S/PV.2309 Security Council

The Council will now take up the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of Antigua and Barbuda for membership in the United Natipns [S/14748]. ~~ Provi$onalagenda (SIAgendaQ309) 1 I Adoption of the age&a 4. In paragraph 4 of the report, the Committee recommends to the Council the adoption of a draft resolution on the application for membership of Antigua and Barbuda.’ In paragraph 3 of the report, the Committee recommends that the Council apply the provisions of the last paragraph of rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure under which the Council may forthwith make its recommendation to the General Assembly. If I hear no objection, 1 shall take it that the Council would wish to waive-the deadline~mentione_d-in paragraph 4 of rule 60. 2. Admission of new Members: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of Antigua and Barbl,da for membership in the United Nations_(S/14748) ~~~~~ AdoptJon of the agenda 5. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose that the Council first proceed to the vote on the draft resolution and that representatives desiring to speak do so thereafter. Admission of new Members: Report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of Antigua and Barbuda for tgembership in the United Nations (S/14748) 6. Accordingly, the Council will now proceed to the vote on the draft resolution contahled in paragraph 4 of the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members. I, The PRESIDENT (i/rtc~r7,rc~tcrtioti from Frwdt): Before we take up the item on our agenda I should like, on behalf of the members of the Council, to welcome among us the representative of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr, Lloydstone Jacobs, I should also like to ask him to convey to his Government our congratulations on the accession of Antigua and Barbuda to independence and on the progress made towards its admission to the United Nations. 7. The PRESIDENT (itrtrrprc,t~ttiott frotn Frewlrj: In accordance with the provisions of rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure, I shall immediately transmit this recommendation to the General ASsembly. 2. I should like to inform the members of the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion on the agenda item. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those represcntatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and of rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. 8. A number of representatives wish to speak and I now call on them.

Sir, first of all may I on behalf of myself and my delegation extend to you warm congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this IO, I should also like to express our wamest thanks to our colleague and friend, the representative of Spain, for having conducted our proceedings last month with the deep knowledgz, skill and wit which we confidently expected of him. Il. I should also like to follow your example in extending a very warm welcome to Mr. Lloydstone Jacobs and his colleagues from Antigua and Barbuda. It is a great pleasure to have them with us today in the Council chamber on this very auspicious occasion. 12. It has given my delegation great pleasure to vote for the draft rasolution submitted bv the Committee on the Admission of New Members, which recommended that Anrigua and Barbuda be admitted to membership of the United Nations. 13. This is the third time that the Council has met in the course of 1981 to consider an application fol membership from a former British dependent territory. We were delighted earlier this year when Vamlatu and Belize went through these same procedures and were admitted to the General Assembly early in the thirty-sixth-session. ~~~ 14. Antigua and Barbuda now follows as the 43rd independent member of the Commonwealth to seek United Nations membership. Before its independence OII 1 November, it had been a self-governing State in association with the United Kingdom, and it has been fully resuonsible for its own internal affairs since 1967. Aniigua’was in fact the first of the United Kingdom Caribbean territories to negotiate associated status and now makes the transition to full independence in the same way as Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have already done. !S. The British Govermnent had always made cleal that the status of association was completely voluntary and could be terminated at anv time bv either oartv. At the general election in Antigua and Barbida in Aoril 1980. both of the main oarties included in their pt’ogrammes a commitment io early independence, and my Government is delighted that the Labom Purty of Antigua, which was successful in those elections, should then have moved so speedily towards the achievement of full independence. 16. After those elections, the new Government ci.cw up a draft independenr ’ constitution, which formed the basis for discussions at the Constitutional Conference held in L.ondon from 4 to I6 December IY80. l‘his Conference was attended by delegations representing ihe United Kingdom, the Government o’ Antigua, the opposition of Antigua, and Barbuda. 