S/PV.2049 Security Council

In accordance with the decisions taken by the Council at previous meetings, I invite the representatives of Algeria, the Congo, Cuba, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali and Viet Nam to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council chamber. At the invitatiorz of the President, Mr. Bounyad-Agha (Algeria), Mr. Morzdj~~ (Corzgo), Mr. Alarcdrz (Cuba), Mr. kimdti (Giiineu), Mr. i-?abetajika (Maduguscar), Mr. Katrtr; (Mali) IIJ~ Mr. Dinh Ba 3%’ / Vift Nnm) took the pluce~s rc.s~~.~vd jbr them at the side of the Council chamber.

I should like to inform the members of the Council that letters have been received from the representatives of Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Mozambique in which they request that they should be invited to participate in the discussion. 3. In accordance with the usual practice, 1 propose, with the COIW.W of the Council, to invite the representatives of those States to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. 4. In view of the limited number of places available at the Council table, I invite the representatives of Angola, Equatorial Guinea and .Mozambique 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 they wish to address the Council. At the invitation of the President, Mr. de Figueiredo (Angola), Mr. Aseco Eyang (Equatorial Guinea) and Mr. Lobe (Mozambique) took the places reserved j& them ut the side oj’thc Council chamber.

Members of the Council have before them the revised draft resolution, which is contained in document S/l 2454jRev.1, sponsored by Benin, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Mauritius. 6. The first speaker is the representative of Mozambique. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

Mr. President, my delegation has the honour to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the wise and efficient way in which you have been conducting the debates of the Security Council during the present month. WC are certain that under your enlightened guidance and with the contribution of all the members of the Council this series of meetings will be able to take adequate measure; regarding the barbarous armed aggression committed at Cotonou on 16 January 1977 by mercenaries against the People’s Republic of Benin. 8. The Government of Mozambique views with great satisfaction the successes being achieved by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the economic development and social advancement of the Libyan people. The friendly relations of co-operation existing between our two countries were further consolidated during the meeting between President Qadhafi and President Machel that took place in Libya IaSt May. We consider this meeting an important landmark in the relations between our two countries. 9. At this point, my delegation would like to pay a tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, for his consistent commitment to the principles of the Organization. My Government is very grateful to him for the rightfU1 10. The concern reflected in that document is not only of the People’s Republic of Benin but also of all the peoples and countries fighting against colonialism and imperialism to guarantee their independence and territorial integrity. The case of Benin is the concern of all Governments fighting against neo-colonialism and for a meaningful independence in the political, economic, social and cultural domains. 1 1. The treacherous and criminal aggression unleashed on 16 Jarmar] 1977 against the citizens of the capital city of Cotonou was not an isolated act directed only against the Benin revolution but part of an over-all phn organized by the enemies of Africa who intend to dcstabilize the progressive States in the continent. The events that followed it confirm that there is an imperialist strategy that aims at promoting confusion in our continent tither by overthrowing the progressive and revolutionary Governments or by creating pockets of tension in various regions of Africa. 12. It was within that sinister strategy that imperialism plotted the cowardly assassination of President Marien Ngouabi, a great African leader and a consistent fighter for the establishment of socialism in the People’s Republic of the Congo. 13. To pursue its objectives, imperiaiism provides some neo-colonialist Governments with large amounts of arms and it concentrates the bulk of those arms for aggression in southern Africa. It was within that macabre plan that, in May, dozens of militants of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) were savagely murdered. as the despicable objective of the imperialist lackeys failed to materialize. 14. Unfortunately, the system of mercenaries continues to provide the Rhodesian rebel forces with a large number of these so-called soldiers of fortune, encouraging Ian Smith to continue in his murderous adventures in defiance of world pnblic opinion and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. It is with the help of a force made up of mercenaries that Smith is launching a very ferocious aggression a~~einst my country even now as I am addressing the Council. 15. With regard to Rhodesian aggression against MOzambique, this morning I received the following communication from my country: “Our country has once again been invaded in the last 24 hours by the troops of Ian Smith’s racist army, in a raid that constitutes the biggest aggression ever perpetrated by the racist forces against Mozambique, “The enemy has launched a large-scale attack 20 kilometres from the town of Chimoio, capital of the “The People’s Force for the Liberation of Mozambique (FPLM), with the active collaboration of the people in general, has been repelling the Rhodesian attacks, forcing the racist forces to retreat. “From the beginning of November this year, the rebel r6gime of the British colony of Southern Rhodesia has launched at least two large-scale aggressions in the provinces of Manica and Gaza, on 3 and 13 November respectively, and its forces were repelled by the armed forces of the People’s Force for the Liberation of Mozambique. “In the second attack, the enemy lost two fighterbombers and a helicopter which were shot down by our forces in the region of Mapai. “However, the biggest aggression that has been known until today took place precisely in Mapai where the town was completely destroyed some months ago.” 16. In that context, we see sophisticated military weapons supplied to South Africa and Rhodesia. Imperialism did not hesitate to provide South Africa with the know-how that will soon enable it to produce nuclear weapons to be used against neighbouring countries. The constant aggression against Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Angola show that the imperialist forces are engaged in attempts to overthrow the progressive Governments which are building an economy to serve their own peoples. In that criminal action, imperialism employs mercenaries recruited in the big imperialist capitals, whose authorities do nothing to prevent that operation. 