes that ~e have .entere~ upon a new phase that must be consIdered wIth all ItS consequences for the immedi- ate future. There is an eloquent fact that must be given its proper weight; that is, the draft resolution that h~s been submitted by 20 Latin American countrIes [A/39/L.8], prompted by resolutions adopt- ed by the General Assembly itself, and also by the Security Council. NEW YORK 6. That draft resolution reflects a firm will to neg,?tiate, an und~niable desire for peace and a realIsm that provIdes assurance of its moderate approach, further from rhetoric and closer to the objective facts. It reflects also an unbiased attitude. It is. bas~d on a consideratipn of the facts, without dIstortmg them. Both partIes have arguments which t~ey can set forth free~y..They are not being asked to SIt down at the negotiatmg table without any room for flexibility. 7. From an examination of the preamble and operative part ofthe draft resoluti~n, members ofthe Assembly, having in mind the higher cause of peace and their own responsibilities, will, I am sure find ~othing w.ith which they can disagree. The entir'e text IS conducIve to a spontaneous convergence of views consonant with the aims it sets. There is no motive of subterfuge or deception. It is a matter of taking or rejecting a chance for peace. 8. rvlembers of the Assembly must seriously ask themselves what reasons there could be to reject the text of the draft resolution submitted by the Latin American countries. It is not prejudicial to any national or regional interest. Things are as they are in the best negotiatbg tradition. ' 9. Consistent logic and a rational attitude are therefore needed. This is a way of showing that the United Nations has a function to fulfil, for the good of all. This is precisely the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in his recent report on the ques- tion of the Malvinas [A/39/589]. 10. fhe Latin American c:ountries have attempted to VOIce that same concern In the firm belief that the major~tyofthe me~bers ofthe Assembly will lend an attentive ear. We reject any attempt to read into our position any opportunism or any effort to exert undue pr~~sure b~ encouraging undeserved sympathy and a crItical attItude towards a powerful country. 11. The United Nations is facing tasks that have so far not been completed or have been accomplished with only relative success. I refer to tasks involving confidence-building measures among nations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. 12. The differences between Argentina and the U!1it~d Kingdom over the Malvinas come wholly wIthm that sphere. We should be acting as true ~embers of an international community were we to VIew the problem we are now discussing from that angle. That is the burden of the proposal in the draft resolution now before the Assembly. 13. In stating those propositions, my delegation is convinced that they are designed to achieve broad agreement on more workable ways to resolve the existing difficulties. 14. According to a well-known diplomatic anec- dote, a negotiator, discerning in the language of the c0!lc~rn for the. observance. of an~ respe~t for the 29. For the sake of the rule of international law, the pnnclples of regIOnal and unIversal mternatIonallaw. prestige and effectiveness of the United Nations and 22. Within the framework of inter-American inter- the affection we feel for Argentina and the United national law, over 35 years ago, in Bogota, we Latin Kingdom, we cannot allow a fleeting victory to Americans defined the situation in the Malvinas become a permanent conflict. Isla~ds as .one of territor~al occupation by an extr~- 30. Mr. BLANCO (Uruguay) (interpretation from hemIsphenc Power. In thIS con~ext~ the Inter-An!en- Spanish): I wish to begin by saying with deep can Conference of the OrganIz:atI~n of Am~nc~n emotion that my delegation fully endorses the re- ~tates. flatly declared th~t t.h~ pnncI~le of terr!tonal marks made this morning [44th meeting] by the mtegnty w~s the only JundIca! baSIS on.whIch to representative of Saint Lucia on behalf of the Group settle questIons of the occupatIOn of terntory. of Latin American States on the tragic death of the 23. In the body of international law drawn up by Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. I wish the world Organization, the situation of the Malvinas also to express our feelings of solidarity to the Islands has, from the outset, been qualified as a delegation of India over this great loss to its country, dispute involving sovereignty over a territory that is a loss with great implications for the rest of the geographically linked to Argentina. world. We emphatically condemn this latest manifes- Co • • 45. The new world order-aspirations to which contrary, t ey con urn t e nee lor negotIatIon. form the hopes of our time-calls for countries to 37. The lack of appropriate international action in have a clearly defined identity. It holds that dialogue this matter, as