S/PV.1575 Security Council

The representative of Syria has proposed an amendment to the operative paragraph of the draft resolution that I have just read out. With that amendment the text would read as follows: preseraf: The representatives of the following States: rQrgentina, Belgium, Burundi, China, France, Italy, Japan, hicaragua, Poland, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria, Union of S,,,+t Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America, Y?re Security Cbuncil, Provisional agenda (S/Agenda/l 575) “Welcomes the application of Bahrain and recommends to the General Assembly that Bahrain be admitted to membership in the United Nations.” 1. Adoption of the agenda. 2. Admission of new Members: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the applications of Oman and Bahrain for membership in the United Nations (S/ 10294).

My delegation wishes to support the amendment proposed by the representative of Syria.

Are there any objections to that amendment? As there are none, I take it that the amendment is adopted by the Council. Adoption of the agenda T3z e agenda was adopted. 6. We shall now proceed to the vote on’ the diaft resolution as amended. Admission of new Members Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the applications of Oman and Bahrain for membership in the United Nations (S/10294) The draft resolution, ai amended, wvr$ adoptid tinanimously. ’

I shall now call on thbse representatives who have expressed a desire to speak after the vote.

In accordance with the decision taken at our last meeting, the Committee on the Admission of New Members has met and has submitted a report to the Council /S/10294/. It is my understanding that the Council is prepared to act on the draft resolution which is contained h paragraph 4 of the Committee’s report and which reads a foliows: 8. Mr. TOMEH {Syria): The Security Council has just voted unanimously to welcome the application of Bahrain and to recommend to the General ‘Assenibly that it be admitted to membership of the United Natioris; We consider this to be a very auspicious occasion and, we therefore whole-heartedly welcome Bahrain, a sister Arab State, and congratulate it on having attained full independence, which qualifies it for tnembership in our Otganization. “The Security Council, ’ “Having examined the application of Bahrain for admission to the United Nations /S/10291], “Recomrnerzds to the General Assembly that Bahrain be sdflitted to membership in the United Nations.” 9. However, before proceeding further in our hearty welcome to Bahrain, my delegation wishes to set the record straight on one point. The Security Council today based its decision on the report of its Committee on the Admission of New Members. Paragraph 2 of that report speaks of another application: the application of Oman for admission to membership in the United Nations. The Committee on the Admission of New Members, while deferring examina. tion of this application, “recommended without objec- If 110 one wishes to speak at this stage, I shall put the draft mpSglcltion to the vote. 2. $5 TOMEN (Syria): I wish to propose that the op& fltlve paragraph of the draft resolution be amended to @ad as folIows : “~e~COnzes the application of Bahrain and recommends to the Generai Assembly that Bahrain be admitted to we@bership in the United Nations.” 1 See resolution 296 (1971). “In special circumstances, the Security Council may decide to make a recommendation to the General Assembly concerning an application for membership subsequent to the expiration of the time-limits, , .“. 14. Now Bahrain is endeavouring with vigour to advan’ce &e caw of progress for its people in all Walks of !ife. Its dedication to the cause of education and the spreading bermf, he development of its resources and the modernhtion 0f its institutions command respect and admiration. ne energies of its sons, looking forward to a prosperous tegion, enhanced by the dedication of its Government, are &e bea guarantees for a bright and rich future-rich in knowledge, rich in moral values and rich in human contributions. IQ, It is our understanding that when the Security Council-perhaps in the near future-takes up again the application of Oman, the condition on the time-limits will be waived. Precedents already exist in the Council for admissions to membership that are not within the timelimits envisaged by rules 59 and 60 of the provisional rules of procedure. 15. We welcome Bahrain’s full independence and we support its accession to our Organization. We are certain that Bahrain will live up to its obUgations under the Charter, its obligations to its brothers and sisters and its obligations to humanity. 11. TO revert to Bahrain, it is pertinent to recall here today that the Security Council adopted 0n 11 May last year resolution 278 (1970), endorsing the findings of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Bahrain. His report was then circulated to the members of the Council by the Secretary-General in document S/9772 of 30 April 1970. Operative paragraph 2 of resolution 278 (1970), to which I have already referred, reads as follows: 16. I feel pdvileged, on behalf of the Government and the people of Syria, to voice support for Bahrain’s membership in the United Nations. I also feel deeply gratified to utter words of welcome to Bahrain, and at the same time to express our best wishes for a strong, harmonious and prosperous Bahrain. “WelcOrneS the conclusions and findings of the report, in particular that ‘the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain wish to gain recognition of their identity in a fully independent and sovereign State free to decide for itself its relations with other States’.”

