S/PV.2527 Security Council

I should like, Sir, to begin by congratulating you, the distinguished representative of a friendly Member State; on your assumption of the high office of President of the Council for the month that hasjust begun. Your tenure as President has commenced on a sombre note, as the Council is once again seized of the troubled situation in Central America on the basis of a complaint by Nicaragua. Having had the privilege of working with you on other occasions, I am confident that you will bring to bear your considerable diplomatic skills and capabilities, as well as your eminent personal qualities on the discharge of your current responsibilities. 16. Nearly a year has elapsed since the Security Council adopted resolution 530 (1983) on the subject that is again before our consideration today. That resolution, inter alia, reaffirmed the right of Nicaragua and of all the other countries of the area to live in peace and security, free from outside interference; commended the efforts of the Contadora Group and urged that they be pursued; and appealed urgently to the interested States to co-operate fully with the Contadora Group, through a frank and constructive dialogue, so as to resolve their differences. Regrettably, in spite of the determined endeavours of the Contadora countries, peace and stability in Central America remain but a distant dream. Nicaragua, on the basis of whose plaint the Council adopted resolution 530 (1983), feels compelled yet again to seek the Council’s protection. 17. In November last year the General Assembly took what many of us deemed to be one of the most significant decisions of its thirty-eighth session when it adopted by consensus its resolution 38110 on “The situation in Central America: threats ‘to international security and peace initiatives”. That resolution was the product of many hours-indeed, many days-of tortuous negotiations among the members of the Contadora Group and the countries .directly concerned. That resolution, inter alia, unequivocally reaffirmed the right of all the countries of the Central American region to live in peace .and to decide their own future, free from all outside interference or intervention; affirmed that respect for the sovereignty and independence of all States of the region was essential to ensure the security and .peaceful coexistence of the Central American States; and expressed support for the efforts of the Contadora Group. ‘ 18. It was our hope that .such an unequivocal pronouncement, made without a vote, by the General Assembly would be the harbinger of peaceful negotiated solutions to the problems of the region. Even more important, it was our expectation that resort to militarism and solutions based on force would come to an end. The very fact that, on so vexed an issue as this, it had been possible to persuade the. parties directly concerned to adopt a consensus greatly encouraged the international community to look forward to an improvement in the situation on the ground. 19. It is regrettable that this has not been the case and that, on the whole, things have gone from bad to worse. That Nicaragua has felt obliged to have recourse to the 20. Nicaragua has also complained of a new kind of ,provocation, in recent times, in the form of mining of its ports, coupled with attacks on ships visiting them. Such acts, apart from causing disruption to the Nicaraguan economy, cannot but pose grave dangers, to intemational navigation, which has indeed already been adversely affected. Nicaragua’s concerns are deep-rooted and legitimate and strike a responsive chord in the hearts of the Government and people of India, enjoying as they do fraternal feelings for the Nicaraguan Govemment and people. 22. Ever since the Central American region became another focal point of international tension, the Government of India, as indeed the vast majority of the international community, has cautioned against recourse to military means in seeking solutions to regional problems. We have consistently advocated dialogue and negotiation as a peaceful means to reduce tensions and to bring stability to the area. It is an established lesson of history, particularly the tragic history of this troubled and hapless region, that peace and progress can be constructed only upon the foundation of an acceptance of political and socio-economic pluralism, scrupulous observance of the principles of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and an appreciation of the inherent and deep-rooted problems typical to the region; they cannot rest upon the exclusion of one State or another from the mainstream of regional development on one pretext or the other, nor can they be sustained on the strength of pressures, threats or blandishments. 21. I have had more than one occasion in this Council in the past to set out the position of the countries of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries with respect to the situation in Central America. I need not, therefore, repeat what was said on the matter by the Seventh Conference of Heads of State of Government of Non- Aligned Countries, held at New De1hi.a year ago. It is pertinent for me, however, to draw the Council’s attention to the text of the latest communique’ adopted on the subject by the Co-ordinating Bureau of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, which met in urgent session in New York on 15 March [S/26422, annex]. Permit me to quote from it the following excerpts: “Conscious of the urgent need to reduce tension in the area in order to facilitate dialogue, the Co-ordinating Bureau commended once again the constructive efforts of the Contadora Group towards finding a political solution to the problems of the region and urged them to continue their peace efforts. In this context, the Bureau noted with interest the advances made with respect to elections in yarious countries of the region, and highlighted the importance of making use of democratic processes as a means of bringing about domestic reconciliation in the various countries and detente in the region. It noted with satisfaction that the countries of the region had agreed to take measures which would guarantee effective popular participation in decision-making, taking into account democratic principles, economic development and social justice. 23. In this context the world has looked with much hope and expectation to the efforts of the Contadora countries to find a comprehensive political solution through dialogue with all the parties concerned. The Contadora exercise has received the blessings and support of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. The successful adoption in September 1983 of the Document of Objectives [S/16041, annex] marked a significant milestone in that effort. Nicaragua has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and has made important proposals of its own with a view to bringing about peace and reconciliation. It is regrettable, however, that the endeavours of the Contadora Group have of late been afflicted by a flagging of will and dragging of feet on the part of some countries. External interference has also continued unabated and, from all available indications; even intensified. Such attitudes and actions can only undermine the efforts of the Contadora Group, rendering a political solution even more difficult to achieve. 6‘ . . . “The Bureau called for an immediate end to all foreign military manoeuvres and activities on Central American territories and coasts, the installations of foreign military bases as well as all threats, attacks and hostile acts against Nicaragua. . . 24. In concluding, let me reiterate our conviction that it would be naive to believe that the problems of Central America, so endemic and rooted in history, can be “The Co-ordinating Bureau expressed its deep concern over the new escalation of these acts and 6‘ . . . “The Co-ordinating Bureau welcomed Nicaragua’s firm commitment to peace expressed through its latest initiatives and reiterated its solidarity with the Govemment.of National Reconstruction and the people of Nicaragua in their struggle to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and their right to independence.” 