S/PV.1056 Security Council

In accordance with decisions previously taken by the Council, I nôw invite the representatives of Tunisia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Madagascar to take their seats at the Council table. ment Conseil, du prendre 2. ment le de

In conformity with the decision of the Council at the end of this morning's meeting, the COuncil will now proceed to explanations of vote prior to voting on the draft resolution before us, to 4. It is quite clear that the Security Council is faced with a dangerous situation whichis a source of serious international tension and constitutes a threat to peace and security not limited to the continent of Africa. The Soviet delegation had an opportunity yesterday [1054th meeting] to state the position of the Soviet Union regarding the measures which we believe the Security Council should take in order to put an end once and for aIl to a most shameful phenomenon of our century-the apartheid policies of the Republic of South Africa. 5. The Soviet delegation considered and still considers that the Security Council should condemn the racist régime of South Africa in the strongest possible terms for its most flagrant violation of the elementary rights of the people and its flouting of United Nations decisions and institute immediate economic, political and other sanctions against the Republic of South Africa. It is precisely by this meâns that the South African racists can be forced ,to change their criminal and barbaric policies. It has long beeu time to pass from exhortation and persuasion, from the exercise of mere "moral influence'1 >n the South African racists, as is proposed by the Western Powers, to positive action and decisive ,;neasures. 6. As regards the draft resolution submitted to the Security Council by the representatives of Ghana, Morocco and the Philippines [S/5384] it represents, as has already been noted, the very least that the Security Council should do in the present circumst.ances in order to put a stop to the wild excesses of racism in South Africa and eradicate a hotbed of international tension. 7. Confirmation of this is to be found also in the speech by the representative of Ghana, Mr. Quaison- Sackey, who remarked [1054th meeting] when introducing the draft resolution that "In fact, world opinion expects the Council to take measures which are far more stern than the present draft resolution would ask the Council to take". The same point was also made by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone and Tunisia, Mr. Karefa-Smart and Mr. Mongi Slim. 8. However, since the African countries have found it possible ta confine themselves at this stage to the measures contained in the draft resolution by Ghana, Morocco and the Philippines, the Soviet delegation will support tbis draft and will vote for it. Needless to say, in so doing, the Soviet Union has not abandoned its deep conviction of the need to adopt more radical measures against the racist régime in the Republic of South Africa. "The Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic has always pursued the policy based upon the principles of equality and self-determination of aIl peoples and aimed against any form of racial oppression. Consequently, it has always condemned apartheid practised in the Republic of South Mrica as brutal violation of human rights and one of the most inhuman vestiges of colonialism. "In harmony with these views the Czechoslovak Government has always granted its support to resolutions denouncing the policy of apartheid. Accordingly, the Czechoslovak delegation to the seventeenth session of the General Assembly voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 1761 (XVII) of 6 November 1962 in confidence that it will contribute to eradicating of racial oppression in the Republic of South Mrica. "The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic has no diplomatie relations with the Republic of South Africa and does not supply the latter either with arms or other strategic material. The Czechoslovak consulate in Johannesburg is now in the stage of liquidation and the Czechoslovak citizens there shallleave in the nearest future." 10. 1 should also like to inform the members of the Council that in reply to the telegram received from Mr.Doudou Thiam [see 1054th meeting, para. 3], the Chairman of the Conference of the Organization of African Unity, which is being held in Dakar, the Soviet delegation has today sent the following telegram: "With reference to your telegram, the Soviet delegation stated in the Security Council on 6 August that the Security Council decision on the question of apartheid in South Mrica must take into account the communication from the Conference of the Organization of African Unity meeting at Dakar. "As Mr. Khrushchev, Chairman..)f the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, pointed out in· his message to the Heads of Mrican States and Governments who participated in the Conference at Addis Ababa, apartheid and racial discrimination constitute a great evil for the peoples of Mrica and also represent a serious danger for other peoples. "In accordance with the instructions of the Soviet Government, the Soviet delegation is giving every Possible support to the delegations from the Foreign Ministers of Afric.an States which has brought the

