S/PV.1268 Security Council

We are proposing two amendments. First, ln operatlve paragraph 1, replace the word Qndangers” by the words %eriously disturbs”. 4. Secondly, replace operative paragraphs 6 and 7 by a shigle paragraph 6 readlng as follows: “6. Requests that a11 States should refrain forthwlth frOm offering the Partuguese Government any assistance whlch would enable it to continue its repression of the people of the Territories under its administration, and take a11 the neoessary measures to prevent the sale and supply of arrns and mllitary equlpment to the Portuguese Government for this purpose, including the sale and shipment of equipment and materials for the manufacture and maintenance of arms and ammunition to be used in the Territories under Portuguese administration”.

Itrust that In spite of any inconvenience, members of the Council Will bave taken careful note of the proposed afnendments. If any member is in doubt, this would be the time to ask any necessary questions.

1 should like to raise one point. The original text is in Spanish and 1 understand, from experts who are better versed than myself in this language, that the exact translation of +he first line of the second amendment reads as follows: “Requests a11 States to refrain.. .“, and net as it presently appears in the draft: “Requests that a11 States should refrain.. . “.

In light of the fact that we are going to act on the draft resolution, 1 tblnk that it would be helpful for a11 of us lf you. Mr. President, would read aloud the text of the rmendments SO that we can a11 follow.

1 gladly accept the United States representative’s suggestion. 1 would ask the interpreters to he particularly careful in translating the amendments. 9. 1 shall now slowly read out the text: “1. In operative paragraph 1, replace the word “endangers” by the Word8 “seriously distubs”. “2. Replace operative paragraphs 6 and 7 by the following paragraph 6: ” ‘Requests all States to refrain forthwith from offering the Portuguese Government any assistance whlch would enable it to continue its repression of the people of the Territories under lts administration; and to take a11 the neoessary measures 10. If the members of the Council bave no further comments to make. weshallproceedtovoteon the important document now befor@ us and. in accordaxe with the provislonal rules of prooedure, we shall vote first on the ixo amendments lntroduced by Uruguay [S/S965]. 11. The representative of the Netherlands wlshes to speak. I wouldvery respectfullypointoutto him that we are now voting on the amendments, whlch bas precedence. 1 trust tbat he wishes to speak inconnexion ~5th the votlng.

1 am afraid that there is a little mlsunderstandini. Mr. President. My delegation had not been able io take a position yesterday for lack of instructions, whlch we just received thIs morning. My delegatlon. therefore. had ask@d to be inscribed as the first speaker on the list this morning hefore w@ went on to the votlng. 1 would stlll lik@ to explain my delegation’s position wlth regard to the whole resolution. which 1 bave not b@en able to do, but if you would like to go on to vote on the amendments first, 1 Will leave it in your hands.

1 should like to lnform the representative of the Netherlands that on the list of speakers prepared by the Secretarlat the Netheriands came next under Uruguay and that is why 1 called onthe representatlve of the Netherlands. 1 was not aware that he wished t0 Imke a further statement. 1 would llk@ to suggest. in sny case, in the interest of the Council and in order to clarify a dlfflcult situation, that the representative of the Netherlands be klnd enough to speak after the voting on the amendments, lf he bas no objection.

1 should be happy to comply with your wlsdom, Mr. President. provided that 1 get the chance to speak before the entirs draft resolution is voted on.

WC shall now proceed to vote on the Uruguayan amendment% wblch 1 bave just read out, to the drafl resolution [S/6953/Rev.l]. 1 now put the flrst amend, ment to the vote. t A vote was taken by show ofhands. In favouc Bolivia. China, Ivory Coast. Jordan Malaysia, Netherlands. Union of Soviet Sociali~! Republics. Unlted Kingdom of Great Britain am North@rn Ireland. Unlted States of America. Uruguay, I 1 Against: None. Abstaining: France. A vote was taken by show ofbauds. rn fawur: Bolivia. China, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Malaysia. Union of Soviet Socialist Republios, United States of America, Uruguay. Agaiost: None. Rbstainiog: France. Netherlands. United Kingdomof Great Britain and Ncrthern Ireland. The amendment was adopted by 8 votes to oone, with 3 abstentions.

Yesterday afternoon, a8 well as announcing that 1 wa8 poing to submit amendments, 1 requested. in accordance with the second paragraph of rule 32 of the Council’s provlsioaal rules of procedure, that a separate vote b8 taken on operatlve paragraph 8 of the draft resolution. The sponsors indicated that thls wa8 acceptable to them. 1 therefcre request tbat a separate vote b-a taken on tbat paragraph.