1.1 early 1981, the Government of Antigua revised that 17. Britain’s links with Antigua and Barbuda go back to the 17th century, and my Government looks forward to continuing the partnership in a number of fields, old and new, We shall, for instance, continue with the aid and technical co-operation programmes which have been administered in co-operation with the Government of Antigua in recent years. But Antigua and Barbuda will now play a new role OII the international scene, and we expect to be working very closely together in the Commonwealth and in the international community at large, 18. The United Nations also stands to gain from the vitality of the traditions of Antigua and Barbuda, and from the wisdom which so many years of democratic parliamentary government have imparted, My delegation is therefore happy that the Council should have decided unanimously to recommend Antigua and Barbuda’s admission, and we look forward very much to welcoming its representatives into the General Assembly very shortly. 19. Mr. GONZALEZ C&AR (Mexico) Cictrerp~c~/tr/io,i,~~~~~i Spcr~~ish): Sir, I should like to extend the sincere congratulations of my delegation on yom assumption of the presidency of the Council for November, when we shall be considering questions of vital hnportance for the Organization. Your undeniable experience and diplomatic skill guarantee that our work will be conducted wisely. 20. I should also like to thank Mr. de Pini& for the efficient, expeditious and firm manner in which he conducted our proceedings last month. 21. Rarely is our work more pleasant than it is on this occasion, as we recommend the admission of a new Member to the United Nations. The entry of a new State into the world Organization means universal recognition of the political fact of the independence of a nation and represents a guarantee for the peaceful, secure development of a sovereign country. Every new State enriches the pluralism of the Organization, within which is faithfully reflected the cultural, political and economic diversity of contemporary international society. The United Nations has been an active factor in the promotion of decolonization and is at the same time a guarantee of pluralism not only at the world level but also at the regional level. 22. In Latin America, the colonial presence is coming to ar: end more than a century and a half after the intle- 23. It is, indeed, in the Caribbean that hisiorically there has been a sharp confrontation-open or clandestine-among the Powers, and it is there that we must take particular care that the efforts of peoples for progress and freedom should not be distorted, especially now, when we see portentous and ominous signs that could endanger the peace and the balance of the entire region. 24. Not only was the Caribbean region the first to see the explorers and conquistadors of the West, but it was also there that the destruction or assimilation of indigenous cultures began, and it was there that the first people to be brought to our continent from Africa were put to work as slaves. Since that time it has been a melting-pot of races and the starting-point of a system of exploitation of natural resources that we are now, in the post-colonial era, trying to eliminate through the establishment of just economic relations among States. 25. The admission of Antigua and Barbuda brings the membership of the United Nations to 157 States, and the membership of the Latin American Group to 32. Aniigua and Barbuda, of course, is a country small in territory and population, but it is precisely because of that, in conformity with the principle of the equality in law of States which is the very foundation of the Organization, that the respect we owe the new State should be accompanied by a firm determination to co-operate so as to ensure its genuine independence and its movement towards economic viability and social progress, 26. The independence of this new Caribbean State is one more step towards the elimination of all colonial interference in the area. Its admission is one more guarantee of that. For that reason, my delegation voted in favour of the resolution we have just adopted, 27. I wish to congratulate the people and Government of Antigua and Barbuda on its independence, and, on behalf of the Government and people of Mexico, to offer it our total solidarity, 28. Mr. de PINI& (Spain) (i/rrc,rpr,e/trliorr firm Spturislr): The Spanish delegation has read with great interest the telegram addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Antigua and l3arbuda to the Secretary- General’ informing him that on 1 November Antigua and Barbuda became an independent State and was applying for admission to membership of the United 29. We have also considered the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members, which had before it the application for admission, and we have just passed the draft resolution recommending to the General Assembly that Antigua and Barbuda be admitted to membership of the United Nations. 30. My country welcomes the inclusion of this new State with particular satisfaction, for the island of Antigua was visited in one of the first exueditions to America organized by Spain, and formed-part of the Leeward Islands reached by Christopher Colombus in 1493. He christened it Antigua out of devotion to Santa Maria la Antigua of Seville. Antigua and Barbuda joins the Organization as its 157th Member, enriching the international community by the addition of a new country which defends justice and loves peace and which will make positive contributions to the imptementation of the purpose and principies of the Charter. 