S/PV.1841 Security Council

The Security Council will now consider the report of the Committee on Admission of New Members in document S/11829, photocopies of which are before the members of the Council in all working languages. The mimeographed text of this report will be distributed itraIl languages very shortly. Present: The representatives of the following States: Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, China, Costa Rica, France, Guyana, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Mauritania, Sweden, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania and United States of America. 4. In paragraph 3 of its report, the Committee recommended that the Security C.ouncil have recourse to the provisions of the last paragraph of rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure. The thirtieth session of the General Assembly has just opened and I think this procedure-that is, for the Security Council immediately to make its recommendation to the General Assembly-will meet with the agreement of all members of the Council. Provisional agenda (S/Agenda/l841) 1. Adoption of the agenda 2. Admission of new Members: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of Papua New Guinea for admission to membership in the United Nations (S/11829) 5. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the Council wishes to waive the application of the penultimate paragraph of rule 60 on the. particular timelimit prescribed for this case. The meeting was culled to order at 4.45 p.m. Adoption of the agenda 6. In paragraph 4 of its report the Committee recommends that the Security Council adopt a draft resolution on the application for admission of,Papua New Guinea. In accordance with the procedure followed at previous Council meetings, I propose first to put that draft resolution to the vote, on the understanding that those who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so after the vote. If I hear no objection I shall take it that the Security Council wishes first, to proceed to the vote. The ugendu wus adopted. Admission of new Members: Report of the Committee on the admission of New Members concerning the application of Papua New Guinea for admission to membership in the United Nations (S/11829)

I have received a letter dated 22 September 1975 in which the Foreign Minister of Australia has asked to be invited to participate in the Security Council’s debate on the item concerning the application of Papua New Guinea for membership in the United Nations. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, namely, Article 31, with “le. 37 of the provisional rules of procedure and the usual practice of the Council, I propose to invite the Foreign Minister of Australia to participate in the Council’s discussion without the right to vote. 7. I therefore now put to the vote the draft resolution which is contained in paragraph 4 of the Committee’s report on Papua New Guinea’s application for admission, and which reads as follows: [The speaker read out the druft’resolution.] A vote wus taken by show of hands. The draft resolrrtion was adopted unanimotrsly’.

I would congratulate the new State on the decision just taken by the Security Council. I am sure that, for its part, the General Assembly will wish to adopt the Council’s recommendation as soon ..as possible. Hence, I would request the Secretary-General, in accordance with rule 60 of the Security. Council’s 2. In accordance with the usual practice, I invite the Foreign Minister of Australia to take a place at the Council table. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Willesee (Austruliu) took a pluce at the Council tuhle.

May I begin, Sir, by congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. Your presidency this particular month seems to me to have a symbolic significance. September, which sees the opening of the General Assembly, is perhaps the most important month in the calendar of the United Nations. The Foreign Ministers of many of the most powerful countries in the world are or will be in New York in the course of the month. It is a striking demonstration of the principle of equality of States that during this important month it should be the turn of one of the smaller States in our Organization to provide the President of the Security Council. 11. May I congratulate also the representative of Japan on his conduct of the presidency during the month of August. He had not always an easy time. I well remember the hectic afternoon when representatives differed hotly on what precisely they had just voted on. We all admired the imperturbability, the courtesy and, above all, the complete objectivity with which Ambassador Saito discharged his functions. 12. I am particularly happy to be representing my country at this afternoon’s meeting-and for a special reason; I returned to New York last night from Papua New Guinea, where, as current President of the Trusteeship Council, I had the honour of leading a delegation of the Trusteeship Council, invited by Mr. Michael Somare, the new Prime’ Minister of Papua New Guinea, to take part in the independence celebrations. Along with Trusteeship Council representatives from France and the United States; with Mr. Tang, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Trusteeship and Decolonization; and with a delegation of the Special Committee, the situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, headed by Ambassador Rupia, I was in the Sir Hubert Murray stadium in Port Moresby last Monday when, in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, representing Queen Elizabeth, the Governor General of Australia, the Prime Minister of Australia and representatives of many other States, the Australian flag was lowered. I was present also next morning on Independence Hill when at a colourful ceremony the beautiful new flag of Papua New Guinea-the bird of paradise and the Southern Cross-was hoisted. I was able to convey to Sir John Guise, the new Governor General of Papua New Guinea, and to Mr. Michael Somare the warm greetings of the Trusteeship Council and its best wishes for the Papua New Guineans’ new prosperity. I was able to assure Mr. Somare that we much look 14. Papua New Guinea is of course no stranger to the United Nations. New Guinea’s status first as a mandated territory and then as a Trust Territory has ensured not only that we in New York have been kept fully informed of its progress towards independence, but more importantly, Papua New Guineans themselves have learned what the United Nations stands for and how concerned this world body has been for Papua New Guinea’s progress ans welfare. 15. I can assure members from first-hand experience that Papua New Guineans hope that this concern for their welfare will continue. After the celebrations in Port Moresby were over, some of my colleagues and I were invited to be the official guests at the celebrations in Wabag, the headquarters of Enga, possibly the most remote district in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Thousands of farmers had come in from the mountains around for the occasion. I was invited by the chairman of the local celebrations and by the local members of Parliament present to make a speech to the assembled throng. But Papua New Guinea is clearly a very democratic society, and numbers of my audience claimed immediate right of reply. I was told by them that they hoped that the United Nations fully realized that although Papua New Guinea was now independent, Papua New Guinea and the district of Enga in particular, still required much financial assistance and much manpower from the outside. They wanted to go on receiving help from Australia, and they wanted help from other friends. Called upon to sum up at the end of what was a distinctly disorderly debate-although in the best of spirits-I assured them that their own leaders and I myself had on the previous evening, at the state dinner, heard Mr. Whitlam, the Prime Minister of Australia, assure his audience that Papua New Guinea.would continue to have first call on the external aid programme of Australia. I added that I knew that the United Nations Development Programme and other agencies were already active in 16. This occasion demonstrates once again how valuable and constructive the Trusteeship System has been. Although there is now only one Trust Territory remaining this, in a sense, is a tribute to the role played by the United Nations in the past 20 years in bringing countries to independence. 