S/PV.2035 Security Council

At the outset of this meeting, ii is my pleasant duty to express. on my own behalf and on behalf of all members of the Ccruncil, our deep sense of gratitude to Ambassador Ri’ldiger van Wcchmar of the I-;cdcral Republic of (;crmany for his truly outstanding scrviccs to the Council during his term as President for lhe month of September. The immense patience and skill with which tic discharged his very delicate and often difficult functions have carned the respect and admiration of all of us. He has set an exam@ of excellence that will surely be an inspiration to those of us who follow him as President, and particularly to me. On behalf of all the members of’ the Council, I should like to thank him most sincerely. Adoption of the agenda The situation in the Middle East: Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Emergency Force (S/12416) 2. The IVZSIDENT: Tflc Security Council will now proceed with its examination of the report of the Secretary- General on the United Nations Emergency Force (LJNEF) for the period from 19 October 1976 to 17 October 1977 /S/12416/. 1 should like to direct the attention of the members of the Council to the draft resolution contained in document S/l 2419. During the consultations that took place prior to this meeting, an agreement was reached among the members of the Council on this draft resolution, as well as on the procedure to be folIowed, to the effect that rcprcsentatives wishing to speak would do SO after the vote on the draft resolution. 3. Under the provisions of operative paragraph 1 c, the Security Council would request the Secretary-General to stlbmit by 24 October 1978 a report on the developments ill the situation and on the steps t‘aken to implement C’mwil resolution 338 (1973). Members of the Council have asked me to make it clear that, should developments occur which would lead the Secretary-General to consider it appropriate to report to the Council at an earlier date, they would of course expect him to do so, and that he will continue his efforts to assist the early resumption of the negotiations for a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East. 4. Furthermore, I have been asked by the delegations of China and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to say that they will not participate in the vote on this draft resolution and that, as a result, they do not subscribe to the agreed statement which I have just read out on behalf of the members of the Council. 5. Before the Council proceeds to the vote, I call on the Secretary-General to make a statement in connexion with his report. 6. The S1JCRI~TARY-CENERAL: The Security Council has before it my report on the llnited Nations Emergency Force which gives an account of the activities of the Force over the past year. 7. I have little to add to what has already been stated in this report in support of my recommendation for another extension of the mandate of the Force. I wish, however, to emphasize once again that, in spite of the present quiet in the area, the situation will be increasingly unstable and dangerous if no progress is made towards the achievetnent of a just and durable settlement in the Middle East. Intensive efforts are being made at various levels to promote an early resumption of the negotiating process at Geneva as a first step towards such a settlement. It is my earnest hope that those efforts will prove successful. 8. I cannot conclude this brief statement without expressing again my deep gratitude to the Governments contributing troops to the llnited Nations Emergency Force. I wish also to take this opportunity to pay a special tribute to the officers and men of the Force who have served so well under the United Nations flag. A vote was taken by show of hands. The draft resolution was adopted by 13 votes to none. 1 Two members (China and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) did not participate in the voting.

A number of representatives have expressed the wish to make statements after the vote. I shall now call on them. 12. Mr. Cl-IOU Nan (China) (interpretation from Chinese): In view of the fact that this meeting of the Security Council is devoted exclusively to the consideration of the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force, WC have no intention of expounding our views here on the present situation in the Middle East. With regard to the question of the United Nations Force, we have always held a different position in principle. Based on this position, the Chinese delegation did not participate in the vote on the draft resolution contained in document S/l 2419.

Mr. President, my delegation would like to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for October, My delegation much appreciates the flexibility and skill which enable you to conduct the proceedings of the Council with efficiency. Your militancy on behald of just causes is familiar to the Council and your delegation’s contribution is most valuable, You are a remarkable and very talented negotiator, and can call on excellent assistants who are both active and discreet. Your activities in the Council stand as an example to us all. My delegation would like to take this opportunity to convey to you, even though belatedly, our fraternal condolences on the brutal death of our unforgettable friend Hasmi. 14. My delegation voted in favour of the resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East. In so doing, my delegation wishes, in line with its well-known position on the Middle East crisis, to formulate its reservations and scepticism about the automatic renewal of the mandate of the United Nations forces made periodically by the Council. IS. It must be quite clear that my country, the People’s Republic of Benin, is making no financial commitment with regard to contributions for the maintenance of the activities of the Force. My delegation recognizes, however, a certain usefulness in the Force in maintaining an unstable equilibrium in a multifaceted war situation, but we are not prepared to allow the real situation to be masked or veiled. 16. My delegation ha, P closely followed the development of the situation in this part of the world were a dangerous crisis continues to be a threat. It notes that international imperialism has intensified its policy of resisting the 1 See resolution416 (1977). 18. The Force will serve no purpose if we do not take advantage of its presence to bring about a peaceful settlement of the crisis. My delegation supports the Secretary-General’s actions directed to the reconvening of the Geneva Conference. The presence of PLO at that Conference is of vital importance, since it is the only organization representing the Palestinian people. 19. The policy of the Zionist regime of Israel, the springboard of international imperialism, is one which inevitably leads to war. One cannot ask others for rights which one refuses to one’s negotiating partners. 20. Benin is opposed to any policy of aggression and any policy of illegal occupation and colonization of other peoples’ territory. The Israeli rigime must now understand that the international community disapproves of all its initiatives, which will earn it further condemnation.

