S/PV.2479 Security Council

I shall immediately convey this decision to the Secretary-General for transmission to the General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure. Yore meeting was called to order at 3.50 p.m. 5. A number of representatives have inscribed their names on the list of speakers following the voting. The first such speaker is the representative of the United Kingdom, on whom I now call. Adoption of the agenda IIRe agenda was adopted. Admission of new Members: Letter dated 19. September 1983 from the Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis addressed to the Secretary-General (S/15989)

One of the pleasantest duties that falls to a member of the Security Council to perform, and one that is also an honour, is to congratulate States which have recently attained their independence and to welcome their admission to the United Nations. It gives me particular pleasure to do so in the case of Saint Christopher and Nevis, with which the United Kingdom has been bound by close ties of friendship stretching back more than 350 years.

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Ecuador in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite the representative of Ecuador to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. 7. The Island’s link with Britain in fact began in 1623, when the first British colony in the West Indian islands was established on Saint Christopher. For most of their history, Saint Christopher and Nevis was administered as ‘part of the Leeward Islands. In 1956, with the abolition of the Federation of the Leeward Islands, Saint Christopher and Nevis and Anguilla became a separate dependency. At the invitation of the President, Mr. AIbomoz (Ecuador) took the place reserved for him at the side of the Council chamber.

The Council will now consider the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning. the application of Saint Christopher and Nevis for membership in the United Nations [S/15997). In paragraph 3 of its report, the Committee has recommended that the Council have recourse to the provisions of the last paragraph of rule 60 of its provisional rules of procedure, in view of the fact that the General 8. In 1967, the United Kingdom created six Associated States in the Eastern Caribbean as a transitional stage to full independence, retaining responsibility only for defence and certain aspects of external affairs., The accession of Saint Christopher and Nevis to independence on 19 Sep tember of this year-Anguilla having separated in 1980- was therefore of particular significance: it was the last of those six territories to become independent, following in 9. The status of Association with Britain negotiated in 1967 was from the outset voluntary and terminable at any time at the request of the Associated State. As in the case of the other Associated States, the Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis requested the British Government to terminate the Associated status through an ‘Order in Council. The British ‘Government took the view, that it was right to take such action provided it was satisfied that the majority of the people had agreed that the status of Association should be terminated and that the proposed independence constitution made proper provision for fundamental rights and the rule of law. The British Government, satisfied that these conditions had been met, agreed to the request of the Saint Christopher and Nevis Government that the status of Association should be terminated. Parliament approved orders to this effect in May of this year, and these were subsequently signed by Queen Elizabeth II on 22 June. 10. The Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis has made commendable strides in economic development. Agriculture is the main economic activity; manufacturing is now the dominant sector in terms of providing new employment opportunities. Tourism is also becoming a major growth area. The Government is actively encouraging private investment in manufacturing enterprises. The Government has received development assistance both through direct bilateral aid from the United Kingdom and from the World Bank, the European Development Fund and the Caribbean Development Bank. 11. The independence celebrations that took mace in Saint Christopher and Nevis last week were attendid by the Princess Margaret and the Minister for Overseas Development, Mr. Raison. They marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Saint Christopher and Nevis. The enthusiasm of the inhabitants and their obvious delight at the attainment of a new political status augur well for the future and the’challenges that lie ahead. I am confident that Saint Christopher and Nevis will go from strength to strength as an independent State and that they will be able to count on the support and succour both of this Organization and of its Member States, support that will be so vital, particularly in the early days of nationhood. _ i 2 The Unit&d ‘Nations for its part can only benefit from the membership of Saint Christopher and Nevis and the fresh ideas which its Government will bring to our deliberations. I am therefore delighted that the Council has decided unanimously to recommend to the General Assembly the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis. We very much,look forward to welcoming its representa- *tives to New York.

It was with particular pleasure that my delegation voted in favour of the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis to membership of the United Nations. Indeed! ,i welcoming ,,thisnew,State today, just a few days after its accession to .~ ,,.. ,., 15. Finally, Saint Christopher and Nevis has undertaken to discharge the obligations set forth in the Charter of the United Nations. We have no doubt but that this commitment will enable it to make its contribution to the Organization’s efforts in support of peace and development. 16. My country wel.comes this opportunity today to offer its best wishes for the happiness and well-being of the peoples of this new State.