The Japanese delegation warmly congratulates the Government and people of the State of Bahrain, an Asian country, on the achievement of heir independence, and, with equal warmth, would like to congratulate them on the unanimous adoption by this Council of the resolution recommending to the General Assembly that Bahrain be admitted to membership in the United Nations. 12. The Security Council reached that momentous conclusion on 11 May 1970 and has crowned it today by a unanimously adopted resolution welcoming Bahrain and recommending it for full membership in the United Nations. We commend the wisdom and tact used by Bahrain, its people and& ruler, as well as all the parties concerned, in achieving full political sovereignty and independence and in re&ing the aspirations of the people of Bahrain. Rarely indeed has an international question which at times seemed to be very complicated been resolved so amicably. All that augurs well for the future of Bahrain. We also hope that Bahrain will be a reminder to obstinate colonial Powers that try in vain to reverse the courti of history and continue to deny peoples their right to self-determination. 18. We were very glad to support Bahrain’s application for membership, We are confident that Bahrain, a peace-loving State, is able and willing to carry out the obligations of Member States under the Charter, as clearly indicated in the declaration signed by His Excellency Isa bin Sulman AlXhalifah,Amir of the State of Bahrain /S/10291]. We warmly appreciate Bahrain’s manifest desire to participate in the efforts of the United Nations to create a more peacefuI, just and prosperous world, and we look forward to welcoming it as a Member of the United Nations. 13. Although Bahrain will be the newest and among the youngest Member States, its history can be traced through most of the civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula and the Arab East. The Government and people of Bahrain are themselves keen on emphasizing their deep roots in the history of mankind. Bahrain fast emerges into history between 3000 and 2000 B.C., when it was the home of a distinctive civilization and its merchants and tips don& nated the trade routes between the civilizations 0f the Indus Valley, in what is today Pakistan, and Mesopotamia, in what is today Iraq, dealing in goods as varied as pearls, cloth, ivory, precious metals and rare stones. To the ancient Sumerians Bahrain was known as Dilmun, an actual city, with which they traded and which has been unearthed by archaeological finds, and also a mythological land of 19. Although Japan has not had any formal relations with Bahrain, we have maintained friendly contacts with it through our Embassy in Kuwait. In January 1968 we had the honour and pleasure of welcoming, on an informal visit to Japan, His Excellency Sheik Khalifah bin fUnan Al-Khalifah, the new Prike Minister of the State of Bahrain. : ; 20, There have also been many contacts on the nongovernmental level, and in January of this year an economic mission visited Bahrain for the purpose of promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between the peoples of our two countries. The necessary steps have been initiated and these will lead to the formal recognition of Bahrain by Japan. 22, Sir Colin CROWE (United Kingdom): It is with particufar pleasure that my delegation voted for the resolution which has just been unanimously adopted. The ties between my country and Bahrain are close, friendly, and of long standing. It was as long ago as 1613 that Thomas Aldworth, an official of the English East India Company engaged in a search for new markets, reported on Bahrain as a prosperous port and a good market for the exchange of English cloth and Persian silks. 29. From the earliest days of its existence, the Soviet Union has resolutely and consistently advocated the universal implementation of the principles of selfdetermination, freedom and national independence of countries and peoples under colonial domination or in a position of semicolonial dependence on imperialism. This position of principle was reaffirmed at the XXIVth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union which was recently held in our country. In view of this position, tht Soviet Union has always maintained that the people of Bahrain have an inalienable and legitimate right, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, to be guaranteed full independence and national sovereignty, in order to enable them to free themselves for ever from the treaties limiting the sovereign rights of Bahrain which were imposed on them by the British Empire early in the nineteenth century. 23. Bahrain then was, as it still is today, an important trading centre, and contacts gradually developed between my country and the rulers and people of Bahrain. In the course of the nineteenth century a number of treaties and agreements were signed by the British Government and the Ruler. Though Bahrain remained an independent sovereign State, as a result of these treaties and agreements the British Government assumed responsibility for the defence of Bahrain and for the conduct of its foreign relations. This responsibility was terminated last Sunday in the exchange of notes between the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Ruler of Bahrain. 