S/PV.1776 Security Council

In view of the limited number of-places available at the Council table I would request them to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber, on the understanding that they wiIl be invited to come to the Council table at the appropriate time. Present: The representatives of the following States: Australia, Austria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, China, Costa Rica, France, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mauritania, Peru, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Cameroon and United States of America. At the invitation of the President, Mr. A. Rahal (Algeria), Mr. D. Tsherlng (Bhutan), Mr. A. E. Abdel Meg&l (Egypt), Mr. S. Jain (India) and Mr. I. Akhund (Pakistanj took the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber. Provisional agenda (S/Agenda/l776) 1. Adoption of the agenda.

May I point out that the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members is before the Council in document S/l 1316. In its report the Committee indicates that it has considered the application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and that it has decided to recommend to the Council that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh be admitted to the United Nations. The draft resolution recommended by the Committee appears in paragraph 3 of the report. 2. Admission of new Members: Application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations (S/l 1316). The meeting was called to order at 10.55 am 4. As agreed in the course of the consultations, I would invite the members of the Council to adopt this draft resolution without a vote. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the draft resolution is adopted. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. It was so decided. 1 Admission of new Members

I should like to congratulate the future State Member of the United Nations and express the hope that the General Assembly will give favourable consideration to this recommendation which has been addressed to it by the Council, so that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh may be able to make its contribution to the work of the international peace and cooperation which the United Nations pursues. I shall therefore request the Secretary- General to be good enough to transmit to the General Assembly, in accordance with article 60, paragraph 2, of the provisional rules of procedure, the text of the resolution which we have just adopted, together with the verbatim records of our meetings devoted to this application since 7 June 1974. Application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations (S/l 1316)

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received letters from the Permanent Representatives of Algeria, Bhutan, Egypt, India and Pakistan requesting that their delegations be invited under Article 31 of the Charter and the relevant provisions of the provisional rules of procedure to participate, without the right to vote, in the Council’s discussion of the item before it. In accordance with customary practice, and with the assent of the Council, I propose to invite the representatives I have just mentioned to participate, without the right to vote, in the Council’s discussion. 6. The Council will now hear those of its members and other delegations that have requested to be heard.

Mr. President, my delegation re- 1 See resolution 351(1974). It was so decided. “We are still fully convinced that, in order to wipe out the economic and political injustices that today gravely vitiate international relations, we shall be facing not only the sine qua non for true solidarity but that in itself will carry the seeds of immense fraternity and peace in the world and set in motion a great current of progress to the benefit of all mankind.“* I can assure YOU. Mr. President. that mv deleeation will at all times co<pe&e sincerely with you;thus Teflecting the excellent relations between our two countries, so that your mission may be completely successful. 8. My delegation also wishes to associate itself with the words of praise that you have recently addressed, on behalf of the Council, to Ambassador Maina of Kenya, who so effectively and tactfully guided the work of the Council during the month of May. 9. With respect to the item on the Council’s agenda, I should hke to state that the Government of the United Republic of Cameroon has since 1973 recognized the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign State. In supporting today the draft resolution contained in the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members, which recommended the admission of the .People’s Republic Of Bangladesh to the United Nations, my Government wishes to express once again its desire to develop relations of friendship and co-operation with that State. Obiously this support does not imply any lessening of the excellent relations of co-operation which the United Republic of Cameroon has maintained for many years with the other countries of the .Indian subcontinent. On the contrary, the position of my Government is formed within the context of the new political realities that have appeared in that area and takes into account the encouraging evolution of the policy of reconciliation and good neighbourliness which is presently pursued by the States of the subcontinent. Finally, the position of my Government is in accord with the political declaration adopted by the Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non- Aligned Countries in Algiers, which stated: “The Conference supports the admission into the United Nations of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, a full and sovereign member of the family of non-aligned countries.” 10. My delegation considers that the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations will constitute an encouraging 2 See Off&l Records of the General Assembly, S&h Special Session. Plenary Meetings, 2214th meeting.

As we may all recall, in December 1971, in a plenary meeting at its twenty-sixth session, the General Assembly adopted, with an overwhelming majority of 104 votes, a resolution calhmg upon India and Pakistan to cease fire and to withdraw their armed forces [resolution 2793 (XXW)~. Thereafter, the Security Council adopted, with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions, a resolution calling upon all those concerned to cease fire, withdraw their armed forces and release the prisoners of war[resolution 307(197X)]. 13. In August 1972, the Chinese delegation was opposed to the consideration of the question of admission of Bangladesh to membership in the-United Nations before the relevant United Nations resolutions were implemented. At the time and on later occasions the Chinese delegation stated clearly that the Chinese Government’s stand for. postponing the consideration of’this question did not mean that we were fundamentally opposed to the admission of Bangladesh into the United Nations. The Chinese people cherish friendly sentiments for the people of Bangladesh. China stood for postponing the consideration of this question for the very purpose of upholding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and defending the interests of the people on the South Asian sub-continent so as to promote a reconciliation between the parties concerned on the subcontinent free from super-Power interference from outside and bring about the full implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, thus leading to the normalization of the relations between the countries of the sub-continent. 14. During the twentyaeventh session of the General Assembly, with the joint efforts of the parties concerned and many third world countries, two interdependent parallel resolutions were adopted calling for the return of the prisoners-of-war by the parties concerned in accordance with Security Council resolution 307 (1971) and expressing the desire that Bangladesh would be admitted to membership in the United Nations at an early date[resoZurions 2937 (XXVTI) and 2938 (XXnI)], thereby reaffirming the just position of China and many other third world countries. 15. New developments have now taken place in the situation on the South Asian subcontinent. We are glad tc see that with the concerted efforts of the parties concerned and many third world countries, agreements have finally been reached among the countries concerned of the South Asian subcontinent which have led to the implementation of the relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and thus created favourable conditions for the 16. The Chinese Government welcomes the positive developments in the situation on the subcontinent. We hope that the countries of the subcontinent will further remove outside interference, normalize their mutual relations and live in amity on the basis of the principles of equality and mutual respect for sovereignty. We are ready to develop good-neighbourly relations with the countries of the subcontinent on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and further enhance our traditional friendship with their peoples. The Chinese Government and people will, as always, firmly support the peoples of South Asia in their struggle against hegemonism and expansionism. 21; We sincerely hope that the future will be marked by real friendship and cooperation which will in turn lead to a lasting improvement in the lives of all the 675 million people who live on the South Asian subcontinent-more than one-sixth of the total population of the world. 22. Mr. SCALABRR (France). (interpretation jiom French): Mr. President, fust of all I should like to discharge the most pleasant of duties-to express to you the congratulations of the French delegation on your accession to the Presidency of the Security Council. How could we fail to rejoice particutarly on seeing these lofty functions entrusted to the representative of a country with which my own recognizes it has special affinities as a result of our common history and the multiple bonds which it has contributed to creating today between our leaders, our nations and our peoples? Having expressed theprofound satisfaction of my delegation, I shall leave it to Mr. de Guhingaud, when he returns, to address to you his best wishes and to express the lofty esteem in which he holds you.

