S/PV.1201 Security Council

In accordance wlth the decision taken at the 1194th meeting on 30 April, 1 shall now. At the invitation of the President. Mr. Bouteflika (A&?ria) anal Mr. Doudou Thiam (Senegal) tookplaces at the Secuïity Council table.

The Security Council Will now continue its consideration of the question concernlng the situation in Southern Rhodesia. There are two names on my list of speakers.

1 do net wish to raise aprocedural question, but according to rule 46 of our rules of procedure, a11 resolutions should be made available inthe officia1 languages. 4. At the moment, 1 bave before me the draft resolution in French and in English. The text in Spanish, which is one of the officia1 languages of the United Nations, has not been circulated. 5. In this instance, 1 do not abject to the continuation of the debate wlth no vote being taken on these texts, but 1 wouldwish, Mr. President, thatyoudid net regard me acquiescence as a precedent for the future. 6. The PFSSIDENT: 1 thank the representative of Uruguay and 1 am very grateful to him for having taken this helpful attitude. 1 am assured by the Secretariat that the Spanish textwill be made available to him as soon as possible, perhaps the first thing tomorrow morning. ‘7. 1 now cal1 on the first speaker on my list, the representative of the Unlted States of America.

The concern of the African States, as set forth in their letter to the President of the Security Council, centres principally on what they term “the continuing deterioration of the situation intheTerritory” [S/6294 and Add.l]Y of Southern Rhodesia. The Foreign Ministers of Algeria and Senegal have presented in detail to the Council (1194th meeting] the concern of the African nations and have particularly focused their snxiety on the intentions of the Southern Rhodesia Government in calling at this time for electionsunder the present Constitution. 9. The United States reprcsentative in the Special CommitteeU reiterated at the 323rd meeting on 14 April that the United States shares the apprehensions of the African States, apprehensions which have been universally voiced by a11 who have spoken in the Council. First, there is the serious situation in Southern Rhodesia today. Second, we wonder where that situation may lead in the future. Finally, what are 1/ Sec Offmai Records of the Securiry Co&l, Tkentieth Year, Fupplement for April. May and Jute 1965. 2/ Specia, Commirree on the SItuadan wirh regard to the Implemenrî- tfon of rhe D2claraUon on rhe Grandng of Independence m Colonial 11. Those are the essentials of my Government’s position, but 1 should like to add a clarification. In view of the statement of the representative of the Soviet Union that my country maintains an Embassy in Southern Rhodesia;a 1 must inform him that that is not correct. The United States, of course, does net treat Southern Rhodesia as an independent sovereign State. My country maintains a Consulate General in Southern Rhodesia-a practice we bave followed in a number of non-independent Territories. The Government of Southern Rhodesia for its part, as suggested by the representative of the Soviet Union, has a representatlve in this country. This representative is a member of the British Embassy in Washington. This is also a practice which has been followed in the past in the cases of other dependencies. 12. 1 bave spoken earlier of our anxiety to sec the process of change through negotiation take place in Southern Rhodesia peacefully and quickly, but unfortunately, althougb negotiations are going forward, developments in Southern Rhodesia bave taken a very different turn. Al1 of us were, 1 think, distressed and alarmed by the report of Mr. Bottomley, Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, and Lord Gardiner, when they pointed out that the main impression they received on their recent visit to Southern Rhodesia was one of a hardening of attitudes among both the Europeans and the Africans. That impression has been reinforced by a number of irresponsible atatements and actions in Southern Rhodesia, many of them related to the question of aunilateral declaration of lndependence. It is such statements and actions which have made it necessary for the United Kingdom to set forth unequivocally on two separate occasiona within the past six months the serious consequencea of such an illegal undertaking which has been SC persistently courted by the Government of Mr. Iar Smith. / , 4 1 ; , , , I 14. We equally hope that it is not the intention of the Government of Southern Rhodesia, as has been suggested hoth within and outside Southern Rhodesia, to use the elections as the grounds on which to make constitutional amenclments which would further restrict the rights of certain segments of the population. Our anxiety on both those counts cannot be too strongly emphasized. 14. intentions comme l’ext6rieur pr&exte restreindraient tains souligner ces deux questions. 15. The representative of the United Kingdom in his first statement before the Council[ll94thmeeting] presented wlth frankness and clarity the very difficult position of his Government as wel? as its mounting concern. Ile set forth three principles whlch guide his Govermnent’s actions and policy in its search for a satisfactory and peaceful resolution of the problems in Southern Rhodesia. We believe that these principles and the actions flowing therefrom meet effectively the situation as it exists. First, there is the principle that independence should be granted on a basis acceptable to the people of the country as a whole. That principle is fundamental and has been endorsed by a11 speakers in the Council, if 1 am net mistaken. Secondly, the means of achieving such a goal must be through negutiation-in other words, through peaceful change. Mydelegationhas repeatedly insisted that peaceful change could best be accomplished through communication, throughconsultation, through re-establishing the brokenlinks of contact among the various factions in Southern Rhodesia. We bave consistently supported and encouraged the particular role and the special responsibility of the United Kingdom in attempting to re-establish this vital communication. 