Mr. President, may I first express our profound gratitude to your predecessor, the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, for the manner in which he carried out the duties of President of the Council during the preceding month. The skill and wisdom which he brought to that task have been appreciated by all of us. I should also like to support the comments just addressed to you by the preceding speaker with an eloquence which we in our delegation could not muster. I should like only to add that we are grateful that the skills which we know you possess have already been engaged in the search for solutions to the very difficult problems with which the Council is faced even in the few remaining days of this month, and we deeply appreciate having those talents available to us. 22. The action of the Council today in extending the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force for one year is a constructive contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region, During the past year, intensive diplomatic contacts and negotiations have taken place with the aim of reconvening the Geneva Conference by the end of 1977. It is an eloquent testimony to the effectiveness of UNEF that this diplomacy could proceed in an atmosphere reflecting the urgency and importance of the issue, but without a sense of emergency or military confrontation. The presence of United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Sinai and on the Golan Heights has helped to make this possible. 24. All of us are deeply indebted to those nations whose forces are participating in UNEF. We salute the officers and men who are serving in the Sinai with such distinction. It is appropriate that Lieutenant-General Siilasvuo should be singled out for particular praise for the integrity and skill with which he has represented the Secretary-General in the Middle East and led the forces under his command. I wish also to pay a tribute to UNEF Commander Major-General Rais Abin, who has performed his duties in a manner that brings credit to his profession and has furthered the cause of peace in the area. 25. Mr. President, I should like also to thank you for your efforts which have facilitated the orderly and calm considcration of this matter.

Mr. President, I wish to join other representatives who have already spoken in expressing appreciation and gratitude to your predecessor, Ambassador van We&mar, and to you for the excellent job you have both done in guiding the Council through some very difficult negotiations. I know that there are more to come, and I shall undoubtedly wish to express more praise for you at the end of your term as President of the Council. But even at this stage I can see that we have a firm hand at the tiller at a time when WC riced it most. 27. My Government is happy to note from the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Emergency Force covering the period from October 1976 to October 1977 that the situation in the area of UNEF operations remains quiet. It is encouraging to see that both parties have continued generally to comply with the cease-fire called for by the Security Council and with the provisions of the Agreement signed by Egypt and Israel in September 1975/S/11818/A&?1J. 28. In his report, the Secretary-General points out that it has been possible to reduce the estimate for the cost of maintaining the Force for a further 12 months to approximately $73 million, a reduction of more than $3 million over the amount appropriated for the present mandate. That it has been possible to do so is welcome proof of the Secretary-General’s success in exercising the utmost economy consistent with the efficient performance of the Force. 29. Early this year, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit UNEF and to meet the Commander and visit some of the contingents. I acquired a great appreciation for the arduous and trying conditions in which a11 ranks of the Force are working on our behalf in the service of peace. It was therefore with pleasure that I noted in the report the 30. Today Lieutenant-General Siilasvuo, the Chief Coordinator of United Nations Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East, is present in this chamber, and this affords an opportunity for me to say, on behalf of my Government, a special word of appreciation for the outstanding way in which he fulfils his function as Chief Co-ordinator. General Siilasvuo is an officer of the highest principles who has quite deservedly won the respect of the parties in the area, and it is because of this respect that he is able to carry out his duties in such an exemplary fashion. 31. It is obvious that, in order for the forces in the area and General Siilasvuo to fulfil their mandates properly, they must have the full and complete backing of the Secretary-General and his staff in the Office of the Under-Secretaries-General for Special Political Affairs, and I would be negligent if I did not express appreciation to them also. 32. We notice in the report that there are still restrictions on the freedom of movement of personnel of certain contingents in the Force. We cannot but be concerned that the Secretary-General’s efforts to achieve freedom of movement of personnel of all contingents in the Force has not been successful, although we are glad that some progress has been made. It is the Canadian Government’s position that freedom of movement in the conduct of operations of a peace-keeping force is an essential element. We therefore fully support the Secretary-General’s continued efforts to secure that freedom of movement. 33. The peace-keeping forces established by the United Nations require and deserve the unstinting support of all Members States if they are to be effective in the service of peace on our behalf. I have been authorized to announce that, for its part, Canada will continue to maintain its contribution of troops to UNEF during this next mandate period. But is is not only we troop-contributors who can demonstrate our support for UNEF. Other Member States confirm their support for UNEF by paying their assessed contributions to the Force and most, I ‘am happy ta say, have done so. But I must urge those Member States that have not paid those contributions in full to do so in order that the Force may continue to enjoy the financial stability which is necessary if it is to fulfil its task.