Mr..President, I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you personally on your assumption of the office of Pnsident of the Security Council. I think we are very fortunate that the affairs of the Council are going to be in such skilful and experienced hands during the coming month. At the same time I should like to take the opportunity of thanking your predecessor, Mr. Maina of Kenya, for the skill with which he directed our meetings during the month of May. 18. My delegation was delighted to support the recommendation by the Security Council to the General Assembly that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh be admitted to membership of the United Nations. We are extremely pleased today that the problems which led to the postponement of the admission of Bangladesh in 1972 have now been solved and that the Security Council is apparently unanimous today. We consider it extremely important that Bangladesh, with a population of over 70 million people, the eighth largest country in the world in terms of population, should be enabled to fulfi the role as a Member of this Organization which its size, its importance and its position in the subcontinent require. The United Kingdom is confident that Bangladesh will have a significant and individual contribution to make to the deliberations of the United Nations. We look forward indeed to welcoming the representative of Bangladesh as a colleague. 23. I also wish to express the gratitude of my delegation to the Ambassador of Kenya, who guided our work last month with so much competence and authority that it would have been surprising in a permanent representative who was so new to the Council had this not been in accordance with the flattering reputation that preceded his coming here. 24. On 24 August 1972 the -representative of France stated: “Bangladesh has its place in the United Nations” [see 1659th meeting]. The next day, noting the result of the voting, he expressed the deep regret of our delegation that the application of that country had not met with the unanimously favourable agreement that the Security Council generally accords to the candidatures of new States and that it was not possible to address a positive recommendation to the General Assembly. He added that he would like to hope that the efforts of the parties, encouraged by the international community, would in as near a future as possible, result in a more favourable situation and that the Council would be able to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of Bangladesh [see 1660th meetingJ. 19. My country has, of course, a long history of deep involvement and warm relations with the peoples of the South Asian subcontinent. Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom were established in February 1972, and since that time relations between our two Governments have been extremely friendly. Later that same year Bangladesh was unanimously accepted as a member of the Commonwealth, and it is a particular pleasure for me to support Bangladesh’s application, speaking as I am today on behalf of a British Government which has recently pledged itself to renewed support for the Commonwealth and has tried to make that pledge a reality here at the United Nations itself. 25. This is the situation we all see today. We are ill very happy about this and we pay a tribute to all the parties which, despite the considerable difficulties inherited because of the dramatic circumstances that surrounded the 26. However, fortunately, this is not the time to look back. Now we see our friends on the subcontinent resolutely looking to the future, for which they have jointly built the foundations with courage and dignity and also with hope. In this connexion, the recommendation which the Council has just adopted unanimously will make a contribution to that edifice. The General Assembly in the autumn will obviously make this recommendation effective, and then Bangladesh will occupy its proper place in our Organization. It is already a full-fledged member of the international community for most of us and here it will join the countries with which it is called on to forge its destiny. There is no doubt that it will draw its inspiration from .them and will wish to bring to the United Nations a contribution as positive and abundant as that which India and Pakistan have made for more than 25 years. They can be sure that from my country and from the French delegation they will receive mutually beneficial cooperation and genuine sympathy.

Mr. President, it is a great pleasure indeed for my delegation to see you assume the position of President of the Security Council for the month of June. Permit me to offer you the congratulations of my delegation on this occasion and to pledge to you the full co-operation of Indonesia in the work of the Council. 28. I should like also to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of my delegation to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Kenya, Ambassador Maina, for the great skill and ability he demonstrated as President of the Council during the month of May. 29. The unanimous decision of the Security Council to recommend the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations is indeed a source of great satisfaction to my delegation. Although the path that led to that decision was a notably long and thorny one, we may rejoice .in the fact that the spirit of cooperation and goodwill displayed by all the parties concerned has at last made it possible for us to welcome Bangladesh into our midst in order that it may participate on an equal footing in the work of our Organization . 30. That the Council has been able to act in a unanimous fashion today is, in the view of my delegation, a fact that should be a source of profound gratification for all members. That unanimity clearly testifies to the wish of all of us to avoid any action which might divide and instead to exert such efforts as may contribute to surmounting the differences that have been a source of division in the past. Such an attitude promises to bring lasting peace and reconciliation to the subcontinent. 31. The admission of Bangladesh will also bring us appreciably closer to the goal of universal membership of the United Nations. The attainment of that goal, which 32. As a country close to the South Asian region, Indonesia has always had a deep concern for the maintenance and-promotion of peace and stability in the area. It is therefore with special satisfaction that Indonesia welcomes the effort that has been undertaken by Bangladesh, India and Pakistan for peace and reconciliation on the Asian subcontinent, which has culminated in the conclusion of the tripartite Agreement between the three countries of last April. That Agreement, which has fmally resolved the remaining humanitarian issues arising out of the December 1971 conflict, and the admission of Bangladesh to United Nations membership will open a new chapter in the history of the region, an era no longer marked by disagreement but by friendly relations and close co-operation. 33. In addition, the admission of Bangladesh will strength; en the fabric of peace on a more than regional scale. It will now be able to participate fully in the activities of the nonaligned group of countries within the United Nations and will thus be able to contribute its ideas and initiatives to the efforts of the non-aligned countries to achieve more stable conditions of world peace and security. 34. As a member of the non-aligned group it therefore gives Indonesia particular pleasure to view the imminent entry of Bangladesh into our Organization. From the early days of the establishment of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Indonesia has maintained very close and cordial relations with it, and the two countries are now making serious efforts intended to expand and to strengthen those relations. My delegation therefore looks forward to welcoming the representatives of Bangladesh as full-fledged participants in the coming session of the General Assembly, and we take this opportunity to assure them of our close co-operation in the common efforts of the international community towards the building of global peace and progress.