25. Mr. BASSOLE (Upper Volta) iinferpretation from French]: Mr. President, your term of office has just begun and already you are faced with the harsh realities of the Security Council, which so often has to work to defend and ‘safeguard international peace and security. On this solemn occasion I am happy to tell you how pleased and confident my delegation feels at seeing an eminent son of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic shouldering the heavy responsibilities of President of the Council at so crucial a time. Your ability and keen sense of objectivity and the businesslike manner in which you have always worked within the Council ensure that these meetings and any others that might take place during your presidency will be as successful as the world expects them to be on matters relating to peace and security. 26. I should also like to .express my delegation’s appreciation to the representative of Peru for the admirably competent manner in which he presided over the work of the Council during the month of March. 27. The Council has listened with interest and concern to the statements made by,the representatives of Nicaragua and the United States of America. I say “and concern”, for the Council, in responding favourably to Nicaragua’s request, might have seemed to be carrying out a ritual. But in fact, if we look carefully at the situation, that is not the case, ,and the fact that this country, which is having such difftculty now, should have chosen to come to the Council bears witness to the growing scope of tensions in the region. 28. It is the underlying reasons for this tension that my delegation wishes to address, because on them depends whatever solution the Council might adopt to prevent the worst from happening. Our analysis, in this regard, accords fully with that made by the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi a year ago. In their analysis of the situation in Central America, the Caribbean and the South Atlantic, the heads of State or Govemment observed that Central America was going through a political, social and economic crisis mainly because of the traditional structures of repressive power and national economic structures that encourage poverty, inequality and suffering; which, in turn, have been aggravated by intervention and interference in the activities of the countries of the region since the last century. 4 . . 30. It is most disturbing to see at that high level so subjective an analysis of a situation so dangerous for international peace and security. It was particularly upsetting, in that it seemed to be the answer given to President Francois Mitterand, who, speaking courageously and objectively of revolutions in the third world, said, according to The New York Times of 22 March: “Their roots lie deep in the legacy of the past. Thus, the peoples of Central America have a long history marked by military oppression, social inequality and the confiscation of economic resources and political power by a few. Today, each of them must be allowed to find its own path toward greaterjustice, greater democracy and greater independence and must be allowed to do so without interference or manipulation.“* Such truths could spring from no better source than such a frank and true ally of the United States. 31. So it is clear that the real reasons for the problems arising here and there in Central America are well known to everybody, including the Reagan Administration, which, for unacknowledgeable reasons also known to all, wants to replace them with others so as to justify its hatred of the Sandinist revolutionary regime. 32. No, the changes in Central America cannot be the result of an East-West ideological confrontation, as that Administration claims. 33. Of course it would be Utopian to consider the‘ critical situation in the region without taking account of the unfavourable developments in the overall world situation, characterized as it is by great-Power confrontation, But it would also be Utopian and naive to refuse to recognize or understand that that crisis has been aggravated by increasing imperialist interference in the internal affairs of States in the region. 34. In stepping up their subversive activities and assorted acts of aggression in order to destabilize the Sandinist revolutionary regime and replace it with a regime more to their taste and beholden to them, the enemies of the Nicaraguan people are giving striking proof that that popular, democratic revolution is proving to be a thorn in their side. Rooted, as it is; deep in the hearts of the people, the Sandinist regime has put i a brutal end to the banquet of the predators. * Quoted in English by the speaker. r 41. To say that the regime does not live up to its commitments is surely just another way of misrepresenting the facts. The irrefutable fact is that today the Sandinist National Liberation Front courageously and determinedly refuses to fill the shoes of the dictator Somoza. But even though the United States seems to recognize Somoza for what he was, it never fought for the rights and principles that it claims to defend today in Nicaragua. 36. It is said that it is an obsession to harp on the United States Government’s hostility towards the Government of Nicaragua, but we believe in the power of the word, and it is our deep conviction that the Council must speak out, to the extent that the inspirational strength of the word can indeed prevent an evil fate from befalling Nicaragua and the region. 42. Nicaragua has always shown good will in its search for political and negotiated solutions to the problems of Central America. Its efforts to this end have often been ridiculed by those who, deep down, wanted things to go differently so as to justify the destabilizing activities carried out against the Sandinist regime. The decision taken by the military junta in power in Nicaragua to organize free and democratic elections in November 1984 is, as far as we are concerned, irrefutable proof of the determination of the authorities of that country to respect scrupulously their commitments. 37. During the seventh summit conference of Non-. Aligned Countries, the heads of State or Government also spoke out. They spoke in order to call on the Governments of the United States and Honduras to take a more constructive approach, to support peace and dialogue, in accordance with the principles of international law. They also described in no uncertain terms the attitude taken by Nicaragua as a positive one. Hence it is astounding how blithely some people have tried to accuse that State of destabilizing the Governments of neighbouring States-for example, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica. 43. My delegation believes that the eminent Englishman John Stuart Mill was quite right when he said that “a people’s search for freedom is an irresistible movement that may be stifled once, twice, many times, but never permanently.” But it is seriously to be doubted whether the freedom that Mill spoke about is the same as that to which the representative of the United States referred in her statement of 23 March 1983 [242&h meeting]. 38. We are convinced that the Council will be able to discern the truth or falsity of such allegations. As far as we are concerned, they stem, purely and simply, from the desire of those who make such accusations to “divide and rule”; for the Sandinist revolution-which today enjoys popular and almost unanimous support within Nicaragua and unequivocal support among peoples that cherish peace, freedom and justice, as well as among peoples that are struggling against oppression, wretchedness and colonial domination-is the work of Nicaraguan patriots, many of whom have already paid with their lives for daring to defend human dignity., There is no people that can simply import a revolution worthy of the name or have one imposed on it. 44. My delegation also believes that repression is not a human or political right,nor is oppression, the practice of racism,- apartheid, or the policy of expansionism. Whatever the case, we are willing to work in close co-operation with all those who share this belief in order to ensure that such rights are not granted by the Council or any Member of the United Nations to any Government whatsoever. If we all act in concert in this way, we shall be doing something worthwhile. 