S/PV.1977 Security Council

Further, the Committee recommends to the Council, in paragraph 2 of its report, the adoption of a draft resolution contained in that paragraph relating to the application of Western Samoa for admission to the United Nations. Pursuant to the procedure followed heretofore, I propose that the Council should begin by voting on the draft resolution and that representatives wishing to speak should do so after the vote. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that this procedure is acceptable to all the members. The meeting was called to order at 3.50 p.m. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. Admission of new Members: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of Western Samoa for admission to membership in the United Nations (S/12249) It was so decided.

. I wish to inform metibers of the Security Council that I have received letters from the representatives of New Zealand and Fiji, in which they request to be invited to participate in the Council’s deliberations on the application of Western Samoa for admission to membership in the United Nations. I therefore propose, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 1 of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure, as well as the usual practice of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote.

Therefore, I now put to the vote the draft resolution in the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of Western Samoa for admission to membership in the United Nations. A vote was taken by show of hands. The druft resolution was adopted u/unimously (reschtion 399 (1976)). 2. I invite the representatives I have mentioned to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber, on the usual understanding that they will be invited to take a place at the Council table when it is their turn to speak.

In accordance with the provisions of rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure, I shall immediately request the Secretary-General to transmit the Council’s recommendation to the General Assembly. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Templeton (New Zealand) and Mr. Vunihobo (Fiji) took the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber. 7. Some delegations have requested to speak after the vote, and I shall now call on them. 9. After unremitting struggles, the people of Western Samoa, with a glorious tradition of opposing imperialis’in and colonialism, finally attained national independence in 1962. Since independence, t,he Government of Western Samoa has stood for the defence of national independence, the protection of national resources and the development of national economy, and it has taken an active part in international affairs and played a positive role in the struggle against imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism. We wish Western Samoa continual new successes along its road of advance. IO. The peoples of China and Western Samoa have always been friendly to each other. Our two peoples have consistently sympathized with and supported each other in the struggle against imperialism and colonialism, The establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and Western Samoa in November 1975 opened broad prospects for the development of friendly relations and co-operation between the two countries. Last September, the head of State of Western Samoa paid a friendly visit to China, pushing the friendly co-operation between the two countries and the friendship between the two peoples to a new stage. We have always maintained that all countries, big or small, should be equal. We are firmly opposed to the exercise of power politics, infiltration and expansion by the super-Powers in any part of the world, including Oceania. We believe that the friendship between the peoples of China and Western Samoa and the friendly co-operation between the two countries will continuously develop on the basis of common struggles. We are also convinced that, upon the approval of the aforementioned application by the General Assembly, Western Samoa will make positivk contributions to the realization of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations together with the other Member States.

Mr. President, permit me on behalf of the United States delegation, to extend to you congratulations on your assumption of office and to express confidence in your presidency. Furthermore, we extend to Mr. Illueca our sincere appreciation for the distinguished manner in which he presided over the Council during the month of November. He steered the Council.through a full and difficult agenda with a sure hand, one which re-emphasized his talents both as a diplomat and as a parliamentarian. 13. I am sure that, through its membership in the United Nations, Western Samoa will make a valuable contribution to international peace and understanding and will bring to the Organization the unique perception of the peoples of the Pacific. We shall be pleased, therefore, to welcome Western Samoa to the United Nations and look forward to continuing here the close and cordial relations that have developed between our two countries.