in other matters, causes frustration is an irreplaceable instrument for the peaceful settle- and reduces the credibility of the Organization. As ment of conflicts, for the creation of conditions the Secretary-General has said, it is necessary to propitious for the development of peoples, for the develop actively a vigorous policy of "anticipation", replacement of war by peace, and for upholding the to defuse factors that could give rise to a crisis. criteria set for the strengthening of our mutual Disputes and other conflict situations must be placed relations, if these are based on respect, dignity, within a legal framework and dealt with through ideological pluralism, democracy and the rejection of procedures for their peaceful solution. colonialism. 38. Since the thirty-eighth session, there have been 46. The old world order came to an end with the certain developments in connection with the Malvi- Second World War in 1945, when the process of nas Islands that should be borne in mind. The Secretary-General has continued his contacts with decolonization began and spread to all continents. the parties, pursuant to resolution 38/12. According The emancipation of all peoples became inevitable. to the report submitted in accordance with that 47. Those years are linked with increased awareness resolution [A/39/589], the determination of the par- by the colonial peoples, and signalled to all nations ties to reduce the factors making for tension and to that the past order had come to an end. Complete keep the question within the realm of peaceful belief in the right of self-determination had become solutions is welcomed. That attitude is similarly an irreversible historical fact. sent~tive of the United Kingdom at the thirty-eighth 70. In his latest report, the Secretary-General ex- sessIOn [~4th meeting]~ t~e Government. of that presses his regret that it has not proved possible to cou.ntry wIll .haye no ~bJectlon whatsoever I.n under- implement the Assembly resolutions; but he adds takmg negotiations With the present Argentme Gov- that he regards it as a positive sign that the two ernment. parties have "held their first direct contact since the 64. Since 1982, the Latin American countries have end of the 1982 conflict" [see A/39/589, para. 8]. In sponsored resolutions that reaffirm the statements that report, he also states that he is encouraged by the made by the General Assembly and by the Security desire expressed by both Governments to resume Council; this year, however, they wish to contribute dialogue and their commitment not to resort to force to the start of discussions without pre-conditions in connection with the dispute. compromising.the pos!tior s of th~ parties. I~ other 71. We endorse the Secretary-General's objective words, the Latm Amencan countnes do not Wish the assessment of the situation and we believe it is the Goyernme.nt of Argentina or t.he Goyernl1l;ent of t~e duty of the international community to encourage U~lt~d !<Ingd~m to have .dl~c~lt~~s ~Ith. publIc the well-founded hopes for a positive outcome. His opmlO!1ln their o~n countrIes In mltIat~ng dialogue good offices are continually available to the parties and f~len~ly relatIOns that no doubt wIll lead to a concerned, as is the assistance of friendly countries, peaceiul, Just and; reasonable settlement of the prob- which are prepared to co-operate in organizing a new lem of the Malvmas Islands. and imaginative diplomatic effort to achieve the 65. We express our support, respect and under- common goal. We also believe that diplomatic efforts standing for the steps taken by the Secretary-General such as those conducted at Berne in July of this year and we ask him to continue his important task in should continue. ~ssisting the parties to the negotiations or in promot- 72. It can be said that the conditions necessary for mg them. the restoration of confidence and the possibility of 66. Anything else I might say would be superfluous undertaking a process conducive to the normaliza- when we are asking for the favourable vote of the tion of bilateral relations, simultaneously or in Assembly on the draft resolution submitted for its parallel with the substantive treatment of the sover- consideration. My delegation, my Government and eignty dispute and other issues related to the Malvi- my country express deep and sincere optimism with nas Islands, have improved significantly. There are regard to a friendly rapprochement of both nations. several good reasons for that observation. 