S/PV.1264 Security Council

In accordance with decisions taken earlier by the Cou&l, 1 propose to invite the representatives of Algeria, India, Pakistan, Ghana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, the United Republic of Tansania, Nigeria, Guinea, Ethiopia, Mauritania, the Gambia, Jamaica, Somalia and the Sudan to participate, without vote, in the Council’s discussions. Conseil, At the invitation of fhe Presidenf. Mr. A. Bensid (Alger&?), Mr. G. Partbasaratbi (uidia), Mr. Amjad Afi (Pakistan), Mr. A. Quaison-Saokey (Gbaaa), Mr. F. M. Mulikita (Zambia), Mr. G. B. 0. Collier (Sierra Leone). Mr. S. Coulibaly (Mali). Mr. Achkar Marof (Guinea), Mr. T. B. Gebre-Egzy (Ethiopia), Mr. A. B. Miske (Mauritania), Mr. M. H. L. Barnett (Janmica). Mr. A. A. Farab (Somaiia) aad Mr. M. Fakhreddine (Sudan) took tbe places reserved for them in front of the Council table. 2. MI. PAYSSE REYES (Uruguay) [translated frOm Spat&h): The delegations of Bolivla and Uruguay take the liberty of introducing a draft resolution [S/6955]. We request that it should be considered as a matter of priority and, should the Councll so decide, we should like to explainthe reasons for it.

Since priority has been requested for a document whlch has just been submitted, 1 thiri tnat it cari only be granted if there are no objections by any member of the Council. If there are no obiections. 1 shall consider that the draft resolution submitted by Bolivia and Uruguay has been given priority. It was SO decided. 4. The PRESIDENT (translated from Spanishj: 1 give the floor again to the representative of Uruguay to introduce the draft resolution and 1 sincerely hope that his remarks Will explain, at least in part, the many delays and postponements during the last few days.

At the 1259th meeting, the representatives of the United Kingdom and the Ivory Coast introduced two draft resolutions [S/SSZS and S/6929] on the dramatic situation in Southern Rhodesia for the Council’s consideration. There are a few differences in form, substance and approach in the two texts. For five days, a group of members of the Council has been working assiduously to narrow the substantive ditferences between the two drafts. We are encouraged net by the hope, but by the 6. Consequently, the delegations of Bolivia and Uruguay, which are farther away from the area of conflict and enjoy greater freedom of action and decision on the subject, bave laboured in order to present this nsw test. There are still a few words in it which may be somewhat ambiguous but which may provide grounds for agreement inasmuch as the difference in approach to the problem has been virtually eliminated. 7. We helieve that it is only fair to express publicly our appreciation of the liberal spirit in which the Afro-Asian Group, acting through a member of the Council, the representative of the Ivory Coast, has worked. We also wish to bear witness clearly and in a11 sincerity to the goodwill show” by the Unlted Kingdom delegation in seeking to narrow the dlfferences in approach. 8. The draft resolution [S/6955] wbich Bolivia and Uruguay wish to place before the Cou&l for consideration does not represent the last word on the issue, since its last operative paragraph leaves it open for final decision by the Council; rather does it add one more step to the resolution 216 (1965) of 12 November 1965 condemning the rebellion in Rhodesia and calling upon other States not to recognise the illegal régime or to assist it in any way. C. We regard this draft resolution as a constructive and positive step, which cari always be extended or reconsidered. It does not take any position on the application of Chapters Vl or VII of the United Nations Charter and it does not make any judgement which may imply advocacy of the use of armed force in the circumstances. Under the draft resolution, the Secnrity Council, the voice of the Unlted Nations, unreservedly condemns what has happened, supports the measures adopted by the UnltedKingdom Government and calls upon the other Members of the United Nations to help to make tbem effective, that is, to make them univers& It also requests tbe United Klngdom Government and the otber Member States to enlarge the scope of the economic measures and calls upon the United Kingdom Government, in its capacity as the admlnistering Power and since the 1961 Constitution of Southern Rhode& bas broken down. to take tbe necessary steps to implement the provisions of the United Nations Charter wlth a view to bringing about self-government and independence wlth the full participation Of the people of Southern Rhodesia.