30. The peoples of the Soviet Union, brought up on the Leninist ideals of equality and brotherhood among all peoples irrespective of race, language or creed, have fully understood and sympathized with the aspirations and yearnings of the people of Bahrain to affirm their national identity and to achieve full independence and sovereignty. 24. It is with great pleasure that my Government witnesses the emergence of Bahrain as a fully-fledged member of the family of nations, Members of the Co.lncil will recall our meeting in May last year (1536th meeting], when, by adopting resolution 278 (1970) approving the report of the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative, Mr. Wbspeare Guicciardi, we were able to pave the way for the action which we have taken today. 31, We take pleasure today in noting that the long struggle of the people of Bahrain has been successful; a few days ago Bahrain was proclaimed an independent, sovereign State. 32. The proclamation of the independence of Bahrain is yet another clear manifestation of the success of the just and courageous struggle of the peoples of the Arab East for their national freedom and human dignity and for the consolidation of their independence, despite the policies and designs of imperialism and its agents in the Middle East. 25. My predecessor at that time paid a tribute to the statesmanship which the Shah of Iran had shown in agreeing to Mr. Winspeare’s appointment and mandate and I should like to do so again today. Indeed, I should like to go further and express my conviction that other seemingly Insoluble problems could be solved if the example which was set by the Iranian Government and my own at that time was more generally followed. 33. The history of the relations between the Soviet Union and the countries of the East is a striking illustration of the practical realization of the lofty principles of Leninist foreign policy, which provides for the defence of the national interests, not only of the Soviet Peoples, but also of the peoples of other countries, These principles serve the cause of universal peace and progress in the world. The Soviet Union has always advocated, still advocates and wilI continue to advocate, as a matter of principle, that the peoples and countries of Asia and Africa as well as the peoples of all other countries which, for reasons beyond their control, have been deprived of the opportunity dbuld 3e drawn into active participation in world politics and international life. 26. At that meeting of the Council to which I have referred, my predecessor paid tribute to the people of Bahrain for their dignity and courtesy and for the steadiness and confidence which they had shown. Now their reward is in sight. I have every confidence that they wiu clispIay on the international stage those same qualities which have enabled them to create the properous and well-run State which Bahrain is today. 27. Pinally, I should like to take this opportunity to wish the Amir and people of Bahrain well in the future and to assure them of the continuing goodwill and friendship of my Government and people. I should also like to extend our greetings and congratulations to the representative of Bahrain, Mr. AI-Arayed, who has come to New York to be present on this auspicious occasion. 34. At this time, when we are welcoming the proclamation If the independence of yet another Arab State and its iberation from colonial dependence, the Soviet delegation vould like to express its conviction that the day is not far ,ff when all the Arab territories under foreign occupation 36. At this meeting of the Security Council, we should like once again to advocate the admission of Bahrain as a fully-fledged Member of the United Nations and to wish the people of Bahrain success in building a new life and in the rapid elimination of the consequences of colonialism. We wish the people of Bahrain progress and prosperity, good fortune and success on the path of independent existence. We wish them successful collaboration with all the freedom-loving forces of the worl$ in the struggle against the evils of imperialism and colonialism, from which the people of Bahrain have suffered so much and for so long. 42. Mr. KUl,LAGA (Poland) (interpretation from French): The delegation of Poland has considered with the greatest interest and sympathy the application for the admission of a new State, Bahrain, to the United Nations, after its accession to independence-and on this we wish sincerely to congratulate the State of Bahrain. 43. We have taken note of the fact that the special relations existing between Bahrain and the United Kingdom since 1820 came to an end on 15 August 1971 as a result of an agreement concluded between the United Kingdom and the State of Bahrain.

