S/PV.2518 Security Council

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Indonesia in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In accordance with the usual practice I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite the representative of Indonesia to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Koentarso (Indonesia) 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 Brunei Darussalam for membership of the United Nations [S/16367]. 3. In paragraph 3 of its report, the Committee recommends to the Council the adoption of a draft resolution on the application for membership of Brunei Darussalam. In accordance with the procedure followed on previous occasions, I ,propose that the Council first proceed to the, vote on that ,draft resolution and that representatives ,desiring to speak do so thereafter. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Council approves of this procedure. 4. Accordinglv. I now nut to the vote the draft resolution contained&paragraph 3 of the Committee’s report on the Admission of new Members. A vote was taken by show of hands. The draft resolution was adopted unanimously [resolution 548 (1984)].

I shah 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. 6. A number of representatives have asked to speak following the voting, and I now call on them.

It is always a privilege, as a member of the Security Council, to welcome the application for membership of the United Nations of a newly sovereign State. It is a particular privilege, and pleasure, to do so in the case of Brunei Darussalam. 8. The United Kingdom has been in special treaty relationship with Brunei since 1847. In 1888 the then Sultan placed his country under the protection of the British Crown when Britain assumed responsibility for the defence and external affairs of Brunei. 9. A further agreement in 1906 provided for a British Resident to be appointed to Brunei to advise the Sultan on matters relating to the ‘internal administration of the State. This arrangement continued until 1959 when the administrative subordination of Brunei to Sarawak -which mirrored similar arrangements of convenience in various dependent Territories-was ended and a High Commissioner was appointed to Brunei in its own right. 10. In 1971 a fresh agreement was signed, by which the advisory powers of the High Commissioner in Brunei were relinquished and which provided that Brunei should enjoy full internal self-government. Thereafter the only direct responsibility remaining with the United 12. My Government is proud to have assisted Brunei in good times and in bad. Many of my countrymen have served in Brunei. This has led to notable links of affection at every level. We are happy that Brunei now takes its rightful place in the comity of nations. 13. The Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation states that “the relations. between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .and the State of Brunei shall continue to be governed by a spirit of close friendship”. It is clear evidence of that close friendship that at the Brunei National Day celebration-, held yesterday, Her Majesty The Queen was represented by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. It is in the spirit of that friendship that I applaud the unanimous decision of the Council to recommend the admission of Brunei Darussalam to the ,General Assembly as its 159th Member. 14. Mr, LIANG Yufan (China) [inrerpretationfrom Chinese]: We are deeply gratified at seeing you, Mr. President, an illustrious diplomat of Pakistan, which is a friendly neighbour of China, presiding over the Security Council this month. With your rich diplomatic experience, outstanding ability and solid personality, you are steering the Council towards the smooth accomplishment of its tasks for this month. 15. I wish also to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to Mr. Chamorro Mora, the representative of Nicaragua, for the outstandingswork done during his presidency of the Council last month. 16. Having shaken off the foreign rule of nearly a century, Brunei Darirssalam formally declared independence on 1 January 1984, thus becoming a new independent State ‘in Asia. This is t,he victory won by the Brunei people after long years of struggle. The Chinese delegation rejoices at this happy event and would like to take this opportunity to extend warm congratulations to the Brunei Government and people. 17. Brunei and China share a relationship that can be .traced back to ancient times. Brunei started its friendly exchanges with China as early as over a thousand years ago. By the time of the Ming Dynasty of China, the exchanges between the two countries had reached a more profound stage. Today, there still remains a well- 18. On 1 January, the day when Brunei Darussalam declared independence, both President Li Xiannian of the People’s Republic of China and Premier Zhao Ziyang of the State Council sent messages to Sultan . Muda Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Head of State and Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam, warmly greeting the proclamation of the independence of Brunei and notifying him that the Govemment of the People’s Republic of China had decided to recognize ,the Government of Brunei. We sincerely hope that the traditional ,friendship between the two peoples will develop and grow stronger under the new historical conditions. 19. The Chinese Government has consistently held that all countries, big or small, should be equal. Brunei Darussalam has a long history and rich resources. Soon after Brunei Darussalam proclaimed independence, it became, first, the’sixth member State of ASEAN and, then, the forty-fifth member State of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The Chinese delegation fully supports the application of Brunei Darussalam for admission to membership of the United Nations and endorses the recommendation of the Security Council to the General Assembly to accept the application. We are convinced that Brunei Darussalam will make positive contributions to the prosperity and co-operation of the region, to the preservation of international peace and security and to the attainment of the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.