17. The People’s Republic of Mozambique takes this opportunity once again to pay a tribute to the revolutionary people and Government of Benin li)r the courage and determination with which they annihilated the reactionary armed aggression perpetrated by mercenaries against the Government of Benin on 16 January 1977. 18. The spirit of calm in which the Government of Benin unmasked the imperialist alliance that engendered the aggression against the Beninese people further increased the respect that the internatianal community had for that progressive repubhc. 19. The People’s Republic of Mozambique had the privilege of being part of the commission set up by the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at Lomt! at the beginning of this year, a few days after the aggression, to investigate on the spot the material damage caused by the aggressors. Until then, the Government of Benin had abstained from levelling any accusation. At no time did it accuse the countries that were involved. What revealed the odious plot to overthrow the revolutionary Government of President KCrbkou was the evi- 20. We kilt SW2 t]lrlt by requestiilg this meetiilg Of the SW’lIrity C0LIlKi] t]lC (.kWCrmllcllt (lf hIlit ~3s l1Ot moved by 2Jly ~lltCll~~lm tl) :lttlYlCt t]lC cOuIlci]‘s atteIlti0Il to &IliIl but by the responsibility it shoulders for the fight waged by the oppressed pcoplc still under colonial domination. 21, Justice demands that resolution 405 ( ] 977) should be applied in its entirety, especially as regards those peoples whO NC Victil?lS Of aggressions launched by mercenaries. It iS ilnpOrt:lllt that l]lC countries W]IOSL’ citizens ale il]VO]vcd in the criminal system of mercenaries should co-operate with the countries that have been attacked, with a view to the elimination of this scourge that puts at risk internatioll~l] pCaCC n11d scciirity. The evaluation of material and Ilumrrl losses alone is not enough. It is necessary that a]] Gnvcrnlnellts sllould endeavour to eliminate the causes. All of us know them, thcrcfore it is up to all Governments to pr~~ellt a]] acts that Inny Icud tu subversion altd qggessiOI1 agtiiiist the peoples fighting for justice, ecluality and harmony between nations. 22. In that conncxion, WC should like to pay a tribute to Mr. Marcel Khcir and Mr. Aly Assem for their work in assessing tho losses caused by the criminal aggression against the heroic pcoplc 01‘ Henin and their revolutionary Covcrnmcnt, under the leadership of l’rcsident KCrt-kou. 23. My delegation strongly condemns the Governments involved in the aggression 0T I6 January 1977, which not only reI‘~rse to co-operate with the Government of Benin but try to strangle its already weak economy, imposing on it the I~covy burden of reconstructing what was destroyed during the aggression while strengthening its defensive capability. 24. My dclcgation further calls up011 Llic Scctrriry Council lo rcc011~11c1icI the integral application of resolution 405 ( 1977), requesting that all Member States should co-operate with the Benhtese authorities in divulging a]] information about the details of the January aggression, that technical assistance should be increased for the assessment of all material and human losses and their COl1sCqLlellCes, and that more financial support should be given to onable the Benincse Government lo fxe the economic and social dirficulties, as well as the security expenses necessary for the missions of inquiry. 25. The people and (;overnment of the People’s Republic of Mozambique rcitcrate their militant solidarity with the revolutionary people and C;overnment of Benin and demand that the rerlucsts made by the Govcrriment of Benin should be met. 26. TIE PI~ESIDlXr: I am gr;iiel‘ul to the represcntatiVe of Mozambique for his kind words addressed to me ad h my country. I should like to assure him, on behalf of *nY people and my country, of our friendship and solidarity with his people and to pay a tribute to the courage and determination of the people of Mozambique, as one of the front.]ine countries in our fight against the racist r&me in South Africa. 28. Mr. DE FIGUEIKEI~O (Angola): Mr. President, on behalf of my delegation. allow mc to express our plcasure and honour at your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We also salute the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya which, under the dynamic guidance of Colonel Muantmar Al-Qadhafi has cmergcd as one of the leaders of a new, militant, progressive Africa. Further, on the occasion of the forthcoming first cungress of the Popular Movement for the L,iberation of Angola, plcnse accept our sentiments of revolutionary solidarity towards our comrudes in your country. 29. The Foreign Minister of the f+oplc’s Republic of Angola was one of a group of African militants, which included reprcsentativcs of Angola, Mozambique, the Niger, Nigeria and Zambia, which visited Cotonou on 24 February 1977, a few weeks aft.er the infamous and barbaric act of aggression committed against a sovereign, independent African State, the People’s Republic of Benin. The facts that emerged from that mission, together with the results of the inquiry carried out by the Special Mission composed of yourself, Mr. President, and the representatives of India and Panama,l as well as the evaluation report of the Government of Benin /S/I2318/Add. I/, including its revised version /S/IHI5/, together with the report of the Intertlali0~1 Commission of Inquiry composed of Benin, Guinea and Nigeria, all lead to sonte profoundly disturbing conchlsions. These do not surprise us, for after centuries of having been victimised by a most brutal system of imperialism, WC are well aware of the underlying assumptions of colonial ventures. 