39. The Security Council must act firmly if it wishes to prevent other freedom fighters from dying, if it wishes to prevent other invasions like the one of which Grenada was a victim. More than ever before, the Contadora Group must intensify its efforts to find peace in the region. 45. A hungry world that thirsts not only for water but for freedom and justice does not need quarrels between neighbours. The third world is suffering from many serious evils, the solutions to which depend entirely on the political will of those already in power-those whose insatiable lust for domination makes them intellectually and politically shortsighted. 40. We say this because responses based on bitterness are always unpredictable and indeed uncontrollable. I speak of the rancour gnawing at the heart of the Reagan Administration because Nicaragua is still surviving, its people happy and pleased with the political, economic and social system that it has freely chosen for itself. Of course, that system has nothing in common with the one that some people would like and still relentlessly seek to impose on it. But could the regime against which the Reagan Administration has so ruth- 46. Here I am reminded of ‘what was said by Mr. Clausen on 27 September 1983 to the Boards of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund: “When they deal with questions of worid security, Governments of countries-developed and devel- At this stage in the situations prevailing in the world -notably in Latin America, Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East and Africa-that is a question the Council must put to those major Powers that have the very disturbing temptation to oversimplify problems and to boil them down to an ideological struggle for influence. 47. If the whole Council recognized that every State has the right freely to choose its own political, social and economic system, the answer to such questions would be easy to find. Unfortunately, that is not so, which is why we have to meet as often as we do;nmning the danger of falling into a stale routine. 48. My delegation appeals to the Council to condemn the ever more numerous acts of fresh aggression and intimidation suffered by Nicaragua and the attempt to blockade it by mining its ports. We also appeal to all the States concerned to ensure an end to the non-declared war against Nicaragua and hasten the search for negotiated political solutions to the problems of the region.

As this is the first time Zimbabwe has spoken in the Council since the sad news of the untimely death of the President of the Revolutionary People’s Republic of Guinea, 1 wish first to express my delegation’s deep sympathy to the brotherly delegation of Guinea on the passing away of their beloved and great leader. Both my President and my Prime Minister, Mr. Banana and Mr. Mugabe, have already expressed the,deep condolences of the Govemment and people of Zimbabwe to the Government and. people of Guinea, Because the late President Ahmed Sekou Toure was a true champion of African independence, freedom and unity, and also because he was an uncompromising advocate of non-alignment, his untimely death is a great loss to the peoples of independent Africa and to the entire non-aligned movement. JO. Secondly, Mr. President, allow me to congratulate you very warmly on your assumption of the stewardship of the Council for the month of April. Unfortunately, your presidency does not promise to be a quiet one, and therefore under you the Council will be extremely busy. Fortunately, however, your vast diplomatic experience and skill give us confidence that under your guidance the Council will be able to discharge its difficult responsibilities. I also wish to express through you my delegation’s complete satisfaction with the most exemplary and dignified manner in which the outgoing President, Mr. Arias Stella of Peru, guided the Council’s work in March. He certainly gave the Council the benefits of his wisdom and other excellent qualities of leadership and diplomacy. 52. We note with very serious concern that since the Council was apprised of the Central American situation by the representative of Nicaragua some three weeks ago the situation has become progressively more critical and dangerous. The -activities of counter-revolutionaries against the civilian population and economic infrastructure of Nicaragua have become more numerous, thus gravely undermining peace and stability in that country. It is becoming increasingly clear that the ultimate object of these bands, and of their external masters who provide them with material, financial and military support, is to bring down the legitimate Government of Nicaragua by military’means. Thus, lately they have not only intensified their assault against the Sandinist Government, but have also adopted new and more hideous methods, threatening Nicaragua’s territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty. These new methods include the mining of that country% territorial waters, the threat of naval blockade of its coast, and the organization of air raids against both military and economic targets. 53. We must observe with concern that some of the recently introduced methods of aggression are not only resulting in extremely high casualties among civilian populations and causing even greater destabilization of the economy of Nicaragua, but are also seriously endangering international navigation in the whole region. As members of the Council know, incidents resulting in the disruption of maritime traffic have already been reported, and some of them have resulted in injury to innocent seamen, not only from Nicaragua, but from other countries as well. 54. This Council, charged with the primary responsibility for international peace and security, must express its grave concern at the deteriorating Central American situation, now seriously threatening regional stability. It must call upon those responsible for the violation of international law to’desist from their injurious activities and to observe strictly the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations requiring all the members of the international community to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or ‘political independence of other States. The Council must also demand the strictest respect by those concerned of Nicaragua’s right to espouse and develop its own chosen political system, without any external threat or interference. 55. Once again we commend the efforts of the Contadora Group in ‘seeking peaceful solutions to the probems of Central America. We also note with en- 56. Mr. LIANG Yufan (China) [inrerp&tionfiom Chinese]: First of all, Sir, please allow me to ‘express my congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I am sure that,. with your rich experience in diplomacy, you will certainly fulfil this important mission with much success. I wish also to avail myself of this opportunity to express my admiration and gratitude to your predecessor, Mr. Javier Arias Stella, representative of Peru, for the outstanding contributions he made during his term as President of the Security Council in March. 62. The PRESIDENT [interpretationfrom Russian]: The next speaker is the representative of Guyana. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

