S/PV.2529 Security Council

Allow me at the outset, Mr. President, to join other representatives in congratulating you on your assumption of the stewardship of the Council for this month, even though you have said you would prefer fulfilling your duties to receiving words of praise. We fully believe that you will give us the benefitsof your sense of responsibility, your skills and experience, and that you will guide the Council’s work to success. We would also like to thank your predecessor, Mr. Javier Arias SteIIa of Peru, for the manner in which he guided the work of the, Council during the month of March. Finally, we would thank all the other members of the Council for giving us this opportunity to take part in the discussion. 16. In the last few weeks Central America has-become, the focal point of world-wide attention. The situation in that already troubled region has been aggravated by the continued military activities directed by the United States against Nicaragua, These acts, reports of which abound in daily newspapers here in the United States, have actually taken their heavy toll: properties have been destroyed, human lives lost and international’ navigation endangered. We have listened attentively to other speakers and especiahy to the statement of Mr. Javier Chamorro Mora before the Council last Friday 12525th meeting], in which he unrolled before us, with full, solid and undeniable facts, all these covert and overt acts by the United States against his country --acts that, he stressed, marked a new phase of the aggression. 17. Within only a few months Nicaragua has had to lodge several protests against the United Statesbefore the Council. Unlike the representativeof the hostcountry with her lengthy preaching-on the,regional situation, which obviously reflects the conclusions of the Urnted States bipartisan commission on Central America-, we 18. Let us linger for a while to draw an analogy, in the most pregnant sense of the word, between what is happening in Nicaragua and what happened in Viet Nam. The United States directly participated in the Viet Nam war; it used almost all kinds of weapons except the nuciear one. It also mined Haiphong, the most important port in North Viet Nam, thus starting the blockade against our country. The.mining and the blockade were followed by the- B-52 bombers’ carpetbombing of Hanoi and Haiphong for seven days and nights in late December 1972, kiiling mtiny innocent Vietnamese children and adults-ironically, at a time when representatives were sitting around. this table wishing one another Merry Christmas. 23. The people and Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, faithful to their friends, stand firm behind the Nicaraguan people and the Government of National Reconstruction, as well as behind the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and all other peoples fighting for their national independence.’ The acts by the United States against Nicaragua directly threaten the sovereignty and independence of that country and. hamper the earnest efforts of the Contadora Group to ease tension and work out ‘a political solution to the problems of the region. An immediate end should be put to the United States acts of aggression against Nicaragua. 19. ‘But the United States ended up with a Dien Bien Phu in the air, and with, this it had. to admit defeat and stated that there would be no second Viet Nam. Now it seems to have forgotten its bitter experience. The withdrawal’from Lebanon serves as another lesson to the United States, but what is happening in Nicaragua and in Central American shows that it is setting out again on the same old track. 24. We sincerely urge the Council to act firmly and to adopt the draft resolution before it. It is time, we believe, for this body to take effective measures to show that it is really living up to its responsibility in conformity with the Charter, that is, to preserve peace and security in the world and to safeguard peoples from threats or acts of aggression and intimidation. 20. The mining of Nicaraguan ports, as Mr. Chamorro Mora put it, is a turning point in the United States method of waging “covert war” against Nicaragua. It is obviously a new step taken by the United States imperialist-s in their military escalation, itran attempt to-wage a large-scale war of aggression against Nicaragua and to oppose the national liberation movements in El Salvador and els.ewhere in Central America and the Caribbean area, thus seriously jeopardizing peace and stability in the region, But the United States should be reminded that its dream ofdominating other peoples, of invading other countries Grenada-style% should not and never can be realized. The aggressor cannot clean-handed. The people and Government. o % et away Nicara- 25. In conclusion; we should like to quote part of the statement issued on 22 March 1984 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, which reads as follows: “The people and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam strongly condemn the new steps of military escalation and the threat of aggression by the United States imperialists and resolutely demand that the United States stop at once all plots and acts of aggression against Nicaragua and other countries in the region, withdraw immediately. its troops and war mate’riel from Central America .and respond seriously to the legitimate demands expressed in the recent four-point proposal of the Nicaraguan Government, as well as to the efforts of the Contadora Group for a political solution to the conflicts in Central America. gua have stated in the clearest terms their determination. to defend their beloved country. 