24. It is also a happy coincidence that as the United Nations is about to mark the thirtieth anniversary of its foundation and as we are about to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, we should witness the birth of four sovereign nations which we have already recommended for United Nations membership, and one at least-that is, Angola-which we hope to be recommending soon for membership in our Organization. 17. It remains for me to express my Government’s appreciation of Australia’s role as a Trustee. It gives us particular pleasure that Mr. Willesee, the Foreign Minister of Australia, should be able to be here this afternoon to hear my delegation say this. As a colonial Power of some experience, we have admired the way in which Australia has changed a colonial relationship into a relationship between free and equal nations. 18. It must have been particularly gratifying to the Australians present in Papua New Guinea that, not once but on several occasions during the independence celebrations, prominent Papua New Guineans stressed publicly that the Australian flag was being lowered, not torn down. 25. The independence of Papua New Guinea and its subsequent application for membership in our Organization is certainly another instance of fulfilment of the objectives of the founding fathers for all peoples to exercise their right to self-determination and universal participation by all peoples in the United Nations. 19. I end by repeating the good wishes of my Government to the people of Papua New Guinea and to their representatives in New York, in particular to Mr. Ralph Karepa, whom we have got to know well as a member of the Australian delegation and who will now be looking after Papua New Guinean interests, and we look forward to the contributions that the Papua New Guineans will make to our deliberations in future. 26. It is therefore a matter of great pleasure for my delegation to have supported actively the membership of Papua New Guinea. We are certainly looking forward to the day when the representatives of Papua New Guinea will take their rightful place in the United Nations. 27. The history of Papua New Guinea is well known to this C.ouncil. The aspirations of the people of Papua New Guinea to exercise their right to self-determination and independence have been a subject of discussion in the various organs of the United Nations for a long time and, more specifically, within the Trusteeship Council and in the Special Committee. Indeed, the involvement of the United Nations has not been confined to discussions alone. When Papua New Guinea achieved independence on 16 September 1975 the United, Nations, as my colleague Ambassador Murray of the United Kingdom rightly pointed out, sent two delegations: one, that of the Trusteeship Council, led by him, and the other led by my colleague and compatriot, Ambassador Paul Rupia, the representative of Tanzania to the United Nations.

Mr. President, I should like to join my colleague, the representative of the United Kingdom, in expressing very warm congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. The fraternal ties that bind our two countries and our two peoples, the personal relationship that prevails between us, are too well known to need further elaboration. I am convinced that under your -capable leadership the Security Council will conduct its business in the most efficient manner. 21. I should like also to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Ambassador Saito of Japan, for the outstanding way in which he presided over our.deliberations last month, notwithstanding the fact that at times the meetings had their controversial moments. 28. Therefore, the application of Papua New Guinea which we have just approved is not only an event of which the United Nations should be seized as an outsider, but in fact is an event for which we have all been working, and a cause for joy among all the Members of the United Nations. 22. 1 should like also to welcome to our midst our old friend Ambassador Vinci of Italy. 23. Today we are witnessing another happy and memorable occasion in the history of the United 30. My country looks forward in confidence that the future will witness a fruitful development of cooperation between Papua New Guinea and ourselves. Already a sound foundation has been laid in this context, as reflected in the various exchanges of visits between the delegations of the two countries. We will continue to pursue such relations both bilaterally and multilaterally. As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Tanzania also looks forward to close co-operation with the new Commonwealth member. 31. In 1972 I had the rare opportunity and privilege of visiting Papua New Guinea in my capacity as Chairman of the Special Committee. At that time I was impressed by the determination of the people and the. Government of that country not only to achieve their right to self-government and independence, but, above all, to proceed to the construction of a new society. This determination underscored the importance of the efforts of the United Nations to help the people of that country to achieve’their independence. It is therefore very gratifying to see that those .efforts-that is, the collective efforts of the people of Papua New Guinea and the efforts made by our Organization-have now resulted in the birth of a new and sovereign nation. 32. This is not only one more example of the fact that people ‘everywhere will achieve their indepen:. dence, but also serves to emphasize the just position which the United Nations has adopted against all forms of colonialism wherever it may exist.’ 33. I cannot conclude my very brief remarks without paying a warm tribute to the Government-and people of Australia, whose Foreign Minister is here with us. As an administering Power, Australia has’adopted. a policy of decolonization which is an example t&be followed by other administering ,authorities. Their co-operation, both with the people of Papua New Guinea and with the United Nations, not only helped to bring about a smooth transition without the necessity for the difficult struggles which we witnessed elsewhere, but also ensured new and meaningful relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea itself. 35. Papua New Guinea applied for membership in the United Nations immediately after the proclamation of its independence. The Chinese delegation holds that, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter, Papua New Guinea.is qualified for membership in the United Nations. We therefore support its application and agree that the Security Council should recommend to the General Assembly the admission of Papua New -Guinea to membership in the United Nations. 36. We believe that upon admission to membership in the United Nations Papua New Guinea will make positive contributions to the realization of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, together with all the other justice-upholding Member States.