30. However, because Africa has t’or so long borne the brunt of the West’s insatiable demand for materials, markets, manpower and lebe~7st~~~~1, and having been part and parcel of a COkJki]iSt infrastructl!re and otu’sehes fought one of the bloodiest and longest wars of liberation in Africa, my delegation feels we have the right to know about factors that influence our destiny, the right to protest when oi:r security is threatened and a duty to our revolutionary martyrs and to the coming generations to act decisively against any threat whatsoever to our territorial integrity and sovereign statehood. 31. When 1 say “we” I refer not only to my uWl1 country, the f’eople’s Republic of Angola, but to those countries and force; in a militant Africa and Lo all progressive forces all over the world. That is wily the aggresfion committed ;gailyjt f3enin in .lanuary 1977 is viewed by my Government and people as a threat not only against the SoVerei@lty Of Benin but against the safety of all progressive countries and societies. We are aware that the imperialist, colonialist &ngcr is Ilot entirely over, Our colonjal past is not entirely dead and buried. 32. We are witnessing attempts at a recolonisation Of Africa. our natural resources and our large populations are viewed wit]1 greedy eyes by the Went to feed its societies 33. One ol‘ the most shocking aspects of the aggression against Benin was the use of mercenaries. The People’s Republic of Angola is no stranger in this respect. We have long been acquainted with the institution of mercenaries, that despicable genre to which Shakespeare rererred as “the dogs of war”. The blood of countless martyrs is on their hands, as well as on the hands of the foreign Governments that recruit mercenaries, train them, support them and finance them. It is remarkabte that the West, which considers itself the law-giver to the world, dots not appear to have adequate laws to prevent thy recruitment and enlistment of mercenaries. The various General Assembly and Security Council resolutions that deal with the matter directly or indirectly, such as resolutions 2465 (XXIII), 2548 (XXIV) and 239 (1967) go unheeded. In fact, by its resolution 239 (1967), the Security Council “Cu/zdenzr?s any Stale which persists in permitting or tolerating the recruitment of mercenaries. and the provision of facilities t.o them, with the objective of overthrowing the Governments of States Members of the United Nations”. 34. These resolutions are conveniently ignored by various Governments, as witness the events in the recent past in Guinea, Angola and Benin. We wonder whether eveu a minor hint of this sort of episode would have been tolerated against a Western country. And yet when this heinous crime is committed against a black African nation, the representative of a country whose citizens arc known to have been the key mercenaries involved, declared here on 22 November that his Government had undertaken an investigation on its OWII and the investigation had produced notlzing. 35. The entire episode could not have beon a case of collective hallucination, a figment of mass imagination, a myth concocted to no conceivable purpose. My delegation finds it odd that certain countries have chosen to refute and repudiate the findings of the various reports I have referred to, and to question the validity of the consideration of this issue in the Security Council. It is lamentable that the international community has not been more vocal in its outrage. But to expect that the victim should suffer in silence smacks of conspiracy. 36. The people of Benin can never be fully compensated for the material, physical, economic, social and political damage it has suffered. To add insult to injury, no effort has so far been made to mobilize resources to aid in the recovery of the losses suffered by Benin. Although it will not be possible to calculate the total losses incurred as a result of the attack, this is being compounded by certain countries which have generated a vast propaganda campaign against Benin, damaging its commercial relations with many of its partners by means of tactics such as the freezing of suppliers’ credits, the insistence on cash payments and international financial institutions waiting on the sidelines to see how the situation evolves. Some Western countries are fond of boasting that the budget allocated for some 01 38. We wish to deliver a warning to those imperialists who once again cast covetous eyes at Africa and its wealth. Do not make a mockery of oltr institutions, onr sovereignty, the poverty into which we have bedim thrust after centuries of imperialist rape. We are men of integrity, tiicii of’ peace. pcoplc with a vision of the future and a memory of Lhc past. But the dove of’ pcacc must have wings of steel ii it is to survive. It is well known that the connexion between the West and its colonial empires is inipcrialisn~‘s weakest link. And it is at that point that we stand ready to defend out freedom and LO extend full support when our comrades, whether in Benin or elsewhere. arc threatened hy II resurgence of imperialist colonialist desires and designs. 39. The struggle coutinucs. Victory is ccrlain. 40. The PRl!SIDENT: I thank Lhc representative ot Angola for his kind words addressed to me and to my country. 1 should like on this occasion tc.) express to him, on behalf of my people, our admiration lor his country and for the struggle of its progressive and militant revolution against the racist rdgimc of South Africa and against international mercenaries. 41. The next speaker is the rcprcscntativc of Equarorial (Guinea. I invite him to take a place at the Council table :III~ Lo make his statement.