21. Tensionin the world is growingtoday owing to the policies of war pursued by the United States. The deployment of United States nuclear missiles in. western Europe, which will turn that part of the world into a mass graveyard in the event of a nuclear war, is coupled with the worsening situation in many other parts of the world-the Middle East, north-east Asia, the Gulf and Africa--thus threatening the sovereignty and independence of many countries and,endangering peace and security in the world. I “The people and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam once again reaffirm their unshakeable militant solidarity with the fraternal Nicaraguan people in their national defence and construction, fully support the 13 March 1984 appeal of, the Junta of the Government of National Reconstruction of Nicaragua and firmly believe that the heroic Nicaraguan people, under the leadership of the San- 26. The PRESIDENT [interpretation from R&km]: The next speaker is the representative of Costa Rica. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 27. Mr. ZUMBADO JIMENEZ (Costa Rica) [ii?terpretation from Spanish]: I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. Your experience and ability will guarantee the successfutoutcome of the Council’s difficult work. 28. Today as in the past; Costa Rica is an exception to the continuai crises in the Central American isthmus. Through fratricidal ihrarfare and internal turmoil -a tragic mark of our region-we learned to exist and coexist in peace. Hence, in his historic act of 17 November 1983, the President of the Republic, Luis Albert0 Monge, proclaimed the permanent, active and unarmed neutrality of Costa Rica. When he spoke of the history’of our people, he extolled the milestones of our republican, democratic existence, which have come gradually to shape and ultimately to affirm the national identity of Costa Rica. He discussed the ‘guidelines which throughout my country’s history have governed its relations with all the peoples of theworld, and particularly with our brothers in Central America. ‘29. It is in nationhood itself that the President finds the origin and strength of the neutrality he has proclaimed. Recalling stem visionaries, he is forging history and demonstrating to the people his exemplary decision-making abilities and leadership, ’ 30. A country teacher who became head of State of Costa Rica, Juan Mora Fernandez, in a message to the National Congress in 1829 said: “While all of the Central American Republic seems to be divided and in tears, covered with blood and ashes and-consumed with despair; whileall of Central America suffers the ravages, ruin and desolation caused by the consuming fires of passion, discord and civil war in other States, you will be pleased to note that Costa Rica is a masterpiece in’ miniature -an idyllic country illuminated by the gIowirig aura of peace, for its political horizon, thanks to aGovernment based on Costa Rican virtues, morality and common. sense, has remained freeand clear ofthe ominous clouds, storms and squalls which have swept over, other, less fortunate countries, even though we have sought their salvation in all earnest, and, despite our small size, made every effort to help alleviate their agony.” ‘*Unfortunately, other nations in Central America are involved in a struggle which the Government of Costa Rica has not been able to avoid .through a peaceful settlement. . . . Costa Rica will maintain its neutrality, but it will always remain ready to use its influence for peace in Central America.” 32. A century ago, another President of the Republic, Bernard0 Soto, said: “To those for whom the lessons of history are not dead letters, the Government over which I presided felt that the greatest threat to peace and harmony among peoples lay in the tendency of some-unfortunately, not uncommon in America-to meddle in the internal affairs of others. In keeping with this belief, it always refrained from getting involved in anything not strictly relevant to its own interests, except when it came to acting as mediator to reestablish harmony, if it felt that to do so would not be a waste of time and effort. This approach is not derived from self-interest, for that is not the proper designation for respect for the Governments and institutions of other countries. It flows from the character of the Costa Rican people, enemy of complications and not given to reckless adventures; it ’ derives from the spirit with which I wished to imbue the Government, concerning myself largely with achieving what was good within the proper purview of my activities and not with gaining sway and influence abroad; finally, it flows from my conviction that he who meddles in the affairs of his neighbours exposes his own country to endless difficulties and disasters.” 