67. Mr. ARIAS STELLA (Peru) (interpretationjrom 73. First, the new Government of the Argentine Spanish): The Government and the people of Peru Republic, elected constitutionally and democratical- wish to express their profound grief and distress at ly, enjoys the unanimous support of its people in the the untimely death of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. pursuit of the goals of institutional reorganization A violent, fanatical act has snatched from the and increased well-being which it has set itself; it also ~esolu.tIon. We therefore urge Member States to gIve support for Argentina in this dispute. In precise It theIr firm and valuable support. terms, this draft resolution reiterates the General 79. My delegation today reaffirms Peru's support Assembly's request to the Governments of Argentina for Argentine rights over the Malvinas Islands. We and the United Kingdom to resume negotiations in again strongly urge both parties to resume as soon as order to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution possible, in an atmosphere free from rigidity or to the sovereignty dispute and their remaining differ- ~epeated statements of the international community 109. At this point, I claim your indulgence, Mr. In the Assembly. Pre;;ident, to speak as a friend of Mrs. Gandhi and 103. Sir John THOMSON (United Kingdom): The her family. When I first went to India, she was Prime assassination .of Mrs. Gandhi is a tragedy. I offer, on Minister. I kept in touch with her when she was in behalfof my Government and the British people, our the opposition and in trouble. I knew her again when deepest sympathy to Mrs. Gandhi's family, to her she returned as Prime Minister. Both in office and in host of friends on every continent, to the Govern- opposition, she showed courage 'Of an unusual sort. ment of India and, above all, to the people of India, Her actions contributed greatly to the preservation for whom she lived and for whom she gave her life. and, indeed, the greater rooting of democracy in 104. One of the great acts of statesmanship of her India. This, together with the preservation of the distinguished father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was his deci- unity of India, was a great and noble achievement. sion that India, after independet:lce, should remain in For my .own p~rt, I. beli~ve that Indian democracy the Commonwealth. It was fittIng that last year his and IndIan unIty WIll WIthstand all challenges. statesmanlike daughter should have been host to the 110. Mrs. Gandhi was greatly criticized-above all Common,,:ealth He~ds of Government Meeting at in India. My Government did not agree with her on New Delhi. Her Majesty the Queen, as head of the all matters. However, two things are beyond doubt. Commonwealth, was presept on that occasion. The First, Mrs. Gandhi strove for the good of all Indians. Queen has ~ent the followmg message to the Presi- She was above divisions of religion, caste or wealth. dent of India: Like her father before her, she meant something to "Prince Philip and I are profoundly shocked at her fellow citizens in every part of that vast country. the death of Mrs. Gandhi. The world and the Secondly, India and Indians have a higher standard Commonwealth have lost one of their most distin- of living and in general are better offat the end ofher guished leaders, and on behalfof the. British people .~areer than they ~ere when she took office-and that I offer you and the people of IndIa our deepest IS no mean achIevement. sympathy at this tragic moment." Ill. Mrs. Gandhi was often described as cold and 105. My Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher, and Mrs. even ruthless in politics. But the Indira Gandhi I Gandhi were close friends of long standing. I had the knew was a warm, vibrant person, and she took pleasure and the privilege of seeing the ripening of trouble with people. Despite the cares of office, she that friendship. I can attest that it was based on tried, with a good deal of success, to lead a family genuine respect and on a developing personal under- life. She was a woman who had a sense of style. I standing of each other and of their problems. They remember how at those Sunday evening family shared something special. Mrs. Thatcher sent the suppers it would just happen that her sari and the following message to the Prime Minister of India: table linen would match. She had a sense of style, "I was appalled to hear early this morning of the tot?,!n the arts. Her kn~wledge of scu1l?ture and murderous attack on Mrs. Gandhi and grieved by paIntIng and of the techmques that w~nt. Into them the subsequent news of her death. India has been wa.s rema~k~ble. I have en~ountered thiS In no other robbed of a leader of incomparable courage, vision Pnme MImster, and not In many other people. and humanity, and the Commonwealth has lost 112. Finally, I recall a conversation wiih her in one of its most formidable and vital personalities. which we discussed what it was that the ordinary For my part, I shall feel greatly the loss of a wise people of India wanted. We agreed that land and colleague and a personal friend. I always looked wealth, and such things, were uppermost in their forward to our talks together. They had some minds. But she added that, to her, the most impor- special quality of understanding. tant thing was clean drinking water. That is some "The British Government and people utterly slight indication of ~er goo~ sense, her public spirit condemn this barbaric and treacherous act. It is a and her great practIcal canng for her people. tragedy for India, for the Commonwealth and for 113. It is hard for me on this day to turn my mind the wider world. We share your deep sorrow." to the subject of this debate. How I wish that th~ "I prefer not to speculate on the implications of that \\"i.':fnirlg, but in this case the Assembly must ask itself quite legitimately whether the British intent is tIuly to overcome the consequences of that war . . . " [see 44th meeting, paras. 