The United States delegation-not least as host country to the United Nations-is pleased to welcome the application for membership of Brunei Darussalam. We applaud the unanimous recommendation of the Council that Brunei’s application .be favourably considered. 21. Although our two countries are geographically very far apart, Brunei and the United States have enjoyed a variety of ties over the past century. Our consular relations date back to the late nineteenth century, and commercial contacts between our two peoples go back even further. We are confident that a full range of mutually profitable relations will expand in the years ahead. 22. The United States was honoured to participate in the National Day ceremonies yesterday, 23 February, marking the restoration of Brunei’s full independence. The fact that our official delegation was led by Mr. Kenneth Dam, Deputy Secretary of the Department of State marked the importance we attached to that event. We would note also that Brunei’s first ambassador to the United States, Mr. Pengiran Haji Idriss, will present his letters of credentials in Washington on 13 March. 24. My delegation, finally, wishes to extend its warm collegial congratulations to the people of Brunei and to His Majesty Sultan Muda Hassanal Bolkiah on the occasion of the restoration of Brunei’s full independence, its National Day celebration and its application for membership of the United Nations. 25. Mr. SMIRNOV (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) [interpretafion from Russian]: The Soviet Union supported the application by Brunei Darussalam to become a member of the United Nations. The delegation of the Soviet Union welcomes the declaration by Brunei Darussalam that it accepts the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations and solemnly undertakes to fulfil them. 26. On the day when the independence of Brun.ei Darussalam was declared, the Presidium of the ‘Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union sent His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam a, telegram which said: “On the occasion of the Brunei Darussalam’s declaration of independence, please accept our sincere congratulations,and every wish for the success and welfare of the people of your country on the road of independent national development. “The Soviet Union, constantly guided by the principles of equality and mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-intervention in internal affairs, hereby declares its recognition of Brunei Darussalam as an independent, sovereign State, and expresses its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with it.” 27. The Soviet delegation takes this opportunity to express its warm congratulations to this young State and its people, and to wish it every success on its path of independent development.

