S/PV.2044 Security Council

Mr. President, I should like first of all to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of October. Your country’s valuable contribution in the past on the problem of South Africa is on record. Mahatma Gandhi, who played a leading role in the struggle against the evils of apnrtheid, was a son of your country. It was India that took the initiative which led to the inscription on the General Assembly agenda of the problem oiapartheid. 4. Having known you personally from as far back as 1954 when, as a member of a United Nations visiting mission, you came to visit my country, Somalia. then under the United Nations Trusteeship System. I can say that you have been instrumental in the cause of the people’s struggle for their right to self-determination and independence. With that background in view. I feel it is a happy coincidence to see you presiding today over the Council. I have every confidence that under your wise guidance the Council will approach the tasks before it in a business-like manner and that its deliberations will bear the desired fruit. 5. My &legation is grateful for this opportunity to .join its voice to the many voices of protest which are being raised in the Security Council, and indeed around the world, 10 express outrage at the most recent actions of the South African racist rCgime to suppress the forces of reason. moderation and justice within that country. 6. Like the majority of African States, we welcome the unanimity :uid the strength of current condemnatkms of the Vorstcr r&ime, but it is pertinent to recall with a pessimistic note that thcrc were similar oLltcries over the Sharpeville and Soweto massacres, over the imprisonment of’s0 n~any freedom fighters and over the deaths in prison of a great number of opponents of upnrtheid who shared the same tragic fate as Steve Bike. 7. Murder, torture, arbitrary arrest anti imprisonment, as well as banning and censorship, are not new tools of a r&ime which claims to represent and defend so-called Western civilisation in southern Africa. I-lowever shocking the repressive measures which we are condemning today may seem, similar atrocities have been suffered by countless South Africans of all races whose only crime has been to oppose the institutionalizcd racism of the rCgirne in South Africa. 8. Third-world countries have long striven to keep this situation before the attention of lhe world conimunity and to bring about effective international action against np*theid, a system repeatedly and universally condemned as 3. 9. Be that as it ~-nay, let us not for one moment forget that far-reaching changes are taking place within South Africa. Nundrecls of dedicated African leaders and leaders of non-African origin in South Africa with countless followers have by their efforts and devotion made known to the world their determination to create an open society with equal opportunities for all. Young Africans imbued with inspired courage have now been stimulated to a new drive of organized protests in the face of the might of the brutal police and Fascist organization of the ruling white minority r6gime. No OJIC here can fail to be aware that hardly a day goes by without press reports that some of those courageous young people have given their lives in the struggle for a just society. But they are otdy the spearhead of a national movement which has begun a legitimate struggle for liberation whose momentum will soon reach dimensions to be reckoned with. 10. The exportation of apmfheid to Namibia and Zimbabwe by Vorster’s rbgimc has had the gravest consequences. South Africa’s illegal occupation of Namibia and its war of repression against the Namibian people are a continuing cause of regional conflict and international tension. Pretoria’s full support of the illegal Ian Smith rCgime in Zimbabwe directly contributes to the longdrawn-out and bloody war which prevents the people of Zimbabwe from exercising its inalienable right to selfdetermination and independence. In both cases, there is a continuing threat to neighbouring African States, namely, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana, which have been the victims of the aggression of’ the racist minority rCgime. In both cases, South Africa has with contempt violated the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Security Council. I I. Apnrthcid plays another baleful role in international affairs. The Pretoria rt5gime’s pretence that it represents a bastion of “Western civilization and interest” in the region is an attempt to subordinate an essentially African problem to a big-Power perspcctivc and a thinly disguised ploy which is designed to deflect the attention of the worId from the real issue at stake, namely, npartheid. Such a pretence and such an attempt must be dismissed with the contempt which they deserve. There must bc no mistake about the realities of the southern African situation today. By his recent crack-down OJI every organisation and every leader of the movement for a just society in South Africa, Mr. Vorster has sent a very clear message to South Africa’s traditional friends and trading partners. The message to them is that he has nothing but contempt for their unworkable plan to bring about change through friendly relations and economic co-operation and for their futile hopes that the measures which the Council is about to take will, at last, be a form of action that matches United Nations principles. 13. In this connexion, the measures announced by President Carter at his press conference on 27 October, following the repressive measures recently taken by the Pretoria rbgime, fall, in the view of many, far short of the expectations of the international community. The decision of the United States and other Western States members of the Security Council to apply an arms embargo under the auspices of the United Nations is a step forward, in the light of the hitherto well-known position of those Governments expressed by their veto of the application of any form of mandatory sanctions against South Africa. However, we 2111 know that the minority rkgime in South Africa has already been provided with huge stockpiles of military weaponry by its traditional allies of the Western world. WC also know that the Pretoria regime itself possesses a military industrial complex that is capable of producing sufficient quantities of sophisticated arms with which it can stifle the legitimate aspirations of the defenceless majority in South Africa. We had hoped that President Carter would announce stronger measures on behalf of his Administration which wou1d represent an adequate response to the grave situation which is now unfolding in South Africa. My delegation considers that any measures short of full And complete CcOnOmic sanctions, as provided for by Chapter VII of the Charter, would not only go against the spirit of the Organization but would produce no meaningful results. 