80 and 81]. A moment later he spoke of the militarization of the South Atlantic, and asked: "What is the aim of the construction of a powerful air and naval base with over 4,000 military person- nel, together with submarines, warships and fighter aircraft having a capacity clearly exceeding the imaginary needs of defence against my country? Is it really true that the Malvinas are to be incorpo- rated in a global strategic plan?" [ibid., para. 82]. 127. I will give the answers to thos~ questions. British military dispositions on the Falkland Islands are no more than the minimum necessary to prevent a repetition of the events of 1982, when an Argentine army of about 10,000 men overwhelmed a token British presence. Although it was the military junta that perpetrated the invasion, the present Govern- ment of Argentina is not prepared to declare a formal cessation of hostilities. 128. Let me say once more for the record that the construction ofa new airfield on the Falkland Islands meets two needs. One is the maintenance of an adequate defence posture, including an enhanced capability of rapid reinforcement. As my Secretary of State for Defence has said, when the new airfield is fully operational it should be possible to reduce the level of forces permanently stationed on the Islands. At the same time, we have, from the first, intended the airfield to have an important role in the econom- ic development of the Islands. Both of Lord Shackle- ton's economic studies of the Falkland Islands, in 1976 and 1982, called for better communications between the Islands and the outside world. Mount Pleasant airport· -ill provide them. We hope that in due course the function of the airport will be primarily civilian. 129. I need say little about the ridiculous claim that we are e~.ablishinga strategic base in the Falklands, particularly since I covered this canard at length in my statement at the thirty-eighth session [9th meet- ing]. In brief, the notion that we have strategic designs in the South Atlantic is pure fantasy-noth- ing more, nothmg less. 130. Hints about the introduction of nuclear weap- ons come oddly from a country that has not ratifIed the Treaty of Tlatelolco.2 May I remind the Assembly that we in the United Kingdom have ratified the two Additional Protocols of the Treaty. We have scrupu- lously observed our obligations under those Proto- cols, first, in not deploying nuclear weapons in the territories in which we are internationally responsible within the Treaty's zone ofapplication and, secondly, In~ml;late later that h~ was havmg regar~ f~r the whereas the Falkland Islanders themselves said, prmclpJe of.the equal nghts and se.lf-det~rmmatIonof "No'" they wanted te exercise self-deterrllination. peoples, whIch, of course, figures m ArtIcle 1. If only , he had said that he supported that principle, how 147. I was also struck by the fact that three Latin much better things would be. But instead he talks American delegations-those of Argentina, Bolivia only about peace in a pious way, as if it were the and Venezuela-at that same meeting expressed British who had broken it, and avoids mentioning concern for the life-styles and well-being of the that part of Article 1 which he does not like. If I may Falkland Islanders. But one wonders as to the use his own words ag~in, "here we have the opportu- sincerity of these protestations when, simultaneously, nity to establish genuinely whether the Member these delegations support negotiations the central States of the United Nations are willing ... to purpose of which is the transfer of sovereignty over support the purposes and principles of Article 1 of the Falkland Islands to Argentina against the freely the Charter". expressed will of the local people. "Thirdly, it follows that the current inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands do not have the necessary relationship with the Territory to be able legiti- m:\tely to exercise the right to self-determination. L~tin American countries have always zealously defended that right, but in the special aJld particu- lar case of the Malvinas Islands consider that the current residents of the Territory, including the petitioners, do not fulfil the conditions established by the United Nations for the exercise of that right."4 How strange! 