We are happy to see that Saint Christopher and Nevis, a beautiful island country in the Caribbean, proclaimed its independence on 19 September 1983, thus joining the ranks of the independent States of the world. This is the result of the long struggles waged by the people of Saint Christopher and Nevis and a new victory in the whole struggle of decolonization. The Chinese delegation would like to take this’ opportunity to express its warm congratulations to the Government and people of Saint Christopher and Nevis and sincerely wish Saint Christopher and Nevis prosperity and its people well-being. ..I 18. The Chinese ‘delegation is delighted to welcome today the application of Saint Christopher and Nevis for admission to membership in the United Nations and endorses the recommendation of the Security Council to the General Assembly for admitting Saint Christopher and Nevis to membership in the United Nations. r,. 19. We have persistently maintained that all countries in the world, irrespective -of their size, can play their own parts in international affairs. We believe that, upon admission to membership in the United Nations, Saint Christopher and Nevis will, together with all other peace-loving and justice-upholding countries of the world, make positive , contributions to. the maintenance of international peace and-security and the realization of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 20. On the occasion of the proclamation of the independence of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Premier Zhao Ziyang of the State, Council of the People’s Republic of China sent a message to Prime Minister Kennedy Simmonds, extending heartfelt congratulations of the Chinese Government and people to the Government and people of Saint Christopher and Nevis and announcing the decision of the Chinese Government to recognize Saint Christopher and Nevis. Both China and Saint Christopher and Nevis are’ third-world countries. Our two peoples had similar experiences in the pastand are now facing the same task of rbuijdmg their coun$$,,h is our earnest hope that the relations between our two countries and the friendship

Mr. President; it must be a source of special pleasure to you that the unanimous recommendation for the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis, a fellow Caribbean country, should occur under your presidency. We, too, from the Mediterranean, are delighted to speak briefly in favour of the admission of this new island State to membership in the United Nations. 26. Apart from contributing further to the universality of the Organization, the new applicant augments the ranks of the Commonwealth and of the small developing island countries, now almost 50 in number, just under a third of the entire membership of the United Nations. I have noted with admiration the solemn undertaking given by the Prime Minister on behalf of his country, accepting all the tights and duties of membership. As another small country with only a relatively brief history of independence behind us, we welcome in particular the abiding faith in the United Nations evidenced by small countries, especially against a background of unhelpful onslaughts against the Organ&ion that sometimes hit the headlines. Therefore we rejoice that one more voice will be heard in the halls and corridors of the United Nations staunchly upholding the imperatives of development and peace. 22. On the day of the proclamaticjn of the independence of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union sent to the Prime Minister of that country, Mr. Kennedy Simmonds, a cablegram stating as follows: a’ ._ “On the occasion of the proclamation of the independence of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, our sincere congratulations and our best wishes for the prosperity and success of your people as you mo& along the path of independent national development. “The Soviet Government, cdtistantly guided by the principles of equality and mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity atid non-interference in internal affairs, hereby declares that it recognizes the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis as an independent and sovereign State and expresses its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with it.” 27. Malta and Saint Christopher and Nevis have much in common. Sharing their ideals and their aspirations, my delegation looks forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with the newly independent nation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, and we shall be honoured, as a first step, to co-sponsor the draft resolution on its admission as a Member of the General Assembly, with the same warm feelings of solidarity and friendship as we express in the Council today. The Soviet delegation would like to take this opportunity to address our warmest congratulatioris to this newly independent State and to its people.