3 1. On behalf of my Government, I wish to congratulate the people and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on the solemn occasion of its admission to membership in the Un&+ Nations. 32. - Mr. LING Qing (China) (inrerprerrtrion jium Cheue): Sir, at the outset, I wish to congratulate you warmly on behalf of the Chinese delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. I am convinced that under your skilful guidance the Council will discharge its responsibilities successfullv. At the same time. I also wish to exmess OUI appreciation to your prddecessor, the representative of Suain. Mr. de Pinibs. under whose brilliant and patient $uidance the Cduncil was able to achieve fruitful results in its work during the previous month. 33. On 1 November, Antigua and Barbuda proclaimed its independence, becoming the 32nd independent State in Latin America. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Lester Bird, has, by his message of 1 November to the Secretary-General, applied fol admission to membership of the Organization and declared on behalf of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that it accepts the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations and solemnly undertakes to fulfil them. The Chinese delegation believes that, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, Antigua and Barbuda is qualified for membership in the United Nations. We fully endorse its applicatjon and approve the recommendation of the Chincil to the General Assembly for admitting Antigua and Barbuda to membership in the United Nations. 34. The people of Antigua and Barbuda have won independence after a protracted struggle. The Chinese Government and people are sincerely happy for them.

-Sir, first the Soviet delegation would like to welcome you to the responsible post of President of the Secu- -rity Council for November. We hope that, under your able guidance, the Council will discharge the most important tasks facing it. I should also like to express my gratitude to your predecessor, Mr. de PiniBs, the representative of Spain, whose outstanding diplo- -matic skill and experience promoted the successful work of the Councillast month. 36. It is the third time this year that the United Nations has taken up the question of the admission of a new Member. Following the recommendations to membership in the United Nations of Vanuatu and Belize, the Council has just taken up the application for admission of the youngest independent State: Antigua and Barbuda. 37. The delegation of the Soviet Union was pleased to support the application of that State for membership in the United Nations. In our opinion, this State, which achieved independence only a few days ago, is entitled to join the ranks of the United Nations, since it meets the requirements and criteria laid down for admission. In so doing, we believe that the admission of Antigua and Barbuda to membership in the United Nations is another step towards the complete and total elimination of the colonial system, 38. The day the independence of Antigua and Barbuda was proclaimed, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, Nikolai Tikhonov, sent a telegram to the Prime Minister of that country, Mr. Vere Bird, reading as follows: “On the occasion of the proclamation of the independence of the State of Antigua and Barbuda, please accept the sincere congratulations and good wishes for prosperity and success of the people of your country on its way towards independent national development. 39. The attainment of independence by Antigua and Barbuda ushers in a new page in the history of its people. The delegation of the Soviet Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the independent State and people of Antigua and Bdrbuda on the positive decision just tak,:n by the Security Council pertaining to its application for admission to membership and to wish them peace and success. 40, Mr. OZORES TYPALDOS (Panama) (inrerl)rcrcrth fhn .Sp~~~M~): Sir, first of‘all 1 shduid likk to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for Novemb.. c. We are pleased to see you presiding, since you have on so many occasions shown that you are a diplomat in the full sense of the word. 41. At the same time, my delegation wishes to put on record our appreciation to Mr. de Pi&s, the representativeofSp& for the manner and the style in which he guided our work so brilliantly during October, a par&ularly important month to-the eniire Spanishspeaking family of nations. 42. The Security Council-which is deadlocked as it seeks to discharge some of its major responsibilities-is meeting today to consider a pleasant task in which the membership is unanimous, namely, to recommend the admission to membership in the Organization of a country which a few days ago became independent. 43. Antiguaand Barbuda will become the 157th country in the United Nations and the 32nd in the Latin American Group. My delegation would like to express to its representatives not only our joy but also our desire to co-operate with them in all international organizations and bilaterally. 44. As Antigua and Barbuda belongs to the Caribbean, where Panama has fraternal historical ties, we should like to take this opportunity to reiterate otn Government’s concern over the threats that have been made recently to countries in the Caribbean and in Latin America at a time when the entire area is going through a difficult period in which dialogue and goodwill should replace the dangerous language of arms. 45. We bid welcome to Antigua and Barbuda. We are sure that, with other Member% of the Organization. we shall find the way to travel together on the road to harmony and mutual understanding, 47. On 1 November, anew Caribbean nation achieved its independence. The United States, this hemisphere’s oldest democracy, is pleased and proud to welcome Antigua and Barbuda,-the newest. 