15. le Royaume-Uni la position aussi trois de son gouvernement satisfaisante du Sud. Nous croyons qui qu’elle ces principes sur une base acceptable tien du pays. Ce principe crois, Conseil. cet négociations, pacifique. sur pacifique entretiens, ment diverses toujours la responsabilit6 r&ablissement 16. que l’un des principes de équivoque con&quenoes raient 16. Finally, the United Kingdom representative said it was a basic principle of his Government’s policy that no one must be left inany doubt of the true constitutional position or of the political and economic consequences which would flow from an illegal declaration of independence. As has been made evident 17. It is difficult for my delegation to helieve that the. Government of Southern Rhodesia, in the face of those two unequivocal statements by the United Kingdom. in the face of the rejection by the Rhodesian Tohacco Trade Association of the conclusions of the Southern Rhodesia Government’ s recent White Pape&/ on the consequences of a unilateral declaration of independence. in the face of the warnings recently published by the Rhodesian branch of the Institute of Directors. could still seriously harbour aspirations to undertake such an unwise course. 15. The United States agrees completely wlth the estimate set forth by the United Kingdom in the two statements to which 1 have referred as well as the statement of the other speakers that a Southern Rhodesia which had achieved its independence under conditions which did net have the approval of the substantial majority of the people of that country would find itself isolated, unrecognised in the world community. Nor cari we be unmindful of the possible interna1 consequences of such anaction, consequences which could culminate in bloodshed and in violence. 19. No, we urge the GovernmentofSouthernRhodesia to cesse considering rapid accession to independence on a basis other than one approved by the majoriiy. As Mrs. Tree, speaking for my Government, said on 14 April: u . . . the answer to the painful problems insouthern Rhodesia is not immediate independence. Those, both inside and outside the Southern Rhodesia Government, who look for a cure-a11 in this course of action are .either misled or indulging in selfdeception.“ll 20. But it is not enough to speak solely in terms of preventive action, nor is it enough to dwell on ways of avoiding a worsening of the situation in Southern Rhodesia. Our prime task here should be to seek ways and means towards achieving the over-a11 goal of majority Government and respect for the rights of ail. From this we should not be diverted. As 1 say. the United States has always felt that the key to progress is the re-establishment and the strengthenlng of communications between the various sectors of the population. However, as pointed out by Mr. Bottomley, Secretary of State for Common- 4/ Sec Officlal Records of the General Assembly. Twenlietb Session. Annexep, addendum m agendairem23.documenrA/6000/Rev.l,chap. III. appendix II. * Ib&* appndtx VII. 6/ &.. sppendlx VI. 7/ Se document A/AC.lOY/PV.323 (m‘meographed). 21. We see, in the United Kingdom’s ability and willingness to talk with a11 of the parties a prelude to that welcome day when the parties cari begin to deal directly with each other. We have consistently held that if a constitutional conference is net possible for the moment then informa1 discussions which touch on the views of a11 parties concerned should be begun. We hope and believe that the sort of discussions initiated by the visit of the Commonwealth Secretary Will be vigorously pursued. This negotiation and consultation seem to us the most helpful peth to a solution of this stl*bborndeadlockwhichcandoSouthern Rhodesia no good in the long run. 22. 1 have spoken of the initiatives and the responsibilities and the constructive actions of the United Kingdom, but the key party in this issue at thispoint is the Government of Southern Rhodesia. The whole world, as this hearing inthesecurity Councilso amply demonstrates, looks anxiously to the authorities in Salisbury for an encouraging response to the legitimate aspirations of a11 its people. The Government of Southern Rhodesia must fact reality. It must face up to its responsibilities: responsibilities which encompass the entire population. It lies within the power of that Government to reverse the trend of fear of repression and of reaction. The white minority at present in powar must glve a signal, if any confidence is to be established, that it does not intend blindly to cling to its position of predominant power and special privilege. The Government of Southern Rhodesia and the white Rhodesians must recognise that their present attitude not onIy appears to ignore the course of history in the twentieth Century, to run counter to the trend of events on their own continent, but also would seem only to spell future unhappiness and isolation for their own country. 23. Finally, let me express the hope that the people of Southern Rhodesia. and in particular the members of the Government of that country, Will have followed carefully the Council’s deliberations; let us hope that they Will detect the deep concern of this Council, the concern of the African nations, the concern of the world community. May they also detect the sympathy and the understanding which most of the speakers in the Council have shown for the difficulties which Southern Rhodesia faces in the immediate future.