Mr. President, let me first of all offer you sincere congratulations and best wishes on your assumption of the Presidency of the Security Council for the month’ of June. The exceptional talent and skill, as well as the prestige of your country, which you bring to this high office augurs well for the performance of your duties. 36. I also wish to pay a special tribute to our President for the month of May, the Ambassador of Kenya, Mr. Maina. Towards the end of his term, Ambassador Maina had a particularly busy period in presiding over the Council’s informal and formal deliberations, and he performed his duties with admirable skill and impartiality. 43. It. was in this spirit and hope and in an effort to contribute to the best of its abilities to a new era on the subcontinent that Austria on 4 February 1972 was among the first States formally to recognize Bangladesh. When Bangladesh applied for membership in the United Nations on 8 August 1972 [see S/107.59], Austria again demonstrated its support for the early admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the world Organization. Since then my country has consistently advocated the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations. In doing so we at the same time expressed the hope that the outstanding issues which seemed to prevent the admission-of Bangladesh at that time could be settled among the parties themselves in a spirit of conciliation, magnanimity and far-sightedness. It turned out to be exactly this attitude and this spirit on the part of all concerned which characterized the following years and which made possible four landmark agreements in the recent history of the subcontinent: the Simla Agreement of 2 July 1972, the New Delhi Agreement of 28 . August 1973 concerning repatriation of prisoners of war, the recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan in February of this year, and., finally, the tripartite Agreement of 9 April 1974. 38. The countries of the region have given many signs of their willingness to build on that peace and to combine their efforts to overcome the many grave problems still lying ahead. That could have been achieved only by the admirable statesmanship and the farsighted and conciliatory attitude of all the leaders of the subcontinent, among whom the former President and present Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Bhutto, the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Gandhi, and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all deserve the highest praise. Today’s debate in the Security Council affords us an excellent opportunity to perform that duty. 44. A long and most difficult road lies behind and a long and perhaps no less difficult way still lies ahead. In the past the world community has recognized its responsibility to help Bangladesh in. overcoming the most imminent problems and?n alleviating the most pressing and urgent needs that it faced. it may be recalled in this context that my country, within its limited means and resources, has always been ready and prepared to contribute its share to assist the population of Bangladesh both through multilateral channels and bilaterally, in helping to meet some of its most basic needs to overcome hunger and to control disease. Many other countries have helped in a most generous manner, and the United Nations Secretariat deserves great credit for doing a marvellous job in organizing and directing international assistance to that country. 39. It is in this context also pleasant to recall that Austria has always enjoyed the best of relations and the closest of ties with the countries of the subcontinent.. Those good relations were underscored by visits of leaders of those countries to Austria and by recent visits of the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mr. Rudolf Kirchschlaeger, to Islamabad and New Delhi. The relations of Austria and the Austrian people with the nations of the subcontinent have always been of a peaceful and friendly character, and they have been marked by the highest regard for the ancient culture and the modem political wisdom of those countries. 40. For the people of Austria, the names of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are synonymous with the names of some of the greatest statesmen and philosophers, humanists and scientists humanity has ever known. Many ideas on which modem civilization rests, such as the idea of non-violence, have come from the great thinkers of the subcontinent. 45. Now that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will shortly become a full Member of our Organization, the spirit of compassion for the needs of 75 million people has to be characterized and marked even more clearly by a sense of collective responsibility and solidarity for a new State Member of the United Nations. I feel that our Organization, its abilities and its machinery must continue to stand ready to assist the Governments and peoples of all countries of the subcontinent, both politically and economically, whenever the need arises. 41. If problems largely inherited from the past have often been rekindled in past years and have also been further accentuated by contemporary tensions of our world, these things have not always allowed this message, this legacy of peace, to be lived out. But we are immensely hopeful that now the future will look different to the peoples and countries of the subcontinent. 46. The action that the Security Council has just taken opens a new chapter in the history of the subcontinent. I am confident, and indeed convinced, that the contribution that Bangladesh can make to this Organization will be of great significance. \ 47. In wholeheartedly welcoming Bangladesh as a new Member of the United Nations, I wish to express again the 42. It was largely due to this start and tragic legacy of the past that the birth of Bangladesh as a nation was accompanied by a process painful not only to the new-nation and its people but also to its former companion in history- Pakistan. But if Bangladesh had to be born out of war, its destiny promises to be one of peace, one of understanding, between the peoples of the subcontinent. Whatever dark

Mr. President, I should like to express to you my delegation’s congratulations on your assuming the office of President of the Security Council for the month of June. We are familiar with your diplomatic skill, so we can easily forecast success in your functions-success which we are already witnessing with the results we have achieved today. 49. We congratulate and are grateful to Ambassador Maina of Kenya, who so effectively and wisely guided the work of the Council during the month of May last. SO. With the decision to. recommend to the General Assembly the admission of Bangladesh as a Member of the United Nations, the Security Council has taken an enormous step towards the aspiration to universality of the United Nations. In respect of this decision, my delegation not only wishes to express its greetings of solidarity with the people and Government of Bangladesh but also to say that we consider it particularly timely to congratulate the United Nations, because Bangladesh, a non-aligned and peace-loving country, a flourishing nation with a population of more than 89 million, with an old cultural tradition which has had repercussions throughout the entire world, has a great deal to contribute in assisting us to put into effect the principles and purposes of the Organization. 5 1. This unanimous decision of the Council, on the other hand, represents a milestone in the pacification of the Asian subcontinent, which was overwhelmed by violence a little less than three years ago. It is also a happy augury for the continued improvement in relations among all the States of the area by way of co-operation, because this admission takes place with the unreserved support of the neighbouring States and in au atmosphere of friendship and understanding. Peru is convinced that the General Assembly will, in a little more than three months, unanimously endorse the recommendation of the Council.

My delegation was. pleased to concur in the recommendation of the Committee on the Admission of New Members regarding -the application of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and to join other members of the Courrcil in recommending to the General Assembly the admission of Bangladesh to membership. 53. The United States recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 4 April 1972. Formal diplomatic relations were established on 18 May of that year. My Government has had continuous representation in Dacca since 1349. Through those years, ties of trade, shared concern for economic development, and personal friendships have grown ever stronger. Consequently the United States Government has taken particular satisfaction in the development of the excellent bilateral relations which now exist between our two countries. 55. My Government considers that the efforts of the former belligerents in South Asia to initiate a process of regional reconciliation deserve the encouragement and admiration of all peace-lovingnations. We fully endorse the concept that regional problems should be solved by negotiation among the nations most immediately involved in the region itself. The determination of the Governments of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to do so has given new life to the hope that historic rivalries in the subcontinent can soon give way to fruitful co-operative relationships. 56. We should note that the Government of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has played a statesmanlike role in those develop merits. Bangladesh has over the past two and a half years clearly demonstrated its dedication to the ideals and to the Charter of this Organization. 57. The United States Government looks forward with sincere pleasure to the assumption by Bangladesh of its rightful place in this community of nations. I am confident that Bangladesh will contribute a constructive and fresh new voice to the deliberations of the United Nations.

Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the post of President of the Security Council on behalf of the Soviet delegation to the Council. I should also like to take this opportunity to express my great satisfaction at the development of relations of friendship and co-operation between our countries. 59. Your Grst 10 days in this responsible post have shown that with your experience, erudition, tact and skill in overcoming complex problems you are brilliantly discharging the duties of President of the Security Council. The Soviet delegation would like to assure you that we will co-operate actively with you in all matters which the Councihconsiders this month. 60. We sincerely hope that no international conflict will arise during your Presidency requiring your active intervention and that of the entire Security Council in its solution. We believe that at present the only important problem which the Council faces in connexion with the strengthening of peace and security is that of conducting the United Nations peace-keeping operations in the Middle East. The Council’s task is to observe and supervise the course of those operations on a regular basisand advance the cause of peace in the Middle East. 61. We also have great pleasure in expressing our gratitude to your predecessor in the post of President ofthe Security 62. The Security Council has once again considered the application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations and has adopted a unanhnous decision recommending that the General Assembly admit this new State as the one hundred and thirty-sixth Member of the Organization. 63. The fundamental policy of the Soviet Union, as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, L. I. Brezhnev, said at the ftiteenth congress of trade unions, is “to support the Republic of Bangladesh and cooperate with it”. This policy derives from the basic principles of the foreign policy of the Soviet State. As in the past, the USSR is in favour of granting as speedily as possible the legitimate request of the Government of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations. As far back as August 1972, the Soviet delegation stated in the Security Council that, in spite of the deliberate and artificial obstacles being created, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh would be admitted to membership in the United Nations and its representatives would have their proper place in the work of this Organization. 64. In the time which has elapsed since the founding of this new, independent Asian State, important changes have occurred in the political climate of our planet, Favourable changes have taken place in the world situation which are in the vital interests of the peoples of all countries and have also left their mark on relations between States of the South Asian subcontinent. Thanks to the efforts of the statesmen of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, impo-rtant concrete steps have been taken towards ensurh-ig peace and stability by collective efforts in that important part of the world. We firmly believe that it is precisely those goals which are served by the agreements signed by the interested parties at Simla and New DeIhi. 67. The Soviet Union bases its relations with the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the principle of peaceful coexistence, full equality, mutual respect, sovereignty and independence, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. The Soviet people has great sympathy and respect for the people of Bangladesh, for its heroic efforts to create its own sovereign, independent national State and for the policy of non-alignment and friendly co-operation pursued by Bangladesh, a policy designed to strengthen peace and friendship among peoples and to ease international tension. 68. Very-recently, from 17 to 22 May of this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Kamal Ho&n, made an official visit to the Soviet Union. In the course of negotiations be-tween A. A. Gromyko, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the USSR, and Mr. Hossain, both sides noted with satisfaction the complete uniformity of the positions of the Governments of the two countries on matters relating to friendly Soviet-Bangladesh relations and on the most important international problems. Both Governments confirmed their conviction that, in order to ensure lasting peace and the social and economic progress of countries, an effort must be made to ensure that the process of easing international tension. and of detente becomes irreversible. 65. Implementation of the tripartite Agreement signed on 9 April 1974 at New Delhi will contribute to normalization of the situation on the subcontinent and the establishment of good-neighbourly relations among the countries of the area. There can be no question that the peoples of the South Asian subcontinent need a stable, l@ing peace and that they have a vital interest in improving the situation on the subcontinent and ensuring their security. The Soviet Union has expressed great satisfaction at the initiative taken by the Governments of Bangladesh and India with a view to settling the situation on the subcontinent and also at the action of Bangladesh and Pakistan in extending recognition to each other. 66. With regard to the substance of the matter before us, the application of the Government of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations was, of course, well founded and justified at the time when that Government first submitted it to the Security Council [see S/10759, of 8 August 29721; it remains so today. The 69. I should like to take this opportunity to‘point out also that co-operation between the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is developing successfully and growing also in the economic field. The USSR is 70. Both sides, Bangladesh and the USSR, have more than once expressed their satisfaction at the successful development of co-operation between the two countries. The Soviet Union has provided and will continue to provide all possible assistance and support to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on a bilateral basis, as provided for in the relevant agreements between our States. 71. The need for a speedy and positive decision on the question of admitting Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations is confumed by the fact-known to all-that this young independent State obviously fulfils each and every one of the specific conditions which Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations directly and clearly lays down for all States admitted to membership. The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a peace-loving State. Its Govemment has officially stated that it accepts the obligations imposed by the Charter and solemnly undertakes to comply with those obligations. Nor can there be any doubt that Bangladesh-a country .of 75 million people, or, in other words, the world’s eighth largest State in terms of population-is fully equipped to discharge the obligations incumbent upon States Members of the United Nations. 72. The admission of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations will promote the achievement of universality in our Organization. Full and equal participation by this major new State in the life and work of the United Nations will assist in enhancing the effectiveness with which the United Nations solves the important problems before it-the strengthening of international peace and security, the non-use of force in international relations, the permanent prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, the saving of mankind from the threat of thermonuclear war and the development of equal co-operation among States. Nor can we fail to stress that the participation of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in the United Nations will unquestionably help greatly to advance the cause of peace on the South Asian subcontinent itself and contribute to a solution of the compIex tasks of the economic and social 73. We are convinced that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will make a worthy contribution to the work of the United Nations. 74. In the light of all these considerations, the Soviet delegation has from the very beginning lent active support to the application of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations and has called for an immediate decision on this matter. 75. The Soviet Union and all Soviet people were with the people of Bangladesh in the most difficult days of the birth and growth of this young State. The historical correctness and rightness of the policy of consistent support for national liberation movements-a policy handed down to us by the great Lenin-has once again been convincingly confirmed by actual experience. Today not only the right of the people of Bangladesh to a free, independent andsovereign existence but also the imperative need to put an eng to the policy of neglect and discrimination with regard to this young State and to admit it ,to full and equal membership in the family of States Members of’the United Nations is obvious to all.

I thank the representative of the Soviet Union for the very kind words he was so good as to address to me. I should like to assure him that my country rejoices at the excellent relations of co-operation which exist between our two countries and which are being streng’hened in the wellunderstood interests of our two peoples. As President of the Security Council I hope a good mood will continue to prevail so that there will be no crisis during this month.

Allow me, Mr. President, first to express to you my delegation’s deep satisfaction at seeing you, the distinguished representative of a sister Arab State, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, presiding over the deliberations of the Council for the month of June. It goes without saying that my delegation will co-operate fully with you in fulfilling the duties of your high office. We are confident that you will perform your task with the distinction and the dignity which has earned you the respect and admiration of the United Nations community. 78. I should also like to thank and to congratulate the representative of Kenya, Ambassador Maina,-for his outstanding contribution to the work of the Councilduring his presidency of the Council in the month of May. 80. We must salute on this happy occasion the courage, the wisdom and the statesmanship of the leaders of the subcontinent which led, after bitter strife and great suffering, to the remarkable reconciliation enabling Bangladesh now to join the United Nations as a full-fledged Member. We welcome the representatives of Bangladesh as the representatives of a State with which Iraq has deep cultural, historical and religious ties. We look forward to the positive role it will play within the United Nations and as an important new member within the non-aligned community of nations. 81. Before concluding, I find it appropriate to quote a few lines by the great poet-philosopher of the subcontinent, Muhammad Iqbal, written nearly 40 years ago, and this is the English translation of Iqbal’s words: Brighter shali shine men’s clay Than angels’ light, one day; Earth through our Des tiny Turn to a stm sky. The fancies in our head That upon storms were fed One day shall soar, and clear The whirlpool of the sphere. Let us hope that the vision of Iqbal will some day become a reality for all mankind.

Mr. President, may I, on behalf of the Kenya delegation, congratulate you on your taking over the presidency of the Security Council this month. I have reason to know what a burden it is to the incumbent. I wish you every success in the remaining period of the month. I should also like to take this opportunity to thank you for the assistance you personally rendered to the out-going President, particularly with regard to the subject on our agenda this morning, which has now been resolved by unanimous decision of the members of the Council. 83. Finally, I should like to thank all those members of the Council that have expressed such generous sentiments about the work I did during my first month as a member of this Council. 84. The Kenya delegation welcomes and supports the unanimous decision of the Security Council to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations. 85. The Council has been handling this problem for a considerable period of time and today’s decision must come as a relief to many members of the Council, to many Member States of the United Nations and, most directly, to the Government and the people of Bangladesh which have 86. We are happy to be associated with this decision. My country has many deep ties with Bangladesh. In my country there are many people with family ties in Bangladesh, and this, in a very important way, has made Bangladesh contribute to the variety and wealth of culture of the people of Kenya. Bangladesh is a member of the non-aligned group and a member of the Commonwealth, and in all these we look forward to continued co-operation and to fruitful cordial relations which will now bb further .strengthened through the United Nations. 87. We are happy to know &at the problems that have I delayed the decision which we have taken today have been resolved and that it will now be possible to continue without any strains the cordial relations that my country seeks and has maintained with all the peoples and nations inhabiting this part of the world. 88. My delegation wishes the People’s Republic of Bangladesh all success in the future as a Member of the family of the United Nations, of which it is finally going to be a Member.