Mr. Prcsidcnt, allow mu to .ioin the previous speakers in congratulating you upon youl assumptjun of the presidency of the Security Council during the month of November. We arc convinced that, given the strong ideals of social, economic and cultural progress so worthily upldd and represented by Libya in this United Nations organ. added to the vast store of political mid diplomatic experience of which you have given ample proof, the outcome of the debate in progress will IX the adoption of’ just decisions reiterating the itnpcrative lieed to give praciical effect to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. And this is true. too. because you represent a Covcrnlnent rind a people that maintain in the African continent a policy of participating in the efforts of all tl~ose who fight fol frccdorn from slavery. This has won for the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. its Government and its rcprcsentativcs. the highest esteem of all the justice-loving peoples of the world. among them the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. 43. Permit me also to express the profound gratitude of my delegation to the members of the C’ouncil for allowing 45. f:or more rcasotis than one, my delegation wishes once again to congratulate the team of expert consultants comprised of Mr. .Aly Assctn 01’ Egypt and Mr. Marcel Kheit of l,ek;mo~i for their excellent work : they complied responsibly and satisfactorily with the instructions given to them by the Security C’ouncil. Moreover, the on-the-spot evaluations cnalrlc IIS to ;1ppxiate the extent of tlte dnmagc sustained by [hat courageous people as a restill 01‘ the totally uttjustificd aggression perpetrated not only against the Govcrritncnt but also against the Heninesc citizens of Colonou and elsewhere, who were the victims of that cowardly aggression without precedent. 46. I‘hc figure of‘ about !&LX million mentioned the day before yesterday /Xlrl7th meeting/ by Mr. Boya, the represcntativo of the People’s Reptthlic of Benin, is far from rcflccting the true magnitude of the direct or indirect losses sustained by Benin on 16 January 1977, in terms of eithet Iho sul’fcring resulting lioni the loss of life and bodily irtjury caused by that Ircachcrcnts attack, or the sacrifices and efforts which Bcnirt has made and will have fit go on making 10 sal‘eguard its indepcndcncc and territorial integrity. 47. It has been shown yet again that the Western press, fat from serving as :I mxtm of colnnluliicatioil and information of the masses on contemporary realities. is no more than a tool at the service of nco-colonialism, intperialistn, racism and other I’orces of evil, inasmuch as even at present doubts arc still being bruited about as to whether the People’s Republic of Benin was actually the object of outsidc armed aggression for the purpose of hampering its revolutionary process. 48. The cxistcnce and USC of another imperialist tool that has become fnshionahlc, namely, the merccnarics, which is no more, no less than the application Of the law Of the jungle to present-day international relations, are in con. trudiction with the Charter of the United Nations, and specifically with Article 2. which stales, irller elk “All Mcmbcrs slut11 refrain in their inlcrnational relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other mannor inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.” Hence, the members of the Council are in the position to declare that the use of this satanic instrument threatens international peace and security. The reasons for our “These different reports confirm that those responsible for the abominable critnc of 16 January 1977 did not come from Mars-they are not imaginary creatures.” /2000th meeting, puru. 58.J SD. f-icttce we sincerely believe that the people and Government of the People’s Republic of Benin deserve the support and assistance of the international community to offset ilt part lhe d;l!Jl;t&S alld IOSXS they sustained a.S 3 result of the cowardly aJ’JJled aggression of 16 January 1977. 5 1. Before concluding, allow me to express once again our full support for and solidarity with the courageous people of the People’s Republic of Benin and to reiterate our decision to cuntinue tc? live by the revolutionary principles we share, in the certain knowledge that under the guidance of its Government the Party and the people of Benin will safely overcome all obstacles. and achieve the objectives of its people’s revolutionary rdginie.