The Soviet delegation talces great pleasure in congratulating you, Mr. President, the representative of the great Indian people, on your assumption of the important post of President of the Security Council. We are very familiar with your diplomatic skill and tact, which have won you deep respect and gratitude within the United Nations. The Soviet delegation is particularly pIeased to see you in the presidential Chair because the relations of traditional friendship between our ‘rile well-known joint Statement of the Soviet Union and the CJnited States on the Middle East, issued on 1 October 1977, represents a considerable step towards ensuring resumption of that Conference. 35. We should like to take this opportunity ah to congratulate the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ambassador von We&mar, on his SUCCESS in guiding the proceedings of the Council in September. WC cannot fail to express our satisfaction at the positive development of relations between the Soviet Union and the Federal Republic of Germany in recent years. 40. l should like to take this opportunity to say that the Soviet Union will continue to do everything in its power to achieve the kind of settlement in the Middle I:d that would establish lasting peace and would not infringe upon the legitimate rights or interests of any people or State in that area. 41. In consenting to a renewal of the mandate of the LJnited Nations Emergency Force, the Soviet delegation acts in the belief that the Secretariat of the LJnited Nations and the Command of the Force will make persistent efforts to see to it that the troops are maintained as economically as possible. In this connexion, we have drawn attention to the assurance in the report of the Secretary-General that he and his staff will constantly take into account the need fol the maximum economy in the use of the funds for the maintenance of the Force. The delegation of‘ the Soviet Union considers that, in the present circumstances, it would be possible to carry qut ccrt;iin reductions in the strength of the Force without any detriment to the performance of its functions. Such a step would make it possible to reduce expenses in the maintenance of the Force and would relieve the. burden of expense on Member States. 36. The Security Council has just adopted a resolution 011 a further extension of the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East. The Soviet delegation did not object to this further renewal of the mandate of UNEF in the Egypt-lsrael sector. However, our position is based on the belief that this period will be used for an effective search for a comprehensive Middle East settlement. As has been stressed repeatedly by the Soviet delegation in the Council, the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East has always been only one of the means for creating a situation which would pmmote a comprehensive settlement. In the absence of progress in this extremely important matter, United Nations forces might become merely a means of breezing the existing situation, and that is why we continue to believe that. the question of renewing the mandate of those forces cannot be viewed separately from the over-all con text of the situation in the Middle East and the attainment of a comprehensive settlement in that area. 37. The position of the Soviet Union on the question of the character of a comprehensive Middle East settlement and the ways of achieving it is well known. This position has repeatedly been set forth in statements by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the LJnion of Soviet Socialist Republics, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko. Therefore, there is no need here to go into any detail about individual aspects of this position. 38. We entirely share the concern of the Secretary-General with regard to the situation in the Middle East. Along with other members of the Security Council, we have drawn attention to the serious warning contained in the report of the Secretary-General, where it is stressed that: “Unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached, the situation in the area will continue to be unstable and, with the passage of time, become increasingly dangerous.” [S/l 2416, paru. 40.1 42. The Soviet delegation would like to take this oppO~‘- tunity to confirm its position of principle on the question of the financing of UNEF. The Soviet IJnion dots not intend to bear expenditures connected with the performance by UNEI: of additional functions arising out of the second Sinai agreement of 4 September 1075 /S’/llCrlS/ Al/d. I]. The Soviet LJnion had nothing whatsoever to do with that agreement, which was concluded on a separate basis and which in fact by-passed the Geneva Peace Conference. Therefore, we do not and will not bear any responsibility for its consequences including the financing of additional expenditures for the United Nations armed forces L. 43. In conclusion, permit me once again to stress that the Soviet CJnion considers the stationing of IINEF in the Middle East to be entirely provisional and esteems that it should not be used to protract and delay a comprehensive settlement in the area.

I am grateful to Ambassndol Troyanovsky for his kind remarks about me and for his observation about the friendly relations existing between his country and mine. I reciprocate the cordial sentiments expressed by him.