First I should like to say to you, Mr. President, on behalf of the delegation of Costa Rica,,how pleased. we are ,to see you exercising the office of President of the Security Council this month. In view of your ,experience and your capacity we are sure that you will conduct these proceedings with your usual, sagacity and intelligence. My delegation pledges to you its total support for success in the task entrusted to.you. 38. I should 1ike:also to congratulate .most warmly Ambassador, Saito.sof Japan on the brilliant, way in which. he conducted the difficult proceedings of this Council in August. *. .., ,‘i j9. Turning now to the item for which we have been convened, my delegation would like to express its profound, satisfaction at the fact that it was able to contribute by means of its vote to producing the recommendation, which, under the. Charter, is the prerogative of, this Council, for the admission of new Members. We are very gratified at the fact that the country being admitted, Papua New Guinea, is a n.ation which has,,emerged, independent and sovereign, very recently-and has expressed its wish to join 40. I cannot refrain from expressing my satisfaction at the fact the process which has brought independence to Papua New Guinea was carried out gradually and peacefully up to the point where total sovereignty was reached, under the careful guidance and observation of the United Nations. This new nation comes to independence fully able to devote itself to meeting the needs of its people, without the internal upheavals which, in other less fortunate nations, necessitated so many years of determined struggle against colonialism. In this peaceful process which has occurred in Papua New Guinea we .recognize the outstanding role always played by the administering Power, Australia, a country which so well and with such a sense of international responsibility understood the aspirations to independence of Papua New Guinea and used its trusteeship in order to lead the new nation to a level of self-government such as to permit it to enjoy its total independence and thus prepare it properly for the tremendous tasks which confront it as a new nation. I request the Foreign’ Minister of Australia, who is. here with us, to be good enough to transmit to his Government hour warm congratulations on the valuable contribution .of his country to the process of decolonization. 45. The attainment of independence for the 3 million inhabitants of Papua New Guinea is a new, important step towards the final defeat of colonialism. The recommendation of the Security Council to admit Papua New Guinea to membership in the United Nations demonstrates once again that the process of the ehmination of the colonial system is reaching a successful conclusion and that the day is near when there will be no remnant of any stain of the shameful system of colonialism in our world. 46. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Mr. Kosygin, in his congratulations to the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr. Somare, on the occasion of the proclamation of the independence of Papua New Guinea, spoke as follows: 41. The people and Government of Costa Rica salute the accession to independence of Papua New Guinea and express the wish for a bright future for its people. “Unswervingly pursuing a policy of equality and friendship among all States, regardless of their social systems, and guided by the principle of self-determination for peoples, the Soviet Government declares its recognition of Papua New Guinea as a sovereign, independent State, and expresses its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with it”. 42. Mr. OVINNIKOV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretution from Russiunj: Permit me first of all, Mr. President, to congratulate you, the representative of a friendly cauntry, Mauritania, on your assumption of the lofty and responsible post of President of the Security Council and to wish you success in your important task. I should like also to express my gratitude to your predecessor; the permanent representative of Japan to the United Nations, Ambassador Saito, who presided over the Council in August. It was not his fault that no satisfactory solution was found, during the course of his presidency to the problem of the admission to the United Nations of the two Viet-Namese States which, as was shown by the voting in the Security Council and confirmed by the recent vote in the General Assembly, enjoys the support of the overwhelming majority of Member States of the United Nations. 47. The Soviet delegation would like once again cordially to congratulate the people and Government of Papua New Guinea on the attainment of independence, and to express our conviction that this, young State ‘Will take its proper place within the United Nations.