1 thank the representative of Equatorial Guinea for his kind words addressed to me and to my country. I should like to assure him of the solidarity of our two peoples in our common struggtc against itttperialism, aggression and injustice in Africa and in the world. 53. Mr. CHEN Chu (rhina) (zhlerpretution fiorn ~hirJC?S’C).’ The Chinese delegation has listened attentively Lo the statement made by the representative of Benin /2047rh meeting/, in which he gave us an account of the losses suffered by the People’s Republic of Benill in the incident that took place at CTotortou on I6 January 1977 and the result of the investigation into the incident. 54. The Chinese delegation once again condemns itnperialisrn and its mercenaries for their encroachrt~ent tipOn the independence. sovereignty and territorial integrity Of the People’s Republic of Benin. We support the just position of the Government of Benin in condetnning the use of tnercenaries to threaten and overthrow sovereign States. We cxtcnd warm congratulations to Ihe Government and people of Benin who, under the leadership of President Kt%kott, won a major victory in the struggle to crush the invasion by mcrccnaries, and we express profound sympathy for the losses suffered by the people of Benin in the incident. 55. In order to carry out aggression, interference, control and subversion against the African States, itnperialism, particularly the super-Powers, has in recent years resorted to all despicable means, including the organization of mercenaries for armed invasion. With the intensification of the contention and rivalry between the super-Powers in 56. The Chinese delegation is deeply convinced that the Government and people of Benin will further increase their vigilance and continue to defend their national independence and state sovereignty. We are also convinced that the numerous African countries and people will further strengthen their unity, make concerted efforts to frustrate the conspiratorial schemes of imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism and win new victories in their just struggle to consolidate and defend their state sovereignty and national independence. 57. The Chinese delegation will vote in favour of the draft resolutioncontained in document S/12454/Rev.l sponsored by Benin, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Mauritius.

The Security Council, in pursuance of the terms of resolution 405 (1977), is considering again the question brought before it by Benin regarding the armed aggression to which the Republic 01 Benin was subjected on 16 January 1977. It will be recalled that when the Council first took up the complaint of Benin in February of this year, it adopted resolution 404 (1977), under the terms of which it was decided to send a Special Mission composed of three members of the Council to investigate the events and submit a report. The Special Mission, under the able chairmanship of the representative of Panama, prepared a very comprehensive report] on the subject. In accordance with paragraph 7 of resolution 40.5 (1977)? the Secretary-General provided two consultants to the Government of Benin to evaluate the losses suffered as a consequence of the aforementioned incident. According to that evaluation, contained in the report published in document S/12415, the loss suffered by Benin is estimated to be around $28 million. 59. My delegation has always maintained, as it stated earlier /1987th meeting] when this question was being considered, that a large number of countries in Africa, both large and small, are engaged in the task of economic development, relying mostly on indigenous effort and resources, to better the lot of their people and ensure for them a more prosperous future. These countries are peace-loving States and have no political designs. They do 60. My &legatioIl f~11ly supp’ts the W~Llcsl of the Government of Benin, as reflected in the dr:lft resolution submjtted by Benin, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and MaLlrjtjus in document s/12454/IiCv.1, that the interrlational community should concern itself with the question of mercenaries to end their USC against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of small and practically defenceless States. ‘The Security Council in that regard has a special responsibility by virtue of the fact that it is, under the Charter, entrusted with the task of acting on cases which pertain to threats to the security and political independence of Member States. It is therefore important for the Council to t‘ake cognizance of the request. of Benin to condemn the aggression of 16 January and rccommcnd measures which would help to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Benin resulting from it. 61. We sincerely jwpe that al! States Will LX>-OpClXte with the Government of Benin in the task of repairing the damages suffered as a result of that aggression and ;I!SO take measures to guard all Member States against the dangers of such adventurist action in the future. My delegation therefore supports the draft resolution tllat is before LIS and feels that its adoption by the Council, though not likely to compensate Benin fully for what it has suffcrcd, will at least help it to overcome sonic of the difficulties and, it is to be hoped, prevent the recurrcncc of similar incidents. 62. Miss LOPEZ (Venezuela) (inteipret~ztic,,r jkm Spanish): By way of explanation of our vote before the vote, we would say that we cannot but categorically repudiate the activity of mercenaries against the stability of States, wherever it may occur, and in particular when it is carried out against those whose fragility makes them the best targets for such attacks, In that connexion, we wish to express our solidarity with the cause of peoples affected by the mercenary phenomenon and support measures designed to combat it. 63. We regret that a friendly country like Benin, with which we share in the struggle for the claims of the third world, should now be the object of aggression and that its sovereignty should have been attacked. For that reason, we shall support the draft resolution contained in document S/l 2454/Rev. 1. However, we hope that appropriate ways and means will bc sought to examine and study this type of aggression and that WC shall consider solutions that are in keeping with the gravity of the problem,