Tge President nseds to koow officially whetber the three merder8 of the Counoil who sponsored tbls draft resolution agree to a separate vote on operative paragraph 8. Since no cbjectlon has been raised, 1 take it that they agres tc SUC~ a separate vote. 19. 1 now put to the vote operative paragraph 8 of the draft resolution [S/6953/Rev.l] which reads as follows: “Cal18 upon all States to take all the necessary measures either separately or collectively to boycott a11 Portuguese importa and experts’. A vote wa8 taken by show of hards. ~lfsvour: Ivory Coast, Jordan, Malaysia, Union of S:oviet Sccialist Republics. Against: Noue. ABstafnfng: Bolivia. China, France. Netberlaads, Uoited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ncrthen Ireland. United States of America. Uruguay. The resuft of tbe vote ~a8 4 infavour, none agalast, wfth ‘7 abstentions. î%e paragraph was not adopted, hnving fafkd to obtain the sffirmatfve votes of seven members.

1 draw attention tc the fact that, as a result of the votlng, changes Will bave to be made in the original draft resolution; 1 propose that the Secretariat be authorlzed to change the paragraph referenoes and paragraph numbers aad also to iosert the date in paragraph 10. in accordaace wlth the new situation. N mas SO deofded. 22. In Km first place. 1 would agafn emphaslae that the essence of my Gcvernment’s position on th@ wbcle queséion of tbe Portuguese Territories is that it sincerely hops tbat tbe Portugnese Government will aIlow tbese Territories ta bave self-determination. Wka 1 use the term “self-determlnation”, 1 do SO in the sens@ in wblch it is generally acoepted here in the United Nations-that is. the wldest possible sense. 23. With regard to tbe actual text of the draft resclu- Kon now befcre us. my Government ha6 a number of objections and reservations which Ishouldlihetopolnt out. The ffrst relates tc tbe original text of paragraph 1, wbich might give the impression that the whole matter was plaoed under Cbapter VII of the Charter of the Unltsd Nations. Thatwas tbe reascn mv Gcvernment objected tc th@ original text. 1 assume that tbe change that has just been adcpted at tbe suggasticn of the Umg”aysn representative, substituting “seriously dlstnrbs” for %ndangsrsn, msets this objection ami that we oan accept tbls paragraph as it now stands. 24. Paragraph 5 u presents my Covernment wlth *orne dlfficulty. It reads: “The immediate recognition of the rlgbt of the peoples of tbe Territories under its admfnistraKon to self-determination and independence”. As 1 ex~lained. we suhscribe wbcleheartedly to the words “self-determlnaKon”. However. the words “and tidependencen might create the impression that that is the only result that could possibly arise from selfdeterminatian. This is net, 1 believe. the generally accepéed prooess of selfdetermination. 25. 1 shculd ncw llke tc quck the reprefentative of Tunisia in this respect, since my Gcvernment entirely agrees wlth him. In on@ of bis interventions, he said: “In upholding this right of self-determination, we bave never claimed tc prejudge the final choice of the peoples concerned from among tbe alternatives cffered to them after they havs freely eaeroised their right of self-determinaticn. As weexplalnedin our statement before this CounciI in December 1963 [1979th meetinpl. there are well-lmown examples showing Kmt a number of alternatives exist in exercising the right of self-det@rmination. In prac- Kce. the exercise of that right would normally permit a free choice between integration pure and simple with the adminlstering Power, association with it with the retention of internai autonomy or, Yesterday, the representative of Tudsia said: “1 sball go even forther and repeat what 1 said Orly this morninp. on behalf of a11 the Mini&ers partlcipating in this debate. 1 could say, without risk of b&g contradicted by any Head of State or Government. tbat we understand the principle of selfdeterminatfon as one that most caver a11 possibllities-1 repeat “a11 possibllities’-from choosing to remain a Portugcese province ior ever to choosing \ydiate independence.” 11267th meeting, para. 26. My delegation could whole-heartedly subscribe to these words, but we fear tbat the textwhich is used in paragraph 5 (a) may oreate a different impression, namely, that there would be only one choice available: independence. 27. 1 should like to clearupamisunderstandingwhich has apparently arisen in connexion with my previous intervention at the 1254th meeting. The representative of Portugual, referring to our intervention. said oD tbat occasion [1255th meeting] tbat the Netherlands delegation bad obvlously had in mind a plehiscite in the Portuguese Territories. This must be based on a misunderstanding, bscause in the whole of my intervention 1 never used the word “plebiscite”. 1 used the word “self-determination” several times, but Dot tle word “plebiscite”. As we a11 know. there are several ways in which self-determination cari be exercised. and several different outoomes are possible. One of the forms inwhichself-determination cas he exeroised is through a representative parliament based upon udversal suffrage-that is, a system of “one mari. one vote”. That is precisely what we did in Surinam, to wbich he referred. Wedid net apply a plebiscite in Suriname ten years agoforthat reason. We had a parliament based on “one mari. one vote”, and. by the way. t*oDe woman, one vote”. 1 wanted to make that point clear. 28. TO continue with the text of the draft resolution. paregraph 6 and 7 also presented my Government with difficolties. Mv Government has auulied the arms embargo wlth regard to the Portugu&e Territories and the Portuguese Fore@ Minister confirmed. in his statement, tbat Portugal bad never even asked for arms. As the text read yesterday, it could be interpreted to mean that no equipment or materials which cculd ever be used for the manufacture of arms for the Overseas Territories could be sold tothe Portuguese Government. Thls presented my Government with great dlfficulty. 1 would like to study more carefully the text as it has been amended this morning. because 1 still bave my doubts on that score. lution, probK?mes territoires étrangeres sue d’armes. signifier ou de matériel cation ne Cela ;Te voudrais Bté amendé ce point. ,

