S/PV.1732 Security Council

I shall now call on the representatives who have asked to be allowed to speak following the vote on the draft resolution.

Mr. President, I take this opportunity to greet you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of July, I am confident that like the previous occupier of this high office, the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, whom I also congratulate for the manner in which he conducted our discussions, you will guide our work with distinction and wisdom, My delegation stands ready to co-operate with you in the discharge of your duties. I am happy to note that the first question to come before the Council during your presidency is the consideration of the admission of a new Member, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, a former British colony, inbo the United Nations. (b) Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. Aclmission of new members : Application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for admission to membership in the United Nations : Telegram dated 10 July 1973 from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to the Secretary-General w 10966) ; Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for admission to membership in the United Nations (,5/10968) 5. It is once again a happy occasion for me on behalf of the Government and people of Kenya, less than one month after my delegation made a statement of welcome on the admission of the two Germanys, to welcome a sister Commonwealth country, the B.ahamas, and greet it as a new nation. 6. Kenya takes pride in the accession of the Bahamas to independence on 10 July. We share in the joyous moments of the people and Government of the Bahamas, It is a welcome coincidence to recall that in a few months, during the tenth anniversary of independence on 12 December of this year, my own country will be renewing its ideals towards being a nation. As a young nation, therefore, the Bahamas should feel in the good company of many friendly countries from all oontinents. For Kenya, there are certain definite

At our 1731st meeting, yesterday morning, we referred the application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for membership of the United Nations to the Committee on the Admission of New Members for examination and report in accordance with rule 59 of the provisional rules of procedure 1 See resolution 336 (1973). 7. Although a small Caribbean country, with a population of about 190,000 on a land area of 5,382 square miles, &the Bahamas will, my delegation is confident, make an effective contribution in the affairs of Caribbean countries and to the changing international order through its participation in the work of the United Nations. We welcome it especially as an ally in our crusading task against imperialism and coloniaIism in Africa and elsewhere. 8. In our endeavours to devise a new order and create worth-whiile conditions for men, Kenya will filly co-operate with the Bahamas. It is therefore with JOY that we have just voted to recommend the admission of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to the family of nations in the United Nations, and we in Kenya look forward to our countries making the bonds stronger between us. For Kenya and the Bahamas, let us, in the words of the latter’s nati,onad anthem: “March On” to evolve and strengthen an international order for all mankind. 9. And, for the United Kingdom, let us hope that this happy example will encourage a redoubling of efforts ,on the part of the United Kingdom and the rebel authorities in Salisbury bo hasten the liquidation of rebellion and effect a peaceful transfer of independence to the majority of the people in Zimbabwe.

I thank the representative of Kenya for the kind remarks he addressed to me.

Mr. President, I should like first of all to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July. My delegation will render all its assistance and co-operation to you in the discharge of your important task as President of the Security Council in the work before us. 12. It gives me genuine pleasure to welcome, on behalf of my country, the unanimous decision of the Security Council to recommend to the General Assetw bly the admission of a new State, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, to the United Nations, an important event both for the people of the Bahamas and for our Organization. 13. We .are actually welcoming on this occasion two events: the proclamation of the independence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and its entry into the community of independent and sovereign States of the world as well as the Security Council’s positive decision to admit the Bahamas to membership of our Organization. Both those events constitute ,a further assertion of the inalienable right of every people to self-determination and independence in general, and in particular in a region where foreign domination had reigned supreme for a very Zong time. 14. Even today, 13 years #after the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colo- 15. We are gratified that the Bahamas, after a long of period of fore& domination, is joiningthe ranks ( these countries. Its independence constitutes a ne step forward along the path of decolonization and stru: gle of peoples for liberation. Its admission to the Uniti Nations means the further strengthening of the ro of the Caribbean and, generally speaking, the Lat American countries in world affairs. The long proce of national emancipation of the Bahamas has be{ completed-the road leading from colonial subordin tion through relative autonomy to independence RI: admission to the world Organization. ed le 1 in sg :n a- Id 16. The decision of the Bahamas that its first in portant step among the independent countries of fE world should be its request to be admitted to Unite Nations membership has confirmed once again th; our Organization has become an irreplaceable instn ment of international relations and co-operation an an essential factor of democratization of internation; relations. Hardly a month has elapsed since the recon mendation for the admission of the Federal Republi of Germany and the German Democratic Republit and the Security Council is again in the positio warmly to recommend and welcome the admission a yet another country to the United Nations, This i really yet another tribute to our Organization, anothe sign of its stability and strength, and a further stel conducive to its full universality. One can rightl; expect that other States too which may express I desire will be admitted to the United Nations in thi near future. Full universaIity of the United Nalia~ is a goal <the attainment of which seems to be close, than ever before. Iic 17. By its request to be admitted to the Unitet Nations the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has opted for a constructive role in the present-day world My country is convinced that the Bahamas will mab a significant contribution towards the solving of the problems with which our Organization is faced today, 18. Yugoslavia,, as an independent, sociaIist and nonaligned country, has always been interested in and sympathetic to the advance of the forces of progrzss everywhere. One of the basic tenets of its foreign policy is precisely resistance to any form of exploitation, domination or discrimination, YugosIavia has always supported and expressed its solidarity wid every genuine struggle for national liberation, That is why we shall whole-heartedIy support and welcome the independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas as a new member of the international community and of the United Nations, 25. My delegation voted with particular pleasure in support of the application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for membership of the United Nations. The felicitations of the Sudan will be expressed later this year at a higher level. Suffice it for me to say that my delegation very much welcomes the contribution that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has solemnly undertaken to make in joining the family of nations, and my delegation looks forward to co-operating with the delegation of the Bahamas,