48. We enthusiastically endorse its application for membership in the United Nations. It will, we are certain, fulfil all of the obligations and duties of membership, even as it is dedicated to all of the fundamental principles of freedom and self-determination. These are the principles it will reaffirm by and through its membership in this family of nations and by and through its adherence to the Charter. 49. It is always a special pleasure for my country when the ranks of the democracies increase, in our own hemisphere and around the world. The Government and people of the United States extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda and the warm embrace of our fellowship in freedom. We extend also a warm personal welcome to the representatives of this nation who are present in the Council chamber on this auspicious occasion.

On a previous occasion, the first meeting of the Council this month, I had the opportunity and the privilege of paying a tribute to you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of November, as well as to the representative of Spain, Mr, de PiniBs, for the excellent manner in which he conducted the Council meetings for the month of October. 51. I have read the telegram containing the application for membership of Antigua and Barbuda, and I have also read the recommendation of the Committee on the Admission of New Members. I wish to place on the record the fact that the Philippines voted foi admission, and on behalf of my Government and my people I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to the people and Government of Antigua and Barbuda on its admission to this international council of nations. 52. I recall that when we drafted the Charter in 1945, we had a long discussion with regard to Chapter XII, on the International Trusteeship System, when the Philippines proposed the insertion of two words in Article 76 (b), which was to have read: The Philippine delegation fought strenuously for the inclusion of the words “or independence” following “self-government”, The debate in which the colonial Powers opposed the inclusion of those two words -“or ind$endence”-lasted until 2 o’clock in the morning. We finally won in that meeting of the Trusteeship Committee by 19 votes. The matter was then taken to the Plenary Conference, and the Philippines won by 21 votes. 53. It is well to be reminded of this at a time when we are admitting a new nation that has achieved independence, for we would not have admitted it if it had only attained self-government, I am therefore happy, as we recall that important historic incident in the drafting of the Charter of the United Nations, that we can now welcome Antigua and Barbuda Asian independent nation-not merely self-governing, but independent-to become a Member of the United Nations, with its sovereignty-respected by all of us, 54. And so, once again, on behalf of the Government -and people of the Philippines, I wish to extend our welcome and congratulations to this new Member of the United Nations. ~~~~~

Mr. President, I shall begin by expressing our good wishes to you on you1 assumption of the office of President for November. Wisdom, tact and diplomatic skill are qualities which we customarily attribute almost by definition to each of our colleagues when he holds the Presidency of the Council in turn. In a sense, they seem to go with the offke. In your case, however, I believe the words are particulariy appropiiate. I have known you as a colleague and a friend for nearly a year on the Council, and I believe that the Council is, indeed, fortunate to have you as its President at this time when we face serious decisions. 56. I may say also that these qualities-wisdom, skill and tact-apelied in a particular way to youi predecessor, the representative of Spain. I ihank-him for his service as President, and I think we are fortunate to have had in succession two such distinguished colleagues in that office. 57. Ireland welcomed the decision of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to apply for membership in the United Nations following independence on 1 November. This was a further stage in the decolonization process, based on the right to self-determination. We find it impressive that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on the very day of its independence should choose to apply for United Nations membership. My delegation was glad, therefore, to join in the Security Council’s decision recommending to the General AS. .58. We note the declaration that Antigua and Barbuda accepts the obligattons contained in the Charter and solemnly undertakes to fulfil them. We are sure -that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will carry out its responsibilities as a State Member in every respect, and the Irish delegation, for its part, looks fo?vard to co-operating with the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda in our joint endeavours. We welcome its representatives here today, and we wish its Government and people good fortune in the years?0 come.