First of all I want to pay my respects to you, Mr. President, and congratulate you on your assumptionof this office and to promise you our co-operation. For reasons which are easily discerned, I have been reflecting a little on the uneven distribution of the work-load of the Council, and I think it is a pity that your talents and capacity as a President have not been exploited to their full measure; but you have our co-operation for the time remains. 43. I should like to welcome,to the Security Council table.our mutual friend, the permanent representative of Italy to the United Nations, Ambassador Vinci, who has returned once again to the United Nations; this time from Moscow. 49. Secondly, my thanks go to Ambassador Saito, who, with diplomatic tactfulness, unfailing courtesy and energy, ‘conducted some very difficult negotiations and meetings during the summer, in the month of August. 44. The Soviet delegation supported with satisfaction the recommendation of the Security Council for the 51. It is always a happy occasion when a new State Member enters our Organization. Every time this happens the United Nations is brought once step closer to the goal of universality, one of the fundamental preconditions for an effective United Nations. 52. We have taken great strides in this direction during the last few years as a result of the quickening pace of the process of decolonization. Today, we once again have on our agenda the application for membership of a new independent country which has emerged from colonial status to take its rightful place among the members of the international community. 53. The Swedish Government recognized Papua New Guinea on 16 September, the day that the new State attained independence. My delegation has found the application for membership in full accordance with the requirements of the Charter and has therefore, with great pleasure, joined the other members of the Council in recommending to the General Assembly the admission of Papua New Guinea as a Member of the United Nations. 54. We have followed the development of Papua New Guinea with great interest and admiration. There have been great difficultiesto overcome, difficulties caused by the mere topography of the country as well as by its ethnic and linguistic diversity. Under the leadership of the National Coalition Government, the goal of national unity has been pursued with determination, and policies and institutions have evolved in accordance with the basic character of the country and its needs. 55. Through fruitful co-operation between the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, the former administering State, Australia, and the United Nations Trusteeship Council, Papua New Guinea has now peacefully attained its independence. It is yet another example of the fruitful role that the United Nations can play in co-operation with the parties concerned in guiding dependent Territories towards their day of freedom. 56. A special tribute goes to Australia in this context. Australia has, indeed, in every way lived up to the great responsibilities of a trustee. We have all admired the way in which Australia has assisted Papua New Guinea on the road to independence. 57. It will be a great pleasure for me to welcome the delegation of Papua New Guinea to the United Nations.

Mr. President, let me say at the outset how very pleased I and my delegation are at seeing you occupy the presidency of this Council for the month of September. Our delegations, and the two of us personally, as representatives of brotherly non-aligned countries, have worked closely together here in the Security Council and in other forums. In affirming my delegation’s pledge of co-operation with you, my primary intention is to give public acknowledgement to a relationship which both you and I take as axiomatic. Your diplomatic talents and your personal charm will, I am sure, serve to enable this Council to reach just and expeditious decisions during this month; and, if I may say so, Mr. President, we already have evidence of that. 59. I wish to embrace this opportunity to pay a warm and sincere tribute to Ambassador Saito of Japan who presided over our deliberations during the month of August. His well-known patience, his tact and his skill, of which we were the beneficiaries, were much in evidence as we grappled with difficult and complex issues during last month. 60. May I also take this opportunity to say how very pleased my delegation is that the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, a sister Latin American republic, is here with us today; and may I also add my own and my delegation’s words of welcome to Ambassador Vinci of Italy. 61. The Government and people of my country, Guyana, have already formally sent sincerest and warmest felicitations to the Government .and people of Papua New Guinea on that State’s accession to independence. I should nevertheless like to conjoin the congratulations of my delegation with those already expressed by my Government and people. 62. For the State of Papua New Guinea, 16 September signalled the beginning of a new era. Now that the people of that State have recovered their freedom, they can, as an independent nation, reflecting a considerable cultural and racial diversity, chart the course of their own future in accordance with their own dictates and their own choices. The opportunities as well as the challenges of nationhood are not unfamiliar to peoples of the developing world, and in this context the people of Guyana share with our sisters and brothers in Papua New Guinea their goals of peace, justice and progress as a nation united. 63. For Papua New Guinea, the task of nationbuilding now begins. It is a process, not an occurrence, and it is a task rendered more difficult ‘by a 72. My Government was pleased to be represented at the Papua New Guinea independence celebrations in Port Moresby on 16 September. We welcome the ” independence of Papua New Guinea and have established diplomatic relations. As a result of United States participation, as a member of the&Trusteeship Council, in visiting missions to Papua New Guinea and in the deliberations concerning that new nation here in New -York, we have come to appreciate the warmth and hospitality of her people, the striking beauty of her land and seas, and the dedication .and diligence of her elected leaders and their commitment to the welfare of their people. 64. Conscious of the zeal and determination with which the people of Papua New Guinea have pursued the goal of independence, my delegation finds it apposite, nonetheless, to take cognizance of the spirit in which the Government of Australia has successfully sought to discharge its obligations to the former Trust Territory. Such an attitude should be an example to those who, in one guise or another, seek to resist the march of other peoples to-freedom and independence. 73. If I may be pardoned a personal reference, Mr. President it was my privilege to lead a United Nations Visiting Mission to Papua New Guinea in 1972, to observe the elections for the House of Assembly, a four-week electoral process’ that was carried off with smooth efficiency by-the administering Power and with the reasoned exerc.ise of their. free will by the people of Papua New Guinea. That elect,oral process has led on directly, through a series of,steps, in the constitutional process, to the recent ceremonies of independence in Port Moresby which have resulted in our meeting here today. 65. The achievement of independence by Papua New Guinea and its admission to the United Nations will represent a further step towards the ultimate objective of universality of membership in the United Nations. 66. It was in this context that my delegation welcomed the application before us. We salute the Government and people of Papua New Guinea in their aspiration to participate’ in the United Nations as a full Member. We fully support that aspiration and thus we voted in favour of the draft resolution. 74. Great credit is due both to the people of Papua New Guinea and to Australia, the administering Power under the Trusteeship Agreement adopted by the General Assembly on 13 December 1946, for this orderly process of self-determination. 75. Papua New Guinea begins its life as a new nation with excellent prospects. Its functioning representative democracy and constitution, fully’ debated by the people’s representatives, as ,well as the admirable respect which the ‘Papua New Guineans have shown for human rights and due process of law bode well for the future. 67. As we seek to intensify our efforts for the creation of an international society truly based on justice and equity, my delegation and the Government and people of Guyana look forward to a prolonged period of friendship and meaningful co-operation with the Government and people of Papua New Guinea and with their representatives here in New York. 76. Papua New Guinea has cordial relations with its neighbours and enjoys rich natural resources and the elements of a sound and expanding economy.