I thank the representative of Sudan for <the remarks he addressed to me and welcome his assurance of co-operation. 20. I am proud to say that the links between my country and the countries of that region are well developed and very active indeed and I am personally very happy that I have the honour to represent my country as the accredited Ambassador in independent Caribbean countries. Yugoslavia has been constantly developing fruitful co-operation with them on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. I am confident that this co-operation will soon be developed with ,t.he independent Bahamas too-co-operation for which we are fully prepared.

Mr. President, allow me to join previous speakers in offering you my delegation’s sincere felicitations on your accession to the presidency of the Council. My delegation is convinced that the success of our deliberations is assured in your competent and experienced hands. 28. I should also like to express my delegation’s congratulations and thanks to the Council’s President for the month of June, Ambassador Malik of the Soviet Union, whose wise and firm guidance contributed so much to the success of our work last month. 21. In conclusion, may I recall the role that the non-aligned movement has always played in lending support to and achieving conditions for decolonization and for the national emancipation of every country,, particularly small and medium-sized ones, including, of course, the Caribbean countries? In this connexion may I quote a passage from the Georgetown Declaration, which was adopted at the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-Aligned Countries held in Georgetown, Guyana, in August 1972: “Meeting for the first time in the Caribbean area, the Conference expressed full solidarity with the peoples of that region who are still subject to colonialism, and demanded that their sacred and inalienable right to national independence be recognized.” 22. We hope that the other, still dependent Caribbean countries will soon follow the road taken by the Bahamas-the road leading to the achievement of full independence and to integration into ,the family of the United Nations. 29. I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to extend to the Government and people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Indonesia’s warm congratulations upon their attainment of independence on 10 July 1973. Independence for the Bahamas marks the culmination of a long and orderly process. We rejoice with the people of the Bahamas on the achievement of their independence. 30. As a sponsor of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) containing the DeclaratSon on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and as one of the members of the Special Committee related to it,2 my delegation has closely followed the developments which have finally led to the independence of the Bahamas. The endeavours of the Government of the Bahamas to achieve progress for its people in all walks of life are well known. We are sure that independence wixll lead to f@her progress. 31. My delegation would also like to congratulate the United Kingdom in successfully fulfilling its international obligation by granting independence to the Bahamas,, thus acting in accordance with the wishes of the people of the Bahamas.

I thank the representative of Yugoslavia for the kind remarks he addressed to me. I particularly welcome the assurance of his co-operation in the future work of the Council this month, knowing that his delegation has a significant contribution to make. 24. Mr, LA (Sudan) : Mr. President, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to congratulate 32. This example of the United Kingdom is worthy of emulation by those nations which continuously 2 Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Indcpendence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. 37. My delegation welcomes most warmly the application for admission to membership of the United Nations submitted by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. 38. In achieving independence on 10 July last,, after an evolutionary course conducted with wisdom and vision by the United Kingdom, the administering Power, the new State immediately expressed its wish to join the 132 other Members of the international community which form our Organization. The Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas announced at the same time that it accepted the obligations of the Charter and was ready to comply with them. The French delegation has no doubt that that Government is determined to fulfil that solemn undertaking. We therefore were only too willing to favour the admission of the new State. 40. But these few reflections, prompted both by thy physical and climatic characteristics of the Bahamx and also the subject of our meeting, which for ~3~s is neither grave nor troublesome, but, on the contrq, happy and smiling, should not prevent us from standing the fundamental economic: and up facts. 41. First of all, the people of the Bahamas has hat! long experience in conducting their own off&~ aa elected assembly has existed there since 1841; in 1963, a governmental type of executive was es&%. lished, while broad powers were transferred to &e elected representatives of the people-powers Tuzla were expanded even further in 1969. 42. At ,the same time, a remarkable Prime Minitia? Mr. Lynden Pindling, has, for some years, been tJ-z driving force behind an experiment yielding %m concrete and direct benefits to all the population & terms of rapid economic development of the terrimy. By significant reforms wisely and carefuhy implemen:&, that experiment has made possible the creation oI z homogeneous and prosperous society clearly capabfc d taking charge of its own destiny and of conslitu?i:g a new fully f?edged Member of the international m,~- munity. 43. My delegation therefore would like to exFrEhr its most sincere wishes for the new State, for i:s leaders and its people. We have no doubt that bi& upon the unanimous recommendation just adopted $ the Council, the General Assembly will decide ::: admit the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to men&eship of the United Nations,