Mr. President, the delegation of the Byelorussian SSR associates itself with the congratulations which have been offered to you upon your assumption of the high post of President of the Security Council and expresses its readiness to co-operate with you in solving the problems before the Council. 90. We should also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ambassador of Kenya, Mr. Maina, who so skilfully conducted the Council’s proceedings last month. 91. The Security Council has met today to resume its consideration of the application of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for admission to membership in the United Nations. In the view of the delegation of the Byelorussian SSR, this application from the Government of Bangladesh was and remains entirely justified. The time which has elapsed and the events which have occurred since the Government of Bangladesh first made its application for membership in the United Nations in August 1972 have demonstrated most convincingly the readiness of the people and Government of Bangladesh to play in actual practice their proper and active part in the various areas of international co-operation. 92. From the first days of its existence, the young independent State of Bangladesh has proclaimed as the constant objective of its foreign policy the preservation of peace, non-alignment and equal co-operation with all countries which respect its interests and rights. 93. By pursuing this peace-loving foreign policy, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh h,;, in abrief period of time, achieved wide recognition in international affairs, particularly in connexion with the solution of the problems 100. The participation of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in the work of the United Nations will enable that State to make its valuable contribution to the solution of the problems of strengthening peace and security and developing equal co-operation among States. The admission of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations will be an important positive factor in promoting further improvement of the situation on the Asian continent. 94. Thanks to the purposeful and consistent peace-loving policy of Bangladesh, constructive decisions aimed at overcoming the dark heritage of the past on the South Asian subcontinent have been reached in a short period of time and in circumstances in which passions have been inflamed by reactionary circles and outside forces with an interest in maintaining tension in Asia. The implementation of the tripartite Agreement signed in 9 April 1974 at New Delhi by India, Bangladesh and Pakistan will unquestionably promote the further normalization of the situation on the subcontinent and the establishment of goodneighbourly relations among the countries of the area. 101. In the light of these considerations, the delegation of the Byelorussian SSR unhesitatingly supports the resolution calling for the admission of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations. 102. Mr. MORALES HERNANDEZ (Costa Rica) [inferpretation from Spanish]: Mr. President, my delegation wishes to express its profound satisfaction at seeing you presiding over-the meetings of the Security Council during the month of June. We are sure that with .your good judgment and diplomatic perspicacity the meetings of the Security Council will be fruitful. 95. The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, with its 75 million people, extensive territory and rich and varied natural resources, is living through and solving the complex problems associated with the assertion of its identity and its development in full compliance with each and every one of the requirements imposed on all States admitted to membership in the United Nations by Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations. The entire foreign policy of the Government of Bangladesh is proof of this. 103. We also wish to express our gratitude to the Ambassador of Kenya who so brilliantly guided the work of the Council during the past month. 104. For the delegation of Costa Rica it is a matter of spec,@l gratification to have voted in favour of the draft resolution recommending the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations. This decision not only makes manifest once again the principle of universality which is enshrined in the Charter and is the basis for the foundation of this important Organization. Last year we were joined by the two Germanys and the Bahamas, and now we are to be joined by the Republic of Bangladesh, which, means in numbers that approximately I50 million human beings have joined the great international family of the United Nations. It is a matter for satisfaction and rejoicing for those of us who believe that united we can create a more ideal, more peaceful and more just world. 96. The country is now engaged in strenuous constructive _ labour for the purpose of fulfilling the plans for the restoration and strengthening of the economy and ensuring the steady movement of the young State of Bangladesh along the path of progressive social and economic reforms. In these circumstances, the State of Bangladesh has a particularly acute need for effective co-operation from friendly States and the United Nations to assist it in achieving its development objectives and aims. 97. We can only regret that the question of the admission of the young State of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations was blocked for two years for no objective or vatid reason even though, as is well known, the General Assembly expressed the desire back in 1972 at its twentyseventh session that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh be admitted to membership in the United Nations at an early date [resolution 2937(XXM.)]. 105. The Government of Costa Rica has already on different occasions expressed its position with regard to entry of Bangladesh to membership in the Unite~d Nations, and in particular during the general debate at the twenty. seventh session of the General Assembly, when the. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Mr. Gonzalo Facie, said: 98. The Fourth Conference of Non-Aligned Countries expressed unanimous support for the admission of the People’s RepubIic of Bangladesh to membership. in the United Nations as a full and sovereign member of the family of non-aligned countries. It is also important to bear in mind the desire of the Government of Bangladesh that the question of the admission of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations should be settIed as soon as possible. The State of Bangladesh came into being as a result of the resistance of a people heroicaIly united. . . . Now that the people have achieved self-determination, after a bioody battie, we cannot close the doors of the international community to them. “ . . . Costa Rica, which was the frost Latin American country to extend diplomatic recognition to the new Bengali State, will enthusiastically support the recommendation it hopes the GeneraI Assembly will make for 99. It is therefore with great satisfaction that our deiegation supports the Security Council’s decision recommending that the General Assembly admit the People’s