It gives me special pleasure to see you, Sir, presiding over the Security Council in this month of April. You bring to your high office, inaddition to your well known brilliance, your methodical, efficient manner and your mastery of the art of diplomacy, which together give an assurance that under your stewardship the Council will effectively and successfully discharge its responsibilities this month. I must also take this opportunity to express to your immediate predecessor, Mr. Arias Stella of Peru, my delegation’s appreciation for the very capable and effective manner in which he conducted the Council’s business in the month of March. 57. The Chinese’delegation has listened attentively to the statements of Mr. Javier Chamorro Mora, representative of Nicaragua, and of representatives from other countries. And now 1 would like to speak briefly on our standpoint with regard to the current situation in Central America. 58. Over a period of time the Contadora Group has been endeavouring unremittingly to attain a peaceful settlement to the disputes among the Central American countries, oppose outside interference and ease the tension in the region. Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela, together with the five countries of Central America, have engaged in negotiations on several occasions, making it possible for the situation in the region to develop towards a positive orientation. However, the independence and sovereignty of Nicaragua and other Central American countries have been subjected to continuous military threat from outside, which renders it impossible to alleviate the tension in Central America. This naturally causes wide concern for the international community. 64. This is the sixth occasion in the past two years that the Government of Nicaragua has had cause to complain to the Security Council about aggression against it. Each complaint since the first has provided the Council with an opportunity to assess the progressive deterioration of the situation ‘in Central America, in particular in relation to Nicaragua. I do not need to repeat the elements of the situation described by Nicaragua before the Council; they are indeed well known to anyone who reads The New York Times or watches television in New York. But there is no doubt that the situation is one that must cause concern to all States truly interested in seeing peace and security return to Central America. I 59. On 15 March 1984 the Co-ordinating Bureau of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries adopted a communique’ on the situation in Central’America [S/16422, annex], in which it called for “an immediate end to all foreign military manoeuvres and activities on Central American territories and coasts, the installation of foreign military bases as well as all threats, attacks and hostile acts against Nicaragua”. The Co-ordinating Bureau also condemned the “mining of Nicaraguan seaports which has caused loss of human life and heavy material damage and’ which endangers international navigation”. That communiquk reflects the concern of the third-world countries in general over the present situation in Central America. ,. ‘. 65. Mr. President, I wish to thank you and your colleagues on the Council for granting our request to participate in this debate. We have not sought this participation to enter into polemics or to engage in slander or recrimination. To do so would be to render a disservice to the cause of peace in the region and to the people of Nicaragua, whose fortitude and patience are being so severely tried from one day to the next. At any rate, do not, we all know who is behind all this military activity directed against Nicaragua? Who among us is in any doubt as to where the millions come from to fuel counter-revolutionary activity against the Government 66. As a State of the region, Guyana is grieved at the hostility and aggression that have been unleashed and are intensifying against the people and the territory of Nicaragua. We condemn the escalation of that aggression, most recently in the form of the mining of Nicaragua’.s major ports. Not only does this action constitute an attempt to blockade Nicaragua; it also constitutes a reckless endangerment of intemational navigation. We are also alarmed at the steadily increasing militarism in Central America. The people of that subregion, who have been seeking for so long to throw off the shackles of poverty, underdevelopment and ignorance, are undeserving of these excesses, which only place them on the brink of a full-fledged armed confrontation with implications not only for Central America but for the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. 67. My delegation would like to make a solemn appeal, once again, for a turning away from this frenzied course of arms and more arms towards peaceful, negotiated solutions to the problems facing Central America. The Contadora process is the expression of the wish of the peoples of Central America for just such solutions. In their Document of Objectives, adopted in September 1983, Central American foreign ministers rejected military solutions to the problems of the region. Outside Powers must respect that wish of the peoples of Central America. 68. The activities of the Contadora Group enjoy world-wide support. Guyana, for its part, would like to reiterate its support for that effort. We believe that the Contadora,process offers a sound practical basis for negotiated solutions to the problems which Central American States have among themselves, solutions that would respect the independence of the States concerned and also take account of their own needs and interests. We call on ail States to intensify their support for that effort, not merely in their rhetoric. Contadora already has more than enough verbal support. What is more important now is that States refrain from actions which go against the goals and purposes of the Contadora Group or frustrate their achievement. 69. The activities of the Contadora Group have their roots in the Charter of the United Nations and in the solemn instruments which the General Assembly has adopted over the years governing relations among States-instruments such as the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States ‘in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,’ the Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention and Interference in the Internal Affairs of States,’ and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International 70. The lesson of recent experience in Central America is that departure from these principles endangers peace and stability and leads to increased human suffering. My delegation finds puzzling the contradiction in the attitude of some States which piously call for respect for those principles in other areas while brazenly violating them in Central America. 71. My delegation sincerely hopes that the Council will make an effective response to the threat to peace and security which the Government of Nicaragua has brought to our attention. We call, in particular,, on the permanent members of the Council, which have a special responsibility in respect of the maintenance of international peace and security, to exert their influence to achieve an immediate end to the hostilities being directed against Nicaragua and to promote negotiated settlements to whatever disputes may exist between Nicaragua and any of its neighbours. It is time that the people of Nicaragua were left alone and were allowed to enjoy their right to live in peace and security, and to work for the development of their country, free from outside intervention and interference. 72. The PRESIDENT [interprezutionfrom Russian]: The next speaker is the representative of Mexico. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 73. Mr. MARfN BOSCH (Mexico) [interprefarion from Spanish]: Please accept, Sir, the cordial congratulations of the Mexican delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Security CounciLWe are quite sure that you will prove able to lead to a successful conclusion the Council’s work during the month which is now beginning. Allow me also to congratulate the representative of Peru on his wise conduct of the work of the Council, which last month had the benefit of his diplomatic tact -and international experience. 