Mr. President, I wish first to congratulate you most warmly on your assumption of the presidency for this month. Not many pleasant occasions come the way of Presidents of the Security Council. You must therefore feel very pleased that the unanimous recommendation of the admission of Brunei Darussalam should take place today, under your presidency. I believe that that is in itself a sincere tribute to the high regard in which you are held by the members of the Council. I would add an expression of gratitude to your predecessor, the representative of Nicaragua, Mr. Chamorro Mora, for the excellent way in which he presided over the Council’s deliberations last month. 30. Three points occur to me in this connection. 31. First, and perhaps most important, a new membership is a healthy sign of faith in the United Nations. Not only is this a salutary measure in itself, but, as it occurs at a time when scepticism and sometimes even cynicism about the work of the Organization is rampant, this act of faith by a small country is a rebuttal of the weakness of faith that ,a11 too often threatens to engulf us. We hope, therefore, that this demonstration of practical faith will give doubters food for thought. Certainly the Organization ,will be the better for it. 32. Secondly, this new request for membership comes from a small country. Speaking from the vantage point of 1984, I believe it might be rewarding to look back at the academic debates, for and against, concerning small countries becoming Members of the United Nations. Today, with some history behind us, 1 venture to say that small countries have in word and in deed made a valuable contribution to the Organization, and, as a representative of a small countrymyself; I cannot but feel that I should give a special welcome to a new Member with which my country shares, among other attributes, the characteristic of .smallness, in a historic evolution which also has many similarities between our countries. 33. Thirdly, the moment a new Member joins the Organization, the ideals and aspirations of the United Nations suddenly expand to embrace yet another member of the family of nations. We are convinced that Brunei Darussalam will respond nobly to its obligations. We look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with the newly independent State of Brunei Darussalam and its delegation, and we shall be honoured, as a first step, to commence an effective mode of co-operation by co-sponsoring in the General Assembly the draft resolution on its admission as a Member, with the same warm feelings of solidarity and friendship as we express in the Council today. 34. My country shares a third characteristic with Brunei Darussalam and with an impressive number of other countries-that is, membership of .the British Commonwealth of Nations. It is gratifying for us to note that the growth of that organization, whose spontaneous bond is the result of historical development and association, keeps apace proportionate with the advances made in the United Nations itself, and that in fact the Commonwealth often takes an impressive leadership role in the search for progress within the United Nations in such matters as the advancement of human rights and economic development. 35. Finally, a word of congratulations is due to the representative of the United Kingdom and his Govem- 36. So, having joined in the Council’s unanimous recommendation that Brunei Darussalam become a Member of the United Nations, we extend our warm congratulations to its people and its Government, and wish them well in the years ahead. 37. Mr. de La BARRE de NANTEUIL (France) [interpretation fio,m French]: It was with particular pleasure that .my delegation voted in favour of the admission of Brunei Darussalam to membership of the United Nations. 1 _ ” I . . e.. 38. In today recommending to the General Assembly the admission of this new State, a few days after its accession to independence, the Council is once again demonstrating its commitment to the universality of the United Nations, and France is very gratified by that. 39. The new State of Brunei Darussalam is pledged to fulfil the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations. We are sure that it will fulfil them very well and make a positive contribution to the efforts that are being made by the Organization to promote peace and development. 40. The French delegation gives a warm welcome to our new partner within the United Nations family. We extend our warm congratulations to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his Government, and express to the people of this young State our best wishes for its well-being and prosperity. 41. Mr. BASSOLE (Upper Volta) [interpretation from French]: My delegation is very happy to see the United Nations family about to grow by the addition of a new Member. By responding positively to the request for admission to membership submitted by Brunei Darussalam, the Security Council has once again demonstrated its concern to ensure that the Organization maintain its universal character. We are convinced that this State will fully deserve its place in the international community, as its commitment to accept its obligations under the Charter indicates. Upper Volta is very happy to be able to co-operate with Brunei Darussalam with a view to furthering understanding between peoples and international peace and security. 42. Although today is a day of happiness, we cannot fail to devote some thought to those people in the world who are still languishing under the yoke of colonialism, for this moment also brings to mind their profound and legitimate aspirations to be with us, When shall we see the adoption of a draft resolution recommending to the General Assembly the admission of an independent Namibia to the United Nations? We dare to hope that Brunei Darussalam, which we warmly congratulate, will effectively and constructively contribute to finding 44. We are convinced that the people and Government of the new State will devote their best efforts to the cause of peace and justice. Irrespective of its size, Brunei Darussalam has an important place in this community of nations, membership of which entails sensitive obligations that are a true challenge to newly independent States, especially at a time when the peace and security of nations, in particular the small nations and those that belong to the third world, are often hindered by many kinds of tensions and various interests and when the preservation of independence and the right to self-determination seem to be not really inalienable rights but rights that are being questioned. 45. Once again we welcome the new State to the Organization. Its presence and active participation will increase the Organization’s undeniable strength as we consider the delicate matters dealt with here. 46. The representatives of Brunei Darussalam can rely on the co-operation of our delegation, and they can include the people of Nicaragua among their best friends. 47. Mr. KHALIL (Egypt) [interpr+ztion from Arukc]: Egypt supported the application of Brunei Darussalam for membership of the United Nations. It did so in the belief that the accession of that country to membership of the international family as well as ASEAN and the Organization of the Islamic Conference will contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and increased co-operation between countries having different political, economic and social systems. 48. On this occasion it gives the delegation of Egypt great pleasure to extend to His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and to the fraternal people of Brunei Darussalam sincere congratulations on the Security Council’s unanimous recommendation to the Assembly concerning Brunei Darussalam’s request for admission to membership. 49. Egypt has always supported the principle of the universality of the Organization. We are confident that the accession of this young State to the family of nations and the contribution it will make to the work of the 50. I should like here to reaffirm that Egypt will spare no effort to establish relations of close co-operation, friendship and mutual respect with the State of Brunei Darussalam, with which we have cultural bonds of special significance. It will also be a pleasure for our delegation to see the day on which it can co-operate with the delegation of Brunei Darussalam to benefit the international community. 58. India has had historically friendly relations with this beautiful country inhabited by peace-loving people. We look forward to establishing closer links of cooperation with the Government and people of the newly independent State. 51. Mr. KRAVETS (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic) [interpretation from Russian]: May I, Mr. President, avail myself of this opportunity to welcome you to your responsible post as President of the Security Council for this month and to wish you every success in your work. I feel I should also refer to the masterly skill and tact displayed by the representative of Nicaragua, Mr. Chamorro Mora, when he was President of the Council. 59. The Government and people of India rejoiced at the attainment of independence by Brunei Darussalam on 1 January 1984, and a high-level Indian delegation was sent to participate in the independence celebrations. 60. India has consistently supported the principle of universality, and the admission of Brunei Darussalam as the 159th Member of the United Nations will go further in the implementation of that principle. 52. The delegation of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic supported the recommendation of the Committee on the Admission of new Members that Brunei Darussalam be admitted to membership of the United Nations. We associate ourselves with the congratulations that have been addressed to that young State here in the Council on its attainment of independence and wish it and its people success and good fortune. 61. We wish Brunei Darussalam every success and look forward to working closely with its delegation to achieve our common objectives in pursuance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 53. When the delegation of the Ukrainian SSR studied the letter dated 8 February 1984 from the Head of State and Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam to the Secretary-General, it was gratified to note the declaration contained therein that Brunei Darussalam accepted the obligations contained in the Charter and solemnly undertook to fulfil them.