Mr. President, let me first of all welcome you into your first occupancy of the presidential chair of this Council and express my delegation’s full confidence in your experience and capacity to conduct our proceedings with fumness and impartiality We assure you of our full co-operation. I should also like to pay a tribute to the outstanding manner in which our colleague and your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Kenya, in his first month at the United Nations, so ably fulfilled his duties as President of the Council for the month of May. 112. We have already had an indication of the earnestness of Bangladesh’s desire to play a useful and constructive role in this Organization. Its sincere and close observance of the , many issues and matters important to it here in New York has been matched by the no less positive and constructive contributions it has already begun to make in the several specialized agencies of which it has sought and obtained membership. My delegation has been pleased to give our fti support to Bangladesh’s desire to participate as a member of these agencies. 108. The Council has had before it today the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members which has recommended to the Council that it adopt a resolution recommending in turn to the General Assembly that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh be admitted to membership in the United Nations. It has given my delegation great satisfaction to support the Committee’s unanimous recommendation and I express the sincere hope that, following adoption by the Council this morning, it will be overwhelmingly accepted by the General Assembly at its twenty-ninth session. . 113. Australia greatly values the close and friendly ties that have been a feature af our relations with Bangladesh, both within and outside the United Nations. We are confident that the warm and co-operative association between our two countries will be further strengthened and consolidated as a result of the decision we have taken here today. 109. It follows that my Government is fully satisfied that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is eligible, indeed eminently qualified, to take its seat in this Organization. As a member of this Council which has the duty under the Charter of e xamining the new applicants for membership we have no hesitation in giving the application at present before us our full endorsement. The second and fmal decision will be taken by the General Assembly, and we can look forward with confidence to its favourable consideration. We feel sure, as Mr. Kamal Hossain, Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh expressed in his letter to the Secretary-General on 14 May 1974, that membership by Bangladesh in the United Nations will enable his country to play a larger role in the furtherance of the objectives of this Organization, ‘. 114. Australia was among the first countries to extend recognition to Bangladesh following its attainment of independence. We have sought to develop and expand our ties with the People’s Republic, a country with which we share not only the geographical affinities of the Asian and Pacific region but also that special sense of association that comes from having a shared background of tradition and ‘experience as fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations. We have already had occasion to welcome Bangladesh’s participation in a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, where our respective Heads of Government had an opportunity to meet together and discuss issues of mutual concern at the highest political level. 110. We are certain also that Bangladesh will bring to the United Nations those qualities of statesmanship, farsightedness and diplomatic skill which have so recently been in evidence in the successful negotiation by Bangladesh, India and Pakistan of the outstanding issues between them arising out of the 1971 war. 115. In other spheres too we have developed a close working association with Bangladesh. We have been particularly pleased to be able to make a contribution to the country’s economic progress and to the development of both its human and its natural resources. 111. The agreement concluded in New Delhi on 9 April 1974 has resolved two major questions, the first concerning the nonBengalis in Bangladesh whom the Government of Pakistan had agreed, under the New Delhi agreement of 28 August 1973, to accept as its nationals and the second concerning prisoners of war, on whose repatriation agree- 116. The exchange of visitors between our two countries at both the governmental and the nongovernmental level has been a welcome and natural development in our relations. We were happy to have in Australiain December last year the Bangladesh Minister for Food and Civil Supply, Mr. Majumdar, accompanied--by senior officials of the Bangladesh Government. The visit, the fast by a Minister of the Bangladesh Government since BangIadesh attained independence, provided an opportunity for useful 3 Ibid., Twenty-seventh Session. PZe&ry Meetings, 2049th meeting, paras. 170 and 172. 118. The PRESIDENT finrerpreration from French): I should now like, with the Council’s permission, to make a brief statement as the representative of MAURITANIA. 119. It was with great pleasure that my delegation supported the decision of the Council to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations. This feeling derives from the common membership of Bangladesh and Mauritania in the Islamic community, a source of so many well-marked cultural affmities. It is also based upon the adherence of our two countries to the principles and objectives of the non-aligned movement, within which they have been fighting for the same causes and harbouring the same aspirations. 120. Furthermore, we consider it a happy event that the United Nations has been enriched by the admission of a new Member which has already so concretely manifested its will to apply scrupulously the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. In doing so the People’s Republic of Bangladesh not only has served the cause of peace in the subcontinent but has demonstrated its attachment to the principles laid down in the Charter and its acceptance of the obligations flowing from those principles. 121. The decision taken today by the Council follows certain events which have recently occurred in the region to which the People’s Republic of Bangladesh belongs. Among these events we should like to highlight the very felicitous development of an atmosphere of detente and a growing mutual understanding and reconciliation which becomes more evident each day among the States of the subcontinent. This situation has been made possible thanks to the wisdom of the Security Council and thanks also to the political’ perspicacity and the moderation of the leaders of the countries concerned in that area. 122. I should like to pay here a well deserved tribute to the political courage and the constructive spirit of the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and particularly to the Prime Minister, Mr. Ali Bhutto. The actions of Prime Minister Bhutto have been, in what was in so many ways a painful problem for his country, constantly forwardlooking-looking forward to the establishment of relations of peace and trust and towards the substitution of hope for bitterness and understanding for the distrust which prevailed of yore. This conduct-and we must be gratified at this-was echoed among the leaders of Bangladesh and India. -We found there the same will for peace and understanding, the same concern to start a new chapter of history and to look towards the future only. 123. By its decision today the Security Council without any doubt intended to consolidate this rapprochement 124. In conclusion, I should like to say once again that my delegation takes pleasure in the decision of the Security Council and at the next session of the General Assembly will be happy to give a most cordial welcome to the delegation of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 125. The next name on the list of speakers is that of the representative of Pakistan. As PRESIDENT, I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make a statement.

Mr. President, I want first of all to express to you and, through you, to the other members of the Security Council the deep appreciation of my delegation for being given the opportunity to address this meeting. 127. The matter on the Council’s agenda is one to which my country attaches very particular importance and significance. We consider it specially felicitous, Sir, that it has fallen to you to preside over the Council as it has taken up the application of Bangladesh for membership in the United Nations. You represent a country which, along with my country, is part of the third world and a member of the Islamic fraternity, a fraternity which, members of the Council are aware, played such an important role during the Islamic Summit Conference held at L&ore in February this year in bridging the gulf between two States that had been one nation and in enabling my country to extend recognition to Bangladesh. It is not surprising that under your able, impartial and friendly guidance the matter under consideration has been so smoothly and speedily settled. 128. It is my pleasant duty also to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Ambassador Mama of Kenya, who, as President of the Council for the month of May, showed a keen understanding of the many facets of the question at issue. He handled it with skill and patience and helped ensure that the Council was able to settle the matter, as it-has done this morning, in an atmosphere of amity and conciliation. 129. When Pakistan last appeared before this Council my country was wracked by internal upheaval and overrun by foreign armed forces. We came to the Council to seek a cessation of the fighting and in the hope that the Council would assist in creating conditions for a peaceful and generally acceptable settlement. But that was not to be. The Council was immobilized while the war pursued its appointed course and achieved its predeterminedalm. 130. I recall the past not in bitterness-though the present occasion is not without poignancy for my country-but to indicate what a long road we have travelled in the relatively brief period of two and a half years that has elapsed. If today Pakistan speaks here in order to welcome as a member of the United Nations a State which a brief few years ago was an integral part of Pakistan, it is the 136. The manner in which the Council has today decided on the application of Bangladesh to join the United Nations would not have been possible had not the organs of the United Nations shown an understanding of the basic issues which were the cause of tension and conflict in the subcontinent and whose resolution would pave the way for the establishment of a durable peace. I wish to express here my Government’s sincere appreciation of the efforts of all our friends, who, forsaking expediency, stood up for the defence. of right and justice. I wish to express my Government’s and my appreciation to the Secretary- General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, and to his associates, in particular the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, Mr. Roberto Guyer, for the constructive and positive role they played at all times in facilitating a settlement in the subcontinent. 131. Even in those, for my country, tragic days of December 1971, the Prime Minister, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who at that time was leading Pakistan’s delegation to this Council, spoke of a new era in relations on the subcontinent. At that time of deep emotional stress, he stated on 15 December 1971 that the choice for us is either to accept living in the same subcontinent and cooperating for peace and progress, or to be implacable enemies of each other for ever [see 1624th meeting, para. 651. I32. That Pakistan chose the path of reconciliation, peace and progress was manifest from the first act of the new Government of Pakistan. On 3 January 1972 the then President, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, announced the unconditional release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from detention. At the same time he offered a hand of friendship to India. He declared on that occasion that if India reciprocated his gesture of friendship, he was ready to fly to Delhi the very next day to initiate a dialogue. 137. I should like in particular to express the deep and abiding gratitude of the Government and people of Pakistan to the People’s Republic of China, whose unswerving, far-sighted and principled stand in upholding the letter and the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and whose sympathy for the true interests of all the peoples of the subcontinent were vital factors in furthering the process of reconciliation in the subcontinent and in strengthening the role of the United Nations. 133. It is a matter of great satisfaction to my Government, and, I am sure, to all members of this Council and the United Nations, that Pakistan’s offer to tread the path of reconciliation and to initiate a step-by-step process aimed at the establishment of a durable peace in the subcontinent, evoked a positive response from the leaders of both India and Bangladesh. The Simla Agreement of July 1972, the Indo-Pakistan Agreement signed at New Delhi in August 1973 and the New Delhi Tripartite Agreement of April of this year were the fruit of the sincere endeavours of all to break away from the conflicts of the past and to embark upon a new era of relations in the subcontinent based on a common desire for peace and the well-being and prosperity of all our peoples. 138. On 29 November 1972, during its twenty-seventh session, the General Assembly took the same position when it simultaneously adopted two interdependent resolutions which, while expressing the desire for the admission of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations at an early date, at the same time called for the return of the prisoners of war to Pakistan in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the relevant provisions of Security Council resolution 307 (1971) (resolutions 2937(XXVII) and 2938 (XXVII)]. 134. In this context I cannot pass over in silence the sombre event that has taken place in the last month. I refer to the explosion on 18 May of a nuclear device by India in the Rajasthan Desert, close to the borders of my country. Against the background of the persistent and sincere efforts of my Government to establish sound foundations for an enduring pea& in the subcontinent, I cannot overemphasize the gravity with which my Government views that event. On this occasion I should like to state that my Government has not given up its firm resolve to tread the path of reconciliation and peace in the subcontinent despite the dark cloud that has appeared on the horizon. 139. When the question of the admission of Bangladesh was being inscribed on the agenda of the twenty-seventh session of the General Assembly I made a statement in the General Assembly, on behalf of my Government, to explain its position on the subject. Allow me to recall what I said then: “I wish to reiterate, on behalf of my Government, that we are not irrevocably opposed to the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations once the outstanding issues have been resolved and the situation arising out of the recent conflict has been norm&red. My delegation has not suggested the rejection’ of the application of Bangladesh; on the contrary it has merely suggested that consideration should be deferred until such, time as the obligations which devolve upon the Dacca regime under the United Nations Charter have been fulfilled.“’ 135. At the time of the Islamic Summit Conference held in February of this year at L&ore, with the assistance of members of the Islamic fraternity, my Government was able to extend recognition to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. I wish here to pay a tribute to the sincere efforts of all the leaders who participated in the Conference and in particular to the members of the seven-member goodwill mission which was entrusted by the Conference with the task of promoting reconciliation between Pakistan and Bangladesh and whose efforts enabled my Government 140. As representatives are aware, by an agreement signed in New Delhi in April of this year the Government of India 4 Ibid., 2037th meetingipara. 49. 141. My country looks upon this decision of the Security Council as yet another step in the process of reconciliation that I have described. As my Prime Minister stated on the occasion of the recognition by Pakistan of Bangladesh: “We hope this mutual rec&ciliation, which is in the spirit of Islamic fraternity, will now bury a past that the peoples of both our countries would prefer to see forgotten.” 142. It is in this spirit that we shall welcome the admission ’ of Bangladesh to the United Nations at the next session of the General Assembly. It is in the same spirit that my Prime Minister will soon visit Dacca in the furtherance of the desire of our peoples to establish a new and enduring relationship based on mutual trust, friendship and equality.