I have great pleasure in expressing, through ourpositive vote in favour of the recommendatioti in the rep&t of the Committee on the Admission of New Members [ibid], ,our support for the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis to membership in the United Nations. On behalf of the Government of Pakistan and my delegation, I warmly welcome the entry of Saint Christopher and Nevis into the fold of the intemational community. The Govemmenf of the United Kingdom deserves congratulations for: . taking the riecessary steps to facilitate the independence ‘of Saint Christopher and Nevis and its membership in the United Nations. 28. We should like to extend a word of praise to the Government of the United Kingdom for the practical help it has extended in acceding to the wishes of the inhabitants of Saint Christopher and Nevis in their peaceful quest for independence after such a long association in the past. 29. We are very pleased to share in this moment of history, on the accession of a new country to independence and in a unanimous recommendation of the Council for admission to membership in the United Nations, which is certain to be implemented. We extend warm congratulations to the people and Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis. 24. We rejoice in the independence of Saint Christopher and Nevis and greet its people, who are-entering a new phase in their history as a free nation poised to devote its energy to the cause of peace arid progress. We are confident that Saint Christopher and Nevis will play an active role in the United Nations, making its valuable contribution towards the advancement of the principles and purposes of the Organ&lion. In this common endeavour, Pakistan greatly looks forward to the establishment of friendly relations with Saint Christopher and N&is ,atid the development of fruitful co-operation and contacts with its delegation at the United N&i&s. The admission’df

It is with profound satisfaction that the Polish delegation has supported the recommendation of the Security Council that Saint Christopher and Nevis be admitted to membership’ of the Uniad Nations. .’ 31. We have studied carefully’ the letter dated 19 Setitember.1983 from the Prime Minister of Saint Chriitqpher and Nevis, Mr. Kennedy Simmonds;to the Secretary-G&e&d, noting in harticular hi< ‘declaration that the newljr %om 32. The delegation of Poland welcomes the application, being firmly convinced that the admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis to the United Nations will strengthen the principle of equal rights and the right to self-determination of peoples as well as the principle of universality of the Organization. 33. Poland will be happy to see Saint Christopher and Nevis a Member of the United Nations international community.

As a representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I have much pleasure in joining those who have welcomed the application for membership in the Organization of this new State. It goes without saying that we had no difficulty whatsoever in supporting the recommendation in paragraph 4 of the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members [ibid]. 35. As the Council knows, my country has always attached great importance to the principle of universality of the United Nations, and we are therefore grateful to note that one of the first acts.of the newly established sovereign nation of Saint Christopher and Nevis has been the decision .to apply for membership of the Organization. Moreover, we are confident that this new Member, with which the Kingdom of the Netherlands hopes to continue to maintain good-neighbourly relations, will fulfil the requirements for membership: namely that it is able and willing to carry out its obligations under the Charter. We are particularly ‘glad that the Council has unanimously decided to recommend Saint Christopher and Nevis for membership of the United Nations and thereby to pave the way for its admission to the community of nations. 36. May I conclude by extending our warm congratulations to the people and Government of our new Member.

The delegation of Nicaragua would like to express its satisfaction at the attainment of independence by Saint Christopher and Nevis, with all the more emphasis in view of our position as a Latin American country member of the Council, country of Central America, a region which has very close historical ties of friendship and co-operation with the community of countries to which this new State belongs. This represents a further step in the as yet incomplete process of decolonization in Latin America. 38. We are convinced that in enlarging the Caribbean community, Saint Christopher and Nevis will contribute to the important role which the countries of the Caribbean play in the international arena. 39. This new State emerges at a time and in a region where there is political upheaval caused by social inequalities, precarious economic conditions and lack of respect 40. The natural trend of Latin American countries to non-alignment will be strengthened by the decision of this new sister country to become a Member of the United Nations. We arc fully confident that in this new condition, added to that of an independent Latin American State, it will abide fully by the obligations of the Charter and spare no effort to ensure the achievement of the great and important objectives of the ‘Organization.