I thank the represent&z of France for the very warm, if undeserved, CIpressions of regard he addressed to me. 4.5. Mr. HUANG (China) (tralrsZ&ecl Irurtr. r&- nese): On 10 July 1973 the Bahamas proclaimA iz independence. On the same day, the Commonw$Z of the Bahamas applied for membership in the Un:r:C Nations and declared its acceptance of the obli@~.-z< contained in ,the Charter of the United Nations. ffcr:: Chinese delegation is of the opinion that, in nczz:$ ante with the relevant provisions of the Charter, c5: Commonwealth of the Bahamas is qualified far m:zbership in the United Nations. We therefore au~~x its application and agree that the Security Con:,:: should recommend to the General Assembly thi: ~5 mission of the Commonwealth of the Bahama.5 I: membership in the United Nations. It is the h d 46. The Chinese people have long cherished friendly feelings towards the people of the Bahamas. On the occasion of the proclamation of the independence of the Bahamas on 10 July, Chou En-lai, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, sent a message of congratulations to Lynden 0. Pindling, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, announcing the Chinese Government’s decision to recognize the Commonwealth of #the Bahamas. The Chinese Government and people wish the Bahamas prosperity and its peop1.e happiness and believe that the friendship between the peoples of China and the Bahamas will develop continuously.

Mr. President, let me first of all welcome you to the presidency for this month and also record our appreciation of the skilful and experienced manner in which your predecessor, Ambassador Malik, discharged his duties throughout the month of June. 52. It is particularly gratifying that the Bahamas has achieved its independence in a peaceful manner which has preserved in full measure the friendship and goodwill of the United Kingdom, the former administering Power. The United Kingdom to its great credit has consistently declared that it would not stand in the way of independence for the Bahamas once it had been made clear ,that this was the wish of the majority of the people. 48. Coming now to our ,agenda, my delegation, speaking on behalf of the Australian Government, has been very happy to endorse the recommendation of the Committee on ,the Admission of New Members that the Council should recommend to the General Assembly that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas be admitted to membership of the United Nations. 53. We also note with satisfaction that Mr. Pindling’s Government intends to participate fully in hemispheric and regional associations and to work for close relations with its neighbours and particularly the Commonwealth Caribbean countries. 49. The Committee has examined the application for membership submitted by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Mr. Lynden Pindling, and has agreed unanimously that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is well qualified for admission to membership, In this connexion we have taken note of the Prime Minister’s solemn undertaking to accept ,the obligations contained in the Charter and <to fulfil them. 54. Though independence has been achieved peacefully,, it has not come about without work and planning and sometimes personal sacrifices on the part of many people. Prime Minister Pindling can take personal pleasure from the part he has played over many years in the political evolution of his country and the achievement of its independence. 5.5. Let me conclude by repeating that on behalf of my delegation and of the Australian Government, I have been happy to support the recommendation that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas be admitted to membership of the United Nations and I wish it well for the future. We look forward with confidence to seeing it take its seat in the forthcoming session of the General Assembly. 50. My delegation has followed with interest and great goodwill the progress of the Bahamas to selfgovernment in 1969,, and more recently, as a member of the Special Committee on decolonization, we have kept abreast of the steps leading to the attainment of full independence on 10 July last. We were satified then, as we are now, that the decision taken by the Bahamian Legislature in November of last year to proceed to independence during 1973 olearly reflected the wishes of the majority of the people of ,the Bahamas.

I thank the representative of Australia for his words of welcome ,to me.