My first words will be words of cordial congratulation to 46. l should also like to pay tribute to Ambassador von We&mar, the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, who discharged his functions elegantly and effectively as President of the Council last month. We should like to convey to him our sincere gratitude. 47. The Security Council has just decided once again to prolong the mandate of the lJnited Nations Emergency Force by one year. In taking this decision, the Council has foIlowed the advice given by the Secretary-General who, in his report, after having taken account of al1 the factors involved, said “1 consider the continued presence of UNEF in the area to be essential” /S/1241 6, para. 411. 48. As in the past, the Rumanian delegation voted in favour of the draft resolulion whereby the mandate 01 UNEF has just been renewed, considering that the activities of the Force constitute a contribution from the Organization to the maintenance of an atmosphere favourable to the search for ways and means of bringing about a pcaccful settlement of the conflict in the Middle East. But 1 should like to repeat here too that the maintenance of LJNEF in the region, though useful and necessary, should not become an end in itself. The activities of the force were conceived as temporary, that is, limited in duration, so as to permit the countries concerned to embark on negotiations. pursuant to the relevant resolutions of the Organization, to resolve the conflict in which tlley have been engaged for almost 30 years. 49. Of course, as the Secretary-General has pointed out, the situation in the Egypt-Israel sector rcmnined quiet during the period under review. That is mainly because both partics continued to comply with the cesase-fire called for by the Security Council and with the provisions of the Agreement of 4 September 1975 /S/IIS18fAd~l.l/. But we cannot disregard the fact that the situation in the area will remain unstable and dangerous as long as there is no progress towards a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the problem of the Middle East in all its aspects. The political settlement of the conflict remains a task of extreme urgency which should be accorded the highest priority, 50. Romania is convinced that the Organization must, for all these reasons, redouble its efforts and act firmly in order to bring about a political settlement of the Middle East situation. In our view, a just and la’sting peace in the area presupposes the withdrawal of Israel from all the Arab territory occupied as a result of the war of 1967, settlement of the problem of the Palestinian people in accordance wittl its legitimate aspirations, including the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian State, and a guarantee of s 5 I, While expressing the hope that the consultations which have begun and the efforts now under way w-i11 lead to a resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference, we would venture to recommend to all parties directly concerned that they should take advantage of this further renewal of the UNEF mandal-e to unblock the road leading to peace in the Middle East.

Mr. President, allow me first to congratulate you 011 yOLIr Xsumption of the duties of the presidency of the Security Council. Your personal diplomatic skills and your sense of devotion and commitment arc well known to us all, not only in the context of the debates and deliberations of the Council but also in that of the non-aligned representatives here at the United Nations. These qualities you have displayed will, we are confident, prove invaluable to the successful conclusion of the affairs of the Council this mon t11. 53. Allow me also to convey my congr:ltulatiuns and commendations to your predecessor in your high post, the representative of the I’ederal Republic of Germany, Ambassador van We&mar, for the wise manner in which he presided over the affairs of the (‘ouncil last month. 54. The position of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in regard to the question on our agenda is well known and unambiguous, This position is based on some fundamental precepts and principles not only of our own country, but also as laid down in the Charter of the Ilnited Nations, Our position therefore remains unaltered. 55. As previously stated by the Libyan delegation in the Security Council, it is our opinion that Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 33X (1973), on which the presence of the United Nations Emergency Force is based, are irrelevant as a framework for a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine and the Middle East. We contend that any just and lasting solution must be solidly based on the principles enshrined in the Charter, including that of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by the use of force. Moreover, General Assembly resolutions 3236 (XXIX) and 3237 (XXIX), reaffirming the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, resolution 3376 (XXX), proposing means designed to enable the Palestinian people to achieve their national rights, and rcsnhltion 3379 (XXX), condemning Zionism as a racist movement, must be fully incnrporaled into any framework calling for a just and peaceful solution. These and other recent resolutions of the Gencrnl Assembly reflect the profound change and development of attitudes in the world community and international public opinion in regard to these issues. These principles, cesolutions and attitudes require a re-examination of the entire today is another important element in this process and It 1~ essential tlrdt the time which it provides should be made good use of. 56. It is for this reason that my delegation did not participate either in the vote on the draft resolution on this matter or in what preceded it. 60. Once again I should like to express, as we have done on previous occasions, the gratitude of my delegation to the Secretary-General, to Lieutenant General Siilasvuo and Major-General Rais Abin, to the officers and men of the United Nations Emergency Force and to the staff of the Secretariat here in New York, for the way in which they have carried out their tasks in managing UNEF over the past year. We owe them a real and lasting debt of gratitude for what they are doing and it is a tribute to their skills that the Secretary-General has been able to report that the tasks of UNEF have been carried out satisfactorily. There is, I think, a very wide measure of agreement on the continuing importance of the tasks performed by UNEF and OJI the fact that the financial support without which the Force cannot operate is an international responsibility which is shared by the international community as a whole. We are grateful to the Secretary-General for the way in which he has carried out his mandate and for the attention which he has given to the need to exercise the utmost economy in the running of UNEF consistent with its efficient performance. At the same time, we consider it of great importance that we, the Members of the United Nations, should do our part in ensuring that we pay promptly and fully our assessed contributions to the budget of the Force in order to enable it to carry out its responsibilities efficiently. 