1 have been informed that the representative of the Soviet Union is prepared to waivE:: the consecutive interpretation of his statement into French in this particular instance, and as there is no objection by any member of the Council the French interpreation wIll be waived in this instance, it being understood that no precedent is being established. 13. No other member of the Council has requested permission to explain his vote before the vote, and the Council therefore will now proceed to vote on the draft resolution before it, docûment S/5384. In this connexion, 1 would draw the attention of the members of the Council to the fact that a correction to the French version of the seventh preambular paragraph of that draft resolution is being distributed today as document S/5384/Corr.l. li 14. 1 now calI upon the United States on a point of order in connexion with the voting procedure.

1 should like, pursuant to rule 32 of our provisional rules of procedure, to request that there be a separate vote on operative paragraph 3 of the draft resolution which is before us. The United States delegation would very much appreciate it if the sponsors of the draft reselution could acquiesce in this request.

Since 1 hear no objection by the sponsors of the draft resolution, 1 take ii: that there is no objection to that procedure, and we shall proceed accordingly. 17. The Council will now vote on operative paragraph 3 of the draft resolution submitted by Ghana, Morocco and the Philippines [S/5384]. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Ghana, Morocco, Philippines, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Venezuela. Against: None. Abstaining: Brazil, China, France, Norway, United Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthernIreland, United States of America. The result of the vote was 5 in favour, none against, with 6 abstentions. _The paragraph was not adopted, having failed to obtain the affirmative votes of seven members.

The Council will now vote on the draft resolution as amended. The amendment will li The final French text of the preamble, as again amended on the request of the representative of ·Tunisia (see below. pars. 59), appears in the l:'~so!ution subsequendy circulated as document 8/5386. In favour: Brazil, China, Ghana, Morocco, Norway, Philippines, Union ofSovietSocialistRepublics, United states of America, Venezuela. Against: None. Abstaining: France, United Kingdomof GreatBritain and Northern Ireland. The draft resolution, as amended, was adopted by 9 votes to none, with 2 abstentions.