Mr. President, first of all it is my agreeable duty to offer you the congratulations of my delegation on your assumption of the presidency for the current month. We wish to express to you on this occasion the full co-operation of my delegation in the performance of your difficult tasks. 51. On its accession to independence the Bahamas becomes a fellow member of the commonwealth of nations. We in Australia feel that special sense of association with the people of the Bahamas that comes from having to a certain degree a shared background of tradition and experience. I do not make that remark out of mere politeness. I am thinking, for example, of parliamentary democracy, and of the fact that the LegisIature in the Bahamas is older than the government 58. It is an equally pleasant duty for me to offer to the President for the month of June, Ambassador. S9. The Council meets today with an important item OII its agenda and a happy purpose-to recommend a newly independent nation for membership in the United Nations. It is gratifying to know that one of the first acts of sovereignty of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas was to apply for membership in the United Nations. That act is recorded in the telegram which the Prime Minister, Mr. Pindling, sent to the Secretary-General. 60. Austria, which has always-both in ,the League of Nations and in the United Nations--supported the principle of universality of international organizations, welcomes with deep satisfaction the new State which wants to join our Organization. In that wish my delegation sees a happy and fortunate sign for the political health of our Organization and the continuing strong attraction it exercises on the nations of the world, old and new. 61. The evolution of the Bahamas towards independence proceeded speedily, peacefully and with the full participation of the administering Power. That gives us an opportunity to offer our congratulations fo the Government of the United Kingdom on its excellent contribution and loyal help in the events marking the birth of the new, free and sovereign nation. 62. The Government and people of Austria welcome most warmly this new State of the Americas. With the Council’s permission, I should like to read at this juncture the telegram of congratulations from the Federal President of Austria, Mr. Franz Jonas, ,to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the B&amas, Mr. Milo Butler, on the occasion of the celebration of independence by the Bahamas on 10 July 1973. Federal President Jonas said: “On behalf of. the people of Austria and in my own name, I take great pleasure in extending to Your Excellency my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the declaration of independence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. “I seize this opportunity to express my best wishes for Your Excellency’s personal well being, as well as for the peaceful and prosperous future of the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.” 63. The history of the Bahamas goes far back through the centuries. It has always been a meetingplace for peoples of different races and origins. And it was perhaps not by accident that on the shores of that island group Christopher Columbus many centuries ago established the tist contacts between Europe and the Americas. 64. Apart from possessing many other qualities that have already been mentioned here this morning, the Bahamas have developed, above all, one of the most significant and most advancd tourist industries in the Wes,tern Hemisphere and have thus set an example for 65. The United Nations has been dealing with the8 Territory of the Bahamas since 1964 and we are happy to note that, after nine years, the principles of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence 1 co Colonial Countries and Peoples have been successfully implemented there. Indeed, as far back as 1965’ and 1966, Mr. Pindling, then Leader of the Opposition and of the Progressive Liberal Party in the Bahamas, appeared with his colleagues before the Special Committee of Twenty-Four. And it shows the significant role of the United Nations in the process of independence of countries now its Members that in this case too the Committee of Twenty-Four and other United Nations organs have played an important part in the course of the Bahamas towards full independence and sovereignty. 66. In 1967 Prime Minister Pindling and his party were elected to power by the people of the Bahamas, In the general elections of September 1972 a clear majority of the population of the Bahamas opted for independence. Accordingly, the Government of the United Kingdom arranged for a constitutional conference in December of last year in London which formulated the constitution appropriate to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas as an independent and sovereign State. Thus, the small but industrious people of the Bahamas took the last step in their song struggle for freedom, independence and human dignity. We cannot refrain from expressing our respect and admiration for this splendid achievement, which has led another people out of ancient bonds of slavery into a new era of dignity. 67. In welcoming the Bahamas,, we greet a new country which, like other members of the growing family of independent Caribbean nations, owes it! particular cultural and intellectual personality to I unique blend of the civilizations of Africa-the ancestra home of most of its people-Europe and the Amerm icas. This happy synthesis of the cultures and civiliza tions of three continents augurs well for the futurl development of this new nation. It is a reminder o the fact-so well know in this Organization-that ou of diversity unity and harmony, with all the hums:1 benefits involved, can grow. 68. In supporting warmly the application of tb Commonwealth of the Bahamas for membership i the United Nations, my Government is also givi0 aenewed expression to its firm policy of suppo: for newly independent nations and its deep sympath for the causes of their struggle.

Mr. President, at the outset my delegation wishes to congratulate you on occupying the Chair of the Secnrity Council. Your experience and wisdom promise the best of results for our work. May we also take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Malik of the Soviet Union on ,the wise and responsible way in which he directed OUI: work during the month of June?