57. Mr, BYATT (United Kingdom): Mr. President, I should like to begin by offering you my delegation’s congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We welcome this both because of the diplomatic talents which we know you personally will bring to the conduct of our debates and because of the very warm relations between our two countries as fellow members of the Commonwealth. I should also like to offer our sincere thanks to Ambassador von We&mar of the Federal Republic of Germany for the skilful way in which he handled our affairs during the month of September. 58. As we have done in previous years, my delegation was pleased to vote in favour of the resolution just adopted renewing the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force for a further year. There can be no doubt of the continuing importance of the role played by UNEF in maintaining the cease-fire, in carrying out the tasks assigned to it under the Agreement between Egypt and Israel of 4 September 1975 [S/I1818/Add.I] and, perhaps most important, in providing the necessary climate of confidence within which negotiations towards a lasting settlement in the Middle East can be undertaken. We agree therefore with the recommendation of the Secretary-General that the mandate of the Force should be extended for one year. At the same time, we also agree with his judgement that the present quiet in the area is a precarious one and that the situation in the area will become increasingly dangerous over the passage of time urdess moves towards a comprehensive settlement are carried forward. 59. It is now nearly four years since the Unjted Nations Emergency Force was first established and it is a matter of great regret to my delegation that more progress has not been made during that time in the negotiations called for in Security Council resoIution 338 (1973). As the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said when speaking recently in the general debate of the General Assembly: “The United Nations cannot . . . in either Cyprus or the Middle East be used indefinitely as a cover for a stalemate in negotiations. It cannot continue to be seen as a refuge of last resort-a permanent crutch for remaining in a state of ‘no peace, no war’.“2 We have therefore been much encouraged by the intense diplomatic activity that has taken place over the last few weeks and that now gives rise to the hope that a resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference may be possible in the near 2 Officinl Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-second Session, Plenary Meetings, 9th meeting, para. 120.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for his kind remarks about me and also for his reference to our common Commonwealth connexion which we regard as of continuing importance. 62. Mr. von WECHMAR (Federal Republic of Germany): Mr. President, I should like to begin by saying thank you to you and other speakers in this chamber for the very kind words that have been addressed to me. Permit me also to join those who have wished you well in the high office which you have assumed for this month. Your country and t.he Council can be proud to have at the helm during our proceedings a man of your skill, your experience, your patience, your tact and, last but not least, your drafting and mediation abilities. 63. My delegation was particularly pleased to vote in favour of the draft resolution just adopted, renewing, on the recommendation of the Secretary-General, the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force for another year. My delegation feels that the renewal of the UNEF mandate is of special significance in the present situation of intensified efforts to arrive at a resumption of the negotiating process for an agreed over-all settlement of the Middle East problem. This brings into focus very appropriately the principal aim of UNEF, namely, to provide the necessary conditions for the peace-making process. 64. My delegation has noted with relief and satisfaction the Secretary-General’s statement in his detailed and lucid report that both parties have continued to comply with the 65. While agreeing with the Secretary-General’s judgement that the present quiet is, by its nature as the quiet of a cease-fire, a precarious one, my delegation attaches even greater importance to his reference to “intensive efforts . . . at various levels to bring about an early resumption of the negotiating process aimed at the establishment of a just and durable peace in the Middle East” /S/i241 6, pat-a. 40/. My delegation joins the Secretary-General in the hope “that these efforts will be pursued by all concerned until the objective set by the Council is attained” [ibid.]. My Government urges the parties, in using this perhaps unique opportunity, to refrain from all unilateral measures which might endanger further progress. 66. In concluding, my delegation would like to express its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Secretary-General, to Lieutenant-General Siilasvuo and Major-General Rais Abin and their respective staffs and troops as well as to the military observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine for the skilful, inspired and dedicated way in which they have carried out their difficult tasks in the past year. We also include in these words of thanks Lieutenant-General Liljestrand who was in command of UNEF’ until 12 January 1977. I should also like to express through you, Mr. President, my delegation’s gratitude to the countries contributing more than 4,000 troops to UNEF. My deeply felt condolences go to the Governments of Ghana, Indonesia and Poland whose soldiers lost their lives in the fulfilment of their duties for the cause of peace. 67. Finally, Mr. President, I wish to pay a tribute to the extraordinarily skilful way in which you have prepared and brought about the extension of this mandate.