The next name on the list of speakers is that of the representative of Algeria. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and make his statement.

In speaking in the Council’s debate after it has already taken its decision I must say quite frankly that I have very little to add to the very eloquent statements that have been made. However, I must thank you, Mr. President, and all the members of the Council for having permitted me to express my views here, not only as representative of Algeria but also on behalf of the entire group of non-aligned countries, and say how important we find the problem which has been the subject of discussion and how much importance we attach to the decision that the Council has just taken. It is not a matter of indifference to us to stress that it is precisely under your presidency that the Council has just recommended the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations. As a representative of an African country I should like to congratulate you and to say how proud we,.are to see for the second time in succession the presidency of the Council assumed by ti African, thus associating our continent with the responsibility for the guidance of world affairs and the maintenance of international peace and security. It is, of course, for us an occasion for legitimate satisfaction because we are certain that in the discharge of these delicate functions you will bring to bear the personal qualities which we are all aware you possess-the qualities 146. The question of the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations has been a matter pending for two years before the Security Council; that lapse of time in itself gives an indication qf the problems which have had to be solved and the difficulties which have had to be overcome. A decision has been taken today, unhesitatingly and unambiguously, and that is sometig which proves that the situation has improved in the subcontinent and that a new balance has now been established. It is now for the whole of the international community to register that fact and strengthen it. 147. After the Simla Agreement and that of New Delhi between India and Pakistan new prospects were created for the restoration of peaceful relations throughout the region. We must, of course, see in this a mark of wisdom and courage on the part of the leaders of those countries for having been able to bury their resentment and rise above theii own resistance. We therefore should like to pay tribute to them because we are fully aware of the great complexity of the problems which face them in a context so painful for peoples and for individuals. These human problems have been fmaliy settled in a way satisfactory to Pakistan and Bangladesh. Algeria was both proud and happy to have taken part in the representations which, in the course of the Islamic Conference in ,Lahore, led to the recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan and the reconciliation of the leaders of those countries. 148. At this stage of the Council’s debate, obviously it is no longer necessary for me to plead for the admission of Bangladesh to the great family of the United Nations. However, I must make it clear that Bangladesh is already a member of the group of non-aligned countries and has been ever since the summit conference in Algiers, and that as such it comes to the United Nations with the best possible references of a country devoted to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, a.country which is anxious within the context of its principles to, make its whoiehearted contribution to our common effort for the maintenance of peace and co-operation among peoples. We take pleasure in expressing here our whole-hearted satisfaction at the decision just taken by the Security Council. which is so perfectly in keeping with the wishes expressed by the Heads of State of the non-ali8ned countries when they decided to. support the application for admission from the People% 154. In spite of the sufferings that it has endured and the sacrifices it has made in the past, Bangladesh has shown tremendous courage in taking bold initiatives which have furthered the cause of normalization and establishment of durable peace in the subcontinent. This is indeed a testimony to the generosity of its people, the statesmanship of its leaders and the magnanimity of its spirit. We in the United Nations should indeed be proud to welcome this peace-loving nation, which will enrich the Organization with its cultural heritage, wisdom and grace, maturity and modem outlook.

The next name on the list of speakers is that of the representative of India. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 155. India welcomes today’s Council decision since it opens the doors of the United Nations to a neighbouring and fellow-Asian country with which India has close and growing bonds of friendship and with which it is united by a dedication to the principles of democracy, secularism, socialism and the establishment of an egalitarian society in which there will be no discrimination on the basis of religion, sex or creed. In the field of foreign relations we share the commitment to non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, the cause of development, particularly of the developing countries, and opposition to colonialism, racialism and imperialism in all its manifestations.

Mr. President, the delegation of India is grateful to you and to the members of this Council for this opportunity to participate in the proceedings of the Council today when it has decided unanimously to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to membership in the United Nations. The decision of the Council on the renewed request of the Government of Bangladesh at last opens the way for Bangladesh-the eighth most populous country in the world, a great country of Asia whose people have bravely and successfully weathered many a calamity both natural as well as man-made and a distinguished member of the non-aligned movement and the developing world-to take its due place in our Orgahation as a full Member. India warmly welcomes and applauds both the decision of the Council and the manner of its adoption today. 156. At the Fourth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Algiers last year, Bangladesh was warmly embraced as a member of the non-aligned family, and the Conference called for the admission of this independent non-aligned country to membership in the United Nations without delay. It is indeed gratifying, as the Ambassador of Algeria already pointed out, that Bangladesh has declared its determination to continue to adhere to a policy of non-alignment which has played a positive and constructive role in strengthening national sovereignty and independence and the forces of peace and stability and social and economic justice and growth in international relations. 151. We are happy that it was possible to come to this agreed and unanimous conclusion thanks to the intensive consultations conducted informally following the request of Bangladesh for the renewed consideration of the application for membership that it made originally in 1972. Our warm tributes go to you, Mr. President, and to your distinguished predecessor in office, Ambassador Maina of Kenya, for the skill and the ability, the pragmatism and the persuasiveness with which you have both guided the Council towards unanimity on this question. 157. Both Bangladesh and India have made determined efforts to normalize the relations of all the countries on the subcontinent, based on mutual trust and understanding, respect and friendship. The process of conciliation initiated with the conclusion of the Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan culminated in the tripartite Agreement concluded on 9 April 1974 between Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, which affirmed the common resolve of these countries to achieve a friendly and harmonious relationship. We are dedicated to this cause and renew its expression here. We believe that it should not be interrupted for any reason or on any pretext. Challenging tasks lie ahead for all the three countries in the field of exploitation and harnessing of resources to meet the legitimate aspirations and needs of their people for a better life. All the three countries should now look forward to the consolidation of the new era of constructive co-operation to achieve peace, progress and justice for their people. It is not the time to look back or to 152. India welcomes the resolution just adopted, as it will enable the General Assembly at its forthcoming session to take a significant step towards giving the United Nations a more universally representative character, which is so vital for its effectiveness. Bangladesh has been an independent sovereign State for some time now. It has been recognized .’ by over 120 countries from different regions of the world. It has already made an effective contribution in various organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations of which it has been a member for some time now. Its presence in our Organization as a full Member is indeed overdue. 153. Since its inception it not only has expressed its willingness and enthusiasn about abiding by the Charter of