Mr. President, in beginning my remarks I should like to say with what satisfaction my Government views your presidency of the Council, with your co-operative spirit and your sense of the fitting and the correct. It is a satisfaction for us to have you in the Chair. 77. In contrast to many new Members of the United Nations, Papua New Guinea already has a wealth of first-hand experience in this Organization through its participation in the deliberations of the Trusteeship Council and the Fourth Committee. Among those who have been most active in Papua New Guinea:s participation here in New York, and for whom my delegation has developed great respeet, is Ralph Karepa, who has worked closely with the Australian delegation and who, I understand, wili now be Papua New Guinea’s representative in New York. We look forward to working with him and with his delegation during this session and during the years to come. 69. I should also like to pay tribute to your predecessor, Ambassador Saito, who has the respect and affection of us all. 70. It is a distinct pleasure today to welcome here an old friend, the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, and it is of course a pleasure to have Ambassador Vinci back on the Council. 71. My delegation concurred whole-heartedly with the recommendation of the Council’s Committee on 79. The Government .of’ the United States believes that Papua New Guinea ,will.be a.valuable and productive new member in the community of nations, and we have warmly supported its application for membership in the United Nations. 80.. Mr. ZAHAWIE (Iraq):. It is a source of great satisfaction to my delegation, Mr.‘President, to see you presiding over the .deliberations of the Security Council for the month of September. We .offer you our sincere congratulations and the assurance of our full co-operation. .j 81. My delegation would also .likel to express its appreciation to Ambassador Saito of Japan for the excellent manner in which he presided, over the Council’s meetings during the month of August. 82. I join you, Mr.( President; in extending a warm welcome to the distinguished Foreign Minister of Costa Rica and to Ambassador Vinci of,ltaly, upon their return to the Council. : 7.. .‘~ 83. Iraq, as an active Member of the Special Committee’, has ‘closely followed the’ developments in Papua New Guinea over the past .several years, and our representative on that Committee’was a member of the Mission that visited Papua New..Guinea in 1971. The United Nations, we ,feel, can. be justly proud of its record in Papua New Guinea, and Australia is to be specially commended for the manner in which it .has co-operated with the United Nations and its different bodies. We now urge the world Organization and the Australian Government to provide all possible aid and co-operation that will enable the newly inedependent State to achieve economic and political stability. .- 84. Iraq firmly believes in the urgency and ncessity of eliminating’all traces of colonialism and, having supported the people of Papua -New Guinea in their quest for independence and sovereignty, Iraq has now voted in favour of the admission of ,Papua New Guinea to membership in the United Nations. We extend our warm congratulations’and welcome to the new Member “and wish its pe’ople and Government success and prosperity.

Mr. President, I should like first ‘of all to offer my warmest and most fraternal congratulations on the occasion of your accession to the very important post of President of the Security Council for the month of September. My 87. I should also like to avail myself of this opportunity. to pay a just tribute to Ambassador Saito of Japan, for the competence and.authority with which he guided our work during the month of August last. My delegation is most grateful to him for the manner in which he discharged his heavy duties. 88. ‘Finally, it is a pleasure for me to welcome Mr. Pietro Vinci,‘the new ambassador of Italy, whose vast experience and talent will be most useful -and enlightening to us in the course of our debates. ;’ 89.. My delegation is extremely pleased at the unanimity manifested’ in our ‘Council in favour of the admission of Papua New Guinea to this Organization. This is the’final phase which completes the lengthy process of evolution in that Territory, which started with the establishment of a Trusteeship -Agreement in 1946, was followed by the &cession of Papua New Guinea to internal autonomy on 1 December 1973, and finally by its accession to independence on 16 September 1975. < * ;’ ._ 90. it is’a’source of great satisfaction that the accession’ of Papua New Guinea to independence and international sovereignty took place with complete respect for its territorial integrity and its unity, in accordance with the wishes broadly expressed by the population and the views contained in the last report of the T,rusteeship Council on the administration of that former Territory. 9,i. We are particularly grateful to Australia for the manner i,n which that country discharged the grave respons/bilities conferred .on it ,with respect to that former Territory, which had initially been placed under British administration. ‘. 92. . The, idmission of Papua New Guinea thus strengthens the universality of the United Nations, which the United Republic of Cameroon has always supported with conviction. 93.’ We are ‘happy to ‘welcome Papua .New Guinea to our Organization, and we wish,‘at once to assure it of our complete support and co-operation.