Mr. President, may I extend my congratulations to you and express my personal happiness at seeing you presiding over the Council’s work, to which you have already brought your wellknown ability and experience. I wish also ,to extend my congratulations and thanks to the representative of the Soviet Union, Ambassador Malik, for the able way in which he presided over our important and difficult debates last month. 79. Because we believe that all the conditions set forth in the Charter have been met, we wish to state that we enthusiastically support the application for membership submitted by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to become a Member of the United Nations. It is always a reason for rejoicing when a people becomes free of colonial ties and freely exercises its right to self-determination. Whenever that occurs, it renews our faith that the United Nations is truly fulfilling the duties entrusted to it in ensuring the equality of States,, great and small. Moreover, when a new State becomes a Member of our Organization the latter becomes revitalized and confirms the universalist nature which was and must remain the ultimate goal of mankind. 72. Peru, which was particularly gratified to greet the recent independence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, has now been able to give full support to the Security Council’s resolution recommending tha,t the General Assembly admit the Bahamas to membership of the United Nations. 73. My country and all the other countries of America have ancient and historic ties with this new State, because when Columbus first set foot on the soil of one of those islands, on 12 October 1492, he started the discovery and conquest of America. I am convinced that that fact will be the favourable symbol governing our co-operation with the Commonwealth of the Bahamas within the United Nations. 80. Most warmly and happily we celebrate the independence of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, since it is always pleasant for us to recall how our own people and the other peoples of the Antilles united their efforts at the time of ,the building of the Panama Canal. It is also interesting, I think, to note that the very name “Bahamas” has historical content of great importance: it is an archipelago which was the spearhead for the conquest of the American continent; and among the Bahamas-or Lucaya Islandslies Watling Island, which was the first American soil on which Christopher Columbus landed during his famous first voyage of 12 October 1492. Watliig is the island that the aborigines had called Guanani and which the Spaniards christened San Salvador-“The Holy Saviour”. 8 1. That nation now comes to us as a s;overeign State, having gone through a long and difficult history of colonialism, We welcome it most warmly and offer our co-operation in all that might help it to achieve the ideals that link all of us in the great United Nations family. I trust that we will very soon be able to hold further meetings of this nature in order to welcome among us all the peoples of Africa and other parts of the world that still struggle for their independence. 82. The PRESIDENT: I thank the representative of Panama for the remarks he addressed to me. 83. Mr. BENNETT (United States of America): Mr. President, in expressing appreciation for the experienced handling of the affairs of this Council during the month of June of Ambassador Malik, I 74. Furthermore, in the independence achieved by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, my country sees a new and significant step towards the progressive, though slow, disappearance of all colonial dependencies front our continent. May I take this opportunity to recall that in resolutions adopted by the Tenth Inter- American Conference held in Caracas in 1954 the Latin American nations declared ,that nations possessing colonies on American soil should hasten to adopt measures that, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,, would allow those people fully to exercise their right to self-determination and thus completely to end colonialism in America. Now the United Kingdom is giving us a new example, which does it honour, and one that we trust will be generally and rapidly emulated by others. 75. Finally, the recommendation to the General Assembly which we have just approved, and which foliows very closely the one on the admission to the United Nations of the two German States, not only further strengthens ,the universality of the Organization, but also goes to ratify the principle of the sovereign equality of States, irrespective of size or population. I do believe that the practice is now solidly gaining ground that to belong to the United Nations is the inevitabIe step that follows the achievement of independence by any State; so that daily the United Nations will become a clearer reflection of the international community. 76. Peru is convinced that this new sister-nation of America will contribute valuably to our achievement 84. The United States has a long history of warm and cordial relations with its closest overseas neighbour,, the Bahamas. We have maintained official representation in Nassau for more than 150 years -since 1821. But even before that date, the peoples, of the United States and the Bahamas had begun to develop strong cultural and economic ties with each other, These ties derived not only from the proximity of the Bahama Islands to our shores but also from our common heritage ‘of concern for human dignity and self-determination. 85. Under the experienced leadership #of Prime Minister Pindling, the people of the Bahamas have demonstrated a sincere desire to be masters of their own national destiny and to assume the considerable responsibilities of independence. My Government therefore has welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom and applauds its readiness, in response to the request of the Government of the Bahamas, to grant complete independence to the Bahamas on 10 July of this year. 86. On 10 July, the date of independence, the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas announced its adherence to all the international commitments which the United Kingdom had previously undertaken on its behalf. Simultaneously the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas announced its support for the principles of the United Nations Charter and applied for membership in the United Nations. My delegation has been pleased to support the application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for membership in the United Nations and concurred whole-heartedly in the recommendation of this Council’s Committee on the Admission of New Members, and we welcome the unanimous decision taken today by the Council to recommend the admission of the Bahamas. 87. My delegation is confident that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas will play a valuable and constructive role as a Member of the United Nations. The United States looks forward to welcoming the Bahamian delegation to the twenty-eighth session of the Genera1 Assembly this fall and to working closely with the Bahamas at subsequent sessions.

I thank the representative of the United States for his good wishes and assurances of co-operation.