The next name on the list of speakers is that of the representative of Egypt. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

Mr. President, it would be remiss on my part if I did not hasten to extend my congratulations to you on your assuming the high office of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. It is my firm conviction that the Council will benefit immeasurably from your renowned wisdom and experience. 160. Likewise, I wish to pay tribute to Ambassador Maina of Kenya who very ably and competently steered the vital deliberations of this Council in a most constructive and commendable manner last May. 161. Having said that, I should like to emphasize the fact that Egypt is second to none in rejoicing at the recommendation for the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to United Nations membership. The resolution adopted by the Council to this effect has in fact realized a sentiment of normal expectation which was entertained by all those who wish to see this Organization a genuine and ubiquitous reflection of all the human community. 162. Egypt, which takes pride in being one of the founding Members of the United Nations, feels today-as a new Member is about to be ushered into the Organizationthat the momentum which started in 1945 is ceaselessly functioning, that the imagerof the United Nations is not eroding but, fortunately, acquiring more solidity and approaching further towards wider universality. 163. Egypt will be particularly gratified to see the People’s Republic of Bangladesh become a Member of the United Nations because such step not only will enhance the Afro-Asian Solidarity Movement and the non-aligned movement, but also should have a significant impact on the contribution of these movements. 164. Indeed, the second Islamic Summit Conference recognized this elementary dimension by stating, in its Declaration of 25 February 1974, adopted at L.&ore, the “determination to preserve and promote solidarity and to resolve the differences through peaceful means in a fraternal spirit”. 165. It was Egypt’s privilege to take part in the prominent role played by friendly countries during the last years, in order to restore peace in the Indian subcontinent and the brotherly relations between the peoples of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 166. We should like to hail the statesmanship of the great leaders of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and their determined willingness to pursue the path of conciliation and co-operation. We hope and indeed expect that their 168. The identification of the problems beleaguering that vital part of our globe makes it all the more pertinent to eliminate all sources of tensions, a step which should be concomitant to eliminating destitution and misery which have for long impeded the third world in approaching-the thresholds of advancement and prosperity. 169. The admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh should herald a new era in international relations free from alienation but imbued with fraternity and cooperation. 170. Time and again the United Nations demonstrates that only within its framework and solely emanating from its Charter can all disputes be solved and differences accommodated. The United Nations is the haven of all those who strive to resolve their disparities by means of international law and justice. . 171. On behalf of the Egyptian people and Government, my delegation welcomes the soon to be ne-w: Member, wishing the people and Government of Bangladesh all the prosperity and progress of which they are worthy. . 172. ln concluding, I should like to express to you, Mr. President, and through you to the members of the Council, my indebtedness and profound thanks for granting me the opportunity of addressing the Council,

I call now on the last speaker on the list, the representative of Bhutan. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

Mr. President, thank you for giving me this opportunity. My delegation is taking the floor in this Council for the first time, and I hope that you will allow me to extend to you, and through you to the members of the Council, the warmest good wishes of my delegation. 175. The Security Council, by adopting the decision to recommend to the General Assembly that it should admit the People’s Republic of Bangladesh into the family of the United Nations has fulfilled the cherished hopes and aspimtions not only of the 75 million .people of &ngladesh but also of those nations which supported the legitimate right of Bangladesh to be seated in this great Organization. On this occasion my delegation welcomes the important decision just taken by the Council. 178. Ever since its emergence as an independent and sovereign State, the people and Government of Bangladesh committed themselves to peace, not only with their neighbours but also with all friendly countries. It is therefore natural that today we are working towards establishing co-operation in all the fields. These happy developments derived not only from the geographical proximity, but also from our common heritage of concern for human dignity and our desire for co-operation. In this regard His Majesty the Ring, in May 1973, while welcoming the first Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan, had stated: “Of the many links of history, trade and geography that bind us together, may I add that we share a pressing common goal, namely, that of working through a policy of non-alignment to achieve a durable peace in our region as a whole, in order to ensure the security of our countries, and thereby enable us to concentrate our efforts and our resources in promoting the welfare of our peoples. I hope that our two Governments will work closely together in the pursuit of this vital goal.” 185. In our opinion, judging from past experience and the present reality, it remains the joint militant task of the peoples of the South Asian subcontinent and the people of the numerous third world countries to maintain vigilance against super-Power expansionism and hegemony.

I call on the representative of the Soviet Union. 179. The common aspirations for co-operation and friendship were further strengthened by the gracious presence of the President of Bangladesh, His Excellency Mr. Mohammedullah, at the recent Coronation of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, which was held in Thimphu from 2 to 4 June 1974. This historic occasion in the modem history of Bhutan has been graced by the presence of the President of India, the Chogyal of Sikkim and many other represen-

I should like to make a few remarks, not as a response or reply to any statement, but simply by way of clarification and explanation. Delaying the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations has not in any way contributed to or facilitated agreement between the three States of the South Asian subcontinent. Of this we are deeply convinced.~ On the contrary, it has complicated the process of reconciliation, and the admission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations when the first application was made in August 1972 would have greatly simplified this complex and difficult task. tativeS from the friendly countries including the representatives of the five permanent members of this Council. 180. The people of Bhutan have great admiration for the people of Bangladesh for their endurance, perseverance and ability.

If no other member wishes to speak at this time, I shall take it that the debate on the item of our agenda is concluded. It only remains for me to thank members of the Council for their co-operation, which has enabled us to conclude this debate happily. I also wish to express my gratitude to the representative of Bangladesh, who has shown complete co-operation and understanding. I wish him every success in the duties that await him here at the United Nations. 182. Let me conclude by stating that we look forward to welcoming the delegation of Bangladesh to the General Assembly this fall and to working in close co.operation with it. 181. There can be no doubt that the representatives of Bangladesh will make important contributions across the whole range of this Organization’s activities. Under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the people and the Government of Bangladesh have already demonstrated their ability and determination to work towards prosperity and peace. 189. Before adjourning the meeting, I should like to inform members of the Security Council that on 5 June 1974 the SecretaryGeneral received a letter &ted 30 May Litho in United Nations, New York Price: $U.S. 1.00 (or equivalent in other currencies) 74-820764une 1975-2.050