As the oldest new nation and the first former British colony in this Western hemisphere to gain its independence, the United States warmly congratulates Saint Christopher and Nevis on its independence and welcomes it to the ranks of the nations of the Americas. In our capacity as host country to the United Nations, we welcome the representatives of Saint Christopher and Nevis to New York, and as a fellow Member we welcome Saint Christopher and Nevis to the United Nations. ‘. 42 Mr. ADJOYI (Togo) (interpretation from French): The Government and-people of Togo welcomed the accession to independence of Saint Christopher and Nevis on 19 September. 43. The application for admission to membership, which was duly tiled by the Prime Minister, Mr. Kennedy Simmonds, was not, in the view of my delegation, a mere formality. It demonstrated the faith of that young State in the United Nations and its determination to bring to the Organization the optimism which the Organization is beginning to lack. The admission to the Organization of Saint Christopher and Nevis will strengthen our vocation of universality and help our work. My delegation therefore voted in favour of the recommendation for admission which the Council is making to the General Assembly. 44. In conclusion, my delegation would like once again to salute this new sister State of Saint Christopher and Nevis and wish it every success in its contribution to our common search for a world of peace, a world of solidarity, in short, the better world to which we all aspire.

It is always a great occasion for my country when any part of the colonized world is granted independence. There are many more people who remain under the yoke of colonialism and imperialism. The attainment of independence by Saint Christopher and Nevis demonstrates the efficacy of the United Nations as an instrument of liberation of peoples all over the world. I am sure that we speak for ail oppressed persons when, we say that the freedom of Saint Christopher and Nevis serves as an inspiration to those that have yet to be granted independence.

The admission of Saint Christopher and Nevis to the United Nations which the Security Council has just decided to recommend to the General Assembly is closely related to the policy of decolonization and the emancipation of peoples enshrined in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and to the universal character of the Organization. Therefore, my delegation joins those whose representatives have already spoken in ,welcoming the Council’s positive vote, which embodies the international community’s determination to be enriched quantitatively as well as qualitatively, to the benefit of the ideals of peace and security. 48. I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate most warmly, on behalf of my Government, the valiant people of Saint Christopher and Nevis and its Government, and to wish them every success in the great family that is the United Nations.

The delegation of Jordan wishes to state that it welcomes the recommendation that Saint Christopher and Nevis be admitted as a member of the United Nations. We’ feel great satisfaction in congratulating this young State upon its independence, since the declaration of independence by the people of Saint Christopher and Nevis on 19 September is but an expression of aeprinciple that is dear to us all and to Jordan in particular-the principle of selfdetermination. The representative of Zimbabwe mentioned one people which still awaits’the implementation of this principle, and I believe that other people await the implementation of the same principle. SO. The declaration by the Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis that his State will abide by the principles and provisions of the Charter of the United Nations gives us great satisfaction. We believe that declaration was made at the right place and at the right time, 51. We look forward to establishing the best possible relations with this new State. That is why Jordan was among those States that supported the draft resolution that Saint Christopher and Nevis be admitted as a member of the United Nations.

The next speaker is the representative of Ecuador. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

I thank you, Mr. President, and members of the Council, for the opportunity that you have given me to speak in this forum on behalf of the Group of Latin Amer- 54. The cause of the eradication of colonialism has been a characteristic of Latin America, both in its 20 years of struggle to achieve independence in the nineteenth,century and in the firm and tenacious action of those Latin Americans who in our generation drafted the San Francisco Charter or those who are today members of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.. 55. Thus, 92 countries have already gained independence since then and have become Members of the United Nations. Twelve countries-today 13-have been-added to the original group of 20 Latin American founding fathers of the Organization. 56. Saint Christopher and Nevis is not an unknown, faraway country. It is older in world geography than almost all the other American countries. The islands of the Lesser Antilles were discovered, during the second voyage of Admiral Christopher Columbus. This successful landing during his first voyage, on 12 October 1492, led to his fame and to support from the Crown, which enabled him to organize a major expedition, this time with 17 vessels. During this expedition, upon returning to the Antilles, when he sailed past islands on his way to the island of Espaniolatoday the Dominican Republic-he brought the Leeward Islands to the notice of the rest of the world on 12 November 1493. 57. To the first island where Columbus was able to find safe shelter to drop anchor he originally gave the name St. MartIn, but it was later dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, the object of an old Roman religious devotion, a name which has survived as the Anglicized “Nevis”. 58. It was from the island of Nevis that he saw the other three islands-St. George, later called St. Christopher in honour of the saint whose name he bore, known in English today as St. Kitts; Statia, dedicated to St. Anastasia, and later St. Eustatius; and Saba. 59. All these islands are part of our reality and also part of our legend. For the peoples of Latin America, the Caribbean is the Mare Nostrum of our history. This is where the known dimensions of the planet were reshaped; from here began the expeditions of discovery and colonization of the countries of the whole American continent, today independent. 60. The presence of indigenous Caribbean and Spanish, French, English, Dutch and African elements in those islands gives a wondrous content to a history rich in universal contributions and is a symbol of the great blending 61. The Latin American community at the United Nations welcomes with open arms the new brother country of Saint Christopher and Nevis. We express our warm wishes for its prosperity and happiness, and we are ready to offer it the co-operation of the bodies, services and programmes of the system of the Organization, together with the solidarity and affection which are the hallmarks of our Latin American world.