The formal action we have taken this morning should invite a few comments from the delegation of India. However, before making them, Mr. President, I should like to offer you our congratulations on your assuming the presidency of the Council. I do not ‘think that this is the appro- 90. We have this morning decided to recomnend ti application of the Commonwealth of ,the Bahama fa admission to the United Nations as a full Mem In doing so we have fulflled a part of our resp& bility for bringing about freedom for as many coiatid countries and peoples as possible and with as gti a speed as is feasible. In a resolution adopted a~ &: last session of the General Assembly [2984 (XXtf!1S] the question of American Samoa, .the Bahamas, I&zmuda and various other islands was discussed. h taking note of the recent independence of the I3&. mas and in recommending its admission to the UI$:Z~ Nations, we see a process, beginning with the Baham~f, which should eventually lead to the freedom of d these Territories. 91. Our special felicitations go to the people a& Government of the Bahamas on this occasion. T&r$; decision should give particular satisfaction to Bahamas as much as it will to the general. nlem ship of ,the United Nations. Today’s action by & Council will also bring faith and comfort conec,rz%:~ the United Nations to many countries and pe+& that are still unfortunately outside this great Orgas&. tion: they can now confidently hope that thci,r PZ~ will also come soon, 92. The Bahamas enjoys stable government freedom of speech and movement and has m traordinarily good record of lack of violence ia :z political affairs. The Government is led by a &&g Minister who not only has full command c;f 52 affairs of the islands but who is an outstanding waz+ man in the region. His political party, the Procres,.r;;;l;~: Liberal Party, has done much for the achi&& cr:” independence,, and his foresight is clearly reflwa& ti a statement he made in February 1971 in which B; said that his country would be independent i~ *& course of the next two years, This pledge har blew kept, and we look forward ,to close co-operat the Bahamas in the United Nations and el We are confident that, irrespective of its ne~~tn~~~. B a Member, it will contribute significantly to oup coperative endeavours. 93. Finally, it is appropriate that we should erp=z our appreciation to the Government of the c-22 Kingdom for its understanding of the spirit of fte&c that prevails in these islands and that Govemz:~ acceptance of the objective of the United Natiea t13 101. I should also like to take this oppo&nity to welcome and congratulate the representative of the United Kingdom on his assumption of the high responsibilities of President of the Security Council, and to wish him success in carrying out his duties in that post. I should Iike to assure him that the Soviet delegation will co-operate fuuy with rthe new President and the other members of the Council in ensuring that the Security Council’s work is successful, productive and, above all, effective in attaining a peaceful political settlement in the Middle East which in no way harms the interests of the victims of the aggression, 94. For all those reasons we shall indeed be happy lo welcome and cheer the admission of ;rhe Bahamas as a full and equal Member of the United Nations at the next session of the General Assembly, beginning on 18 September. 102. The Soviet delegation supponted the application of the Commonweakh of the Bahamas for admission to membership in the United Nations. Our position is based on ‘the consistent policy of the Soviet Union bequeathed to us by ,the great Lenin and recently reaffirmed by the Twenty-Fourth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union when approving a programme of peace and friendship among peoples. The essence of this policy was and remains all-round support for the struggle of peoples to liberate themselves from #the colonial yoke and that of young States to strengthen their independence and sovereignty and guarantee their independent and free development. 9s. The PRESIDENT: I ,&thank the representative of India for his congratulations and assurances of cooperation. I now call on the representative of the Soviet Union to whom I should like to renew personally the expression of thanks for his conduct of business during the month of June.