We are now considering the draft resoluilon submitted by Bolivia and Uruguay. Much has been said ahout the measures bqt 1 submrt that there is uothiug in tbis draft to sho\~ how thç Unit& Kingdom cari effectively achieve tbis ,gv:zl. The Yün Smith group usr?rped power, but raceutIy Iün Smith sud bis Ministers were dismiss& by the Cnited Wngdom, get no new Governmeut was established to take over and, Iegally speaking. there is no Governnxmt in control. There ia a V:I~~II~ of poser: tkexe is no British presetvze in :hz Territory sud, with til tkis as a background tke U:uted Kingdcm did avt e.xpPaiu to the Couzcil kow it wuld eltiorce iis determination. 14. We believe tbat these facts alone justw tbefindina; that the sitoaticn constitutes a threat tothe peace. If more facts are needed, however, let ?ls examine the statements made by the African representatives here in thls Council. Let us examine the reaction of the Heads of State to tbis declaration. 1 refer now to a statement made by the Foreign Minister of my country, in which he condemned this illegal declaration of the racist minority régime as an example of complete decial of the rigbt of selfdeterminaticn and of human rights. Ile also said that the Government of Jordan wculd oct recognize or assist it in any maoner. 1 refer also tc a statement made by President Nasser of the United Arab Republic declaring that tbe United Arab Republic is in a state of war with tbe rebel Government of Scuthern Rhodes&. and wcold close the Suez Canal to all vessels Pound for Rhodesia. African States bave set forth the emergenoy measures they bave taken in facing this explosive situation. They bave considered tbe formation of a liberation movement. Add to this plan the fortbcoming high-level meeting in Africa, the vacuum of power in Southern Rhodesia, *he coaflict between tbe Church aad tbe Ian Smith gmup, the day-to-day detericration of the situation *nd. *bave dl. the threat that, unless effective measures are taken, the African States may fiad tbemselves compelled to intervene. 1 say tit ail Of these factors justify the finding tbat a tbreat to the peace exists, and tbat the Council is cakd upon to take legitimate measures to cbeck this explosive situation. 15. The Council is of course expected to determine chat a breach of tbe peace does exist wlthin tbe =eming of the Chuter. After that tbe Cocacil may reqaest tbe United Kingdom to take ail adeqoate and aPPropriate measures to maintain peace. Much bas been said regarding the Council~s authority tc order the use of force. It ha8 been argued that Cbapter VII dW.9 m>t go that far. My delegation feels tbat the Charter gives this rigbt. It is true tbat military measure8 were kept very much in the background in the Cmaant of the League of Nations; we believe 16. Thls point is a11 the more important since those wha met in San Francisco-and ouf colleague. Mr. Pays& Reyes of Uruguay is on@ of themderided not to give any definition to the term “a threat to the peace”. That decision increases the respcnstbility of the five permanent members of the Councll. 17. Needless to say, the explosive situation in Southern Rhodesia requires an urgent decision by this Couwll. Any further delay is net in the interest of the people of Rhodesia. nor in that of the Security Councll. Pou. iur. Prestdent. bave been klnd enough to suspend or adjourn the Council’s meetings time and again to ennble us to reach agreement, as was 60 ably esplained bJ the representative of Uruguay a few moments ego. Ne were happy to sec the Coonctl adopt a prelimtnary measure last week on this nuestion. We believe that the deterioratlne explosive’ situation in Southern Rhcdesia calls for another immediaxe sbep. to be taken no later than today. of tbe United Kingiom, 5s the Queen%representative m.rtboFity pn erra MwXlesia*. isolated and pwerless in his officia9 residence. Ris prockmations do mt reach the people beeause of tbe strict censorship imp0sed by tbe rebds. tele- ?&OiaeS been clkt off and àe ha5 been hened with e On fmm bis residence. Pubk servants they are inçtaoitly ‘dismissed; when sch&l chilidren go on strik., they me cane& To calm ail these rebeUiou5 anci tiatiul acts, Mr. Smith has moved t0 replace ibe 6owmor with a SO-cakd %cting office-r” advising the Govenment; in ecseace. an aeti regent. 28. TLe sittuation beeomes more confusing in ‘oies of the reply given by the British Prime Minister 29. However, such a move wnuld only be feasible wlth the establishment of a strong British presence in Southern Rhodesia to enforce the authority of a Governor. And this is what the United Kingdom Government has stubbornly refused to do. What, then, is Britain’s answer to a11 these insults to the Crown? What is the United Kingdom Government doing to honour its pledge to protect the lives .and nronertv of the lova1 citizens of Southern Rhodesia or at lea& tobnlsterthe autonomous authority of its own legal representative in the Territory? SO far the United Kingdom Government has failed to corne up with any prompt and effective measures. While the United Kingdnm Government continues to prevaricate and fumble, rebels in Southern Rhodesia are consolidating their position and eldrenching themselves in their stronghold. Tne African Ststes, for their part, are taking steps to give meaning to the resolution on Southern Rhodesia adopted in Accra on 22 October 1965.L/Th@ communiqué of Nouakchott, by the four Heads of State of countries bordering on the Senegal River, read to this Council on 13 November by the representative of the Ivory Coast (1259th meeting, para. 711, should leave us in no doubt whatsoever as to the position of the African States on this grave issue. 30. Already the representativeof Jordanhas referred to President Nasser who ha8 announced that the United Arab Republic is in a state of war with the rebellious r8gime of Ian Smith. What is more, my President, Mr. Kwame Nkrumah, today stated at a Press conference that the situation in Snuthern Rhodesia is a threat to peace and security tnthe whole world and that action should be taken by tb@ Security Couneil to meet this threat. He said at a Press conference: “1 have called you here today to inform you that because of the growing gravtty of the Southern Rbodesian crisis 1 bave requested the Secretary- General of the Organisation of African Unity to convene a meeting of Defence Ministers and their military chiefs of staff SO that the Africans cari plan ahead realistically to meet tha tiger which at the moment threatens a11 Africa as a result of the Rhodesian rebellion. ” These words should not be taken ligbtly. 31. It is net only in Africa that this rebellion has aroused strong feelings of indignation and resentment. In the Jamaican House of Representatives, a resolution passed on 16 November affirmed, inter a&, that it stands ready to offer a substantial Ocwber 1965. 33. Ti3e V&&S world bas been watcbing us for tbe lait few days to see wbat the Secuiity Council is gdug to do t0 meet this P whieh is confrontiag Africa. I sec chat a resoPution was present& by the United m, and tbat tbe Ivory @oa.st aiso presented a clraft resolution on behfdf of the Africm States, but we sec that Uruguay bas presented v?bat may be ealled a compromise draft resolution. We bave looked at it and we leave it to the judgement of the Council to detennine t.î~ salient as @roblem wtaich v?e feel shotià b4?detdtw l ’ l At this jmdure, I should ?ike to commend you, . President, asd tbe representative of Uru the effwts you are making which meet tlw sympathy of African Sfates. Of course, tbe represantative of tbe Pvory Coast on the Couacil will promunce on the draft when be speaks, SD I Will leave that task to him. r L 1 L 35. at is importmt-and this I must emphasizeis t.bat we, tbe African States, do not set any limit: to tbe appropriate measures tbat the United Kingdom Govermmut is expected to take to meet this serious cha:lenge ia Southern Rhodesia. The measuws wbich 80 far bave been taken by theUnitedKingdom Government are, in our opinion, net affective. Sanctions bave been impose& but tben South Africa has net ben reekoned with. it is truc tbat the united Kingdom is basring Southern Rhodesia from the financial B.arket, but then Sauth Africa Os there, and it cari ; I get ail the finance necessary and issue goods through the haek do~r to Southeern Rhodesta. 36. These are some of the points which the Council must take account of, because Southern Rhodesiz bas a long border with South Africa, and alreadq we hear that so-called immigrants are pourin@ into Southern Rhodes@ thus making the situation more explosive; it is, éherefore, up to tbe Council to take all measures necessary, at least for tbf time being, to meet tbis situation. I I t