l shaU noW caU on representatives who wish to explain their votes. 20. MI'. QUAISON-SACKEY (Ghana): The Councilhas just adopted a resolution which, to the co-sponsors, has far-reaching implications. We would have preferred to have operative paragraph 3, which has just been voted out, inèluded. We hope that those who abstained on that paragraph are not going to export to South Africa strategic materials of direct military value. In our discussions with those who abstained, we were impressed by their difficulty in not being able to support a boycott of aU South African goods. But we would appeal that the meaning the other part of that paragraph should be complicit in paragraph 4, which is very itp.portant to the Council. Inparagraph 4 the Council caUs upon aU States to cease forthwith the sale and shipment of arms, ammunition of all types and military vehicles to South Africa. This constitutes a very major victory for the cause of Africa. If it is possible to have this ''lffective embargo on South Africa, our hope is that 80uth Africa will find it easy to mend its ways. 21. By the adoption of this resolution, the' Council has expressed its condemnation of the inhumane and evil policies of apartheid. It has taken a definite positive action. We would urge all the friends of South Africa to persuade it to mend its ways before the end of October. 22. May l here convey to the representatives, particularly of the Soviet Union and Venezuela, our appreciation for their standing by us throughout our struggles. We would also express our limited appreciation to the representatives of the United States, Norway, China and Brazil for their ability to vote for the draft resolution as amended. 23. MI'. YOST (United states of America): My Government is able to support this resolution because ft reflects the .attitude of the United States toward the racial policies of the Republic of South Africa. We particularly appreCiate the co-operationof the sponsors of the resolution which has facilitated our desire to vote in favour of it. We have, over JI. period of years, expressed our strong disapproval of the policy. of racial discrimination being 24. The Counci! will also recall that at that time when the United States representative announced this new policy he explained that our decision not ta sell arms ta South Africa after the end of this year was without prejudice to the completion of the delivery of certain strategie equipment, such as air-to-air missiles and torpedoes, on which contraots had already been signed. In addition, it will be recalled that we naturally reserve the right to interpret this policy in the light of any future requirements for the common defence effort in ensuring the maintenance of international peace and security. 25. Having commented on the principal operative portions of the resolution, may 1 also mention two preambular paragraphs and other aspects of the text related to them. 26.. With respect ta the eighth preambular paragraph of the resolution, 1 wish to emphasize that the United States is most gratliied that the sponsors have seen fit ta change their original formulation from "is seriously endangering international peace and security" to "is seriously disturbing international peace and security". In making this change they clearly recognize that a number of Council members are not prepared to agree that the situation in South Africa is one which now calls for the kind of action appropriate in cases of threats to the peace or breaches of the peace under Chapter VII ofthe UnitedNations Charter. As members of the Counci! are aware, Chapter VII does not speak in terms of disturbances of the peace, even serious ones, but only of actual threats to the peace or breaches of the peace or acts of aggression. The resolution' s preambular reference to disturbing the peace thus refers to those underlying elements of this certainly serious situation which, li continued, are likely to endanger the maintenance ofinternational pe;lce and security. This is quite different from finding a fully matured threat to, or breach of, the peace in the present situation. There are in this troubled world many disturbances of international peace and security; but even in those parts of the world where there is now spo:radic fighting on international frontiers, this Organization has wiselybeen cautious about . invoking the yowers of the Security Council under Chaptel' VII. 28. The wûrds ncall upon" are found in Chapter VI as well as Chapter VII of the Charter. They have been repeatedly employed by the General Assembly as well as bytheSecurity Council and in the customary practice of the United Nations they do not carry mandatory force. 29. May 1 make one further point, about the sixth preambular paragraph, which reads: "Regretting that some States are indirectly providing encouragement in various ways to the Government of South Africa to perpetuate, by force, its policy of apartheid". In our view, the allegation that some Member States are indirectly providing support of this kind is of questionable accuracyand propriety. In fact, we have seen no evidence that any State is encouraging the Government of South Africa to perpetuate, by (oree or otherwise, its policy of apartheid which we all condemn. For this reason we should have preferred to have that paragraph omitted. I 30. With those explanations of our attitude toward certain paragraphs of the resolution weare most happy to join with other members of the Council in voting for it. We profoundly hope that the Government of South Africa will take to heart this solemn warning from the highest body of the United Nations and will promptly take steps to abandon the indefensible and dangerous racial policy which it is now pursuing. r 31. MI'. LIU Chieh (China): My delegation considers the draft resolution presented by Ghana, Morocco and the Philippines as an inevitable sequel to General Assembly resolution 1761 (XVII) and Security Council resolution S/4300,Y both of which had the support of my delegation. In the lightofthediscussions around this table, my delegation, however, abstained from voting on paragraph 3 of the draft resolution when that paragraph was put to the vote separately. Our abstention was based entirely on consideration of the interests of all concerned, including, of course, all the non-white peoples in South Africa. 32. Once again the Council as a whole has deemed it appropriate to make recommendations short of enforcement measures and thereby keep the door open for peaceful changes to be effected in the racial situation in South Africa. It is now up to the South