Mr. President, allow me first of all to thank the members of the Security Council who have spoken here for the kind words addressed to me as President for last month. 103. The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, speaking a few days ago when he was being presented with the International Lenin Prize “for the strengthening of peace among peoples”, solemnly stated: 97. As has been pointed out, June was one of the Security Council’s active and very busy months this year. The Council dealt with questions which are of great importance for the United Nations and for the cause of peace and security. The Council carried out the first stage of its examination of the situation in the Middle East. As we al1 know, this question, which is extremely impor,tant for international peace and security, will be considered further by the Council in July. We should like to wish the new President of the Security Council, and the Council as a whole, success in the continuing consideration of :this problem. We should like to express the hope that the results of the discussion will promote a political s&tlement in the Middle East at an early date and !the elimination of the consequences of the Israeli aggression against Arab countries. “We have always believed, and we believe today, that i’t is our bounden duty, arising out of our communist conviotions and our socialist morality, rto provide the broadest support to peoples struggling for the freedom which is their right. Thus has it always been, and thus it will be in the future.” 104. In welcoming the young independent State of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas <today as a new Member of the United Nations, one cannot but recall the fact that, over many centuries of colonial rule, its people endured many grave tribulations. Long ago the islands were seized by foreign conquistadores, who either annihilated the indigenous inhabitants or forced them to leave the islands. A succession of foreign masters and oppressors plundered the riches of the islands and ederminated their population. As has been the case for many peoples, the road of the Bahamas to freedom and independence has been long and difficult. Ajt last, the struggle has been crowned with success. 98. During June, the Council also took a decision to extend the stationing of the United Nations Force in Cyprus for a further six months: 99. Lastly, the Council #took a decision of historic importance, both wkh regard to the realization of the principle of lthe universality of the United Nations and lvith regard to )the strengthening of peace in @rope and .throughout the world: I refer to the decision to recommend *to the General Assembly that the two sovereign German Sta&s, the German Democratic Re- ~utrlic and the Federal Republic of Germany, should be admitted to membership in the United Nations. 105. In admibting to the United Nations this new State which has come into being as a result of the disintegration of the colonial system of imperialism, whose downfall began with the great October socialist revolution in Russia and was accelerated by the triumphant defeat of fascism, that most evil enemy of humanity, we cannolt forget that in our time, in the 100. I should like once again to thank my disainguished colleagues in the Security Counc,il for their friadly com.ments abouut my work as, President of the 106. The position of the Soviet Union has been based and is based on the view that colonial racist rkgimes everywhere shouId be eliminated without delay. This principle should become the criterion guiding all States in adopting an honest attitude to tie struggle of peoples who are still under ithe colonial yoke. 107. In that connexion, in view of the fact that the colonial flag of Qe United Kingdom has at last been lowered over its former colony of the Bahamas, <the Security Council has a right to express the hope that the United Kingdom will give good advice to its old ally, Portugal, and counsel it Ito cease its vain opposition to the irreversible historical process of the liberation of colonial peoples. It would thus bring closer the moment, which is inevitable and so much desire: by the peoples of Angola, Mozambique and Gumea (B&au), when they will be rid of colonial tyranny. We, the Soviet people; are firmly convinced /that the time will come when today’s colonial Territories will become independent States and be admitted to membership in tie United Nations. 108. In welcoming the young independent State of the CommonweaLth of the Bahamas today, the Soviet delegation would like to stress with the greatest firmness that the Soviet Union and all its peoples support and will continue to suppont ;the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America who are still in the olutches of colonialism in their just and heroic struggle for freedom, independence, democracy and social progress. It is for that reason that, from the first days of the October revolution in Russia up to the present, we have been the object of such anger on the part of the imperialists and colonialists and, at the same time, such gratitude from those who are struggling to achieve freedom and independence for colonial peoples. In that connexion, I am reminded of the words of <that outstanding African statesman and freedom-fighter, the distinguished President of Zambia, Mr. Kaunda. When I told him of the huge losses borne by the Soviet Union and its peoples during the great patriotic war of 1941- 1945, he said that the colonial peoples should be eternally grateful to the Soviet Union for its victory in that struggle for its own and their freedom: for, if it had not won, the peoples of the Soviet Union would have become colonial slaves, and the colonial deoples would have remained in colonial slavery. 109. The Soviet Union has recognized the Commonwealth of the Bahamas as an independent and sovereign State. 1 IO. In a ,caMe dated 10 July of this year from the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, Aleksei Nikolaevich Kosygin, addressed to the Prime 111. The Soviet delegation, in supporting the applica. tion of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for a& mission to membership in the United Nations,, wishes to express its ,conviction that that State will, upon the recommendation of the Council, be admitted to mem. bership in the United Nations by the General Assembly, and that its official delegation will take its lawful pIace among the delegations of all other States Members, of the United Nations at the forthcoming twenty-eighth session of the General Assembly.

I thank the representative: of the Soviet Union for his expression of good wishes,

Mr. President, may I at the outset congrat,’ ulate you on behalf of my delegation on your assump tion of the presidency of the Council for the month 01 July? May I assure you of our full co-operation\ 114. In supporting the application of the Bahama; for membership of the United Nations? we are honour’ ing the Charter by restoring the Iegltimate rights o a people. Thus the international community that wn represent should be able to create other opportunitie; of redress, so that in the next few years we can ensure that the desires of all peoples be met and that thq be allowed to enjoy the same fraternal rights. 115. When talking of redress it is to Africa thaw instinctively and spontaneously our eyes must turn sine on that continent the flag of colonialism still flies anI peace and security are jeopardized and threatener We think of Guinea (Bissau), Mozambique, Angolr South Africa, Namibia,, Southern Rhodesia, whe1 our brothers are still oppressed in the interests of irrl peridist oligarchies. 116. The joy that we feel at the accession of th Bahamas to independence is also in keeping with LX own experience, since we have also known coloni; occupation and suffered from it. There is nothing ma1 marvellous for a people than to recover its freed01 and independence. 117. On behalf of the people and Government of tl Republic of Guinea, we address our sincere con@ ulations to the people and Government of the Baham: and wish them happiness and prosperity.