Mr. President, first of all I should like to express to you my congratulations upon your assumption of, the office of President of the Security Council for this month. I am confident that with your diplomatic ski!!, deep-seated wisdom and 96. It is particularly gratifying to my Government, hs an Asian and a Pacific nation, that the Security Council has decided unanimously to recommend to the General Assembly that Papua New Guinea be admitted to membership .in this world Organization. This unanimous decision is strong testimony to the fact that that this independent and sovereign State is fully qualified to join the United Nations as a,peaceloving country under the United Nations Charter. 102. I should like to add that our support today in the Security Council of Papua New Guinea’s admission to the United Nations is especially meaningful to my country, which is located very close to Papua New Guinea. Weare prepared to co-operate to our maximum capability with the Government of the n’ew State in its efforts towards economic and social development and for the social welfare ,of its people., We have a strong desire to establish a new era of close and friendiy .ties, based. on sovereign .equalitL and mutual respect. 97. My delegation has whole-heartedly supported the application of Papua New Guinea and warmly welcomes its membership. The delegation -of Japan has full confidenck in the ability and willingness of Papua New Guinea to carry out the obligations contained in the Charter. d .:; 103. My delegation is looking forward to clbse co; operation ‘with ~the delegation of Papua New Guinea in our joint efforts, within -and outside the ,United Nations, to pursue our common objective; enshrined in the Charter-the attainment ofa peaceful and prosperous world. ;’ __,. ,,. 104. My delegation is’ gratified that Papua New Guinea has already played a constructive and sign& cant role in regional co-operation and development as a member of the Pacific forum. .Its independence and membership in the World Organization will expand its activities in the international .area, promoting in ,tum the stability of the region and its accelerated development. 1 . . 98. Ori,this ,auspicious &casion;‘.I’ wish to express, in the name of the delegation *of Japa?, our sincere congratulations ‘to the Go<ernm.ent and people .of Papua New Guinea on the c6nfidence and assu&nce accorded them today by this Council. We anticipate that the General Assembly.will soon decide to admit Papua New Guinea to membership in the’ United Nations. 99. My deiegation wishes also to express its pleasure at the peaceful and orderly process of decolonization which enablkd ‘this neti’state‘ to proclaim its formal independetick ion 16 Septembtir last: We wish to,pay a high tribute to the leaders of PapGa New Guinea, under the guidance of Prime Minister Somare, for their statesmanship as demdnst&ted in theii efforts to’yards dkdolonisation. At the same time, I wish to &press the profound’appyeciation of my d&leg&ion, my Government and’ of myself personally,‘? t,o the Government of Australia for the faithful ‘fulfilment of its ‘respqnsibilities as Administering Authority under thi Trusteeship Agreement, which successfuliy led the peo’ple of Papua New’ Guinei to domplete freedom and full independence. I’ know this. fact through my personal experience in AuStrBlia.’ It is encouraging to learn that the Government of Australia has ensured the continuation of close relations with Papua New Guinea and has pledged genero&&onomic and social aid, indispensable to the advancement of the new nation. 105. Mr. TCHERNOUCHTCHE?JKb. (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic) (intg,tpy2trtion from Russian): I should like, first of all, Mr. President, to congratulate you, an eminent diplomatic representative of your country, and to say how pleased we are to,see you presiding over the Securjty Council. We wish you every success in cal;ryjng put t’he important tasks entrusted to you. 106. At the same *tin&, we should like to‘ express our appreciatidn to the representative ‘of Japan, Mr. Saito, who presided ovei the .Security Council during the month of August. 107. It is with genuine satjsfaction that we note that the work of the S&urity Council once again benefits from the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affa~irs of Costa Rica, Mr. Facie. 100. We wish also to congratulate the TrusteeShip Council, :the Special. Committee, and other* United, Nations bodies for their valuable kontributions in assisting the new State to achieve independence. 108. We also’wish to join in the-congratulations that have been addressed to Ambassador Pi&o Vinci of 109. The delegation of the Byelorussian SSR was pleased to vote in favour of the Security Council resolution containing the recommendation to the General Assembly to admit the new sovereign independent State of Papua New Guinea to membership in the United Nations. The people of Papua New Guinea have adopted a course of independent national development at a time when, as a result of tremendous changes which have occurred in the world, we are witnessing an intensification and expansion of detente, and find ever more confirmation of the principles of peaceful coexistence ‘of States with different social systems in international relations. This in its turn creates new opportunities to eliminate the last remnants of the ‘colonial system and favourable conditions for the independent development of young States, including Papua New Guinea. 110. .The emergence ‘of ‘that State and its admission to membership of the United Nations are very noteworthy events and demonstrate that the historic process of the political liberation of peoples from colonialism ,does not fail to affect any part of the world and .that the time ,is drawing inexorably nearer when throughout the world there will not be the remotest corner where the forces of racism or colonialism still prevail. 111. ‘. In conclusion, our delegation would like to take this opportunity to convey its cordial congratulations and express its good wishes to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea in their course of development and comprehensive progress as an independent State. z 112. Mr. ‘LECOMPT (France) (interprelution from French): The representative of France cannot fail to be extremely happy to see the presidency of the Security Council entrusted to the representative of Mauritania. Mauritania and France have enjoyed long and friendly relations based on many historical ties. The relations between our delegations are a reflection of the cordial and friendly relations between our Governments. It is from the bottom of my heart and with complete confidence that I express my best wishes for the success of your presidency, Sir. 11.3. ,I wish also to express our appreciation to Ambassador Saito of Japan, who presided over our work with competence and distinction at a time when the ‘Council had to deal with difficult and complex matters. 