It is with a grat sense of pride and satisfaction that I extend sincerest congratulations to the President, my colleague and comrade of Romania, on his assumption of his high office. Our delegations and the two of us personally have for a long time been associated in close and friendly co-operation here in the Security Council and elsewhere. I look forward to continuing that close association and offer to you, Mr. President, the fullest co-operation of my delegation in the tasks which will befall you during this month. 15. I should like also to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Illueca of Panama, a fellow Latin American and a non-aligned brother, for his sterling leadership during the month of November, when very delicate problems confronted the Council and exacted from him that consummate and decisive leadership of which we knew him to be so eminently capable. We thank him most sincerely. 16. The Government and people of Guyana hold dear the principle of the right of all peoples to selfdetermination and independence. For that reason, we welcomed the achievement of sovereignty by Western Samoa on 1 January 1962, when the United Nations Trusteeship Agreement was terminated [Gcvtcml Asse~~~hl~~ resolution 1626 (XVI)], an agreement which, it will be recalled, replaced an earlier Mandate which had been granted to New Zealand by the League of Nations. 17. On attaining its independence, Western Samoa, in the exercise of its sovereign right, chose as a first stage membership in the Commonwealth, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), rather than immediate membership in this Organization. That choice was dictated by the immediate practical needs of the new State. The Government 25. My delegation looks forward to seeing Western Samoa take its place as a Member of the United Nations and to close and fruitful co-operation in the future with the delegation of Western Samoa here in New York. 18. During the past 14 years we have noted. the determined efforts of Western Samoa to develop its full potentialities. Moreover, the diligence with which Western Samoa has abided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations has strongly recommended its application for membership. 26. Mr. President, before concluding, I want to extend my delegation’s warm congratulations to you on your assumption of the presidency. We know that you are facing quite important issues. We know also that you will conduct our deliberations in this context with competdnce and skill, and you can count on our full co-operatign. We also want to extend a warm thanks to the outgoing President, Mr. Illueca. He had a difficult month with many problems, but he conducted our deliberations with skill, patience, courtesy and good humour, and we thank him warmly for this. 19. My delegation is convinced that Western Samoa’s membership in the United Nations would enrich the Organization. Guyana is pleased that Western Samoa wishes at this time to associate itself more fully with the hopes, aspirations and activities of the United Nations’ and to benefit from greater involvement with the international community. We are also confident that Western Samoa will make a significant contribution to our work in the Organization. As we seek to intensify our efforts towards the creation of an international system founded on equity and justice, my delegation, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, pledges continued friendship and co-operation with the Government and people of Western Samoa and its representatives here in New York.

Comrade President, first of all may I congratulate you, the representative of a sister socialist country, upon your assumption of the lofty office of President of the Security Council, and wish you great success in this position of responsibility. The growing and expanding relations between the peoples of the Soviet Union and the Socialist Republic of Romania are strengthening the fraternal ties of the countries of the socialist community and the common cause of the struggle for peace and social progress. The recent friendly visit to your country of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Comrade Brezhnev, was a clear confirmation of those ties. The Soviet people sincerely appreciate the achievements of the workers of Romania, and are concerned to preserve and develop the ‘traditions of fruitful co-operation between our parties, countries and peoples. The delegation of the Soviet Union will afford any co-operation to you that may be required for the success of your mission in this exalted office. 20. My delegation therefore supported, and indeed was happy to sponsor, the draft resolution recommending that Western Samoa be admitted to membership in the United Nations.