My deIegation has considered with interest the inherent merits of the candidacy of the State of Bahrain as a Member of our Organization. We have also taken note of resolution 278 (1970), whereby the Security Council unanimously approved on 11 May 1970 the report of 4 May prepared by the Good Offices Mission under Mr. Vittorio Winspeare Guicciardi, the Personal Represcntativc of the Secretary-General. That Mission went to Bahrain to ascertain the wishes of the population, as a result of a request made by the Governments of Iran and the United Kingdom. Mr. Winspcare Guicciardi completed his study, the objectivity of which was praised by each member of the Council, by stating: 44. We have also taken note of the statement made by the Head of State of Bahrain [S/10291] that as a peace-loving State Bahrain believes in the great value of the United Nations to small and developing nations and therefore attaches great importance to the acceptance of its application for membership of the United Nations. 45. We are happy with the decision of Bahrain to request admission to the United Nations, a decision which has the support of all the Arab countries. Therefore we were pleased to support the amendment submitted by the delegation of Syria to the draft resolution submitted by the Committee on the Admission of New Members. We also noted with satisfaction the unanimity of that Committee in recommending the admission of Bahrain to the United Nations. “My consultations have convinced me that the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain wish to gain recognition of their idestity in a fully independent and sovereign. State free to decide for itself its relations with other States.” /See S/9772, pwa. 57.1 38. My delegation believes that Bahrain fulfils the conditions laid down in Article 4, paragraph 1, of the Charter, and that is why we voted in favour of the recommendation for admission by Security Council to the General Assembly. 46. We are convinced that Bahrain is able to accept the obligations of the United Nations Charter and that it is able to fulfil them so as to strengthen and develop international relations of co-operation and thus to contribute to the attainment of the purposes of the United Nations. 39. My Government is pleased with the decision of the Government of Bahrain to request admission of its country to the United Nations. In fact the State of Bahrain has already affirmed its international personality since for several years it has taken an active part in certain activities of the community of nations, in particular by its association with UNESCO, FA0 and WHO. 47. We wish to congratulate the people and the Government of Bahrain on the unanimous decision of the Security Council to recommend its admission to the United Nations. 48. We wish Bahrain a sovereign and independent development and progress in every field, political, economic and social, so important for a State rich in raw materials and with such a geographical location. 40. My Government is particularly gratified that Bahrain has acceded to independence and joins the community of nations as a result of a peaceful and democratic process which does honour to all sides. My delegation wishes to mention the role of the Bahrain authorities and the Governments of Iran and the United Kingdom as well as the good influence that was undoubtedly exercised by our Organization in the evolution of the latest events. 49. We also wish to express the certainty that Bahrain will occupy the place befitting it within the United Nations and that it will join in the efforts of the Members of the Organization in the struggle for the full and complete liberation of all peoples that are still under colonial 51. We welcome the decision by the United Kingdom and Bahrain to terminate their long-standing treaty relationship in order for Bahrain to assume full responsibility for its relations with the international community. 1 know that all Members of the United Nations are gratified by the amicable and orderly manner in which this decision has been reached and implemented by mutual consent. On I? August the United States announced its recognition of Bahrain. Of course, this meeting of the Council is not the first that has considered the case of Bahrain. At its 1536th meeting, on 11 May 1970, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 278 (1970). This endorsed the report of the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative and welcomed the conclusion that “the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain wish to gain recognition of their identity in a fully independent and sovereign State free to decide for itself its relations with other States”. 52. Our action today marks the felicitous culmination of a process which has involved co-operation between the Governments of two Member States, the contribution of the good offices of the Secretary-General and of his Personal Representative, Mr. Winspeare Guicciardi, to whom Ambassador Crowe referred, and the participation of the representatives of the vast majority of the people of Bahrain. To each and all of those who played an important role in this process we extend our congratulations.