115; On 15 September 1975 the Secretary-General and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia signed adocument which brought to an end the Trusteeship Agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Australia concerning the administration of the Territory of Papua New Guinea. The proclamation of the independence of the new State, which occurred almost simultaneously, enabled Papua New Guinea to enter the international community. 116. France had the .privilege of following closely the events which led to this. As a member of the Trusteeship Council, France has participated since 1946 in the meetings of that body to ensure that the essential purposes of the trusteeship system were pursued. 117. The delegation of France takes this opportunity to pay to Australia the tribute it deserves. As the Administering Authority it has discharged its international responsibilities in a most satisfactory manner, in application of the Charter and the Trusteeship Agreement. 118. The spirit of good understanding that always prevailed between the administering Power and the Government of Papua New Guinea made possible a progressive transfer of responsibilities. We know that since 1 December 1973 the country had been self governing and in control of all sectors of the administration; We know also that questions ,of defense and foreign relations had been successively transferred to the Port Moresby authorities, who are now completely in charge of those matters. A Constitution was adopted on 15 August 1975. Thus, even before the official proclamation of its independence, Papua .New Guinea already enjoyed most of the attributes of international sovereignty. Moreover, in submitting the application for the country’s admission to the United Nations, the Port Moresby authorities stated that they accepted the obligations of the Charter and solemnly undertook to discharge them. Hence, &he French delegation obviously had no difficulty‘ in recommending to the Assembly-as it has just done by its vote here-the admission of this new State to the Organization. 119. Geography has placed France very far from Papua New Guinea, and glthough several regions of the new State are named after brave French navigators who contributed to the discovery of our world, the history of the past centuries has really not facilitated contact between our two peoples. Nevertheless, the French delegation wishes Mr. Somare’s Government

First, I should like to thank you sincerely, Mr. President, for the warm welcome that you extended to me at the 1839th meeting on your own behalf and on behalf of the representatives sitting round this table. I take the generous words you used to be an acknowledgement of the contribution made by the Italian delegation to the work of the Security Council. 126. For our part, we regard the admission of another State to our world family as a further step towards that objective of universality which Italy has unceasingly supported. 127. At the same time, we w‘elcome a State which can somehdw be regarded as .a proud, son of this Organization. In that connexion I extend our very sincere congratulations to Australia, as the. trustee, on the way in which it carrime out-its very important commitments and responstbdities in administering the country, 121. I am equally grateful to my colleagues here -Ambassadors Salim of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ovinnikov of the Soviet Union, Rydbeck of Sweden, Jackson of Guyana, Bennett of the United States, Zahhwie of Iraq, Oyono of the Uuited Re-. public of Cameroon, Tchernouchtchenko of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and Lecompt of France-for the very kind and generous words they used in reference to my return to this body. 128. Again, our best wishes go to Papua New Guinea. 129. The PRESIbENT (interpretcrtion from French): 1 thanks the representative of Italy and with the Council’s permission, I should like to make a brief statement on behalf of MAURITANIA. 122. It is indeed a great honour and a privilege to serve my country again in the Security Council. indeed, it is a moving experience to be back and to find such good old friends as you, Mr. President, and other colleagues here who have been kind enough to extend a welcome to me personally. I can assure the members of the’Counci1 that I shall do my best to be worthy of the confidence placed in me and to live up to the flattering expectations that have been expressed here about my future activities in the Council. In doing so, I shall keep particularly in mind the sterling example that has been set for me and my delegation by my predecessor, Ambassador Eugenio Plaja . 130. In recommending unanimotisly to the General Assembly that it admit ,Papua New Guinea to membership in the United Nations, the Security Council has just takeh a decision which does honour to -the new State and its representatives. 131. The attitude of the leaders of Papua New Guinea, their farsightedness and clear thinking have won them the sympathy and admiration of all. The decision taken just a few moments ago by the Security Council is striking evidence of this. The process .of decolonization begun in that country in 1972 is exemplary in every respect. After a century as a colony and then as a trust territory of Australia under the United Nations Papua New Guinea has achieved its independence and national sovereignty in friendship with the former trusteeship Power. This is an example which does honour to Australia too, a country to which I should like to pay .a warm tribute here. Australia’s exaniple should insp.ire other countries which persist in transforming the trusteeship given to them by the United Nations, into ,direct and irreversible colonization. 123. May I in turn, Mr. President, extend my congratulations to you and my deep appreciation for the expeditious and efficient way you have guided the Security Council’s work since your assumed the presidency. I am sure that in the coming days during which you will have this hi$h responsibility -you will continue to guide us in the same effective way. 124. I would also join previous speakers in expressing appreciation to Ambassador Saito for the brilliant way he presided over the work of the Security Council last month, in less easy times-as I understand; I myself was not here, of course. 132. It is thus with pride and legitimate. satisfaction that I b;d.welcome to Papua New Guinea. I am convinced now that the admission of Papua New Guinea to membership of the United Nations, while bringing the Organization closer to its objective of universality. will enable this new State ‘to make its contribution. which 1 am sure will be a positive one, to the wc:rk of the United Nations. 125. Nothing could be more gratifying to someone like me, who is again sitting in the Security Council, than to know that my first appearance here this time coincides wiht this happy occasion when the Council is recommending the admission to the United Nations of the new State of Papua New Guinea. Of course, I join all previous speakers in extending warm con- 134. In my capacity as President, I now call on Mr. Willesee, the Foreign Minister of Australia.