Mr. President, first of all I should like to acquit myself of a very pleasant task by extending to you the congratulations of my delegation on your accession to the presidency of the Council. You represent your great country here with unanimously recognized experience and talent and this is a guarantee of the success of our work. I also wish to extend the congratulations of my deldgation to Ambassador von Wechmar for the skill and effectiveness with which he presided over the Council last month in the consideration of particularly delicate matters. 69. Each of the meetings which the Council has in the past devoted to the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations forces in the Middle East has given us an opportunity to make some remarks on the subject. In general these have referred to the temporary nature of those forces as an instrument of peace but not a substitute 70. I do not wish to dwell at length today on such observations, but we note that, in the present circumstances, they once again become necessary. The decision which we have just adopted to renew the mandate of the Force in the Sinai commits us, even more than in the past, to seek a better future and the realization of the hopes for peace of the international community. That decision was made possible because of the agreement of the parties. But a broader dimension must be given to the efforts that have been undertaken to reach a just and lasting settlement in the Middle East by peaceful means, because we must not forget that a part of the territory of one of the parties continues to be occupied by the forces of the other party. 71. At a time when, on various sides, sincere efforts are being made to convene a peace conference and when, as emphasized by the Secretary-General in ltis recent report, we are at a crucial stage in the quest for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I should like firmly to express the wish that developments may confirm our hopes. 72. In conclusion, I should like to express the appreciation of my Government for the manner in which the Secretary- General and his assistants, as well as the Commander of the Force, whose presence I welcome here, and the various contingents fulfil the tasks entrusted to them. All the staff of the Force give distinguished proof of the indispensable role of the United Nations in seeking and maintaining peace. 73. Miss LOPEZ (Venezuela) (interpretation from Spanish): We are convinced that the contribution of the United Nations Emergency Force has been valuable in maintaining peace in the region, and we have accordingly given our firm support to the resolution just adopted. We consider that the part played by the United Nations in the field of peace-keeping in various areas of the world has been outstanding. It is our hope that, in this specific problem, the presence of the Organization, besides discharging the duties entrusted to it, will create conditions favourable for arriving at a general and lasting understanding in the Middle East. 74. This meeting presents a suitable opportunity to repeat our hope that the obstacles which bar the way to a just and lasting peace in the region may be overcome. In order to achieve that goal, it is essential for the parties concerned to comply with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. 75. We should like to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General for the report that he has submitted to us on the activities of the United Nations Emergency Force, to the countries which have contributed contingents and to

Mr. President, it is a great pleasure to see you, a highly esteemed and skilful diplomat, presiding over the work of the Security Council during this montll of October. You represent a country with which my country maintains traditional diplomatic, social and cultural ties. We offer you our ready co-operation in all matters pertaining to Security Council affairs. 78. It is also a great pleasure to express our appreciation to the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. von We&mar, for the efficient, responsible and dedicated manner in which he dealt with the delicate problems before the Council during the month of September last. 79. Once again this most important world body is meeting to cansider the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force to maintain peace in the Middle East. The delegation of Panama, which has been and is a member of the Council-I am referring to the years 1972 and 1973 and the years 1976 and 1977-has at all times given its most determined and firm support to the Emergency Force in order to allow time for the parties directly concerned to find a way to bring to the tormented region of the Middle East a just and lasting peace, a peace founded on the right of all States of the region to exist in freedom and sovereignty within secure and recognized frontiers, a peace that would give due regard to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. 