Since this is the first time that my delegat+n is speaking this month, I should like to convey to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of November. We are confident that, with your emply demonstrated skill in matters of diplomacy and your rich experience in the work of the Organization, the Council will be able to find satisfactory solutions to the various problems now under consideration as well as to other questions which may be brought before it. Please be assured of my ~-delegation’s full co-operation in our common efforts to carry out the responsibilities of the Council. 60. I should like to take this opportunitv to express my delegation’s sincere appreciation to the representative of Spain, Mr. de Pinids, for so ably guiding the difficult affairs of the Council during the month of ,October. 61, -On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I should like to offer our warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda on achieving independence just a few days y39. ‘62. My delegation voted in favour of the resolution on the admission of Antigua and Barbuda as the 157th Member of the United Nations. We firmly support the admission of this new Member, which will enhance the important principle of universality of the Organization. 63. We have no doubt that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will not only fulfil the obligations connected with membership but will make valuable contributions to the work of the United Nations. I wish at this time also to commend the Government of the United Kingdom for successfully fulfilling its obligations and for its commitment to the achievement ofindependence by the people of Antigua and Barbuda. 64. My country hopes to develop a relationship of close friendship and co-operation with this new State,

I should like first, Mr. President, to COIIgratulate you 011 your assumption of the presidency of the Council for November. The qualities which you showed at the time of your presidency in September 1980 are still fresh in our memories, and we can say with certainty that you will discharge yotu delicate functions once again with competence, wisdom and flair, 66. I should also like to extend our sincerest compliments to your predecessor, Mr. de PiniBs, representative of Spain, who demonstrated, as always, great qualities as a statesman and eminent diplomat. Thanks to him, the Council approached the delicate problems which we had to consider during October in a perfectly cohesive manner at-4 ina calm atmosphere. ~ 67. For the third time thi. lear ihe Council is meeting to adopt unanimously a draft resolution recommending the admission of a new State Member to membership of the United Nations. This is a new act of faith which further expands the Organization and enhances its universality and its non-discriminatory and peaceful character. The young State of Antigua and Barbuda, which will be the 157th Member of the United Nations, will bring to the Organization a new sensitivity, a new credibility and a new dimension. 68. We are proud and pleased to welcome this young State and we bid it a very warm welcome. We wish it the greatest success on the path to progress, freedom and peace. We pledge it our co-operation and support in all its struggles for justice, concord and equity. 69. Mr. FLORIN (German Democratic Republic) li,r/e,p~c/trrio,ifio/)r Hussicur): On behalf of the delegation of the German Democratic Republic, I should like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on YOUI accession to the post of President of the Council for November. I have no doubt that your rich diplomatic experience will be extremely valuable in helping us carry out the tasks facing the Council. Allow me also to express our gratitude to your distinguished predecessor, Mr. de PiniBs, for the intensive work that he did as President of the Council during October 70. The German Democratic Republic has always consistently supported the exercise of the rights of all peoples to self-determination and national independence, and it was glad to join in the unanimous decision of the Council to recommend to the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session the admission of Antigua and Barbuda as a Member of the United Nations. 