With your permission 1 shall nowput to the vote. as a nhole, the draft resolution by the Ivory Coast. Jordan. Liberia. Madagascar. Malaysia, Sierra Leone and Tunisia [6/6953/Rev.l). The text on whlch we are ah& to vote hss bsen modlfied by the amendnrents submitted hy Uruguay, which were just adopted by the Council. and hy the eliminatlon of paragraph 8 of the original draft, which the Council votedto reject. A vote was taken by s6ow of hands. In favoar: Bolivla, China. Ivory Coast. Jordan, Malaysia, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Uruguay. Againsf: None. Abstsinisg: France, Netherlands, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Worthern Ireland, United States of America. The draft resokdion, as amended, was adopted by 7 votes to none. with 4 abstentions. Y 31. Mr. G~LDBERG (United States of America): On hehalf of my delegation, 1 should like to express our appreciation to the sponsors of the resolution for their patience and also to the representative of Uruguay for his efforts in connexion with the amendme!& submltted by hls delegation and adopted by the Cou&l. In oui vlew. they bave signlficantly improved tbe text. 32. We abstained in this vote because ofour reservatiens on varions points inquestion. These reservations bave been expressed to the Council on earlier occasions and 1 shall net take the time of the Council at this late hem io repeat them at iength. 1 should like briefly to emphasize only a very few points. 33. My Government strongly believes that Portugal should recognize the right of self-deter.mination of the peoples of the Portnguese Territories. We haveurged Portugal, both inside and outside this Councll, to make this right a reality. We ourselves bave no question-nor do we believe there cari be any question in tbls body-as to what the concept of self-determination ogght to be. The General Assembly and the Security Council have bath defined the right of self-determination. in which no choice was excluded. and, as the representative of the Netherlands stated today. there has been no substantial disagreement by the sponsors of the resolution on this point. The concept of self-determination includes all appropriate options and it encompasses the entire scope of what the Charter calls a fuIl rneasures of self-government. prim resolotioas of the Coumil, discussions smuld take place pronuptly between the repfesentatiws of Portugaal and 3x3 African Bates on the basis of ihe CoüneiP’s lIk5cember 1963 recommandations, that is, on tbe basis of genuine seJ.f-determination inwbicha.3 options are possible. We take it that chat is net excluded by ibe resolution, provided tbat tbe basis of seI2-determinatian-wbich is defined in Council redution 183 @963)-is accepter\ by ail concerned. I? take it tbat Et is certainly tle sense of tbe CO~IciIFs decision taken here tîday that that concept of self-determination ought to be accepted by ail of tbe parties cancerned.