The Security Council bas reached the final stage of its discussion of the question of Southern Rhodesia and the timc has now corne to take a decision. 25. As the USSR delegation has already pointed out, the Council was urgently convened to consider the extremely serious situation in Southern Rhodesia, where it is esszntial to forestall the cew crime being planned by British colonialisme and the Southern Rhodesian racists-the transformation of Southern Rhodesia into a racist State modelled on SouthAfrica. 26. The discussion on the situation in Southern Rhodesia has show& as the Ambassadors of the African countries. the Ministers for Fore@ Affairs of A@ria and Senegal, and a number of other members of the Security Coucil have clearly stated, that the responsibilitfor the creation inSo&hern Rbodesia of a situation constituting a threat to international peace and security rests primarily with the United Kingdom. since that situation arose i‘s a result of the persistent refusa1 of the United Kingrlom to carry out the decisions of the United Nations regarding the implementation insouthern Rhodesia of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Couutries and Peoples, and as a result of connivance by British colonialism with the racist régime in Southern Rhodesia. 27. We consider that the Security Council cannot, in rny circumstances. overlook this totally unacceptable state of affairs, but must draw definite conclusions. 28. The CSSR delegation, as we bave already pointed Out, fully shares the legitimate conoer,, of theAfrican States and supports their just demands. 29. In the opinion of our delegation, the Security Council must firmly demand thst the United Kingdom Government, as the Government of the administering Poser. take immediate steps ta hait the dangerous developments in Southern Rhodesia. 30. In our opinion, the Security Council mustdemand that the United Kingdom Government without delay take the necessary steps to çancel the elections scheduled for 7 May in Southern Rhodesia. on the basis of the racist Constitution of 1961, to revoke that Constitution, and immediately to convene a constitutional conference, in which representatives of a11 political parties in Southern Rhodesia would participate, for the purpose of drafting a new constitution, based on full equality of rights for the indigenous population, and finding an urgent solution to the question of the country’s independence. 32. In tbe first place. tbe draft resolution contains no clearly worded statement concerning the necessity of revoking without delay the racist Constitution of 1961; it merely speaks of negotiations on the subject of new constitutions1 provisions. 33. Secondly, it does not demand that the United m Government urgently take the necessary steps to cancel tbe parody of aa election scheduled for 7 May 1965. 34. Thirdly, it cantatns no demand for tbe immediate convening of a constitutiond conference in Soutbern Rhodesia, but c.erely speaks of negotiations on tbe snbjeet. 35. Fourthly. operative paragraphs 3. 4 and 5 state that tbe Wnited Kingdom should net accept a unilateral declaration of independence for Southern Rhodesia, sbould not transfer to its colony of Southern Rhodesia any of the prerogatives of sovereignty, and SO on. Of course. we understand that in proposing these formulations contafned in tbe draft resolution the authors had in mind the possibility tbat power migbt be traasferreci to tbe raeists in Southern Rhodesia. We conskier, however, that reference should be made to the immediate granting of genuine independence to the people of Zimbabwe, based on full equality of rigbts ami untversal suffrage. In saying this, the USSR is proceeding from its position of prinoiple, namely. that the shameful colonial system must be abolished without delay. 36. Fifthly, in substance, a11 tbe operative paragraphs of the draft resolution are worded in the form of requests. wishes and appeals to the United Kingdom Government. Rut surely it is clear that the United .Kingdom Government, which is obviously using a screen of demagogic speeches to conceal its intention of doing a deal with the racists in Southern Rhodes% cari simply go on ignoring the piouswishes, requests and polite appeals. The inadequacy of such fOrmUIaS is SO striking that there is no need to go into it in greater detail. 37. The only paragraph which is drafted as a firm decision of the Security Counoil is paragraph 7, under which the Seeurity Council would keep the question of Southern Rhodesia on its agenda. It goes without saying that this is an important paragraph. to which we attach great significance, since the United Nations cannot and, we are convinced. Will net stand aside if the United Kingdom Government and the Southern Rhodesian racists should continue on their present course. Unfortunately. however. tbat is the only paragraph which is worded in a manner appropriate to the situation which bas ariseninSouthernRhodesia. 39. We understand that the representçtives of the African countries are tryingtoget theSecurityCounci1 a11 the same to adopt a decision which Will help to defend the just and sacred cause of the people of Zimbabwe. 40. In vlew of the above. the USSR delegatio is introducing the following amendment& to the three- Power draft resolution. With your permission, 1 Will read them out. “1. Delete paragraphs 3 and 4 of the operative part of the draft resolution and replace them with the followlng: “‘3. Requests the Unlted Kingdom Government to cancel the elections set by the Government of Southern Rhodesia for 7 May on the basis of the Constitution of 1961.’ “2. Delete from paragraph 5 the words: ‘net to transfer under any circumstances to its colony of Southern Rhodesia, as at present governed, any of the powers or attributes of sovereignty, but to promote the country’s attainment’ and replace them by the following: ‘to take the necessary measures for the immedlate granting to Southern Rhodesia . . .‘. “3. Renumber paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 to read 4, 5 and 6.” 41. The Unlted States representative, Mr.Stevenson, in his statement attempted to attribute to us something which we never said here. We did not refer to any Udted States Embassy in Southern Rhodesi&/ 1 should like to refer to the final Verbatim record of the Council’s 1195th meeting on 3 May, the English version of which reads: “It is a160 signlficant that tbe great major@ of the nlneteen fore@ countries with representation in Salisbury are from the States members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, lncluding the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Federal Republic of Germany, Belglum. Italy, Canada and Portugal, and also the Republic of South Africa, Australia and a few other countries.” [1195th meeting; para. 103.1 As you sec. we spoke of representation. The word “representation” in Russian has averyclear meaning. It means that the United States is represented in Southern Rhodesia. There are dlfferent forms of representation. For example. the UnltedStates representation at the Unlted Nations is called a “mission”, and SO on. 42, 1 should like to explain to our United StateS colleague that bis rebuke addressed to tbe USSR