Itis a matter of regret to mydelegation thatwehavefound ourselves unable to vote on this occasion with the majority of the Council on its resolution on the policy of apartheid. In spite of our very strongly feit opposition to the racial policies of the South African Government, there are certain features of the resolution which the Council has adopted which have made it impossible for us to do so. 34. 1 should now like to explain in more detail the position of my delegation on the votewhich the Council has just taken. First, may 1 draw attentionto the pre- ~..Inbular paragraph which reads: "Regretting that sorne States are indirectly providing encouragement in various ways to the Government of South Africa to perpetuate, by force, its policy of apartheid Il. In the course of our debates a number of States, including the United Kingdom, have been mentioned in terms wh~ch can only suggest that this particular expression of regret may be directed at actions which they have taken, or are taking. Since the charge or the insinuation is who1ly without foundation so far as my country is concerned, my delegation could not accept such a paragraph in the resolution. Furthermore, we have sorne reservation about the terms of the operative paragraph which has now become operative paragra.ph 3 in the resolution which has just been adopted. 35. As 1 stated in my remarks to the Council yesterday [1054th meeting], it is the position of my Government that no armS should be exported to South Africa which would enable the policy of apartheid to be enforced. Our export licensing system will make sure that arms of this. nature will not reach South Africa. The resolution as now framed, however, caUs on a1l States to cease to provide military equipment of any type to South Africa. It is the view of my delegation that the right of South Africa to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter and requirements which may arise from the maintenance ofinternational peace and securit'J must be borne in mind. In view of our arrangements of co-operation With South Africa for the protection of the sea routes, we must reserve our position in the light of the requirements regarding the supply of equipment appropriatetothesepurPQses. 36. In my opening statement 1 expressed the views of my delegation about the powers of the Council in the present situation. My delegation has listened with close attention to the statement which has just been made by the representative of the United States, in which it was made clear that the resolution which the Counci.l has just adopted and the measures which it calls upon aU States to take should not be regarded as being a resolutionwithin Chapter VII ofthe Charter.

There are no furthermembers of the Council who have expressed a desire to explain their vote. This being so, 1 should like to do so in my capacity as representative of NORWAY. 40. The Norwegian delegation voLd. Îor the draft resolution as amended because we believe that the Security Council thereby arrived at the most appropriate procedures and the most effective methods of adjustments which are politically feasible at this -stage. In our view, the Council has taken a practical and constructive step to obtain a pacifie settlement by solemnly calling upon all States to refrain from the sale or delievery of arms and ammunitionto South Africa, The Norwegian delegation is confident that this calI by the Council will be heeded by all States and thus prevent the Government of South Africafrom carryirig out a further militarybuild-upand uItimately deprive that Government of an essential means at its disposaI for carrying out its policy of racial suppression. 41. The Norwegian Government for its part will certainly uphold its already established policy of not permitting any sale of arms or ammunition from Norway to South Africa. 1 shall duly transmit the request uttered by the representative of Ghana to the effect that States also seriously consider what was contained in the last part of operative paragraph 3 in the draft which was not adopted by the Council, with regard to the non-export of materials for military production in South Africa. The Norwegian delegation, furthermore, hopes that the decision taken by the Council will bring home to the present Government of South Africa that in addition to added moral pressure, the Security Council feIt obliged to issue a calI for an arms embargo, and that that will make it clearly understood by the GovernmentofSouthAfrica that it is the view of the Council that the time is running short for a peaceful settlement. 42. The Norwegian delegation could not give its support to operative paragraph 3, which was deleted by a separate vote. The paragraph called for a boycott of aU South African goods and an embargo on all goods which were of military value. The Norwegian delegation was not convinced that the Members of 43. The experiences of the League of Nations with regard to economic sanctions show that the possible failure of an action of this magnitude might have dangerous consequences for the future of the Organization itself. We understand that the aim ofthis paragraph was to take a decisive steptowards the abolishment of apartheid. But we are afraid thatif the boycott paragraph had been carried, it might rather have led to a graduaI weakening of the United Nations as an effective and reliable instrument of peace. 44. In my capacity of President 1 now caU on the Foreign Mini13ter of Sierra Leone. 45. MI'. KAREFA-SMART (Sierra Leone): In these final moments of what for us in Africa 'will go down in history as a most significantsessionofthe Security Council, l' should like to make a few remarks expressing our thanks and appreciation, and also to make some general comments. 46. First, 1 wish to thank you personaUy, MI'. President, for aU the courtesy which you have shown as President of the Security Council to my colleagues of Tunisia, Liberia and Madagascar and to me, and for the assistance which, as representative ofNorway, you have given us both within the Council and outside. 47. 1 also wish to express our thanks to the delegations of Ghana, Morocco and the Philippines and to their distinguished representatives for jointly sponsoring the draft resolution which has been adopted this afternoon. By their sponsorship of the draft resolution, they have shown the real meaning of the solidarity which has been forged between the African and the Asian continents. My thanks are also due to aIl those delegations which, bytheiraffirmativevotes, gave full support to the draft resolution as submitted. 48. To the delegation of France and the United Kingdom, which, for reasons that they have clearly stated, have not found it possible to vote in favour of the draft resolution, we still owe some thanks, because during their contributions to this debate they clearly and definitely expressed their condemnation and abhorrence of the policy and practice of apartheid of the Government of South Africa. We are not without understanding of some of the reasons which they have given. 49. It has been astimulatingexperiencetoparticipate in these meetings of the Security CounciL We accepted with a certain amount of trepidation the responsibility assigned to us by the Heads of State. Under the best of circumstances it is difficult for a Minister of Foreign Affairs to be satisfied that he is adequately representing his country in his public utterances. 50. We are also very appreciative of everything that has been done by the Secretary-General and his most efficient staff in facilitating the procedures and meetings of th~s Council. - 51. 1 would be less than honest if 1 did not take this opportunity to express real disappointment at the reluctance of the Government of the United Kingdom to give positive instructions to its representative to cast favourable votes on the matters which we have brought to the attention of the Security Council, especially as they were brought by the only other member of the Commonwealth which sits on the Security Council and by another member speaking for four other African members ofthe Commonwealth. This reluctance to demonstrate that a friend in need is a friend indeed will l'aise real questions in the minds of African members of the Commonwealth. questions which 1 am sure our Heads of State will bring up again at a proper time and place. 52. The result of the separate vote on operative paragraph 3 of the draft resolution which called upon Member States "to boycott all South AL"'rican goods and to refrain from exporting to South Africa stategic materials of direct military value" will not lessenthe determination of the African States to continue a continent-wide boycott of South African goods and the closing of African ports and airports to South African aircraft and ships. as has already been decided at the Addis Ababa Conference.lI It is only fair to state that unless sufficient encouragement is given to the African States to put this pressure-which is the only pressure available to them-upon the Government of South Africa. they might be obliged at sorne date not too far in the future to extend such closure of their ports and airports to aH ships and aircraft whose destination or place of origin is South Africa. This is a matter of real concern to us on the African continent. 53. 1 would add only afinalgeneralandall-embracing word of thanks to you, Ml'. President, and your colleagues on the Security Council for your patience, wisdom and forbearance in dealing with these matters of great concern which 1 and my coHeagues have brought to the Council's attention.