In its statement yesterday 11267th meeting], the Soviet delegaticn observed tbat tbe draft resolution befcre the Couacil did net fully meet the demands of tbe pecples struggling for liberaticn frcm Portugal% colonial ycke. 42. We were nevertheless prepared tc support and vote for this compromise draft. It is regrettable Mat aome of the Western Powers deliberately pracrastinated in the matter of adcpting tbe resoluticn and tried by svery means to weaken still further this decfsicn by the Security Council on the question of Liabcn’s colonial policy and the fate of tbe peoples of the Portuguese colonies. 43. The Africm coustries-the peoples of Angola, Mozambique and so-called Pcrtugcese Guinsa-who are fighting for tbeir freedom and independecce, bave ome more been able tc eee for themselvee what value should be placed on the verbal assurances of certain Western Powers concerning tbeir alleged readiness to respect tbe rl scftbs African~oplesto freedcm, self-determlnation and full independence, what value ahculd be placed on tbeir spurioue expressions of regret ahout the criminal colonial war being waged by the Liabcn régime against the peoples of Africa. 44. Thcee Powers did everytbing to prevent the adoption of paragrapb 8 of the draft reeoluticn prcviding for a boycott of a11 Portuguese experts and impcrts. The real aime of their policy in tbis matter bave now been fully ucmasked. By abstaining in the vote on tbe draft resolution, the Unit&. States. the United Kingdcm and tbe Netherlands demonstrated once again their moral and pclitical support for tbeieir NATO accomplice, Porttigal. 45. We are nevertheless convinced tbat tbe jüst struggle of the psoples of Angola, Mozambique and so-caRed Portugaese Guinea will inevitably be a victoricue cne, bowever muchthe forces of colonialism and nec-colonialism may try to oppose it. 46. Tha Soviet delegaticn ia further convinced tbat the Seourity Council, whcse membership Will very sbcrtly be enlarged to the advantage of the independent countries of African and Asia, will play its part in putting an end tc the crimesof Portuguesecolonialism and in co-operating in tbe speedy attainment of fxeedom and independence by the peoples wbich are today “The imaediate s@cognition of tbe right of the pw@.es ai Fhe Territaries under its administraekm ta Self-aeFeFtimtioa ana inaepenaence A. Tbe same sub-paragz appeamsd in resolution Secwity Couacil on this a a sing1e Word to it. we terms of tbis pretiaus wbich I refer ébe representatives wbo e on tbis point; they tiP find tbe same words in it. 50. 1 Sbould Eike to say that what is most important is Fhe rigbt ?Q iwkpendence, 2nd conseque&y the ri@ Fo freedom. Everv individua or indeaendent State is free to do wl&t ho, or it, wishes u%b that freedom. Tbat is abat self-determinatiw means. The State may becorne i&spated in or asmiate.2; wilh amther State, if it SO wishes. In SO doing, it is exercisiag tbe prerogatives offreedom. But I think that the first thingtoreccgnize is the right ta independence: the ri& to freedom for individuak, the ri@ to independence for the generality of individuuals wbo constitute a nation, a State. 51. h3r. DE HIRAWDA (Portugal): Owing to the late and taking into consideration the fact tbat my tion bas aPready offereci its comments on the text just voted upon, f shall be brief.

My colleagues and 1 would like to thank the Council for the resolution just adopted. 1 should like to tel1 you quite frankly, hcwever, that we would bave preferred your acceptance of the text whlch we originally offered, since we sincerely believe the plan we suggested to be the best means of bringing to a speedy and satisfactory end the colonial wsr unjustifiably waged by Portugal against the African Territories under its administration. 54. This matter is far more serious than some members of the Councll sre wllllng to recognlze: tbus they indirectly encourage Portugal% repressive activities and piously state that they are in faveur of self-determination. We would appreciate it if those members would tel1 us here and now howthey propose to persuade their allies-not ours-to accept theprinciple of self-determlnation. Eve” though we are willing to liste” to advice from any quarter, we reserve our right to acoept or reject any advice offered. In thls connexion, we made our position quite clear on the subject of discussions. which seem to bave become a hobby-herse for some members of the Council. 55. At no point has Portugal clearly indicated its acceptance of the United Nations definition of selfdetermlnation. What, then, are we to discuss? If Portugal accepts that definition, proper talks should be held with the nationals within and withcut the Territories. Perhaps 1 should add that, in the light of recent revelations, those who advised us to enter into discussions would bave done well to heed thelr own advlce in matters of even greater import to the peace of the world. 56. Since the representative of the Ivory Coast has iilready commented on the failure of thcse who participated in seeking a compromise to vote for the resolution, 1 do not propose to weary you by repeating the ssme arguments. 57. Once again my colleagues from Tunisia, Sierra Leone and Madagascar join me in expressing to you our appreciation for the action you hsve taken.

Since there are no more speakers on rny list and in view of the lateness of the hou, 1 propose, wlth the consent of the Council, to adjourn the meeting. Before doing SO, 1 should llke once again to thank all my colleagues for the spirit of compromise wldch bas enabled us to dispose of thls matter. The meeting rose at 1.55p.m. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS ltnited Notions publicafions may be obfained distributors throughout the world. Consult write fez Wnited Nations, Soles Section, ENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS Les publications des Notions Unies sont en vente rrgenceo dépositaires du monde entier. Informez-vous au adnmz-vous h: Nations Unies, Section des COMQ CQNSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NAC:ONES Las publirociones de 1~1s Naciones Unidor casas distribuidoras en fadas partes del mundo. dirijare a: Naciones Unidos, Secci6n de Ventos, LItho in U*N. Price: SUS. 0.50 (or equivalent in 0th~