Mr. President, while your predecessor and you have not always been able to convene the Security Council in an atmosphere such as the one which prevails today, I am sure you are pleased to preside over a meeting which is characterized by an atmosphere of happiness, a meeting at which the colonizers and the colonized all share the same joy. Indeed you will recall that on two occasions, last month as well as at the beginning of this month, we were not able to hold as serene and joyful meetmgs as this one of the Security Council because of the conduct of one colonizing country. Members wilI realize that I am referring to Portugal, which does not wish to follow the only true path, which has been followed by many countries, in giving an eminent example of improving relations between countries and peoples. 53. Bahrain is a nation that is rich in ancient cultural tradition and has a long-standing sense of national identity. In recent years it has entered a period of remarkable industrial and commercial development. This effort has been assisted by Bahrain’s wealth of natural resources, but it is mainly a tribute to the talent and energy of the people of that country. The State of Bahrain has long been noted in the Gulf area for its dedication to educational and social progress and for the skiII and learning of its citizens. The leadership of Bahrain has given clear evidence of success in managing the affairs of a rapidly progressing society. 54. For many years citizens of my country have been active in the economic development of Bahrain. The relationship between our two countries has been consistently friendly. 62. Today the most sincere feelings of my delegation are extended to the Government and people of Bahrain, which have just taken the historical step of emerging from a r&lrne which although it may have historical justification was, nevertheless, an imposed rdgime. Whatever the rela- 55. Therefore, my Government warmly welcomes Bahrain’s application for membership in the United Nations. Bahrain has by its conduct and attitude over the years given evidence of its support for the principles of the United Nations Charter. On 14 August, in announcing Bahrain’s

My delegation joins in welcoming the new nation of Bahrain to full membership of the United Nations. 57. The President of our Republic, Mr. Siaka Stevens, and the Government of Sierra Leone send their warmest congratulations and good wishes to the Sultan, Government and people of Bahrain. Its independence and the fact that it has been recommended for admission to the United Nations within the past week are both, to us, very auspicious events. 58. The high level of education and culture of Bahrain and its obvious economic sufficiency wili ensure that its contribution to the work of the United Nations will be varied, significant and adequate. The influence of Bahrain in its region has been historically great and continues to be so. 59. It is our earnest hope that when the other Gulf States are ready they will And it.possible to join Bahrain in some way at the General Assembly as members. The example of Zanzibar joining with Tanganylka to form the United Republic of Tanzania is an example which some of us always bear in mind when we consider effective representation of units. We hope that Bahrain and its neighbours will consider this at the appropriate time, without any loss of sovereignty. 60. Whatever form Bahrain may choose to take in future, we are delighted that it should have decided to apply for membership in the United Nations, and my delegation has given fulI support to its application. We now join today in both welcoming it and extending to it our best wishes for the future. We look forward to fruitful co-operation with Bahrain in the United Nations. 63. I am unable to find sufficiently eloquent words to describe the changes which take place and the improvement which occurs after decolomzation. Today, British citizens and the citizens of Bahrain are fortunately closer to one another,and this fact eloquently demonstrates, teaches, and confirms that decolonization brings advantages to all sides. Our friends from Portugal and South Africa have not yet learned this lesson of history. They even go against the current of history, despite repeated appeals and friendly invitations to heed the voice of reason. 69. Bahrain is today a prosperous country by reason of its oil resources, its commerciat activities and its agricultural wealth, and its economy makes possible a rapid growth for a population which is one of the youngest in the world, at the same time without jeopardizing the improvement of its standard of living and its cultural level. 70. Justifiably proud of its historic heritage, its traditions and its development, Bahrain requested independence. The inquiry conducted last year by the present Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva made manifest the unanimous desire of the population. We are happy today to congratulate the Government and the people of Bahrain, and the Government of the United Kingdom as well, for the manner in which the necessary evobrtion has been brought about and for its fortunate conclusion, and we offer the new State our most sincere and friendly wishes. 64. In conclusion, I should like once again to say that my delegation transmits the sincere wishes of my Government to the people and Government of Bahrain for the cons& dation of friendly relations with the former metropolis in equality and mutual esteem.