A few moments ago the Security Council recommended to the General Assembly that it approve Western Samoa’s application for admission to membership in the United Nations. 22. Western Samoa is a forrrier Trust Territory of the United Nations and was at one time also one of the pioneers among the peoples of the Trust Territories in respect of emancipation. My delegation wishes to express its sincerest pleasure at Western Samoa’s decision to apply for admission to membership in the United Nations. 28. I should also like to express sincere gratitude to your predecessor as President of the Council, the ’ representative of Panama, Mr. Illueca, who skilfully and effectively guided the difficult work of the Council during the month of November this year. 23. Sweden has always maintained that universality is one of the fundamental,pre-conditions for an effective United Natidns. We find it to be a very happy occasion each time that .we are’ able to bring the Organization one step closer to that goal by welcoming a new Member. 29. Within a short period of time, the Council has considered the applications of three States desirous of admission to membership in the United Nations. It is gratifying to note that the Council has been able 24. When Western Samoa acceded to independencein 1962, it was widely noted that the process towards 30. We cannot but regret, however, that artificial barriers still prevent another peace-loving and independent State, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, from taking its rightful place in the United Nations. We hope that the United States will reconsider its present position on this subject and cease to put UP artificial barriers in the way of the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to membership in the United Nations. As for relations between the United States and Viet Nam, they are capable of being corrected. All that is needed is mutual good will, and this good will has been amply demonstrated by the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Now, of course, it is up to the United States to respond in kind. 3 1. In accordance with its consistent policy of support for the just cause of countries which have liberated themselves and which are seeking to strengthen their independence and sovereignty, the delegation of the Soviet Union voted in favour of the admission of the State of Western Samoa, which applied for admission to membership in the United Nations on 29 November 1976 [S/12245, L~II~IZ~X]. In his letter to the Secretary-General, the Prime Minister of Western Samoa declared that Western Samoa accepted the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations and solemnly undertook to fulfil them. 32. Western Samoa was one of the first States whose early steps towards independence were taken under the aegis of the United Nations. In its resolution 1626 (XVI), adopted less than a year after the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples [reso/utio/? 1514 (XV)], the General Assembly decided that “the Trusteeship Agreement for Western Samoa... shall cease to be in force upon the accession of Western Samoa to independence on 1 January 1962”, and expressed the hope “that Western Samoa... will be admitted to membership in the United Nations, should it so desire”. 33. On the day of the proclamation of independence of Western Samoa, the Soviet Government sent that young, independent State its heartiest congratulations and sincere wishes for success on the path of independent development and of raising the economic and cultural levels of the country. The telegram from the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR to the leaders and the Prime Minister of the State of Western Samoa stated: “The Soviet Government, steadfastly championing the cause of self-determination of peoples, and having the greatest respect for the people of Samoa, hereby states that the USSR recognizes the independent State of Western Samoa as an independent and sovereign State. 34. In 1976 the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Western Samoa. In a joint communique, published on 3 July, the two Governments expressed confidence that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Western Samoa would contribute to the development of manifold ties between the two countries in the in’terests of strengthening international co-operation and universal peace. 35. In supporting the recommendation for the admission of Western Samoa to membership in the United Nations, the delegation of the Soviet Union proceeded from the premise that a favourable recommendation by the Security Council on this application would be a new step towards the complete liquidation of the colonial system, would serve to implement the principle of the universality of the United Nations and would contribute to the development of relations, on an equal footing, of co-operation among all States, large and small, on the basis of peaceful coexistence. 36. The delegation of the Soviet Union wishes to take this opportunity to congratulate the independent State and people of Western Samoa on the favourable decision just taken by the Council concerning its application for membership in the United Nations and to wish the people of that country further success on the road to progress and prosperity.

Mr. President, I wish first of all to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency for the month which starts today. It gives me particular pleasure to see you in the presidency, not only because of your excellent qualities as a diplomat, for which my delegation has great respect, but because of the particularly close relationship between Japan and Rom,ania, a country to which -if I may be allowed to indulge a little in personal recollection-I may say I had a personal attachment as the Ambassador of my country to your country prior to my current assignment. I wish to assure you, that my delegation will fully co-operate with you in the conduct of business in the Security Council. 38. I wish also to express the gratitude of my delegation to your predecessor, Mr. Illueca of Panama, for his most untiring and successful efforts last month to promote the cause of peace and security in the world. 39. As a country belonging to the same Pacific zone as the applicant State, my delegation warmly welcomed and firmly supported the application by the Government of Western Samoa for membership in the United Nations. 41. The Council may recall that in General Assembly resolution 1626 (XVI) of 18 October 1961, concerning the future of Western Samoa, the Assembly expressed “the hope that Western Samoa; on the attainment of independence, will be admitted’to membership in the United Nations, should it so desire”, 42. Since Western Samoa has chosen to apply for membership in the United Nations, it has indeed been a great pleasure for my delegation to vote in favour of the draft resolution contained in document S/12249, admitting Western Samoa to membership in the United Nations, because my delegation has full confidence in Western Samoa’s willingness and ability to carry out the obligations incumbent upon Member States under the Charter and because we believe that the admission of Western Samoa to the United Nations is another step towards a more peaceful and better world and the achievement of universality of membership in the Organization. I look forward to continuing in the United Nations the friendly and co-operative relations between Western Samoa and my country which have so happily existed up to now.