1 give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom who wishes to exercise the right of reply. 39. Lord CARADON (United Kingdom): 1 merely wish to make a short statement in exercise of my right of reply to what was just saidby the representative of Ghana. 40. We bave had, in this Council, ample opportunity for full debate of the subject before us. We bave also had ample opportunity for consultations between ourselves which bave lasted-as you, Mr. President. are well aware-for many days and nights. 1 believe that we bave now corne to a stage where it is not a question of debate or consultation, but a question of action. We would wish to sec tbat action taken as rapidly as possible. Therefore, 1 am sure that tbe representative of Ghana Will forgive me if 1 do not endeavour to reply to him on the substance of matters which be raised this afternoon. 1 bave, of course, noted what he said, but 1 do net believe tbat it would be in the interest of the Council, or of the action which we now wish to take, to return to the stage of debate or, indeed, to reopen the stage of consultation. 41. It is my delegation’s view that, now that another draft resolution has been placed before the Council -and we were, of course, willing to give priority to that draft resolution, recognizing that it was put forward with the utmost goodwill inorder to endeavour to find some basis on wbich this Council should a&-the stage has corne when further debate will net help us snd further consultation, we greatly hope, is unnecessary. TherefOre, we would urge the Council to proceed as rapidly as possible to the stage of action, whichwe believe is now imperative.

1 bave no further speakers on my Rat and 1 should be very happy to follow the suggestion of the Jordanian representative, which was taken up to some entent by the United Kingdom representative, that we should expedite action on the draft resolution just aubmitted. If was SO decideci. l i%e meetfng rose at 6 p.m.