74. I thank the members of the Council for granting me this opportunity to convey to the Council once again the Mexican Government’s profound concern at the steadily worsening situation in Central America. It is with apprehension that we see the principles of the Charter and international law being violated with alarming frequency in that region and the persistent tendency to coerce the free exercise of peoples’ right to self-determination. 75. The efforts of the Contadora Group to bring peace to Central America are based on compliance with the principles of international law which guide the conduct of States. The document containing 21 objectives, signed in September of 1983, emphasizes 12 of those principles. They include the self-determination of peo- 76. A few days ago, on 28 March, Mr. Miguel de la Madrid, President of Mexico, said in Brasllia that the experience of the Contadora Group shows that: “It is possible for countries bordering on the area of conflict and generally interested in the solution of problems that might eventually involve them to play an active and important role in restoring ‘dialogue and negotiation, thus relieving tension and restoring peace. It is equally important that the countries involved, directly or indirectly, in a regional conflict should refrain from taking action that could exacerbate that conflict, should renounce hegemonistic aspirations and should not engage in interference or destabilization actions.” President de la Madrid also said: “Outsiders are attempting to solve conflicts in Central America. The various paths of development which its countries have chosen are being placed by those outsiders in the context of a global confrontation which distorts them. The exacerbation of tensions and confrontations could lead, if we do not studiously avoid it, to a generaiized conflict that would endanger the security of Latin America and beyond. Latin America needs a stable and pluralistic Central America which can fit into the patterns of co-operation and enrich’the joint endeavours of the region. “The path to achieving that is clearly one of dialogue and negotiation, based on respect for national identities and forms of expression+ and it is certainly not the path of confrontation and conflict, of destabilizing actions or the imposition of models designed elsewhere by those who think that they know better than the Central Americans themselves what Central, Americans want and should have.” 77. The objectives agreed on by the Central American countries include the prohibition of the stationing on their territory of foreign military bases or any other forms of foreign military interference, as well as the prohibition of the use of their territory by persons, organizations or groups seeking to destabilize the Governments of Central American countries, and the refusal to provide them with or to permit them to receive military or logistical support. 78. In the joint statement signed in Bogota on 27 March, the Presidents of Colombia and Mexico stated that while the Contadora process “had definitely contributed to avoiding the outbreak of war in the isthmus and to generating the elements for honourable and equitable negotiations”, they continue to be worried “at the increase in acts of destabilization, shows of force and the violation of human rights”. 80. The Security Council has received reports on the laying of mines near Nicaragua’s main ports. As a result, a number of merchant vessels have been damaged and fishing boats destroyed, and the navigation and shipping of a State Member of the United Nations have thus been disrupted. 8 1. In October last year, when considering the critical situation in another part of the world, the Council categoricallyopposed the disruption of international shipping and the blockading of ports. In resolution 540 (1983) it affirmed, in paragraph 3, “the right of free navigation and commerce in international waters’* and called upon the belligerents “to cease immediately all hostilities in the region of the Gulf, including all sealanes, navigable waterways, harbour works, terminals, offshore installations and all ports with direct or indirect access to the sea”. 82. What is happening in Central America clearly refleets the major choices facing the international community: on the one hand, the absurd attempt to achieve peace by waging war, and on the other, the negotiated and rational solution of existing conllicts; the arms race on one hand and the quest for just balances and lasting settlements of contemporary problems on the other. 83. The military actions of destabilization and economic blockade taking place in Central America are in flagrant opposition to the peace-making efforts that the countries of the Contadora Group have been making for more than a year. Therefore President de la Madrid, on his recent visit to Colombia, stated: “Contadora is a Latin American effort to resolve a Latin American conflict. The region can find its own answers to the problems affecting it. We reject the use of force: genuine peace and democracy in the area can be achieved only through abandonment of the temptation to resort to violence and, through effective promotion of the full development of our nations. For Central America, Contadora is not just one choice among many; it is the only possible way lawfully to achieve harmonious co-existence among 84. Thus there are two opposing views of the real state of affairs in Central America and of its politics. While the Contadora countries propose disarmament in the area, respect. for the self-determination of ,each people.and measures to achieve the economic and social development of the region, there are‘ those who continue to‘hold an outmoded view of international relations, according to which militarism, pressures and a war economy are the best guarantees of their own security and strategic designs. 3 _. 85.. History has frequently demonstrated the limitations and fallacies of such ‘an” approach. Rigid military thinking has often endedup affecting those who apply it and has turned against’its authors. When the Contadora Group, proposes the conclusion of agreements in accordance with the law, it is espousing, within the Central American sphere, the ideals and purposes of the internatipnal community on a universal level: dialogue and respect for norms, general and complete disarmament, economic and social development, the elimination of confrontation and a gradual relaxation of tension. The work of the Contadora Group has received the support of the international community precisely because of this complete identity between the universal principles of co-existence among States and its objectives of peace and stability. 86. A universal consensus has been confirmed here with respect to the fact that the conflicts in Central America originate in the economic and social conditions experienced by the peoples of the region. At this stage no one could venture to define this crisis in terms of ,a, mechanical reflex of East-West confrontations. 87, That being the conviction of the Government of Mexico from the very start, and as it is firmly supported by the.Contadora Group,-let,us act accordingly. Let us use all the political, diplomatic and .material resources available to us to put an end to the hostilities, establish just and lasting agreements among the parties and engage in a great reconstruction effort for the countries of Central America with,the determined assistance of the international community, The time has come for everysne to .assume his responsibility. 88. A just and lasting solution of the Central American crisis will be achieved only through genuine commitment and participation by all States, in particular the permanent members of the Security. Council, whose responsibility for the maintenance, of international peace and security., must be exercised in. accordance with the principles of the Charter and within the institutional framework, laid down by, it. 89. For all these’reasons., the international commu-. nity cannot remain passive in the face of the escalation of military actions; destabilization and ecqnomic blockading now going on against Nicaragua. Mexico reiter- 90. The PRESIDENT [inte@retationfiom Russian]: The next speaker is the representative, of the Syrian Arab Republic. 