72. Having started a new chapter in their history, the people of Antigua and Barbuda, like other peoples who have won their independence, will be ambarking on overcoming the grievous consequences of theh colonial heritage, We hope that this will mark the end for ever of those times when colonial Powers allowed the island of Antigua to be abused as a military freight way station for the South African trpcrrllreitl rCgime, 79. By entering the United Nations, Antigua and Barbuda can contribute fully to the activities of the international community. By receiving this young State among its Members, the Organization is pursuing one of its basic objectives, that of universality, to which France is deeply committed. A few weeks ago we admitted Vanuatu and Belize, and so it is with great sympathy that my country now welcomes Antigua and Barbuda, which has for a long time maintained numerous and active relations with the islands of the French Antilles. We are convinced that those relations will continue to develop in a harmo3iou.s fashion. 73, We wish the people of Antigua and Barbuda success in all their efforts to strengthen the sovereignty and independence of that country-all the more so in view of the well-known attempts of certain imperialist circles, particularly in the Caribbean region, to impose on States which have won their national independence a new r&&me of dependence,~ whether political, economicor military, 74. In connection with the recommendation by the Council to admit Antigua and Barbuda to membership in the United Nations, our delegation recalls that the historic resolution 1514 (XV) of the General Assembly calls for the granting of independence to all colonial countries and peoples. In expressing joy at the admission to membership in the United Nations of States with small territories, we should never forget that other peoples much larger in numbers, such as the people of Namibia, are still being denied their right to self-determination and national independence. We cannot but note that today certain circles are obviously less interested in when and how Namibia should be granted independence than in how to maintain foreign domination in Namibia. 80. In conclusion, the French delegation would like to express its warm congratulations to the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and to all members of its Government. To this young State and its people we sincerely wish all success and prosperity. We are prepared to co-operate closely and in a friendly manner with the delegation of Antigua and Barbuda to promote the ideals of the Charter and the cause of peace.

Mr. President, first allow me to extend to you my delegation’s congratulations on your accession to the presidency of the Council. It is especially gratifying for us because the Council is being presided over by a representative of Tunisia, a brotherly African country with which Uganda enjoys the closest of relations. Your experience and well-known proficiency are guarantees for the success of the Council in its work during the month of November. It is fitting that we consider the admissiou of a new Member State into the United Nations under your presidency, since you have been a participant in the complex struggle for liberation. 75. In conclusion, I wish to express the willingness of the German Democratic Kepublic to co-operate fruitfully with the representatives of Antigua and Barbuda to implement the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, 76, -Mr. LEPKETTE (France) (Of/cl,p~c/alio,t .fiow~ I;,e/~c,/t): Sir, first I should like in my turn to offer you my heartfelt congratulations on your accession to the Presidency of the Council for the ’ .. ..h of November. France is happy to see our work-and this includes some delicate matters-being managed by a particularly able, wise and experienced diplomat of a country which occupies an important position on the international scene and with which France enjoys friendly relations af trust. My delegation, Sir, would like to assure you of its full co-operation. 82. 1 also wish to take this opportunity to thank Mr. de Pinids for the work he performed as President of the Council for the month of October. He served his term with distinction. 83. Antigua and Barbuda and Uganda share the same colonial history, and we are therefore pleased at its accession to independence. We congratulate and welcome the new State as the 157th Member of the United Nations. We look forward to working closely together in the IJnited Nations system. 