I have much pleasure in joining those who have welcomed the application for membership of the Organization of Brunei Darussalam. It goes without saying that my delegation had no difficulty whatever in supporting the recommendation contained in paragraph 3 of the report of the Committee on the Admission of new Members. 54. May we express the hope that the young independent State of Brunei Darussalam as a new Member of the United Nations, will make a useful contribution to the noble tasks of the Organization. 63. Members of the Council are aware that my country has aiways attached great importance to the universality of the United Nations-and of its subsidiary organs, for that matter-and we are therefore glad to welcome the now fully independent and sovereign State of Brunei Darussalam as the 159th Member of the Organization. We are confident that this new Member -with which the Kingdom of the Netherlands hopes to continue to maintain already excellent relations-will fulfil the requirements for membership, namely, that it is able and willing to carry out itsobligations under the Charter.

It is, Mr. President, a matter of particular pleasure for me to see you, a diplomat of high repute and experience, and an outstanding representative of our close neighbour Pakistan, presiding over these deliberations, having assumed the high offtce of President of the Council for the month of February. While extending to you our felicitations, I should like also to express my delegation’s sincere appreciation of the dedication and competence with which you have been guiding the deliberations of the Council towards constructive conclusions. 64. We are delighted that the Council has unanimously decided to recommend Brunei Darussalam for membership of the United Nations, thereby paving the way for its admission to the comity of nations. We very much look forward to welcoming its representatives to New York. 56. I should also like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to your predecessor, Mr. Chamorro Mora, representative of Nicaragua, for his excellent stewardship of the Council and the impartial and effective manner in which he conducted our work last month.