1’ invite him to take a place at the Council table.and to make his statement. I 91. Mr..EL-FATTAL (Syrian Arab Republic) [interpre(utionfiom Arabic]: Allow,me at the outset to congratulate you; Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of-the Security Council for this month. We are convinced that thanks to your experience, objectivity and wisdom the Council will succeed, despite all.the obstacleswe expect, in putting an end to the imperialist plot being directed against Nicaragua and other States in Central America and in other regions of the world. I also‘take this occasion to express to your predecessor, the representative of Peru, our admiration for the ideal way in which he conducted the work of the ,Security Council in .a month that all agree was fraught with challenges to the preservation ‘and enforcement. of international relations as prescribed by the Charter. 92. The Security Council is’meeting to consider the extremely dangerous situation facing Nicaragua and the people’s Sandinist revolution. Nicaragua requested the convening of the Council in the wake of the startling escalation of acts of aggression against it. This escalation is designed to eliminate the Sandinist revolution by all means, and in the first place by overt and covert military force. It is of great concern to us that this escalation of aggression is taking place simultaneously with the attempts, which began more than a year ago, to solve the crisis in Central America by peaceful means, through the efforts and,,initiatives of the Contadora Group. These efforts and initiatives are based on understanding and on principles which, if they were allowed to be implemented, would restore to the region stability, peaceful coexistence and co-operation between the States thereof. Those principles would also recognize that the States of the region are entitled to selfdetermination and. to pluralism based on the right of peoplesto choose their social and economic systems in full freedom, without any external pressure or intervention. 93. Unfortunately, however,, despite all the effo,rts exerted‘ by the Contadora Group, despite all the agreements approved by all parties in Central America, we are ‘firmly convinced from what is taking place on the scene that the United,States is doing everything possible to place obstacles in the path of peaceful means. Indeed, it is striving to destroythem from their very inception; it is trying to,concentrate on the use of military force in order to undermine the independence of the countries of central America, with Nicaragua at 95. We agree with an American author who has pointed out Washington’s obsession about Nicaragua. Professor Richard H. Ullman, in an article published in Foreign Afluirs, the fall 1983 issue, pointed out the psychological symptoms plaguing the American mentality. He wrote: “The Reagan Administration is at war with Nicaragua. Like other wars the United States has fought since 1945, it is an undeclared war. It is also a small war. No U.S. serviceman has yet fired a shot, but ,American-made bullets from American-made guns are kilhng Nicaraguans, and the President of the United States has made the demise of the present Nicaraguan Government an all-but-explicit-aim of his foreign policy. I “Indeed, the President and his closest advisers se&m obsessed with Nicaragua, and their obsession has infected their Government at all levels.?’ 96. We listened very carefully to the statement made on Friday last by the representative of Nicaragua. That statement clearly indicated Nicaragua’s genuine fears concerning aggressive acts perpetrated against it, including the concentration of land, sea and air forces near the borders of Nicaragua and in its territorial waters, as well ‘as acts of sabotage carried out inside Nicaragua by counter-revolutionaries, funded by. the United States and with the participition of agents of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The aim of all these activities is the overthrow of the Nicaraguan regime by 97. In addition to all that; the newest form of escalation has been the blockade of Nicaraguan ports by ‘the use of mines. There have also been acts of sabotage against the economic infrastructure that Nicaragua needs to feed its people and,’ by the efforts of its sons and daughters, to‘build in the country a society providing for every individual dignity and freedom and real political participation. It is these acts of aggression that prompted the representative of Nicaragua to put these, questions to the international community: “May I ask the international community whether the Nicaraguan people are .not justifiably alarmed at the large-scale military manoeuvres which have been going on uninterruptedly . . . in the territories and waters of Central America and the waters of the Caribbean. May I ask the international community if the Nicaraguan people are not justifiably alarmed at the criminal mining of their ports, which endangers international navigation and makes explicit the economic blockade begun a number of years ago. May I also ask the international community ‘if the Nicaraguan people are not justifiably alarmed at the constant efforts of the American Administration to obtain funds necessary to finance the mercenaries of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).” [See 2525th meeting, par-a. 8.1 98. On 30 March we listened also to the statement by the American delegation, which proved that the United States is intent upon’ committing acts of aggression under the banner of “achieving democracy in Nicaragua’ ’ , as though American democracy-the bankruptcy of which is-proven daily in every field, and which is indicted by widespread poverty, unemployment, drug use and control of United States foreign policy by the Zionist lobby-were a common product which could simply-be manufactured and imitated by devel-’ oping countries. I confess to the United States delegation that we are not such manufacturers of miracles; we cannot build a democracy similar to that of the United States, a democracy where the Government has been snatched by a band of Zionists who impose conditions on it for the destruction of our people. 99. ,We warn the Council that the Somozist “democracy’*- which was condoned by the United States for approximately half a century, ‘which .w& ultimately destroyed by the Sandinist revolution, and which the United States is now trying to re-impose-is nothing but a propaganda pretext on which to commit aggression against Nicaragua. The United States delegation has not said one word to address the fears of Nicaragua, which are the result of pressures and State terrorism practised by America, both directly and through agents. Our delegation ‘is thus more convinced than ever that the United States does not stop at interven- 100. If we compare the statement made by the Nicaraguan delegation with that made by the United States delegation, we can see that Nicaragua was appealing to the world, and to the Security Council in particular, to put a stop to the acts of aggression directed against it, while the United States merely insulted the intelligence of the world by slandering Nicaragua, as though Nicaragua were able to compete with the United States in imposing its hegemony on the countries of the region. But the international community knows the truth; it stands by those who speak the truth, those who are in the right; it defends the weak against the strong. I hope that my optimism is not excessive. 