77, I should also like to pay special tribute to Mr. dc Pink%, representative of Spain, and to say how grateful we are for the way he guided our work during October. I-I< was President of the Council during a difficult X5. Mr. ALJGIJSTB (Saint Lucia): Mr. President, I am grateful for the honour of addressing you on behalf of the Caribbean Community and Common Market member States and the Bahamas, all of which arc States Members of the United Nations. I also wish to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council, where I am sure you will reinforce the work of the Council with your many and tested-skills and your tenacity of purpose. X6. Antigua and Barbuda, which hitherto shared with us the status of associate State since 1967, is now a fully independent member State of the international community; having duly exchanged the necessary constitutional instruments with ifs former mefropolitan Power. The transition from colony to independence installs Antigua and Barbuda as the latest gddition to the Caribbean firmament of independent States. The road to independence is always long and ;Irduous, as so many of our Sister States all over the world ca11 attest. At the end, there is the satisfaction that the peoples of Antigua and Barbuda now possess their lifeblood in their own hands to direct as they SW fit. X7. The history of these island developing States that are thrust on the world stage in a compromise between timing and the interests of the former mefropolitan Power only heightens the pertinency of the proce*s of &colqniza~jon, XX. Antigua was one of the founding member Sfafcs of the Caribbean Free Trade Area, which eventually evolved into the Caribbean Common Market. It was also a founding member State of fhc West Indies Associated States, and by virtue of the appropriate nrticlcs of the succeeding Organization of Eastern Cnribbean States it will continue to serve the interests, objectives and aspirations of the peoples represented by those organizations. Both subregional organizations form a part of the Inter-American System. As the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda recently pledged before a joint session of the Houses of Parliament, the foreign policy of his Government will Inrgcly be conducted through the channels of both those institutions. This is a commitment to regionalism. ably expressed and representing the vehicle fol the economic and political survival of small States. X9. It is noteworthy that the small island States of the Caribbean have considered that a fully independent status within the ( nfext of the international community is the key to recognition by the United Nations. The process of admission to the United Nations is therefore set in motion and is today represented in the Council’s deliberations. Antigua and Barbuda stands before this august body in search of its 90. What remains to be said? A nation, despite its limitations of size, population, geography and resources, has in a pragmatic manner overcome what the economists of the world identify as limiting factors for economic development and has been able to provide a standard of living for ifs people comparable to that of a number of States that do not have these difficulties imposed on them. The industry and pertinacity of its people and the commitment of its Government have provided the constitutional framework and political stability that is necessary for the exercise of citizenparticipation and ultimate national development. 91. Antigua and Barbuda is iherefore ready to fake its place in the halls of the United Nations. It is small. it is free, if is pledged to the principles of the Organization, and it is willing and prepared to play whatever role this collective so&y of nations deer& appropriate in the cause of mankind’s right to freedom, peace and economic well-being.