The Security Council has just voted unanimously for the admission of Bahrain to the United Nations. In fact, the Council, in resolution 278 (1970) of 1 I May 1970, had already come to the conclusion that the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain wished to gain recognition of their identity in a fully independent and sovereign state. Now the people of Bahrain have decided to translate their aspirations into reality. With the termination of the special treaty between Bahrain and the United Kingdom a few days ago, the obstacle in the way of independent statehood has been removed. The emergence of Bahrain as a sovereign State represents the fulfilment of one of the basic purposes of the Charter, namely, the self-determination of peoples. The Amir of the State of Bahrain, in his letter to the Secretary-General dated 15 August 1971 [S/10291/.+ expressed his belief in the great value of the United Nations to small and developing nations. We, on our part, are confident that Bahrain will be able to play a constructive role in the United Nations. 71. Mr. ORTIZ DE ROZAS (Argentina) [interpretation from Spanish): The Government and people of Argentina, through me, wish to express their warmest congratulations to Bahrain on its accession to independence, and at the same time, in view of the resolution just unanimously adopted by the Security Council, to welcome it in advance to the United Nations. 72. The traditjonal and very close ties that bind the Arab states to the Argentine nation are indeed well known, We enjoy the privilege in my country of having one of the most numerous Arab communities that have settled abroad. The members of that community long ago associated themselves with and integrated themselves into the Argentine people, making a substantial contribution to our progress in general through their productive labours, tht,r ingenuity and their high level of culture. 1 66. On behalf of my delegation, I take this opportunity to extend to the Government and people of Bahrain our best wishes for a prosperous and peacefut future. 73. For all these reasons, and because we know the talents of the Arab peoples and are certain that Bahrain will play a constructive role in helping the international community achieve the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter, we rejoice at the presence of this new independent State among us. My delegation wishes to take this opportunity to assure Bahrain of its fraternal feelings and to express its conviction that between Bahrain and Argentina the same ties that unite us with the other Arab states will be developed. 67. Mr. DE LA GORCE (France) (interpretation from &errchj: I am particularly happy to have the opportunity on behalf of the French Government, to express, our great satisfaction in recommending to the General Assembly the admission of Bahrain. If the United Nations is to reflect --and it does in fact and in ever more accurate fashionreflect the rich diversity of the international community, then it is equally true that each of the families of States composing it should be represented as completely as possible. We therefore are very glad to see the family of the Arab countries, to which we are joined by the most Precious bonds of friendship, increased by another member, and we are certain that the new State will contribute most usefully to the United Nations in the pursuit of our objectives of peace, justice and progress.

I wish to say a few words to express the satisfaction afforded me by the adoption this morning by he Security Council of the unanimous resolution which, to he pleasure of all, recommends the admission of the State )f Bahrain as a new Member of our Organization.