Before l call 011 the representative of India, 1 should like, on the Council’s behalf, to express to the people and Government of India our deepest condolences over the tragic loss of several thousands of lives as a result of the natural disaster which occurred in India this week. I am sure that I speak on behalf of all members of the Council in requesting the representative of India, our colleague Ambassador Jaipal, to convey to his Government and to his people the deepest sympathy of the members of the Council. 66. My delegation has placed on record its views on a man-made disaster that visited Benin in January of this year. Our views have been placed on record on two previous occasions lIY87th and 2003rd meetings]. We joill with. others in condemning this and other SLICII acts of aggression by so-called international mercenaries. 67. However, it does seem odd for the Security Council to bc condemning acts of aggression wilhout being able to identify the aggressors. Who are these unknown persons and where are they now’? Should they not be apprehended? And should there not be laws under which they could be tried and punished wherever they might be? How can these phantom forces operate without some kind of clandestine assistance from others’? 68. There is no doubt that these ghost armies pose potential threats to many Member States--threats of attack, threats of destabilization, and sometimes even threats of overthrow of established Governments. It makes one wonder which Governments are safe from external interference by international mercenaries, mercenaries who by definition have no political coloration. Are democratic rdgimes which respect human rights any safer than dictatorships’? Apparently, immunity from mercenary attack cannot be assured in purely political terms. 69. The United Nations 1x1s now become largely an orgarlization of small Stales. So it is only through international co-operation that the threat, posed by mercenaries can bc neutralised. To that end, there has to be an agreed code of conduct among Member States, a code that sets out the areas and methods of co-operation. 70. Benin has become a symbol of the VulnerabiIity of small States to mercenary action. Although, fortunately, there were only seven deaths and 51 wounded, the damage caused by the attack has been estimated at $28 million which is indeed a heavy burden for Benin. It is indicative of the scale of destruction that can be caused ‘by such mercenary attacks. It is necessary, therefore, for the United Nations to take collective steps to deter mercenary attacks. The draft resolution before us, in our view, does not go far enough in the direction of preventive or punitive measures. However, it does heighten the dilemma facing the international community without providing any satisfactory soIutions. Assistance to Benin is, of course, essential and we hope that it will be forthcoming in adequate measure. But financial assistance is not the final answer to the hidden mercenary menace to the present system of international peace and security. 71. Mr. ]LLUECA (Panama) (intel’/~/‘efati(1r~ ./fclifl S~rz,zi.~/~): The delegation or Panama has followed very carefully the statements made by the representative of the People's Republic of Benin, by other African delegations and bY members or the Council in counexion with the acts 72. The fact that I should have had the signal honour of acting as Chairman of the Security Council Special Mission, composed of India, Libya and Panama, which investigated the acts of armed aggression perpetrated against the capital of the People’s Republic of Benin by a contingent of mercenaries on 16 January 1977, enables me to reiterate here today with a full knowledge of the facts that the danger that international mercenaries represent for all States and in particular for small States is a real, constant, serious and disruptive danger for good international relations. There is, therefore, full justification for the condemnation of the aggression against Benin by the Council in resolution 405 (1977), compliance with which is absolutely necessary. By reason of these facts and events the Council must use its authority to prevent the continuation of any form of foreign interference in the internal affairs of Member States. Similarly, serious measures must be taken against the use of international mercenaries to destroy the stability of States and to violate their territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, or for any other unlawful purpose. The case of Benin is an eloquent example that should serve as a good platform for strong action which wiI1 eliminate the scourge of international mercenary action in all latitudes but more particularly in the African continent. 73. For this reason the delegation of Panama supports fully the draft resolution submitted jointly by the African members of the Council and contained in document S/12454/Rev.l. We believe that the measures provided fol in that draft resolution are appropriate, necessary and urgent. In particular, Panama advocates that, as is suggested in the draft resolution, all States and competent international organizations, including the United Nations and its specialised agencies, should provide economic assistance to Benin which needs such assistance so badly, particularly after the barbarous act of aggression perpetrated against it. That would be but an act of justice that would help international peace and solidarity. 74. My delegation would not wish to conclude this statement without first acknowledging the positive efforts made by you, Mr. President, with tact, knowledge and understanding to maintain a conciliatory climate in the debate and to achieve through your unremitting efforts the adoption of a draft resolution which will, as we hope, express fully the will of the Council.