If the members of the Council are willing, I would request a fifteen-minute recess and 1 assure you tbat it will net be longer tban that. It Will enable tbe sponsors of tbe draft resolution to consult together. 45. Tbe PRESIDENT: If there is no objection to this request, tbe meeting of the Council Will be suspended for fifteen minutes. I hear no objection, andthe meeting is therefore auspended for fifteen minutes. ne m&et&g was suspended at 10.15 p.m. and a-es d at 10.55p.m. 46. P. IJSHER (Ivory Coast) (translated from Frencb): First of alI. Mr. President, I should like to thank you and tbe members of the Council for having agreed to tbe reccss. 1 would also ask their pardon because after baving requested a reoess of exactly fifteen minutes, I vras forced to make it a little longer. Just before tbe recess you had said that there were no more speakers and the Counoil was therefore going to be asked to proceed to a vote on the amendments and the draft resolution. I should now like to ask tbe Counoil’s indulgence once more: as a result of certain consultatio.ns and also becanse tbere bas just been a rvaw development, I should like us net to vote tbis evening on this draft resolution, but ratber to put off tbe vote until tomorrow about noon. I am sure that several members of the Council Will be glad of this delay, which will glve us all an opportunity to bold further consultations befcre deciding on the various proposais before us.

1 thank the representative of the Ivory Coast. In view of what he has said. and since our principal objective in this Council with regard to this matter is to obtain some sort of a consensus which may be voted upon and whioh may satisfy the parties concerned. I should like to ascertain whether the Council is willing to agree to defer the vote on this question until midday tomorrow. If that is acceptable to the memhers of tbe Council, cotmideratien of this question Will be adjourned until midday tomorrow, but it will be recalled that a meeting of the Security Council to deal with the Dominican Republic question has been scheduled for tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. Naturally, the representatlve of the Xvory Coast Will appreciate that if a member of the Council is in the middle of his statement at the time we propose to begin our consideration of the present item, we Will take it upafter the member has finished. The meeting rose at 11 p.m. Litho in UN. priee: 5u.s. 0.50 (Or .qlk¶lent in other cucrencies)