151. The question of the Falkland Islands is really extremely simple. It is perhaps in the nature of our debates in the Assembly that very straightforward issues tend to be obfuscated by territorial arguments going back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centu- ries. In fact, what we have in the Falklands is a settled and self-sustaining community that has been there for over 150 years and wishes only the right to determine its own future. 152. This is a right that we accord willingly to the people of Afghanistan, the people of Palestine, the people ofNew Caledonia, the people of South Africa. Why should the Falkland Islanders be treated differ- ently? 153. The message from the Fourth Committee was therefore clear: the representatives of the Falkland Islanders had said only that they wanted to be left alone, to live under a Government of their own choosing and to pursue a unique and individualistic life-style. That is all they want. One wonders whether it is asking too much of the General Assembly to support them. bl~~, p!Imanly the Umted States. The. measures to over the Malvinas Islands by means of negotiations. mIlIta!IZe the f'alkla~? Islands (Malvmas) an~ to The non-aligned States expressed their satisfaction at establIsh a maJ!Jr mIlItary ~ase there are ~ dlf~ct the readiness of the Argentine Government to re- resula. of the polIcy ~f the UnIted States and ItS allIes sume the negotiations requested by the General to pursu~ an unbndled arms race, to e~pand t~e Assembly and have urged the Government of the geographIcal sphere of NATO and bUIld up mU' d K' d 1 h' f various parts of the world rapid deployment forces nlte m~ <.>m a so to agree to t e resumptIon 0 and support points for them, intended for use against those negotIatI~ns.. .. . developing States. Plans for the militarization of the 171. T.h~ SovIet Umon VIews WIth understandmg South Atlantic in various forms-by the use of the pos.ltIon of the !Dembers of the Movement of existing blocs or by the formation of new ones-have Non-AlIgned Coun~nes oJ? the I?roble~ of the F~lk- long been in preparation in Washington. land Islands (Malvm~s), In~ludlng theIr de.claratlon of support for Argentma's nght to recover Its sover- 166. .At the pr~sent stag~, the Falkland Islands eignty over the Islands through negotiations. (MalvI~~s) are bemg used dIrectly for thes.e purpose~. 172. The Soviet delegation regards it as its duty to The mIlItary beach-head under c.onstructI~n then~ IS emphasize yet again that Britain's refusal to under- not ~:mly a threat to the countnes of nelghbourmg take the negotiations advocated by the United Na- contments b.ut a danger to worl~ peace and has tions and its continuation, jointly with the United bro?ght tensIOn to 'yet another regIOn of o~r world. States and NATO as a whole, of the policy of QUIte naturally, thIS has aroused concern In many establishing a strategic military base in the Islands States. and .militarizing the adjacent region are part of the 167. In the Final Communique adopted at the plan to b~lster the .colonial statu.s of tht: Territory, Meeting ofMinisters and Heads ofDelegations ofthe and CCulstI.tute a senous threat to InternatIonal peace Non-Aligned Countries to the thirty-ninth session of and secunty. the General Assembly, emphasis is laid on the fact 173. The Soviet Union views the problem of the that "the massive British military and naval presence Islands primarily as a colonial problem and con- in the area of the Malvinas, South Georgia and South demns the United Kingdom's efforts to preserve by Sandwich Islands and the construction of a perma- military force the colonial status of the Territory. It nent and strategic base in the Malvinas Islands are consistently advocates the elimination of all military causes for grave concern to the countries of the Latin bases in colonial territories and the prompt comple- American region and adversely effect stability in the tion of the process of decolonization. a.rea" [see. A/39(560,.annex, para.. ?5].. Th~ preserva- 174. The Soviet Union's position, which is based tIon and mtenslficatIon of the mlhtanzatlon of that on principle is that contentious issues should be colonial Territory is !hus leading. directlr to a serious settled by p~aceful means. We resolutely call for threat to the securIty of a WIde regIOn and the immediate efforts within the United Nations inter awavation of the already tense international situa- alia, to solve th~ problem in the South Atlantic tIon. through negotiations on the basis of United Nations 168. The Government of Argentina has demon- decisions. strated a constructive and flexible approach designed 175. Draft resolution A/39/L.8, which has been to resolve the question bv means of a political submitted by the Latin American countries, in our settlement and has repeatedly expressed its will- opinion is correctly aimed at the achievement of a ingness to hold negotiations with the United King- peaceful, just solution ofthe question of the Falkland dom in pursuance of General Assembly resolution Islands (Malvinas) on