80. For many years the Middle East has been an explosive region and upheavals there have thrcatcned international peace and security, For tl~oa-~ oi’ us who have closely followed events the situation has become increasingly dangerous and precarious by reason of the state of “no peace, no war”. 011 more than one occasion we have advocated the r<.:surnption of the Geneva Peace Conference. Today, i :I!I~ bound to state that, in our opinion, that appfs:r:!, IO be the only hope for the peace which is so much dt:;jl:d. It is our understanding that the two Co-Chairmen oi‘ the Conference are making special efforts to bring about tile convening of that Conference. We should, like to encourage them to be unflagging in those efforts. On the other hand, it must not be forgotten that the Conference can arrive at the desired goal only with the participation of all the parties directly involved in the conflicl. 81. We bring these thoughts before the Council because we are convinced that the mere renewal of the mandate of the Emergency Force is not the solution to the problem. 82. The statement just made by the Secretary-General is yet another proof of his devoted dedication to the cause of peace in the Middle East. His report describes the complex situation in very clear terms. The Council accordingly has a duty to act in line with the tireless efforts of this high United Nations official and the world community. We should think very seriously about the statement in paragraph 40 of the report that: “Unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached, the situation in the area will continue to be unstable and, with the passage of time, become increasingly dangerous. >, The Secretary-General expresses himself here in unmistakuble terms. 83. The Government of Panama, which has endorsed the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes and which maintains good relations both with Israel and with many Arab States, hopes that in October 1978 the Council will not have to meet to renew once again a mandate for an emergency force. Let us hope that the Council will meet to ratify peace, harmony and peaceful coexistence among all the governments and peopies of that part of the world, the cradle of civilizations and of the three religions which have the largest number of followers throughout the world, 84. Panama, which at one time contributed a military contingent to peace-keeping operations in the legendary Sinai Peninsula, today pays a tribute to the skilful work carried out in the Middle East by the Chief Co-ordinator of United Nations Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East, Lieutenant-General Ensio Siilasvuo, to the Commander of UNEF, Major-General Rais Abin, to the officers and IWI~ d the Force and its civilian staff, and to the military observers assigned to assist UNEF in the fulfilment of its rosponsis bilities. We also express ow appreciation to the Secretariat staff here at Headquarters. !SS. For all these reasons, in fulfilment ol’ our historic responsibility, we voted for the draft resolution contained in document S/l 2419.

Mr. President, for reasons of brevity, I reserve the inalienable right of my delegation to express all the pleasant--or unpleasant-ritual remarks to you and to our colleague, Baron von Wechmar of the Federal Republic of Germany, the noble author of the Nine-plus-One Commandments in connexion with the presidency of the Council, at a later date when, it is hoped, we sllall be discussing issues regarding racist South Africa. 87. My delegation voted in l’avour of the draft resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Emergency Force for a period of one year, that is, until 24 October 1978. We earnestly hope, however, that this force will not 88. 1 sa]ute the presence in tllis chamber uf’ I-ieutcmmt- General Ensit) Siilasvuo, the Cllief Co-ordinator of IUnited Nations Peace-Keeping Missions in the Middle East. My delegation pays ~1 welldeserved tribute to the Licutenont- General, as well 11s to the Cnmmandcr of IINEI:, Major- Genel-al Rais Abin, and to the officers and I~CII of the force, as well as the civilian stul:I: Indeed, all of those involved in the pexc-kecpiug exercise descrvc OLIT ;1drniriition for the impccmbie nxmner in wliich they have fulfilled their responsibilities. 0ur csteemcd Secretary-General deserves our highest appreciation and praise. 89. Mrs. I-IYDEII (Pakistan): Mr. I’rcsidcnt, I should IirsL like to take this opportunity to cxprcss the udmiration of my delegation for lllc brilliant wild statcsnianlik~ manner in which your predecessor, Ambassador van Wcchmar of LIE Federal Republic of Germany, conducted the pruccediugs uf the Council last nionth. not CVCN COIIIIIICIKC~. ‘I’llat is IW doubt an indication of the complexity of the problem, hut perhaps it is it reflection also of the impo~~d~rnble hisloric forces at work z~nci the unl9redictnblc huniun reacliuns. Even so, ii is necessary to remind the purtics concerned that the interni\tionid com- Inunity cannot be expected to continue indefinitely to provide the I:orcc and hear tilt‘ cxpenditu~c. WC t1ie:rel’cli.e cxprtct the partics