S/PV.2372 Security Council

At our meeting yesterday afternoon [ibid.], my delegation had the honour to join with the delegation of Spain in submitting a draft resolution for the consideration of the Council [S/15156]. Now, after consultations with friendly nations which are as concerned as we are over the situation in the region of the MaIvinas, we should like to propose an amendment to that draft resolution. 2. Question concerning the situation in the region of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): Letter dated 31 May 1982 from the Charge. d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/ 15 145) 4. The amendment would be inserted as paragraph 2 and would read as follows: Adoption of the agenda “2. Requests the parties to initiate, simultaneously with the cease-fire, the implementation of resolutions SO2 (1982) and 505 (1982) in their entirety;“. The agenda II’NS adopted. Question concerning the situation in the region of the Falkland1 Islands (Islas Malvinas): Letter dated 32 May 1982 from the Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/15145) 5. The subsequent paragraphs would be renumbered accordingly. 6. My delegation and the delegation of Spain, in the spirit of conciliation which we have always shown and in response to the requests of several friendly countries that would like to see this insertion in the text, which would moreover facilitate broader support in the Council for the draft resolution, have agreed to introduce this amendment, which we hope will win the support of the whole Council.

In accordance with the decision taken at the preceding meeting, [?37/sf meeting], I invite the representative of Argentina to take a place at the Council table; 1 invite the representative of Brazil to take the place reserved for him at the side of the Council chamber, At the inllitation of the President, Mr. Ros (Argentiw) took a place nt the Counc’iI table; Mr. CovL;a da Costa (Brazil) took the place wsewc?d for him at the side of the Council chamber.

I am grateful to the co-sponsors for the amendment which has just been proposed. It certainly improves the draft resolution. It now contains the concept of a cease-fire and simultaneous implementation of resolution 502 (1982), which of course means the withdrawal of Argentine forces, although this is not specifically mentioned.

1 should like to inform members of the Council that 1 have received a letter from the representative of Honduras in which he requests to be invited to par- I 9. I would therefore ask for a little more time-perhaps overnight-to consider the amended text since it does radically change the draft resolution before us. IO. Mr. de PINIl% (Spain) (inf~~‘,pl’c’talia/?f,.om Spm7- isk): I am very appreciative to the representative of the United Kingdom for the explanations he has offered, but the co-sponsors have decided to request, under rule 33 of the provisional rules of procedure, a two-hour suspension of the meeting, that is, until 3.30 this afternoon, with a view to proceeding then to a vote on the draft resolution. 1 I. Even yesterday we asked for the adoption of the draft resolution as a matter of urgency. My delegation. and I speak also on behalf of the delegation of Panama, does not wish to see any more time lapse before the cease-fire comes into effect. As now indicated in paragraph 2 of the revised draft resolution, the Cease-fire would be linked with a simultaneous implementation of resolutions 502 (1982) and 505 ( 1982). With every passing hour there are more casualties, and my delegation cannot accept any indefinite postponement resulting in ever more casualties. On the other hand, if there were an immediate cease-fire, we would then be able to discuss the rest of the amendment, devoting whatever time was needed to its consideration. We realize the difficulties this could cause some delegations, but we have now shown sufficient understanding. We believe that the time has come for a cease-fire. for the Council to call for a cease-fire and for the immediate and simultaneous implementation of resolutions 502 (1982) and 505 (1982). What is clear is clear, and we are reluctant to see even one more hour go by-or, at most, the two hours of the suspension we are asking for-before the vote.

The representative of Spain has proposed that the meeting be suspended until 3.30 p.m. Is there any objection to that proposal? 13. Mr, NUSEIBEH (Jordan): I have listened very attentively to the statement of the representative of Spain. The interest which the-

I call on the representative of Spain on a point of order. 15. Mr. de PINIl% (Spain) (inrcrpretcrtion from Spnnish}: I am sorry to interrupt my friend, the representative of Jordan, but I wish to recall that subparagraph I of rule 33, to which 1 have referred, reads: “To suspend the meeting”, The last paragraph of the rule 16. The PRESIDENT (interpretation fiorn Frencltj: I simply asked whether there was any objection to suspending the meeting until 3.30 p.m., and I called on the representative of Jordan, who wished to make a statement. I now call on him to continue that statement.