We are happy tojoin those who have spoken before us in welcoming the 66. The addition of any Member can only strengthen the Organization. Zimbabwe looks forward to the day when we shall welcome Namibia as a full and independent Member of the Organization. Self-determination is a human right that should not be enjoyed only by the big ones; it should be enjoyed also by the small nations, including Namibia. 67. Mr. ARIAS STELLA (Peru) [interpretationfrom Spanish]: First, I should like, on behalf of my delegation and on my own behalf, whole-heartedly to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the duties of President of the Council for this month. Your qualities as a diplomat, your experience and your intelligence constitute a guarantee of the success of the mission entrusted to you. Also, my delegation wishes to express its congratulations and gratitude to the representative of Nicaragua, Mr. Chamorro Mora, who presided over the Council during the month of January. 68. It is with deep satisfaction that my delegation joined in the unanimous agreement adopted .by the Council recommending to the General Assembly that Brunei Darussalam be admitted to membership of the United Nations. We greet the people and Government of Brunei Darussalam on this occasion. As of now, we offer them the goodwill and co-operation of the Peruvian delegation so that, along with the other Members of the United Nations, we can work together for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Charter.

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

It is a privilege for me to make a brief statement on behalf of the members countries of ASEAN, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. 71. At the outset, I should like to express my delegation’s appreciation to you, Mr. President, and, through you, the other members of the Council for affording me the opportunity to address the Council on this occasion. 72. I should also like to take this opportunity to extend to you, Mr. President, our warm congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of February. We are confident that under your presidency the Council’s proceedings will be brought to a successful conclusion. Permit me also to congratulate your predecessor, Mr. Chamorro Mora of Nicaragua, for the skilful manner in which he conducted the Council’s proceedings last month. 74. As is well know, Indonesia and the other ASEAN members have consistently supported the principle of universality as one of the most effective ways to promote ‘international co-operation. We are particularly pleased that the question of the admission of Brunei Darussalam has been brought before the Council for its consideration and approval. It is therefore with a deep sense of gratification that I should like to express the sincere appreciation of the member nations of ASEAN to all the members of the Council for their unanimous recommendation to the General Assembly that Brunei Darussalam be admitted to membership. It is our fervent hope that the Assembly also will unanimously approve the decision reached by the Council. 75. We are fully confident that Brunei Darussalam’s membership in the community of nations will contribute to furthering the principles of the Charter and the objectives of the Organization.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of PAKISTAN. 77. It is a happy coincidence that Pakistan, in its capacity as President of the Council, has the privilege of considering the request of Brunei Darussalam for membership in the United Nations. 78. Pakistan’s *support for the admission of Brunei Darussalam is but one demonstration of our warm sentiments of friendship for the Government and the people of Brunei Darussalam and our satisfaction and joy at its entry into the fold of the international community as an independent and sovereign State. The admission of Brunei Darussalam as the 159th Member of the United Nations will mark a further step in the attainment of universality by the United Nations. 79. Pakistan rejoices in the independence of Brunei Darussalam and greets His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and the people of Brunei Darussalam on entering a new phase of their history, ready to devote themselves to the cause of freedom, peace and progress. The very name of Darussalam adopted by the new State is imbued with this promise. As a token of the goodwill and respect which the people of Pakistan have for the brotherly people of Brunei Darussalam, the President of Pakistan, General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, personally represented Pakistan at the celebrations held at Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday. NOTE ‘-TO be printed in “United Nations, Treaty Series”, under No. 23477. 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 dans Ies librairies et les agences dipositaires du monde entier. Informez-vous aup& de votre libraire ou adressez-vous g : Nations Unies, Section des ventes, New York ou Get-&e. H3AaHuR opt-aHH3aqriu t,6’beAWHeHHblX HaqeR MO)K”O KynWTb B KHlWHbIX Mara- ZWHLX w aremc~~ax BO BC~X pai%oHax pupa. H~BOANT~ cnpaaKu 06 uaAaHwrfx B *awern xr3rmwon4 Mara3mre wnw n~mwre no anpecy : OpraHw3auwa 06%eAwHeHHblx HaswR, Cexuwn no nponaxe wanaHwR, Hbio-Ffoprc wnw Xeneaa. COMO CONSECUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas e&n en venta en lib&as y casas distribuidoras en todas partes de1 mundo. Consulte a su librero o dirijase a: Naciones Unidas, Secci6n de Ventas, Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho in United Nations, New York cm300 90-61313-January 1993-2.050