As. there.are no further speakers on my list, I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of GUYANA. 63. It is with a feeling of special pride that Guyana participates in this consideration by the Council of the application for membership to the United Nations by Saint Christopher and Nevis, inasmuch as this State is from our Commonwealth and in the Caribbean subregion, and Guyana shares with it a common bond of history. 64. Along with these common historical ties, geography and a close cultural identity have destined Saint Christopher and Nevis and Guyana to have close fraternal cooperation. This cooperation is manifested particularly in our subregional organization, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), where our two States labour together with our neighbours to increase our. collective strength. 65. In our Caribbean Community therefore, Saint Christopher and,Nevis has iong been considered a full member, and we have always respected it as such. In saluting the attainment of formal independence by Saint Christopher and Nevis, my country’s President expressed the view that CARICOM wouid undoubtedly be strengthened by the islands’ new status. “Guyana looks forward”, he said, “to our continuing collaboration with Saint Christopher and Nevis in a common cause of regional integration”. 66. Guyana is committed to the goal of universality of membership of the United Nations, and it is our belief that 67. In ioining the Oraanization. Saint Christonher and Nevis will fallknder thi protection of the ChaAer. This, therefore, gives rise to particular duties for all Member States, the first of which is the guarantee to this newly independent country of full enjoyment of its sovereign rights: its territorial integrity, its security, its political and economic autonomy, as well as its right to development. 68. In closing, I reiterate the sincere congratulations of the Government and the people of Guyana to the Govemment and the people of our newly independent sister State. We wish it every success in its task of nation building. 69. As PRESIDENT of the Council, I declare that the Council has now concluded its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 4.30 p.m. I’ I,’ .‘. .t ., . .;. ,‘I’ .I ‘..‘,’ . ‘L idI+ a1Jft. Js J+l w i&l 3 I+ +I . ,,JWl .Li c,) ejiJl,,+ ~jL;ul? ~LGLI ?3I ~jlJ+ J.c J&l & . h+ 4 ,i h-4 3 &l rj ‘ i&-All (+LI : J! +A ,i l&u JAG $1 $~!mYkRx8la3l!s% B~~~t~~f~WP~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ isIk#~a~~&4E~t~3~zHABm IgFml#l~~o HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED 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 dam les librairies et les agences depositaims du monde entier. Informez-vous aupres de votre libraire ou adressez-vous B : Nations Unies, Section des ventes, New York ou Geneve. KAK I-IOJIYYKl-b kl3,&4HIUI OPTAHH3Ai&H4 OE’bEJe@iHEI-IHbIX HAUm M3EIHPifl optXHH3ZWiIt G6aenuuemibix Haunti MOXHO KJnrtTb B KHSiXCHblX MaTa3UHaX EiXeHTCTBaX BOBCeXpatiOHaXM~a.&BOilHTeCnpaBKII 06 W3LlaHBRXB BCiUIt?MKHIIXHOM Mara3mie wm rmumTe II? anpecy: OpraHn3aWx O6'beLViHeHHblX HauufI, CeIWix no npoiWKeH3JIaHH8, ?ibIO-k'iOpKRJni KeHeBa. COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas e&n en venta en librerfas y cams distribuidoras en todas partes de1 mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirfjase a: Naciones Unidas, Seccidn de Ventas, Nueva York o Ginebra.