an anti-colonial basis. It clearly 38/12. The Argentine President, Mr. Alfonsin, ad- provides for the prompt, peaceful settlement of the dressing the Assembly at this sess~on, emphasized problem in accordance with the principles of the that his country is "firmly committed to seeking the Charter and United Nations decisions on the deco- restitution of the Malvinas Islands only through loniz~ti<?n of the Territory t~r.ough the resufi?ption of peaceful means" [see 5th meeting, para. 43]. Mr. negotIatIOns between the BrItIsh ~md Argentme Gov- Caputo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Argentina, ernments. thi~ morning [~4th meeting] repea~ed that position, 176. The Soviet delegation therefore intends to vote whIch meets wIth the understandmg of those who in favour of that draft resolution. ~eek to ~onsoli~ate international security by solving 177. Mr. KAM (Panama) (interpretation!rom Span- mternatIonal dIsputes by peaceful means. ish): It is an especial pleasure, Sir, for me to speak at 169. The rigid, intractable hard-line position of the a .ti'?le ~hen the. Assembly is presided ~ver by you,.a United Kingdom is the real reason why the repeated dlstmgUlshed ffIend of Panama who, m addItIon, IS appeals of the General Assembly for the resumption the Ambassador of Bangladesh to my country. of negotiations to find a peaceful settlement of the 178. I wish to express the deep shock and sincere sovereignty dispute have not yet been answered. This grief of my delegation at the death of the Prime can be seen in the United Kingdom's stubborn Minister of India, Shrimati Indira Gandhi. Her refusal even to discuss the problem of sovereignty passing is a loss for all mankind, which had in her over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). one ofthe most brilliant statesmen of our time. But it well-deserve~ prestige ~s nations which cherish peace 212, My delegation takes this opportunity to appeal and harmoOlous coeXIstence. to the United Kingdom to accept without delay the 207. Mr. FAJARDO-MALDONADO (Guatemala) Arge!ltine .proposals ~or negotiations, which are in (interpretation from Spanish): My delegation would keepmg WIth the deSIre expressed by the General like to begin by expressing its deepest concern and Assembly in its resolution 38/12. Negotiation is the sympathy to the people and Government of India on only possible course; there is no other way to settle the tragic de~th of their Prime Minister, M,rs. Indira t~is djspute. 1;he use of force in international r~la- Gandhi, undIsputed leader of the developmg world tIons IS proscnbed, above all as a means of re~olvmg and, at the time of her death, Chairman of the disputes amo~g. ~ta~es. We urge all delegatIOns to Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. On behalf of support these mltIatIves and those of the Secretary- the people and Government of Guatemala, we wish General, in the framework of his mission ,of good to convey to the people and Government of India the offi~es In t~e efforts t.o find a pea~eful, Just. and expression of our deepest sorrow and understanding, lastmg solutIOn.to the dIspute concernmg sovereIgnty which we extend also to all member countries of the over the Malvmas Islands. Non-Aligned Movement. 213. In reaffirming its adherence to the Charter and 208. In its resolution 38/12, the General Assembly the need for the United Kingdom to accept the decided to continue consideration of the question of resumption of negotiations with Argentina, my coun- the Malvinas Islands at the present session. In that try is convinced that draft resolution A/39/L.8, resolution, the Assembly reiterated its request to the introduced by the representative of Mexico at the !TIe~f has decreed three days of natIonal mourn- zation of the South Atlantic region by the establish- Ing. . ment ofa powerful air and naval base with more than 216. ApproxI~ately one ~ear ago, the Assembly 4,000 military personnel and sophisticated subma- adopted resolutIOn 38/12 wI!h t~e support of m~st rines and aircraft equipped for war. ~emb~r States of th.e OrganIzatIon, many of WhICh 224. In spite of Assembly resolutions 2065 (XX), In their own expe~Ience had suffered the conse- 3160 (XXVIII), 31/49, 37/9 and 38/12, which seek a quences of colonI~lIsm. .. peaceful settlement to this dispute, such has not 217. That resolutIOn, among other thul:gs, relterat~d come about. The implementation of the principle of the Assemb~y's co~cern to the ArgentIne RepublIc non-intervention is not applicable, for Assembly and t~e.UnIted; Kingd~m that they. should resume resolution 1514 (XV) provides for self-determination nego~IatlOns WIth a. VIew .to findIng a peac~ful and the restoration of a State's sovereignty in order solutIon to the sovereIgnty dispute over the Malvlnas to end colonial status. In the specific case of the Islands and requested the Secretary-General to con- Malvinas Islands we face two incontrovertible facts· tinue his mission of good offices in order to find a first, there was ~n illegal invasion and, from 1983: way to meet those needs. occupation of the Territory by the United Kingdom; 218. The Secretary-General, in his report secondly, there is a population made up almost [A/39/589], informs us of the reactions of the two entirely of settlers who are citizens of the occupying Governments concerned to his offer of assistance in Power, including a significant number of employees finding a peaceful solution to the question. of companies of British origin. 