Mr. President, allow me first of all to offer you the compliments of my delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of December. It gives my delegation particular pleasure to welcome to that office the distinguished representative of a Member State, Romania, with which we , share close and friendly relations. We are confident that his august Courcil will benefit from your personal qualities of prudence, wisdom and understanding, and your skill and experience as a diplomat area guarantees of a successful outcome for our meetings. 44. My delegation also wishes to express its warm appreciation, gratitude and admiration for the devotion and statesmanlike efforts with which the representative of Panama; Mr. Illueca, presided over the Council during the month of November. 45. The delegation of the Libyan Arab Republic supported the application of Western Samoa for membership in the United Nations. On behalf of the Libyan Arab Republic, I should like to extend to the People of Western Samoa a friendly welcome to membership in the family of nations, the United Nations. 46. Acceptance of the application of the Government of Western Samoa for membership in the United Nations represents adherence to the objectives of the 48. First, I should like to congratulate the representative of Panama on the wisdom, the good humour and the patience with which he directed our tricky deliberations during November. 49. Secondly, I should like to welcome you, Mr. President, to your position as.President for the month of December. My delegation has every confidence in your fair-mindedness, your diplomatic skill, your experience and insight, which I feel sure will stand us in good stead in the busy month ahead of us. In particular, we hope that your skill will be exercised in such a way that, with the co-operation of all the peace-loving Governments of the world, you will not have to call us into session during the last week of your presidency. 50. My delegation was delighted to support the application by Western Samoa fo,r membership in the United Nations. My Government has historical links of friendship with Samoa which date back to the last century. We are fellow members of the Commonwealth, which Western Samoa joined in 1970. We enjoy opportunities for consultation and co-operation with Western Samoa not only in Commonwealth meetings but also in the South Pacific Commission. For 12 years Western Samoa has worked alongside the United Kingdom and other participating Governments in the Commission. Samoa’s intimate knowledge of regional affairs combined with its enthusiasm for promoting regional development has in the view of my Government made a valuable contribution to its achievements and progress. We have a further link through the Lome Convention of February 1975,’ which associates Western Samoa with the European Economic Community. We also have bilateral links. Western Samoans come to the United Kingdom under a bilateral technical assistance training programme. 51. I regret that personally I have not yet had an opportunity to visit what must be a most beautiful country. But although I have never visited Western Samoa, as a Scot I have a particular interest in it, because one of our favourite Scottish writers, Robert Louis Stevenson, spent the last part of his life in that country. He had a great many friends among the people of Samoa, who called him Tusitala, which I understand means “teller of tales”. At his own,request, he was buried on a mountain in Samoa, Mount Vaea, under what, in his famous last requiem, he called “the wide and starry sky”. 52. I do not think this is the occasion to consider the history of Samoa at any length. They say that happy countries have no history, and, as far as my 53. Samoa’s modern history is, however, well known to the international community, which has had special responsibility towards Western Samoa ever since 1919, when New Zealand was granted a League of Nations Mandate for Western Samoa, After the Second World War, Western Samoa became a Trust Territory, with New Zealand once again as the administering Power. Western Samoa’s path to independence was exceptionally smooth. In 1954 a constitutional convention representing all sections of Samoan society met to study proposals for political development. Those proposals set the pattern for evolution towards constitutional government. A cabinet Government was inaugurated in 1959. In May 1961, a plebiscite was held under the auspices of the United Nations, and an overwhelming majority of the Samoan people voted for independence. In October of that year, the General Assembly [wsolrltiotr 1626 (XW)], at the request of New Zealand and on the claim of Western Samoa to independence, voted unanimously to end the Trusteeship Agreement. Western Samoa became a sovereign independent State on 1 January 1962. 54. I should like on behalf of my Government to pay tribute to the Government of New Zealand. The Government of New Zealand has continued to provide technical and capital assistance to Western Samoa since independence. It is the largest bilateral donor of such assistance. As a colonial Power of some-indeed perhaps too much-experience, we have nothing but admiration for the manner in which New Zealand has changed its colonial relationship into a relationship between free and equal nations. 55. Finally, I wish to convey the good wishes of my Government to the Government and people of Western Samoa. After 14 years of independence, they have decided that they would like to play a wider role in world affairs. We welcome that decision. We believe that the Organization will be enriched by this ,membership, as it already has been by the membership of their neighbours from Fiji and Papua New Guinea. We look forward to co-operating closely with them in the work of the United Nations.