conccrncd to nlake sincere and deter.. mined efli9rts tu ncgotialc ;I peace settlcmxit wIlicll is nut only just alld durable but is alsu bnscd on a pr~lfoltnd ~fnilcrstxidir~g of prnctiml problems and mulual c01Icc~11s. 90. May I also congratulate you on your assumption of’ the presidency of thp Council ti9r this month. My delcgation is confident Ihut under your able guidance, Lhc C’ouncil will be able to dcliberatc successfully OII the issues which arc likely tcr colnc up in lhe nosL few days. 91. ‘l’he decision just taken by the Security (‘au~r~il tu t’encw the mandate 01‘ihe United Niitions lln~rgency Force may appear to bc ;I routine one but, in the opinion of‘ nay deieg:ation, it is fraught with considcrablc significance. It implies renewal aid CunIinUiIticm of conl’idencc in tlic United Natiuns pc;uA~eeping mechanisms which my clclcgation I’ecls is important ill ;1 time whCIt thcr’e is ;I bvidesprcad tendency tu dOWngril& and qwzsliorl tliC I lntil then. the international community must expect tllc p:li’tics sc1~~ptrlously to ninintuhi the mist!-fire. 06. We continue tcl nourish the hope that ttic prcscnl renewal of lhc nrandatc will enable the partics to rcdou~~k lhcir efforts to reacl~ il cornprchensive peace scttlcmeut during the coming year. We are opposed tu any tendency to ZffiCilCy of LIlCSc nicclianisnis. But iIt tile Silll~C time, tllC zontinuatien~ of the milndti(c sl~onlrl not make US obliviuus to the urgent need to coi~vfxc the (krlova Confcrcncc, witll * view to negotiittilig a11 cquitablr: n11d dnrablc pt~acc ;ettlemenl in the Middle liiut on the basis ol’ Security Rgilrd the rcncwill of the IllandatC as il rc9utine aId plX9CCdUIXl exercise. Such roncwnls C:InIl0l IX! ;I substitu(C for p!I3llilIl~llt pclilCC. IHowever, 110 pCXC SC!tllfJ1ll~Ilt Cilll I:lYI tullcss il rwognizcs tllt2 fundamental reiilities of the coiltlict siluatim in the Middle East, ;1 situation which has ~CCII churnotcrized by aggression, occupation ml injustice. :I siluatiuli which has been further COI~lpliCil~Ctl tly Llic ilisplaceincnt oi I’alestini:tns froni their lion~cland. ‘Tlic i.ecogiGti~ln ;u~rl resloraliun of the lcgitinintc national riglils of tile Pulcstininn people thercfC)rr remain an Csse~i ti;il precondition for ;i just a1ld lasting pttilC0 S~ttl~I~lellt. l!qu~lly. we recognia tile right of all States in the are3 to mist witl1iri boundaries that xc universally rccqgiizcd. :‘OUIIC~~ resoluCuns 242 (1967) and 338 ( Ig73) and olllc9 %olutions of Iho United Nations recognising [ho legitimate lational rights 01‘ the l’alcstinians. 22. Tllerc is often ;z tcndcncy to look upon tllc induction >f peace-keeping forces as II substitute li9r tlic more difficult and complex tilsk of working out 1 pcoccful ;ettlement. This has hecn manifest iu most C:ISCS wllcrcvct lace-keeping forces ~PIU been introduced. hly clelcg;l~i~tIl, Aierefore, sincerely hopes that the cxtcnsinn of tlie nandate will in no way 1eild to the slackening of efforts awards working CM ;I pcrmancnt settlcmt‘nt il9 the Middle kt, but that it will help ‘to create the rig1lt pclliticat Itmospherc, ccrnducivc to the holding of peace negoti;itions 11 the near I‘uture. Any dC1iIy in working out ;I scteletncnt in he Middle Last is likely lo hrced greator tension ;md ‘rustration in the arca and create a very dangerous situ:ltion vhich, in my delegation’s opirliun, will pose a very serious hreat to international peace ancl security. 07. Lastly. there is no doubt Lliat, in terms of tile (“~nnicil rcsolutiolis, Israel is ruqi1irecl 10 WitlldriiW from .2tXb territories occupied since 5 Junt: 1967. We hope tlutt the present initiative in the direclion of reconvening the GCIlWri I’CiICC C’oIlli2rcuCc will bc3r fruit Shortly. WC WOOId pncour. age tllc two C’o-C’ll;lirnicn of the C’(9nferuna to give single-minded attention to its reconvening ilnd bring to bw tllcir beneficent ;tnd weightly influence on the parLics 94. We arc‘ glad ti9 note from the Sc~rctury-(;cnrr;ll’s report that the United Nations Emergency Force of bc)~nt: 4,000 militilry personnel has continued to supervise llle cease-fire and has assisted in the iInpletnentritioIl of the Agrccmcnt between Egypt and Israel of 4 September /S/IIS18/z411tl. I/ and the I”rotoco1 of 22 September 107.5 /S/I ISI8/:ldi..~/. It is important tll:ll LINEI’ shcruld continue to receive tlic full co-opcratitin of tllc pintics concerned in currying out the functions entrusted to it, end we are therefore happy to note that that has in filet been thtt c;w. 9s. ‘The C’cxmcil has now decided to extend the u~:u~d;ltc fc)r another year, and, according to the Secretary-(;ener:ll, the cost of maintaining the Force for I:! more montlls would lx of the order of $73 million. Now, apart from the financial burden on the United Nations, it is a miltter for regret that. despite intensive efforts m:tdc during tile last year, tll~ negotiating process tt9wards ii peace settlement Ilas Litho in United Nations, New York Price: sU.S. 1.00 (or equivalent in other currencies) 77-70001-October 1978--Voo The imeting rose at 12.35 pm.