219. My Government attaches first importance to 225. The non-applicability of the principle of self- finding a peaceful, negotiated settlement to those determination has not precluded the international problems. Thus we have seen with great satisfaction community's interest in the well-being of the local that Argentina has been prepared to co-operate with residents, as has been given concrete form ir. the the Secretary-General within the framework estab- various resolutions adopted by the Assembly-most lished by General Assembly resolution 38/12. recently resolutions 37/9 and 38/12. 220. The international community can hardly feel 226. It is significant that the Government of the very encouraged by the results of the mission ofgood Argentine Republic, on the occasion ofthe commem- offices undertaken by the Secretary-General when we oration last January of 151 years ofillegal occupation read in his report that: of the Malvinas Islands, issued a press release, which "The position of the United Kingdom Govern- was published .as an official document of the General ment conveyed to me in the course of these Assembly, which states: exchanges of views, is that while it believes that it "The Argentine Government also wishes to would be desirable to improve bilateral relations stress once again the importance it attaches to the with Argentina and to engage in a dialogue to this interests of the islanders. Those interests will be effect, it is not prepared to enter into negotiations duly served and secured by the national Constitu- on the issue of sovereignty over the Islands as tion, by the democratic principles, rights and called for in General Assembly resolution 38/12." guarantees applicable in the Argentine Republic [Ibid., para. 5.] and by the special terms of any guarantees and 221. We must now give fresh impetus to the safeguards which may be agreed in due course." implementation of the resolutions emanating from [See A/39/72 and Corr. 1, annex.] the principal organs of the United Nations. All 227. Nicaragva, in its adherence to the principles of Member States of the Organization without excep- the Charter of the United Nations, has always given tion, but most particularly these having the greatest and will continue to give its militant support to the responsibility because they are permanent members principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity of of the Security Council, must demonstrate their States and the peaceful settlement of disputes. As a willingness to replace the use offorce by dialogue and member of the Movement of Non-Ali~ned Countrie~ CO.1!ntne~. The death of a statesman of !yIrs. Gan- Argentina's right to have its sovereignty over the d~I s calIbre must !lrge the people of IndIa an.d all Malvinas Islands restituted through negotiations thIrd world countnes to dem~nstra~e the fortItude [with] ... the United Kingdom ... with the par- and the m~ral ~ou.rage to receIve w~th honour. and ticipation and good offices of the United Nations preserve wIth dlg!llty, valour ~md pn.de the her}ta~e Secretary-General".6 of peace and patnotIsm of whIch Indua GandhI WIll . . .. forever be the quintessential embodiment. We ask 265. As the ¥mlster of State for ForeIgn Affaus the delegation of India to convey our deepest condo- and Co-o~eratlon.of my Government stated ~ere lences to the people and Government ofIndia, and in [31st meetmg] durmg the g~I?-eral.debatethat has just particular to the bereaved family of the late Mrs. been concluded, that. poslt~on IS fully shared and Gandhi. e.ndorsed by Eq}latonal Gumea. Thus, at the same . .. tIme that we reIterate and reaffirm our support for 260.. DespIte the appeals of.the mt~rnatlOnal co.m- and solidarity with the people and Government of mUnI.ty that a peaceful, eqUlt~ble, just and las~mg Argentina because their claims are just and legiti- solutIon be .found, the questIon of the Malvmas mate, we once again urge the British and Argentine Islands re~~ms on the agenda of the General Assem- Governments to reopen negotiations, without prior bly. AI!d It I~ not .there merely to enable us to .ta~e conditions, with a view to finding urgently a peace- note WIth satIsfactIon of s,?me. progress made wIth~n ful, just and lasting solution to the dispute over the fr~mework of the gUldelm~s ~ecommended In sovereignty and the other differences between them resolutlO.ns 37/9 a~d 38/12,.or wlthm the framework with regard to the question of the Malvinas Islands, of Secunty Co~n~I1 resolutlOn~ 502 (1982) and 595 within the framework of the pertinent resolutions of (1982); r~ther, It IS there to gIve us an opportunIty the General Assembly and of the Security Council, onc.e. agam .to take note of the total absence of true having recourse to the good offices of the Secretary- polItI.cal WIll on the part of the ~ov.ernments of General and of other countries with a sincere interest certaIn States Members orthe OrganIzatIon to u~de~- in reaching a just solution and in ensuring that peace take the ~ork of pre~ervmg th~ fu~damental.prm~l- and tranquillity prevail in that area of the South pIes and Implementmg the objectIves enshnned In Atlantic. the Charter. 