Mr. President, I should like to begin by conveying to you my warm congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. The close relationship that has existed between our two countries for more than 18 centuries is too well known to be recalled here. We have so much in 57. I wish also to avail myself of this opportunity to thank your predecessor, the representative of Panama, Mr. Illueca, for the most effective and indeed most energetic and dynamic way in which he directed our work during the month of November and succeeded, by means of his well-known political and diplomatic talents, in bringing to a positive conclusion, under his leadership, the consideration of most of the important questions we had to deal with during his term as President of the Council. 58. This is the third time in less than one month that the Council has met to consider applications by new States for membership in the United Nations. In each case my delegation has reaffirmed its firm belief that the achievement of the universality of the United Nations is an essential condition for the fulfilment of the task of promoting world peace and co-operation entrusted to the Organization by its Charter. My country has constantly favoured the progressive completion of the process of the self-determination of peoples all over the world, and we take this opportunity to congratulate both New Zealand and the people of Western Samoa on this happy day. At the same time, the increasing number of Members of the United Nations is, in our view, the best evidence of this most significant and positive development in the history of mankind; and we feel it is a privilege to be in a position to contribute, with our vote in the Council, to the fulfilment of the aspirations of new States to play the role that befalls them in the international community. 59. When new States join the Organization, they bring to it a wealth of particular values and a variety of experience which are of essential importance for the work and the world-wide range of the Organization. This, we think, is the case with the application of Western Samoa we have unanimously approved at this meeting. Western Samoa in fact belongs to an immense area of the world which was the cradle and is the depository of ancient civilizations and original cultures whose particular features have been the object of world-wide interest and appreciation. Its traditions and its ethnic and religious tolerance will all be important assets for the United Nations. All the conditions exist, in our view, for fruitful participation by Western Samoa in the work of the Organization and for an increased role for the latter in broadening its already existing co-operation with its future Member. 61, Mr. HACHEME (Benin) (i/7tn’p~~~/rrfi(,/? .fhn Fwndi): Mr. President, allow me to express the joy of my delegation at your assumption of the office of President of the Council for the month of December. The last month of the year is a time for taking stock. You will have the honour of taking stock of the activities of the Council. That is no easy task, but my delegation is convinced that, because of your great qualities as an outstanding diplomat, you will acquit yourself well of this responsibility. I wish to assure you of my delegation’s .full co-operation. 62. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to express again to Mr. Illueca of Panama the satisfadtion of my delegation at the skilful1 way in which he presided over the Council during the month of November. 63. The admission of new Members by the Council is in keeping with the principle of universality of the Organization, and my delegation is happy to extend a welcome to Western Samoa, which has just been admitted to this concert of nations. We are convinced that the new State will make a positive contribution to the achievement of the fundamental principles of the Charter.

On “this the first day of your assumption of office, Mr. President, it is my great pleasure to offer you my delegation’s congratulations upon your accession to that lofty position. There is no doubt that your experience with the problems of the Organization will greatly benefit the work of the Council. I might add that your perfect knowledge of our language is a source of great satisfaction to us, and of thi.s, as YOU know, we are particularly appreciative. 65. May I also convey the profound thanks of my delegation to Mr. Illueca for the effective and goodtempered authority with which he conducted our debates during the past month. 66. It is with great sympathy that France has welcomed the application of the State of Western Samoa for membership in the United Nations. Indeed, how could we help but be pleased at seeing one of our Pacific neighbours take its rightful place among us? We only regret that circumstances did not allow that State, which had acceded to full independence 14 years ago, to become a Member of the Organization earlier. At any rate, that additional time will perhaps have permitted it to consolidate the structure of its independence-which no one, as a matter of fact, has ever attempted to call into question-and 68. Western Samoa has therefore given full proof of the fact that it fulfils all the conditions laid down in our Charter for membership in the Organization. That is why France has unhesitatingly come out in favour of the admission of that State to membership, its presence being an additional token of the approaching universality of the United Nations.