101. As a small, non-aligned State, the Syrian Arab Republic once again renews its full commitment to the resolutions adopted at the Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries on the subject of Central America. Through its arrogance, Washington has constantly placed itself in confrontation with the non-aligned countries, which have publicly condemned more than once its actions against Nicaragua, the aim of which is to undermine the stability of that country, to destroy its Government, to attack it from all sides, and finally to launch a military invasion against it. 102. It has become clear that American intervention in Latin America is now the rule, not the exception. The record of the United States is replete with proof of this. The series of acts of terror and aggression against Nicaragua and other States began in 1948 and has continued to this day; there is no need to go into that record. I should like merely to mention that history has proved that one of the faces of American democracy is aggression; if not, it is a tendency, and if not a tendency then an instinct. That is extremely dangerous. 103. In declaring its total solidarity with the people and Government of Nicaragua, my delegation expresses its deep regret at the fact that the United States is carrying out, either directly or through other States, acts which are in violation of the principles of international law and of the Charter. The acts of aggression perpetrated daily against Nicaragua prove that 104. The crisis in Central America is an integral part of the United States plot to extend American hegemonism to ail the strategic areas of the world. Therefore, the current events in Central America are of direct concern to us. We cannot consider those events to be geographically distant from us, for the planner and executant of the events is located geographically near to all non-aligned States. That planner makes no distinction among continents; its aims and its methods are everywhere the same. 105. We therefore call on all States to do all they can to frustrate the plots and acts of aggression against Nicaragua and other States. The United States must immediately stop using force, whether direct or indirect, against Nicaragua. The United States must shoulder its responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council; it must respect the independence. of the States of Central America and not entangle them in local wars; it must not interfere in their internal affairs. 106. We also caution certain States participating in the conflict in Central America that their dependence on Israeli-made weapons and aircraft and Israeli expertise in frustrating the aspirations of the Arab people and consolidating the Zionist colonizing occupation in the Arab nation is but direct assistance to our enemies. We hope they will stop opening up their markets to Israeli weapons of destruction which provide economic and financial assistance to our enemies. 107. In conclusion, we must support Nicaragua’s appeal to the Governments of the world to give the people of Nicaragua the necessary technical and miftary means to defend itself against the State terrorism unleashed by the United States against the people and the Government of Nicaragua. We are 108. Mr. CHAMORRO MORA (Nicaragua) [interpret&ion from Spanish]: My Government decided to request the convening of this lofty body in the light of the grave escalation that has taken place in the past few weeks as a result of the acts of aggression waged against my country by a great Power-a permanent member of this Council-in a dirty undeclared but open war. We did so in order fundamentally to denounce the new aspects of this aggression, involving mainly the mining of our ports, in violation of the principles of the Charter, the norms of international law and free international trade and navigation. 109. That is why I wish to take this occasion to put clearly on record the gravity of this situation, which with each passing day is being aggravated as this great Power, the United States of America, seeks to press on recklessly towards its ultimate objective, which, by its own admission, is the overthrow of the people’s Sandinist revolution. I wish also to take this occasion also to refer to certain comments made by some prominent politicians, not just in the United States but also in other countries. 110. With regard to the various acts of aggression, on 28 March the Panamanian ship Homin No. 7 was attacked by Piraiia speed-boats from Honduras, using 50-mm machine guns, while it was loading sugar in the port of Corinto. Three helicopters also took part, directing rocket fire at the target. On 30 March a group of former Somozist guards attacked the indigenous Miskito community of Nimayen, near Sandy Bay, 60 kilometres south of the Honduran border on Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast, kidnapping some members of its population. 111. In this particular case, I believe that members of the Council will be interested to note that in her statement on Friday [2525th meeting] the representative of the United States referred to internal matters of my Government. She spoke specifically of the case of the Miskitos, declaring that on that very day she had received information that a large number of Miskitos had been seen fleeing the Sandy Bay sector towards Honduran territory. That we did not have that information at the moment-information that she had received so expeditiously-indicates to my delegation that communications between the United States Government, the United States Mission to the United Nations and the CIA are co-ordinated and immediate. 112. To refresh the memories of Council members and to inform, those who were not present at that meeting of the Council or who have not had an opportunity to read the verbatim record that has already been distributed, I shall quote three lines from Mrs. Kirkpatrick’s statement: 113. On that same day, 30 March, Piraiia gun-boats armed with mortars and high-calibre machine guns attacked the port of Corinto, resulting in an intense exchange of fire, which became a virtual naval battle, with forces of the Sandinist Navy. On 31 March, the explosion of another mine seriously damaged the engine room and electrical system of a Japanese ship, the Taushiro Mat-u, which had been loading bananas at the wharf of the port of Corinto. 114. This morning we read a cable containing a communique’ issued to the press at San Jose, Costa Rica, to the effect that a mercenary organization sponsored by the CIA for its covert operations-and it bears clarification that often mercenaries do not necessarily have to be of nationalities different from that of the country against which they are operating; indeed, many Nicaraguans have been recruited and paid by the CIA-had mined a 50-kilometre length of Lake Nicaragua, from the Sapoa River to the town of Colon. Lake Nicaragua is where the United States had always intended to build an inter-oceanic canal through Nicaragua to enable communication between the Atlantic and Pacific. That indeed was the occasion for the first United States intervention, in 1854, which I mentioned previously. 115. In the north-east of Nicaragua, in the department of Zelaya, heavy fighting is now taking place between CIA ,mercenary forces and Sandinist forces. Those mercenaries, after their forays, withdraw to Honduran territory and, re-equipped, return for action. 116. In the next few days we expect another invasion from Honduran territory of the north-central sector of Nicaragua, which is the strategic sector over which they have been trying to gain control through the various invasions they have launched. 117. In connection with the acts of aggression committed, the dangers of those actions, the mining of the ports and the sophisticated hardware used, I wish to read from the press conference held by the Nicaraguan Chief of Staff, Commander Joaquin Cuadra, who stated that: “In the past 10 days Nicaraguan frogmen have managed to blow up more than 27 mines in the course of difficult missions off the coast of Corinto, on the Pacific. “Those mines had been laid on a large scale with sophisticated technical apparatus by the United The Chief of Staff of the Sandinist People’s Army goes on to say that, in laying mines in our ports, especially in the port of Cot-into, Washington could even be using submarines and small submersibles, which’amounts to naval terrorism by the CIA, using Pirafia speedboats against Nicaraguan and foreign shipping. 