266 W' h' h b l' h' d . It In t at context, we e leve t at m or er to 261. Equatorial Gu~neC!:'s adher~nce to the ideals of engage in peaceful negotiations the behaviour of all freedom, peace and JustIce; the Importance that we parties concerned must also be peaceful. attach to the concepts of independence, national . . sovereignty and territorial inte~rity; our full and 267. ~r. BUCCI (It~ly): T~ls. mornm~ we learn~~ unswerving support for the princIples of the peaceful the tragIc news of Pnme MInIster Indua GandhI s settlement of disputes and the non-use of force in death. Vie feel. deeply shocked. We share the loss of international relations: all this amply justifies our the IndIan na~lOn; we share, as well, the ~oss suffered contribution, however modest, to the quest for a just by the coun~nes members or the Non-AlIgned Moye- and equitable solution to the Malvinas problem. ment, ofwhIch Mrs. GandhI was such an outstandmg leader. 262. Equatorial Guinea's participation has indeed P . become imperative, because we believe that what is 268. Allow I?le to convey through y~u, Mr. resl- involved is the correction of one of the errors of the dent, our feelIngs.of sorrow ~md our smcere condo- past, which were the product of archaic treaties, lences to the IndIan delegatIon. usually signed in the capitals of the colonial Powers 269. In 1982, a dramatic and unnecessary conflict without the slightest consideration being given to the caused by an irresponsible military regime placed in realities, rights and interests of the indigenous popu- opposition Argentina and the United Kingdom, two lations concerned, because they were based solely on countries to which Italy feels strongly bound by the logic of the law of the strongest. The present manifold ties. The consequences of this conflict situation in the Malvinas Islands, Argentine territory, continue to have a negative effect upon the interna- is one of the very tragic errors which finally caused tional scene. ind~pendent India. Non-violence is an important principle and not least in the dispute we are talking about today. 302. Another question that the representative of Argentina has just raised is the question of Diego Garda. That is one of many, many questions that might be raised. We have heard already this question of former British colonies, but this colony is a rather peculiar one, and it is appropriate that he mentioned it in this context, because it has certain similarities with the Falklands, namely, it had no indigenous population. Therefore I do not follow the point he is making. Maybe he is unconsciously making my point. 303. Then the representative of Argentina said that all the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands are full British citizens. I am not quite sure that the word "all" is totally correct, but he is substantially correct and it is worth repeating what one of those British citizens who is an elected representative of the Falkland Islanders, elected to their Legislative Coun- cil, said in the Fourth Committee yesterday. He said: "Our people want peace, the right to live their lives in their own way and to develop our Islands for the benefit of all. We have seen nothing to convince us that Argentina has more to offer us than Britain and while the Government ofArgenti- na continues its belligerent attitude towards us, making it plain that there is no way it would recognize our right to our Islands even if we were to apply to this Organization to recognize our independence, our attitudes are likely to become more hostile, not more accommodating."7 304. The population of the Falklands is small. The population of Argentina is large. It is easy to see why the Falkland Islanders are frightened and why, in their exercise of self-determination so far, they prefer to remain British. 305. Finally, I would like to refer tQ the thought that the representative of Argentina mentioned that there is some degree of special intransigence on the part of my Government. That is not so. It is true that in any dispute each side sets out its (',wn positions and we respect the Argentines' rigbt tJ do so. It is true that in the joint communique which was :ssued at the end of the Berne talks [A/39/364, appendix] it is stated: "The United Kingdom side reaffirmed that