We are aware of the gravity of the situation and the magnitude of the problem. I am not proposing that we debate the issue; I am simply asking for an additional hour and a hali to enable delegations not only to reflect but also to forward the amendment to their Governments and, it is hoped, to receive instructions. I think it would IX worth taking that additional time in view of the magnitude of the problem we are facing. 18. All I am requesting is a mere extension to 5 p.m., rather than 3.30 p.m. That would facilitate the consid. eration of and voting upon the draft resolution,

I note that the representative of Jordan has requested the suspension of the meeting until 5 p.m., and I there fore repeat the question I asked a moment ago: is there any objection to that request? 20. Mr. de PINI& (Spain) (inre~p,.etntior7~017z Spnn, ish): Mr. President, 1 submitted a proposal for decision by the Council. The proposal has now been amended. That, in my view, means that it is being debated, contrary to rule 33. I wonder how many more viclims there will be in that additional hour and a half that has been proposed. I agree that the proposal by the representative of Jordan should be put to a vote.

I enter with great hesitation into a procedural debate, and I think there should really not be very much disagreement between US on a matter of an hour or two. However, on a point of order, I believe that what was proposed by the representative of Spain comes under rule 33, subparagraph 3-that is to say, it fixes a certain day or hour. I am in the hands of the President but, on a point of order, I think that, if it is a simple suspension of the meeting under subparagraph 1 of rule 33, that indeed is decided without debate; but if it is fixing an hour -which would be 3.30 p.m.-this seems to me to bring it under subparagraph 3, which is not decided without debate. 22. It is obvious that there should be a midpoint in regard to the hour, but I hesitate to put forward a proposal. 23. Mr. de PINIGS (Spain)(inrerprerntion~o/?? SPfle. isl7): I think that I have had enough experience with 29. Mr. de PINIJ?S (Spain)(interpretationfiom Spanish): Mr. President, I should like to remind you that, when the representative of Jordan moved the suspension of the meeting until 5 p.m., I pointed out that the motion could not be discussed, but it seems reasonable to me that it be put to a vote. Therefore, I request that a vote be taken, not on my proposal but on the amendment submitted by the representative of Jordan, which is for a suspension until 5 p.m.

The representative of Spain has proposed a suspension of the meeting until 3.30 p.m. Is there any objection?

I proceeded in the way I did out of courtesy to the representative of Spain, but since he himself has suggested that it be the proposal of the representative of Jordan that be put to the vote, I would recall that that representative requested a suspension of the meeting until 5 p.m. I shall now put that proposal to the vote.

As this is the first occasion, Sir, on which I have spoken in a meeting since you assumed the presidency, I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your assumption of that office and also to offer consolation because you have assumed it at such a delicate and extraordinarily difficult moment in the history of the Council and perhaps even of the world. 26. I do not know whether all the other members of the Council will in fact be able to vote on this draft resolution at 3.30 p.m. I can only say, in the most straightforward fashion possible, that the proposed amendment very substantially alters the substance of the drafi: resolution, and from my point of view it will be necessary to consult with my Government in some considerable detail about our position on this substantial revision of the draft resolution. I think it will simply be impossible for us to vote by 3.30 p.m. Therefore, I ~would appeal to the Council to authorize a somewhat longer suspension than that so far proposed. Abstaining: Guyana, Panama, Poland, Spain, Togo, Uganda, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Zaire The result of the vote was 5’ in favour, none agaitzst, bvith IO abstentions. The proposal was not adopted, having failed to obtain the affirmative votes of nine members. 27. Mr. de PINI6S (Spain)(interpretation from Spanish): I am sorry to have to speak so many times. However, I should like to remind the Council that it was pointed out to me that, under rule 31: “Proposed resolutions, amendments and substantive motions shall normally be placed before the representatives in writing.” That was the reason given for not immediately proceeding to a vote on the draft resolution that we submitted yesterday. We accepted that interpretation of the rules. We are not now prepared to accept am interpretation of rule 33 which would allow a debate on everything we have been discussing for the past 20 minutes. The meeting was suspended at 1.55 p.m. and resumed at 6.10 p.m. 3 1. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from French); At the request of several members of the Council, and with the consent of the sponsors of the draft resolution, I propose to adjourn the meeting and to convene the next meeting of the Council tomorrow, Friday, 4 June, at 4 p.m. It MWS so decided. A vote was taken by shoiv of hands. In favour: China, France, Ireland, Japan, Jordan Against: None The meeting rose at 6.15 p.m. HOW TO OBTAIN UMTED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Nations publications may be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: United Nations, Sales Section. New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Nations Unies sont en vente dans les librairies et Its agences dCpositaires du monde enticr. Informez-vous auprbs de votre libraire ou adressez-vous ir : Nations Unies, Section des ventes. New York ou Genhve, COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de Ins Naciones Unidas e&n en venta en librerias y casas distribuidoras en todas partcs del mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirijase a: Naciones Unidas, Secci6n de Ventas, Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho in United Nations, New York 00300