118. The use of such speedboats-which has become a frequent phenomenon-armed with heavy machine guns, 20-mm guns and grenade launchers, could be in keeping with the classic American tactic of a mother ship, because it cannot be ruled out that those boats may have come from an American frigate stationed 40 miles off the coast of Sandino and Corinto. 119. Commander Joaquin Cuadra went on to say: “Those speedboats have motors of more than 200 horsepower and can travel at speeds of over 120 kilometres per hour; their use is intended to distract Nicaraguan defences in order to facilitate the laying of mines through the use of equipment provided by the United States Government.” 120. These activities, which in both the planning and the operational phases are carried out under the auspices of a great Power, the United States, ‘are of concern not only to my Government but also to serious people and responsible Governments as well as to those who realize the danger posed by those reckless actions in which the United States Govemment continues to engage against my Government. 121, In this regard I wish to refer to some statements made by the Secretary-General on 21 March, during his visit to Mexico, and by President de la Madrid and reported on in the international press. When asked about the presence of United States warships off Nicaragua, the Secretary-General condemned any action that might result in aggravating the Central American crisis. Later he stated at a press conference at the airport that the Contadora Group deserved support not only in words but in deeds. For his part, President de la Madrid on the same occasion declared his opposition to the escalation of violence, which was not at all conducive to peace negotiations, pointing out that the members of the Contadora Group and the peoples of Latin America also shared this sentiment. 122. Yesterday I pointed out that Reagan’s new Special Envoy to Central America had publicly stated that, the activities of the Contadora Group were one 14 ., 123. I had intended to read out verbatim the relevant part of the statements made by the Presidents of Mexico and Colombia during President de la Madrid’s visit to Colombia, but since the representative of Mexico has already read extensively from the text, there is no need for me to do so too. 124. On the other hand, The New York Times of 31 March reported a statement made by Senator Edward Kennedy which I feel is interesting in the light of Nicaragua’s complaint about United States aggression. He said: “The Administration is slowly but surely putting our ‘combat troops into harm’s way, into a war in El Salvador. What next? Some guerrilla is going to shoot down’one of those U.S. helicopters, the pilot will be killed or taken hostage, and President Reagan will go on the stump declaring that it is an act of war. One secret war in Nicaragua is not enough. One secret war is not too much for us.” 125. I am sure that Council members and delegates will have had an opportunity to read this morning the positions on various matters, including foreign and domestic policy, set out in The New York Times by the Democratic candidates. I wish simply to sum up the points made by the three candidates about Central America. All three, without exception, advocate putting an end to support for covert operations against Nicaragua. All three, without exception, agree that military manoeuvres in Honduras should be halted. All three, without exception, agree that military aid to El Salvador should be tied to improvements in human rights and an end to the activities of the death squads. 126. We would like to know what we can understand from all this. Why is President Reagan the only person who disagrees with those positions? He is pressing ahead with sowing death and destruction in Central America and escalating military activities there. 127. I shall end by reading extracts from two advertisements, published on 25 March and 1 April, by one of the Democratic candidates, Senator Gary Hart, concerning President Reagan’s policies in Central America. The first, published in The New York Times on 25 March, said: “The policies of the Reagan Administration in Central America have set the stage for another Viet Nam. This Administration is fueling an ever-widening conflict . . . a conflict that is taking a tremendous toll in the lives of innocent civilians . . . a conflict that is destroying the economies of all the countries in the region . . . a conflict that could lead to direct U.S. involvement. “The commitment of U.S. military force to Central America cannot be the answer to the problems in Central America, as it was not the answer in Viet Nam. “Since last year, the Reagan Administration, under the guise of manoeuvres, has maintained a regular military presence in Honduras which has already resulted in the loss of an American life. “As a first step on the path to peace, I have called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Central America”. Next I shall quote from the advertisement of 1 April, as follows: “I have travelled throughout Central America and Southeast Asia . . . I have seen the pain, the starvation, the dying . . . I have seen people in a lifeand-death struggle simply to survive from day to day. “Poverty . . . hunger . . . disease . . . these are the root causes of political and social unrest in the developing world. Suffering people will fight to end their suffering. . . . If they have no other alternative, they will turn to violence. “All too frequently in the past America’s leaders have failed to respond to the human crisis in these countries. Rather than working for fundamental change to -improve the lives of the vast majority, they have sided with the privileged few in defense of the status quo. . . . How often have we. seen our country support regimes that maintained their power by force and repression? “Right now such short-sighted and reckless’policies have ‘put us on the edge of disaster in Central America. Ronald Reagan has been using military force to deal with problems that are essentially social, political and economic. “Concentrating large numbers of U.S. combat troops in ‘Honduras . . . funding guerrilla operations against Nicaragua . . . pouring arms and military equipment directly into El Salvador and indirectly into Guatemala, the Reagan Administra-: tion is setting the stage for direct U.S. involvement. If it continues unchecked, Ronald Reagan will lead us into another unwinnable war. “That is .why I have called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Central America.” 128. I should like to ask the United States delegation yet again whether Mr. Hart, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Mondale and Mr. Jackson are the Communists that it is afraid of and whom it does not believe. If they are not, what is its explanation for the fact that they have a clear, well-defined position on the grave consequences of warmongering by the present American Administration in Central America, and in particular against my country? The meeting rose at 6.20 p.m. 1 NOTES ’ General Assembly.resolution 2625 (XXV), annex. 2 General Assembly resolution 36/103, annex. ’ General Assembly resolution 37110, annex. HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS United Nattons publications ma? be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consulf your bookstore or write to: United Nations. Sales Section. New York or Geflem COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Nations Unies sent en vente dam les librairies et les agences depositaims du monde entier. Informez-vous aup& de votre libraire ou adressez-vous I : Nations Unies. Section des ventes. New York ou Geneve. 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