The next speaker is the representative of Nicaragua. I invite him to take a place-at the Council table and to make his statement. 93. Mr. BENDAfiA RODRfGUBZ (Nicaragua) fi/t/erpr’c~/oliorI ,fior~l S~>&Sh): Sir, the delegation of Nicaragua wishes to congratulate you and your noble non-aligned country on your assumption of the presidency for this month and also to extend an expression of appreciation to Spain, our mother country, for its accomplishments last month. 94. I should also like to thank vou and the other members of the Council for afford’ing me this opportunity to speak in support of the new independent nation of Antigua and Barbuda in ifs application fol membership in the United Nations. 95. We should like first to express our satisfaction at the warm welcome given by the Council, which confirms the irreversible process of decolonization in our area, the Caribbean. Every country that achieves independence strengthens the struggle of those peoples which have not yet gained their independence and also strengthens the struggle of those countries, like Nicaragua, which have already won their independence, for the maintenance and consolidation of that indepen- ! ! 06. Iiowcvcr. thcrc arc those who lhink thul indcpcndcncc is only symbolic in snliili countries or countries tli;il wc in iirciis tliill Iiavc bccii tiiiilatclolly dcfincd iis splicrcs of inllticlicc. Tliis is uiiacccptablc, IO?, This concern, intimutely linked to the dcvclopiiiciil of the new indcixndent Caribbeun nnlions. was cxprcsscd two.yc& ago by the Organization of Amcricnn Shtcs ~II the ninctcen!h session of its Gwcriil Asscnibly when it said. in the fncc of the build-up of militarv activities, that the Caribbean should be u zone of p&c and stabili1y, WC agreed in that rcsolubcc;~ttsc frccdoui and the righI to self-dcIcrl,liliatioili. us well iis sovcrcignty itself. is 0 question of ull 01 nolhiny. Either it is cnjoycd fully or it ciuinol bc said IO cxis1. The Nicnraguon pcoplc know well. und the fraternal pcoplc of Belize huvc recently shown, that sovcrcigii1y is not given but is wou iis ;I l3coplc becouic awiirc of their in;ilicn;iblc rights. I1 niust ulso bc said. howcvcr. lllilt independence iii lhc Curibbcan has been ucquircd by pcaccli~l muns. us iu the cusc of Belize and of AntiBuo and B;ubude-~Iiniiks in part to lhc misc of responsibility mid nmurily of lhc udniinislcring Power. Iion llul tlie w2serviilioii of llie Caribbean as il zone of pcilce was’tlecessury for the progress and developmenu of the rcpion us a whole. WC. the nations of the Amcrices. r&firm the principles of ideological plurulism and pcnceful cocxistcncc. and we reject the notion of our region being ii sphere of influence. 103. These considcralions, which are particularly rclevun1 to ~hc needs of the smull sovereign Stales of the Curibbcan, nre toduy being disregnrded by a major Power which hns thrcelcned lo bring wur lo the ~ircn. Thcrc is open discussion of the possible use of 07. What n COIWW bctwcen Great Britain’s words 0l‘cncouI’;igcmcnl illld wclcomc for indcpendcnce rind 1hc h),hlcria. lhc scheming, Ihc simplistic mid inlcrvcnlionisl rcuclion of iinolhcr mcmbcr of the Security Council lo the sunic dcbirc for frecdoni ofolhcr peoples in tllc WlllC ill.C’l’ ‘ . naval blockades and even direct attacks against certain xountrics iii the urea: and lhcsc arc not just words, for al the 1xcsent time. two aircraft carriers end 36 warships of tile United States Navy nrc proceeding 10 1he Caribbcon to siniulatc landinr! on the islnnd of Vicques. If a single country~ in our &I of the world se& iIs indcpcndence thrcutened, then the threat emxteuds IO cvcryone. The danger is not just regional. How cnn we forget thnt as ;I result of a navnl blockade in the Caribbean 19 years ago the world wus on the brink of a 9X. Whal ;~co~ilr;i~l bctwccn lhc plcdgesof;issislaiicc and co-opcrution 1ha1 hnvc been cxtendcd to Bclizc and .Antigu;i mid Bnrhudo and lhc economic pressures mid ho! 0011~ Ihi hnvc well-nigh sirnnglcd Grcm~dn and Nicur:ipu;i! calastl~oplle’! YY. M’IlitI il COllll’;lbl lWl\VCcll tllc coiilniimcnts Of ;I 104. Supcriinposiilg East-West quarrels on 0111’ pert of the world is incompatible with respect for Ihc self- ~wr1iii11w1i1 nicnil~cr of the Council 10 dcfcnd the IIlI.ciIIcIIcd wvcrsign1y of 13clix.c und tile ;lggrcssivc deIcmiii;ilioii of pcoplcs. Dcmonslr;\lions of nnval might. thrc;ils ;ind pressure arc unxccplable bccausc I1lcil~LII’ch ;uld I llI.Cillh I0 tI5c lilrcc agninsi ind+ndcnl llilliOl7~ \\ 1104~ policies urc no1 lo lhc likiiil? of unolhcl ~X!l’lllilllCIl1 IllCI1lI~CI. Of 1llC Cwicil! they riiihc lciisioiis and ohstlucl iiidcpcndcnce and. rlwrcfow, consthutc obstacles to the implemc~~1otio~~ of the 1Xxlnr;irion on the Grunting of lndcpendencc IO Coloniol Countries ond Peoples. Any Iutter-duy poliq of the big stick is incompatible wilh 1he pwpoacs and principles of lhc Chnrlcr. conic the udniiss& to mcmbcrship of the 11cW inde- I~endcnt WIW in the C’uribbcan. 1x11 OII ~hc other WC