14. The most pressing need is for a mandatory and all-encompassing economic and arms embargo against South Africa, with no time-limit, until the objectives of the United Nations are achieved. The frantic arms build-up in that country is obviously aimed at the suppression of the legitimate aspirations of the majority of the people and at their permanent subjugation under the racist minority rule. South Africa’s militarism poses a direct threat to the neighbouring independent African States. Those Western Powers that led the scandalous rush to supply South Africa with the most sophisticated weapons, and even with nuclear-weapon capability, now profess dismay over the military monster of their own creation. If they cannot undo the evil of the past, they can at least refrain in the future from maintaining and adding to the military machine which exists for the entrenchment of apartheid. 15. My delegation has always supported, and will continue to support, the call for the diplomatic, social and economic isolation of Vorster’s rCgime in South Africa until its ruling minority acknowledges the equality of all men in that beautiful country. In particular, we believe that the 16. It is time that the facts and developments in South Africa were accepted at their true value. The gravity of the situation has increased with the passage of time and leaves us in 110 doubt that the racist r@gime in South Africa is determined to maintain unchanged the usurpation of the rights of the overwhelming majority of the people of South ,Africa by a white minority practising apm’theid. The statements of all the previous speakers confirm this and all give warning of the explosive situation with which we are now confronted, A solution can be reached only by positive and determined actiun. The Security Council, the body entrusted by the Charter with the authority to maintain peace and security, alone has the power to take such effective action. The attention of the world community is now focused on the Council and the stage has been reached where postponement will only give Vorster’s regime time further to intensify its efforts to silence the forces of opposition to apartlzeid and spread destruction, producing a situation that will bc beyond control. Firm action must be taken, and it must be taken IWW, by the Cowcil under Chapter VII of the Charter. 17. ‘I’hc provisions of the four draft resolutions submitted by the African members of the COUJNA would, if the drafts were adopted and faithfully implemented, cover the main aspects of the present grave situation in South Africa. 18. I should like to conclude my statement by quoting remarks made by Mr. ‘I’ambo, President of the African National Congress of South Africa as cited by Mr. Makatini: “The racists and Fascists in southern Africa for the time being enjoy the support of what they regard as powerful forces. However, we are armed with a just cause and a will to bc free.” /2037th mectiug, pamu. 75.1 19. Mr, vm WECHMAR (Federal licpublic of Germany): The events of 19 October which the Security Council has been considering during these past few days are a challenge to all--in South Africa itself and elsewhere-who have worked consistently for a peaceful change in South Africa, for the elimination of racial discrimination and for the effective implementation of the basic 1v~1na1~ rights for all groups of the people there. The measures taken by the South African Government have dealt a heavy blow to all endeavours to halt the escalation of force in southern Africa. No one who values human dignity and political equality as the unquestionable foundations of any human society can remain indifferent to these developments. 71. ln the statement which I made before the Council on 30 March last /lYOXth meeting/, I stressed the point that only where a State is ready to honour its commitments and obligations under international law can it hope to enjoy the fu11 and undiminished partnership of other States. We have all exhorted South Africa time and again to change its policy. The bannings, prohibitions, detentions and acts of repression must come to an end, The proponents of uportheid in South Africa should realise that repression will rebound upon the white population itself; it will destroy the goodwill of those who up to now have been ready for dialogue and co-operation. 73. The Federal Government is deeply dismayed at the developments in South Africa of which the events at Soweto and t.he death of Steve Biko are the most tragic results. We are not ready to accept the argument that, since freedom of expression and the freedom to assemble peacefully are not fully acknowledged and are often violated in other parts of the world, therefore-in that context-the recent developments in South Africa should be regarded as less serious. 23. The Federal Republic of tiermany has urged the South African Government immediately to rescind the grave measures it has taken. It has called back its Ambassador at Pretoria to report to the Federal Government and is currently assessing the impact of the rcccnt events in South Africa on its bilateral relations with that country. 24. The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany reaffirms its view that the policy of apartheid constitutes a serious violation of human rights and an infringement of South Africa’s own international commitments. The occurrences in South Africa require a clear response from the international community. 15. At a time when respect for human rights has come to be an international concern, these developments cannot be passed over in silence. The States Members of the United Nations are now called upon actively to oppose a policy which further aggravates the conflicts prevailing in that region, thereby jeopardizing lengthy efforts to bring about a solution without resorting to the use of force. The Security Council must declare in a manner which is binding on all States that the supplying of weapons to South Africa is bound to heighten even further the tension in that area. This supplying of weapons must therefore cease. The Federal Republic of Germany, for its part, has observed a voluntary arms embargo in relation to South Africa since 1963. 