As there are no further speakers at this stage, J shall now make a statement in my Capacity as representative of the LlBYAN ARAB JAMAJ-JlRlYA. 76. MY country, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, has placed its views on record on previous occasions. We also had the honour to be entrusted by the Council with the task of serving on the Special Mission to Benin under the able chairmanship of Mr. Itlueca of Panama. Today, I should just like to complement the statements made by mY delegation 77. The Security Council, in resolution 405 { 1977). strongly condemned the act of armed aggression perpetrated against the People’s Republic of Benin on 16 Janunry 1977. In paragraph 10 of that resolution. the Council “Cfflls upon all States to provide the Security Council with any information they might have in conncxion with the events at Cotonou on 16 January 1977 likely to throw further light on those events”. 78. The Security Council Special Mission was able to establish certain facts. It was clear that the I’co~~c’s Republic of Benin had been the victim of aggression. On 16 January 1977 an unmarked aircraft made an unauthorizcd landing at Cotonou airport. Approximately 100 men emerged from it, both white and black. They were very heavily armed. They proceeded to carry out assaults on the presidential palace and the military camp at Guezo. They clearly intended to capture or assassinate President I{&- kou. They clearly intended to overthrow the People’s Republic. The assault group was well organized. Its members spoke French among themselves, many without a foreign accent. 79. The attempt to overthrow the i’coplc’s Republic failed, That does not mean that investigation of the matte1 is any less important, for there is much cvidencc that points to organized foreign involvement and support for Ihis armed aggression. The Special Mission was not able to verify or authenticate that evidence because its work was only to investigate the events of I6 January 1977 at Cotonou. An attempt should be made to investigate the matter further in order not just to seek to establish that certain things happened but to determine who was rcsponsible for what happened. If the Security Council should choose to turn its back on the matter, it would in effect be issuing an open invitation lo various Powers to continue using tactics which are already wreaking devastatioo in many countries of the third world. 80. 11 may bc that the operiition carried out on 1 h January at Cotonou was the work of adventurers. but it is highly likely that it was not. My delegation believes that we must investigate this matter and fix responsibility for the aggression against the People’s Republic of Benin if we are to have even a hope of preventing such things from happening in the future. Thcrc is a growing assault, especially through the use of covert operations. on the sovereignty and integrity of nations in every part of the third world. lt is the duty of the Security Council to do something about it. We can take a first and important step to bring the growing problem of mercenary activity into the public limelight by pressing the investigation of the events which ocurred at Cotonou on I6 .lan~~:try 1977. IIowever, the Council now finds itself in an awkward situation for, having condemned the aggression, it remains unable to do anything more. It has not been able ta establish who was responsible for this aggression. It has rcceivcd no assistance or information that would shed light on the events of 16 January ~~OIJI states which are in il posiIion to help it with its inquiries. 82. This is a serious matter. It is a serious matter, first, because the kind of aggression that was committed against Benin is occurring with ever grcatcr frequency. It is a serious matter also because the Council should, and indeed must, find the means to prevent the use of‘ armed mercenary forces to carry out acts of‘ aggression against Member States, It is clear that if the Council does not find the necessary means we shall be faced with greatly intensified mercenary activity everywhere, and particularly against the small States. 83. I should like to put this matter into perspective in order to underline the gravity of the problem which confronts us. We must look at the aggression carried out against the People’s Republic of Benin against the background of certain basic facts of international relations today. 84. First of alk, the fact is that, dcspitc the long period of political dccolonization, many countries of the third world today find themselves enmeshed in :I new colonial system. It is a system which all acknowledge but which some call the intcrdcpendcnt world economy. Those who use this bland terminology ignore the fact that within that systen~ there are rich nations and poor nations. More important. they ignore the fact of the cxploilation of the poor by the rich. In the third world WC know that the growing gap between the rich and the poor is Ihe co~~scqucncc of this new system. That is why there are growing demands for :I reorganization of the world economy. 8.5. Secondly, it is also a fact that many countries of the third world have come to see that they may also break free 01’ this system and seek to find their own paths tu independence and justice. Many ni\tioIls have rcalized tb;lt there is little prospect of an escape from poverty for the poor as long as the present global economy is organizcd :Is it is. They llave thcrcforc chosen to break the ties which bind them to the former colonialist countries, the Lies which ensure that they provide the cheap labour and the raw materials for the wealthy at the expense OK their own childrcns’ future. Many nations of the third world have thlls chosen lo break free of the colonialis sphere of inflUellce and to reach out for a new economic way, one which will be more beneficial for their people, in each case creatiilg the forms appropriate to their own history and possibilities. Every nation has the right tc> make such choices. Thilt right is the essence of the exercise of sovereignty. it is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. 