Mr. President, first of all, I should like to thank you and all the other members of the Council for allowing me to participate in this Council’s consideration of the application of Papua New Guinea for admission to membership in the United Nations. 136. I should like to add how pleased my delegation is to see this meeting presided over by the representative of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, a country which because of its own colonial history can well understand the full significance of this application for membership by a newly independent country. I should also like to express my deepest appreciation, on behalf of the Government and people of Australia, for the kind words which members of the Council have today said about my country. 137. Finally, I should like to ask you, Mr. President, to convey to the Secretary-General our sincere thanks for the message which he sent to the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea on the occasion of that country’s independence on 16 September. _ 138. Mr. President, I am sure that you and the other members of the Security Council are aware that Papua New Guinea is in the fortunate position of being able to apply for membership in the United Nations with direct, first-hand experience of your proceedings. You will recall that as a Trust Territory up until the date of its independence last Tuesday, the case of Papua New Guinea has been considered in detail by the United Nations Trusteeship Council since 1946. For many years Australia has had special representatives from Papua New Guinea as members of its delegations to the Trusteeship .Council and in the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly and they have taken an active part in these proceedings. 139. The admission of Papua New Guinea will occur at a significant time in the history of the United Nations., this year being the thirtieth annniversary of the Organization. The year 1975 is also the fifteenth anniversary of the Declaration on. the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples contained in resolution 1514 (XV), which has provided the blueprint for the accession to independence of so many other former colonies, with a consequent increase of the membership of the United Nations. 141. The progress of Papua New Guinea to complete independence last ‘Tuesday does not represent a dramatic shift in the quality of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea, since for the last two years Papua New Guinea has, with our encouragement, been acting as a fully independent nation in its own right. The date of Papua New Guinea’s independence was chosen by Papua New Guinea itself in its own House of Assembly, and the Papua New Guinea Constitution has emerged by democratic processes, from its own people through a Constituent Assembly. 142. Australia now looks forward to maintaining a close and cordial relationship with the new nation, as our nearest neighbour. It is a relationship of equals, based on mutual respect, understanding and trust. It will also-be a.relationship of mutual aid. I should like to reaffirm what has been mentioned here today, and that is the Australian Government’s commitment to a united and independent Papua New Guinea’s continuing to have first call on Australia’s expanding aid programme. 143. The linal act of independence for Papua New Guinea on 16 September 1975 symbolizes the end of Australia’s formal role towards Papua New Guinea, and with your permission, Mr. President, I should like in conclusion, to quote an extract from the Australian Prime Minister’s speech in Port Moresby on the occasion of Papua New Guinea’s independence last Tuesday. On that occasion my Prime Minister said: “Today Australia, herself once a group of colonies, has ended the role as a colonial Power imposed upon her by an irony of history. Australia could never be truly free until Papua New Guinea was truly free. In a very real sense, this is a day of liberation for Australia as much as for Papua New Guinea. “Further, Australia has today finally discharged her mandate from the old League of Nations and her trusteeship to the United Nations.” The meeting rose nt 6.15 p.m. ’ See resolution 375 (1975). HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Nations 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. COMMEM SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Nations Unies sont en vente dans les librairies et les agences depositaires du monde entier. Informez-vous auprb de votre libraire ou adressez-vous a : Nations Unies, Section des ventes, New York ou Gentve. K.4K IIOJIB’lIITh HSAAHMH OPI-AHH3Al~kiki Oli’hEA1IHEHHlrIX HAIWEI COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES,UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas estan en venta en librerias y casas distribuidoras en todas partes del mundo. Cons&e a su librero o dirljase a: Naciones Unidas, Seccibn de Ventas, Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho in United Nations. New York 00300 82-61202-November 1983-2,200