Mr. President, may I, first of all, convey to you the felicitations of my delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of December. It is a pleasure to see in this high office a personal friend and the representative of a country with which mine has the friendliest relations. We are confident that under your able guidance the Council will be able to discharge the important tasks which it faces in the current month. We all know your deep understanding of the important issues which are on the international agenda. We are sure that the patience and friendly persuasiveness which are among your many high qualities will help the members of the Council to act in harmony and in concert in dealing with the questions which it will face during the current month. I had occasion to pay tribute to your predecessor, the Representative of Panama, Mr. Illueca, yesterday, and I seize the present opportunity to do so again. 70. We consider it a privilege to support the application of Western Samoa for admission to membership in the United Nations. That country fulfils all the conditions for membership in the United Nations set forth in Article 4 of the Charter. In his letter to the Secretary-Genera1 [S/12245, m17ex], the Prime Minister of Western Samoa has declared that his country accepts the obligations contained in the Charter and solemnly undertakes to fulfil them. 71. Western Samoa became independent at. the termination of the United Nations Trusteeship Agretment in 1962. I had the privilege personally, as representative of my country in the Fourth Committee, of being present when the Prime Minister of Western Samoa spoke there on that occasion,2, and I recall vividly the message of friendship and peace which he brought to us from his country and people. 73. It is appropriate also to recognize the role played by New Zealand in the peaceful evolution of Western Samoa to independence. 74. One of the cardinal tenets of the United Nations since its inception 31 years ago has been the importance attached to the principle of the universality of membership. In consistency with this principle, we have seen the United Nations family grow from the 51 founding Members to its present membership, which is approaching 150. 75. In welcoming yet another sovereign independent State into the comity of. nations which the United Nations represents, I want to say that we look forward to co-operating with the representatives of the new Member State in furtherance of the common task of building a world community based on justice and equality among all peoples and States.

Words of gratitude and appreciation, words of praise and congratulation are the sweet music of the world. This being the case, Mr. President, I shall say that the delegation of the United Republic of Tanzania is pleased to see you, as President of the Council for this month, on the assumption of which office we heartily congratulate you. With your diplomatic ,skill, experience and sense of duty, we are confident that you will efficiently perform your duties. We pledge to extend our full co-operation in the discharge of your difficult task. May I take this opportunity to express once more our deep gratitude to your predecessor, Mr. Illueca, for his brilliant performance during the month of November. 77. My delegation welcomes the application of Western Samoa for admission to membership in the United Nations. Western Samoa already belongs to the “club” of Commonwealth countries as an independent State. Besides, Western Samoa fully meets the prerequisites and complies with the requirements for admission to membership in the, United Nations. Consequently, my delegation has supported its application and recommended its admission. With great satisfaction we have voted for the draft resolution contained in document S/12249. It is our strong belief that Western Samoa will make a valuable and positive contribution to the world community of nations. We look forward to strengthening the friendly ties between our two countries. 78. Mr. ILLUECA (Panama) (irzterpretatiotz from Sptrnish): Mr. President let my first words express to you my most heartfelt congratulations on your 79. My delegation was happy to witness the historic unanimous adoption of the resolution by which the Security Council recommends to the General Assembly the admission of Western Samoa as a Member of ‘the United Nations. Western Samoa is in fact an example and one more proof of the desire of all the peoples of the world to affirm their nationality, sovereignty and independence and to establish their own identity and their own individual character. 80. May we from the outset extend a welcome to Western Samoa in the United Nations, convinced as we are that the General Assembly will ethusiastically endorse its admission to the Organization. On behalf of my delegation, I wish the people and Government of Western Samoa prosperity, and we look forward to its sincere co-operation with all our countries, especially with those, like mine, which are still developing a national identity. 81. I would not wish to conclude without referring to the extremely kind words addressed to me by you, Mr. President, and other members of the Council, words that have moved me very deeply by their generosity and kindness. In brief, I should like to express my gratitude to all for having ‘given me their continued support while I presided over the Council’s work, thus facilitating the discharge of my duties as President for the month of November. One of my compatriots said that there was never a needy man with friends nor a prosperous man who lacked them, and the truth is that if, during my brief presidency there were no great difficulties, that was because of the continued, effective and timely friendship, co-operation and understanding of all the members of the Security Council.