I thank the representative of Guinea for the congratulations he addressed ,to me. 125. There have indeed been many changes in #the Bahamas since the introduction of that first Constitution in 1729. The steady evolution of the Bahamas’ Constitution has been maintained. The Prime Minister, Mr. Lynden Pindling, was returned to power in September 1972 in a general election fought largely on the issue of independence. My Government, whose policy was to put no obstacle in the way of such a step once a clear desire for it had been expressed by a majority of the people of the Bahamas, forthwith convened ,the Bahamas Independence Conference. This was held in London in December last year, and at that Conference it was decided that the Bahamas would become independent on 10 July 1973 and agreement was reached on the final constitutional changes appropriate to the status of the Bahamas as an independent sovereign State. 120. There being no further names inscribed on the list of sneakers. I should now like to make a statement in my &capacity as representative of the UNITED KINGDOM. 121. It gives my delegation the greatest pleasure to welcome the application for membership of the United Nations by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and we have gladly joined in the adoption by unanimous vote of #the draft resolution before the Council. 122. This occasion has not perhaps had the drama of the last occasion on which the Security Council considered applications for membership of the United Nations. Nevertheless, it too has its own significance. That is what the principle of sovereign equality is all about; and when we think in terms of indivrdual people -as indeed the United Nations must think-the size and the power of Member States cannot be the only criteria. 126. Seven months later-a week ago yesterdaythe Bahamas became the thirty-third independent member of the Commonwealth family of which we too, ,as well as three other Governments represented around this table, are proud to be members. My delegation has no doubt that the Bahamas, which has unhesitatingly sought to undertake the duties and rights of membership of the United Nations by sending its application for membership to us on the very day of inde pendence, will be able and willing to fuhil conscientiously its obligations under the Charter. 123. My country’s association with the Bahamas is a long one. In the early seventeenth century the islands were well known to British sailors. In 1648 about 70 British settlers, known as the Company of Eleutherian Adventurers, sailed for the Bahamas and founded a settlement on Eleuthera. Since then it has not been only British sailors who have been back again and again. It is perhaps hardly fair, as we scuttle, perspiring, from one air conditioner to another, to remind my fellow representatives that in the Bahamas summer temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees while in winter 70 degrees is the average. The blue lagoons, the coral reefs, the golden beaches and, above all, the warm hospitality of the Bahamians every year bring thousands of my fellow countrymen to the Bahama Islands, refugees from the British winter. 127. It is thus with warm congratulations on this most happy fulfilment of our long and mutually rewarding relationship that my delegation joins in recommending the admission of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to the United Nations and looks forward to extending a warm welcome to its representatives when they take their seats in the General Assembly. 128. Speaking now as PRESIDENT of ,the Council I should like to indicate that, in accordance with the provisions of rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure,, I shall immediately request the Secretary-General to transmit to the General Assembly the text of the resolution adopted this morning by the Council together with the verbatim records of the meetings at which the application of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has been considered by ,the Council. 124. But Britain’s association with the Bahamas has been much more substantial than that. In 1671 those early settlers established a regular system of government. In 1729 the Bahamas’ first Constitution was instituted, and it may be fairly said that the country’s development towards independence began at that time. The legislature introduced by the 1729 Constitution, which is among the oldest in the British Commonwealth, comprised a Legislative Council of 11 members and The meeting rose at 12.25 p.m. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Nofions publications may be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: United Nations, Sales Section, New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Notions Unies sont en vonte dons les librairies et les agences deposit&es du monde entier. Informez-vous aupres de votre libroirie ou adressez-vous a: Nations Unies, Section dea veotes, New York ou Geneve. KAK llOflY’-fMfb MBAAHMR OPrAHM3AHMM OGbEAklHEHHblX HAHClti ~%3AElIlllII opra1111~a~m1 O~ZC~IIIICIIIILIX Ibqnfi MOlIiBO 1igIU1Tb B liHIliIilILlX iUlUEl3llII~X II BITIITCTBBX BO DCCX paiimas mps. H~~OAIITC cnpanrw 06 n~gm~nx B namox IWR;I;IIO~I lElra3IIIIe llJIn IIIIIUIITC II0 tl)QCCy : @‘aIIIf3a~EUI 06ZOJ(~IlOlIIILIX &qlIir, CCI(yHfI II0 npo~a.iItc najp1mir, &IO-Hopa Imi E~o11ena. COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de ias Naciones Unidas ertdn en venta en librerias y casas distribuidorar en todos partes del mundo. Conrulte a su librero o dirijase a: Naciones Unidas, Section de Ventas, Nueva York o Ginebra. Printed in U.S.A. Price: $U.S. 1.00 (or equivalent in other currencies) 82241-August 1973 -2,050