In supporting the application of Bahrain to join the United Nations and to take its place among the sovereign independent States of the world, my delegation considered that application in the light of two dear and cherished principles of this Organization: the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination and the right of a State to a sovereign and independent existence. 84. The admission to our Organization of a newly independent country represents, in our view, a further step towards the fulfilment of the objective of universality, an objective which, we believe, is consistent with the spirit of the Charter and, at the same time, meets the expectations and the needs of mankind at this stage in its history. A more open discourse between peoples of different races, religions and cultures, the efforts by peoples to understand each other and to look at what they have in common rather than at what separates them, the acknowledgement by mankind that only by working together can we face the global challenges of our times-these seem to be the main features, the imperative of our shrinking world. 77. The wishes of the people of Bahrain with regard to their future were expressed and conveyed to this Council as far back as April 1970, when the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative found that the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain wished to gain recognition of their identity in a fully independent and sovereign State free to decide for itself its relations with other States. 78. The Head of State of Bahrain, His Highness Isa bin SuJman Al-Khalifah, has declared on behalf of the people and Government of Bahrain that Bahrain accepts the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations. That Bahrain will honour those obligations and discharge them to the satisfaction of everyone there is no doubt, 85. In that light, the decision that we have just taken becomes all the more significant. As we are the product of our own history, of past generations, Jet me say that long-lasting ties have connected the Jtalian people and the people of Bahrain. Pliny and Strabo have described the customs, the virtues, the history, of the people now ready to join us, and through centuries this relationship started by the Romans and continued through the Renaissance wilI no doubt develop to the mutual advantage of our two countries. 79. The people of Bahrain have a history that goes back into deep antiquity. Their rich cultural heritage, the tolerance that they have manifested throughout the ages towards other peoples, their historic struggle to maintain their own dignity and freedom. are attributes which will serve them well as a Member of this Organization. 86. For cultural, economic and geographical reasons, the Republic of Italy feels very close to the countries of the Near East. The Italian Government has therefore consistently contributed, to the extent of its capacities, to the development and progress of the friendly neighbouring countries situated in that most important area of the world. Italy has supported and will continue to support their well-founded aspiration to shape their future of their own free will, to play again a role in international affairs on an equal footing, and to make their own, original contribution to the advance of mankind. 80. The Somali people has had close and friendly links with Bahrain which span the centuries, and we look forward to extending the friendly co-operation that has characterized our past relationship in the pursuit of common objectives at the United Nations, The Government and people of the Somali Democratic Republic extend to the Government and people of the Republic of Bahrain warmest wishes for the success of their endeavours both at the jmpot-tant level of nation-building and at the international level in their relations with other States. 87. III the light of those considerations the Italian Govemment is confident that the work and the performance of this Organization will benefit by the membership of Bahrain. 81. We trust that the time will soon come when my delegation wiI1 be in a position also to welcome the presence here of other Gulf States as Members of this Organization. 88. For alJ those reasons the Italian delegation voted in favour of the resolution which has just been adopted unanimously and wiJJ be most happy to co-operate with the Bahrain delegation for the achievement of the purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Now that alJ members of the Council except one have spoken, in accordance’ with tradition J shall make a statement as representative of ITALY * 89. Before concluding I should like to state that the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members mentions two applications and that my delegation looks forward to the speedy completion of the consideration of Oman’s application for membership of the United Nations so that Oman may be admitted in the course of the twenty-sixth session of the General Assembly. 83. ay a happy coincidence-a rare thing in man’s life-it has fallen to me to convene the Council and preside over its meetings at which we have considered the ‘application for admission to the world Organization of the State of Bahrain. It is a happy coincidence since, if I may say SO, Italy in a sense has been instrumental in bringing about the final process towards the independence of Bahrain. In fact, as is well known to aLI members of the Council-indeed it has been mentioned by previous speakers-an Italian diplo- The meering rose at noon. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Notions publications mey be obtoinrd lrom bookstores and distributorr throughout the world. Conrull your bookstore or wile IO: United Nations, Soler Section, New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLlCATlONS DES NATIONS UNIEJ 11s publications dcs Nc&ons Unier ronl en vents dons lar libroiriar sl Ies ogencw d&poritoirer du mends antier. Informer-vow oupc&r de votre libroirie ou adresser-vow 61 Notions Uniar, Section dsr vrnles, New York ou Genivs. COMO CONSEDUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicocionar do 1.1 Nocioncr Unidor est6n en venta en librerlar y come dirtribwidoror en lodor parler dot mundo. Conrulle o IV librero o dirljore o: Nacioner Unidor, Secci6n de Ventas, Nuevo York o Cinebro. Litho in United Nations, New York Price: $lJ.S. 0.50 (or equivalent in other currencies) 82OsO-July 197340s~ :