The next speaker is the representative of New Zealand. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 84. It is with a deep sense of satisfaction that I speak in support of Western Samoa’s application for membership in the United Nations, for our two countries have already had a long and close relationship, a relationship which up to the date of Western Samoa’s independence was conducted under the supervision of the Organization. Indeed, Western Samoa’s association with the international community goes back even further, since, as another representative has already pointed out, it was administered by New Zealand as a League of Nations Mandate from 1920 onwards. With the establishment of the Trusteeship System, in which New Zealand played an active part at San Francisco, Western Samoa became a Trust Territory of the United Nations, under New Zealand’s administration, and continued so from 1946 until independence on 1 January 1962. The plebiscite of May 1961, in which the Western Samoans voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence, was conducted under United Nations supervision. Thus, Western Samoaexercised its right to self-determination and independence only a few months after the General Assembly adopted resolution 1.514 (XV) containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Next year Western Samoa will celebrate its difteenth anniversary of independence, just as last year the United Nations marked the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of that important resolution. 85. Since 1962 Western Samoa has developed its international relations as the first of a number of South Pacific island countries to achieve independence during the lifetime of the Organization. It has played a significant role in the growth of the identity of the South Pacific region. Western Samoa has been an active member of the South Pacific Commission. It was a founding member of the South Pacific Forum in 1970, the regular meeting of the heads of Government of independent and self-governing countries in the region, and of the important executive arm established by the Forum in 1972, the South Pacific Bureau of Economic Co-operation. In 1970 Western Samoa also joined the Commonwealth of Nations. Western Samoa ‘is a member of WHO, ESCAP, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asia’n Development Bank, and a number of other international bodies. 87. I spoke before of the long and close relationship between Western Samoa and New ZeaIand. On 1 August 1962, shortly after Western Samoa’s accession lo independence, our two countries signed a Treaty of Friendship in which we agreed to work together and consult each other in a wide range of fields and particularly in the area of international relations, where New Zealand has provided assistance whenever it has been requested by Western Samoa. The Treaty of Friendship, a pioneering document in its time, continues to prdvide a strong foundation for the close and co-operative relations which exist between my country and Western Samoa. 88. Western Samoa is situated in the heart of a vast ocean region of widely scattered countries and peoples. The United Nations, through the Committee of 24,3 has formed an increasingly close and fruitful relationship with the peoples of the Pacific region in recent years, as Non-Self-Governing Territories have moved towards self-determination and inde-’ pendence in accordance with the Charter. Now, Western Samoa is to become the fifth member of the South Pacific Forum to join the United Nations. I venture to submit that that is an event of no small significance, for the South Pacific region has a constructive contribution to make in the deliberations of the Organization. My country therefore considers it a great honour to have had this opportunity to speak in support of the application of the Government of Western Samoa for membership in the United Nations, and we welcome the decision the Council has taken today by a unanimous vote to recommend acceptance of that application to the General Assembly during its current session.

The next speaker is the representative of Fiji. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

Mr. President, I am deeply grateful for and appreciative of the fact that you and the Council have agreed to allow me to make ;I StiltetllCllt regarding Western Samoa’s application fol membership in the United Nations. 91. Western Samoa is a very close neighbour of ours linked to us by custom, by culture, by tradition and by bonds that stretch back for several hundreds of years. We both belong to the South Pacific, a region which to date has been relatively peaceful. 93. Fiji associates itself fully with all members of the Council who have, by a unanimous vote, indicated their support for the admission of Western Samoa, and we are very grateful for it.

I should now like to make a statement as the representative of ROMANIA. 95. The delegation of Romania is sincerely happy at the unanimous decision that the Council hssjust taken to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of Western Samoa as a Member of the United Nations. 96. The admission of Western Samoa to the United Nations constitutes a further step towards the goal of universality of the Organization, a goal whose achievement we view as one of the essential conditions for the success of its activities. We consider indeed that the Organizntion needs the political and moral contribution of all States of the world, regardless of their size, economic potential or human resources. Moreover, we believe that the role that a Membe; State can play in the Organization depends first and Litho in United Nations, New York 00300 83-60X01-April 1985-2,200 97. The decision of Western Samoa to apply for admission to the United Nations is further proof of the force of attraction of the Organization and of the fact that membership in it is considered even by the remotest States as essential for the development of their international relations. 98. Prompted by these thoughts, I wish to address to the Government of Western Samoa and to its people our best wishes for success in the development of fruitful activity in the United Nations, an activity that will be directed towards the fulfilment of the aspirations of peace and progress of the people of Western Samoa. 99. Speaking as PRESIDENT, 1 take it that, as there are no further names on the list of speakers, the Council has concluded its consideration of the item before it. ’ See A/AC.176/7 of 16 September 1975. 2 See Qfficici/ Records qf the, Go~c~rtrl A.r.sr~r~b/y. Sistw~rt/~ Ses- ,sh//, Forth C~~IIII~~~/~Y~, vol. I, 1169th meeting. 1 Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implement:ttion of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.