1 now calI upon the Foreign Minister of Tunisia.

Now that the Council has conclued its consideration of the question before it, 1 should like to Summit Conference of Independent African States, heId at Addis from 22 to 25 May 1963. 56. The important step that we have taken today is one which is viewed with great satisfaction not only by us, the peoples of Africa, but also, 1 am sure, by all that part of the human community which cherishes peace and freedom. The great importance of this step in both psychological and practical terms will escape no one. Observance of these provisions byall Member States, in conformity with Article 2, paragraph 2 and Article 25 of the Charter, would, 1 hope, shake the present lea.ders of the Republic of South Africa fu their pernicious beliefs, but would also, 1 am convIDced, make them re-examine the contemptible racist foundation on which they have builttheirwholedomestic policy. It is our most earnesthopethat the leaders of the South African Republicwill grasp thefull import of this decision and finally understand that it represents a serious and considered warning addressed to them through the Security Council by the entire international·community. 57. The whole world will watch with interest the effect of the wise provisions in the resolution just adopted by the Counciland the reception they are given by the Republic of South Africa. The whole of world public opinion hopes that on 30 October 1963 the report to be submitted by the Secretary-General will not disappoint our expectations. The Republic of Souttl Africa can only emerge in a more honourable light and will resume its rightful place in the continent of Africa and within the international community. 58. It is with great pleasure that we express our appreciation to the delegations which have given us their constant and generous support and stood by us in our most just and noble cause. Itis above aH thanks to them and to the combined effect of their continuous efforts of persuasion and co-operation that we have today achieved such a result. 59. Before concluding, 1 shall venture to make a remark concerning the seventh preambular paragraph of the resolution which has justbeen adopted. It seems to me that there is a mistake in the translation of the word "failure" in the original English texte It is not for me to recall this or that part of the Charter, but in French legal language, when a party to a dispute is called upon to appear and refuses to do so, he is said to "faire défaut" and the noun "défaillance" is used. This is why those Articles of the Charter in which the word "failure" appears in English use the word "défaillance" in the French texte 1 should be very glad if the translation and interpretation could he corrected along these lines.