26. We consider the acquisition of arms by South Africa in the current circumstances a threat to peace and security. We are, consequently, ready to accept and vote in favour of 17. The Federal Cfovernment is resolved to contribute by all means at its disposal to peaceful changes in the southern part of Africa. It will continue to support all efforts towards a se ttlernent of the Namibian and Rhodesian issues on the basis of negotiations. In collaboration with all other States which are ready to do so, we shalt persist in working by peaceful means towards the exercise of the right of self-determination in the whotc region of southern Africa so that people of different races can live together in equality and partnership. Only thus can we hope to avoid dangerous conflicts. 28. In the economic field the Federal Republic of Germany has set up, together with its partners in the European Community, a code of conduct for subsidiaries in South Africa of cornpanics located in the Community area. This action is designed to abolish discritnination against black workers, to institute wage equality and to encourage trade union activity. We view this as an important contribution towards overcoming nparthcid. In a modern industrial society, the social integration of the working population is essential. 29. We are willing to use the economic influence at out disposal to work for changes in an active way. Wc feel, however-and here I should like to refer to the remarks just made by the representative of Somalia that a complete isolation of South Africa at this time would leave us with no possibility of exercising any influence. My (iovernment does not see merit in ending any political dialogue with the Government of South Africa right now, but it once again urges South Africa to break away frotn the entanglements of its futile policy of racial discrimination and to resume its place within the community of nations. 30. Mr. I..EPtIETTE (I:rance) (intspr’etation ~iur~~ Frerwh); The recent repressive measI1res taken by the South African authorities against a number of black organisations and their leaders have deeply shaken the people alld the Government of’ my country. Because they derive from the false logic of the unacceptable, the abominable system of apurlheid, they cannot but arouse our indignation. My country has always stood for and made a point of scrupulously practising democracy-and apnrtlzeid is the most flagrant denial of democracy. We believe deeply in the equality of all men We unreservedly condemn a system which makes ethnic differences the criterion whereby those who hold the power keep the privileges for themselves and share out the worst humiliations. 32. The persistence in southern Africa, because of the blindness of those who refuse to initiate essential changes, of a hotbed of hatred and humiliation not only is an unacceptable affront to human dignity, but also is fraught with danger and threatens to bring on an escalation of the violence. Thus, as Mr. de Guiringaud said on 28 September last in the General Assembly,’ the risk of worsening tension which may disintegrate into racial war continues to grow. 33. My delegation believes that the Security Council must take account of the feelings aroused throughout the world, and particularly in Africa, by the repressive measures taken by the South African authorities. The passing of the months and years swells the legitimate impatience of the African countries, which are even more sensitive than others to the racial discrimination on which the system of apartheid is based. In any case, international opinion in general is aroused at the failure to remedy t.his inadmissible situation. In a word, the question of apartheid is no longer the internal affair Of an individual State, but a matter of legitimate concern to the entire international community. The international community must therefore now take measures designed to make the South African authorities understand that they must put an end to these practices, which are both reprehensible and dangerous. 34. Chr Organization and our countries have repeatedly expressed their disapproval of the South African authorities and condemned the policy of repression. These warnings have gone unheeded. The South African authorities must reatize that, through the policy of fzppartheid, they are hindering the birth of a South African nation and thus alienating themselves from the Other countries of the continent. 35. No one here would deny that a number of races have made their contribution to the formation of a South African whole, and that all those living in South Africa, regardless of colour, have equal rights to share a common destiny on the same soil. It is hard to understand what twisted logic has led the South African authorities to build an entire policy on the denial of these obvious facts. 36. Today there is need to go further. It is the Security Council’s duty to apply itself to that task, The Council will gain in honour if it does so with a wisdom cotnmensurate with its responsibilities. 37. We hope that the measures WC adopt may make an opening in what the representative of France last year 38. 1 have noted that in their statements a number of African representatives have suggested that some latitude should be allowed for negotiation. France shares their concern. Let us be firm, but let us be wise, as befits the Council. Let us preserve opportunities of arriving at peaceful solutions of the problems of that part of Africa that are in keeping with the legitimate aspirations of ail the peoples of the region. 40, Taking due account of all these elements and of the legitimate concern of the international community as a whole, my Government has decided to vote in favour of a mandatory embargo on arms shipments to South Africa. The meeting rose at 1.15 p.m. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS Unitr 1 Nations publications may be oblilined from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: IJnited Nations. Sales Swtion. New York or Geneva. COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Nariones LJnidss estin en venta en librerias y casas distribuidoras en todas partes del mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirijase a: Nariones Unidas, Scrci6n de Ventas. Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho in United Nations, New York Price: SU.S. 1.00 (or equivalent in other currencies) 77-70001-October 1978-2,200