86. The third fact, which we all acknowledge, is lllal exercise of this right is feared by the colonialist countries which dominate the global economy. They scc every 87. Finally, those nations which now dominate the new colonial system seek by many means to prevent the gradual disintegration of the system. They seek above all to ensure political stability in the periphery of the global economy. They want to ensure that the nations of the periphery remain friendly. If they should become unfriendly, they try to change that. Many means are employed in pursuit of these ends. The imperialist countries employ persuasion and propaganda. They employ, as we all know, pressure and political subversion. And, in many instances, they employ open aggression. 88. WC are therefore living in a period of tremendous stress in international relations. There is a growing awareness around the world of a clear conflict of interests between the poor nations of the third world and the wealthy capitalist countries. This conflict is sharpening. Efforts to break free of the constricting relationships of the global economy are intensifying and the response of those who dominate this moribund system is increasingly savage. 89. All this is well known. The facts, however, point to an important conclusion for the Council, for the facts set out above explain why the kind of aggression perpetrated against the People’s Republic of Benin is encountered so frequently today. To protect what they see as their interests, the neo-colonial Powers often conclude that it is necessary to use armed force. However, there is no domestic consensus in the liberal democracies to support open, arbitrary aggression, especially when there is a danger that it can lead LO deeper involvement in war. Consequently, aggression must increasingly be carried out covertly, away from the scrutiny of parliaments and the media. That is why mercenary activity is rapidly becoming one of the principal instruments used by the colonialist countries to seek or maintain so-called order in the third world. 90. We must be aware that the use of mercenary forces to carry out acts of armed aggression is far from casual. It is becoming a systematic part of the covert foreign policy of the neo-colonial Powers. As such, it is part of an effort to deprive nations of their sovereignty by arbitrary force. 91. This is the question which the Council must now consider in deciding how to proceed. Can the Council couatcnance the spreading use of armed force by this means? Can it allow small nations increasingly to be threatened by covert action? 92. It is clear that the armed aggression against the People’s Republic of Benin tnay be an example of the kind of aggression I am talking about. The nation of Benin was part of the neo-colonial system. It was a small, vigorous but Poor nation of West Africa, systematically exploited by 93. These events shook the colonialist world, for the decision of one more country to begin the break with the capitalist bloc in Africa was seen as a dangerous example to others. And we know that it was discussed in various circles as a problem. 94. We must be clear that we do not at this stage know whether the People’s Republic of Benin was the victim on 16 January of aggression organized by the neo-colonial Powers. However, it would be foolish to dismiss t,his possibility, for everything that is happening in the third world today argues that it is a possibilty. If it is a possibility, WC must ask ourselves whether we have an obligation to pursue the investigation which began with the Security Council Mission to Benin earlier this year. 95. I now resume my function as PRESIDENT of the Council. 96. It is my understanding that the Council is prepared to take a decision on the draft resolution before it. In the absence of any objection, 1 shall declare the revised draft resolution sponsored by Benin, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Mauritius and contained in document S/12454/Rev.l adopted. The a’mft resolution was adopted. 2

Mr. President. I merely wish to tell you and the other members of the Council how happy my delegation is at the way in which this debate took place. We are also happy at the active participation 01” our friends in this debate and this is why we consider the concIusion that we have reached a positive one. Benin is satisfied, despite the inadequacies of the resolution that has just been adopted. 98. We thank you personally for the efforts which have Icd to this unanimous conclusion. I thank the members of the Council for their co-operation and solidarity. My delegation also wishes to thank all the Members of the Organization that are rriends of Benin which have taken an active part in this debate. The echo of their militant solidarity is already being heard in the People’s Republic of Renin. 99. My delegation is grateful to the Secretary-General for all his efforts. We are convinced of the important role that the Secretary-General will be called upon to play in the implementation of this resolution. The Beninese Govemmerit considers the co-operation of the Secretary-General as essential for future action. We are certain that he will certainly not fail in this duty and we thank him in advance. The meetkg rose at 12.50 p.m. 2 See resolution 419 (1977). Litho in United Nations, New York Price: $U.S. 1.00 (or equivalent in other currencies) 77-70001-October 1978-2,200