1 have an admiEision to make, and that is: 1 am hardly the right person to whom to direct the observations made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Mfairs of Tunisia with regard to the French translation of tl1e resolution just passed by the Security Council. 1 will, however, request the attention of the appropriate division of the Secretariat to the problem; and 1 am sure that this matter will be taken oa:r:e of by the language section of the Secretariat. 1 Mpe that is satisfactory to the Minister of Foreign Mfairs of Tunisia. 62. 1 now calI upon the Secretary of State of Liberia. 63. Ml'. GRIMES (Liberia): Some positive action, 1 am pleased to say, has been taken by the Security Council through the adoption of the draft resolution as amended. It is not as much action as we had hoped for, when we consider the gravity of the situation that has been presented here. We regret, too, that some members of the Council, despite our concessions, still found it impossible to vote in favour of the resolution. The very fact that tpis important body has condemned the iniquitous policy of apartheid, declared it to be contrary to the Charter, called upon the Government of South Africa to abandon such a policy, and stated that the Council is convinced that the South Mrican situation is "seriously disturbing international peace and security", represents a move forward in the right direction. It is our hope that South Africa will co-operate with the international community and abandon its dangerous policy,. which can end only in catastrophe. 64. We hope that those countries which abstained on operative paragraph 3 of the draft resolution will realize that an arms embargo will be effective only li they do not provide materials which South Africa cao. use in the manufacture of arms and ammunition. We pointed out clearly in our presentation that South Mrica already has munitions factories. To vote for the resolution as amended and sell materials to South Mrica which can,. be used in the manufacture of weapons would represent one of the gI'eatest deceptions ever perpetrated on this Council. 65. My colleagues and 1 hereby record our appreci~tion to the Council for permitting us to present thlS matter on behalf of the Mrican Heads of State, and for the action it has taken on the boycott. 67. Once again, 1 thank you, Mr. President, and all your colleagues on the Security Council, for the assistance you have given us and for the far-reaching decision you have now taken.

1 now calI upon the representative of Madagascar.

1 should have wished not to take up more of your time, but since my colleagues the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, Tunisia and Liberia have spoken, 1 think that 1 too should say a few words. These words come straight from .the heart and are an expression of gratitude to you. 70. 1 shall not refer to the votes which have taken place or to the reasons given by various speakers, because the three Ministers for Foreign Affairs have already done so with much eloquence. 1 should simply like to express my country's gratitude to you, Mr. President, and to Mr. Benhima, for allowing it to join with the other three Ministers for Foreign Affairs who have come before the Council to defend the cause of Africa "and that of justice in the world. 71. Today's vote will have enormous repercussions, not only in Africa but throughout the whole world. In South Africa, 12 million victims of oppression will know that the odious system of apartheid under which they live has been categorically condemned by all the independent nations of the world; thanks to your vote a new light is dawning on the horizon-a promise of liberation and the certainty that they are no longer alone, that not only 200 million Africans but all the free nations of the world are behind them. 72. Thank you all for having given them this supreme good: hope. 73. The PRESIDENT: There are no fur·ther speakers on my list, and, consequently, the Concil has· now completed its consideration of the item on its agenda. 1 am sure that 1 speak on behalf of aIl the ~embers of the Council when 1 express the gratitude and appreciation of the members of the Council to the Foreign Ministers of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Tunisia and the representative of Madagascar who have presented the two cases ta the COUDcil. The meeting rose at 4.45 p.m.