33. In recalling our history as an anti-militaristic and pro-democratic Republic, President Monge said: “Jose Figueres, a farmer who organized the people in order to restore democratic institutions, some forty years ago wrote a glorious p-age in the constant progress of man down the noble path of civilization. In an unparalleled,act in history, the victorious general disbanded his army, uttering the following beautiful exhortation: ‘We resolutely maintain the ideal of an American world. To this homeland of Washington, Lincoln, Bolivar and Marti we wishto say today: “0 America! Other peoples and your own sons too offer you their greatness; Tiny Costa Rica wishes to offer you now and forever its heart and its love for anti-militarism, democracy and institutional @e*v9 9 9, ” ..“,! 34. My country offers its contributidn to the quest for peace and harmony in Central ‘America and peace throughout the world. The declaration ‘of neutrality within the regional context must be construed as a significant sovereign declaration of ,expliclt and final 35. In the sorttime-since that declaration, the Government has clearly shown in its actions that it is committed to its purpose. Costa Rica-isnot taking part in any kind of military manoeuvres in Central America. Costa Rica is notrepresented in meetings ofthe military within or outside the-region. It does not send any mem- I ber of its civilian police force to receivemilitary training in-centres recently setup-in-CentraI American territory. The forces responsible for security in Costa Rica have tfof carried out any attacks-nor will they do so-that might jeopardize the sovereignty and security of our country and those of neighbouring countries. The impact on the international commnnity of the declaration of neutrality and the recognition-of my country’s efforts for peace are reflected. in the following ways. 36. The President of France, Francois Mitterrand, wrote to President Monge as fohows: “You have solemnly declared Costa Rica’s neutrality. It&oftheutmosti-mportancethat, despite the eco-nomic crisis and the unrest in Central;America, Costa Rica has managed to maintain its democrat.ic institutions and today wishes public:Iy to proclaim its independence. and its freedom of ch.oice. This is an essential contdbution to the causesfdemocracy and of peace; which France cannot but welcome, since the chain of violence makes the search for negotiated solutionssought by the peoples of the region increasingIy difficult. ” 37. ThePresident,of the-Government of Spain, Felipe Gonzalez, said: “The Spanish Government-fully supports thedeclaration of neutrality made by the Government of Costa Rica, convince.das it is that such a decision, which. is aimed at the maintenance of peace in international relations, will serve to enhance understanding. among peoples and Governments and to dleviate existing tensionin the Central American region,” 38. The Socialist I.nternational, meetingat Brussels, adopted a resolution which. says: “The Socialist International supports tlie declaration of neutrality made by the President of Costa Rica, Comrade Luis Albert0 Monge. The Socialist International calls for recognition by ail countries of the world of this declaration of neutrality by a country withoutan army-, a country which is struggling for its develop-ment in-peace, freedom, democracy and 39. Presidents Rati Alfonsin of Argentina, Jaime Lusinchi of Venezuela, Heman Siles Suazo of Bolivia, Belisario Betancur of Colombia, Salvador Jorge Blanc0 of the Dominican Republic, Ricardo de Ia Espriella of Panama and-Daniel Ortega Saavedra, Co-ordinator of the Governing Junta of Nicaragua, signed in Caracas the following declaration: “We express our sympathy for the efforts of the Government of Costa Rica to institutionalize its active and effective neutrality, understanding thereby that the Government of that country will continue its activities to guarantee peace in the Central American region.*’ 40. The Secretary-General of the United Nations wrote to President Monge as follows: “In so disturbed a political period as the present, your personal policy and your country provide a reassuring example of peace, realism and vision. Your solemn proclamation of I7 November 1983 of the permanent, active and unarmed, neutrality of Costa Rica is a particularly positive act.” 41. Here and in other bodies we have said repeatedly that Costa Rica has placed its faith in the Contadora process and supports it. Latin America has a long experience and tradition of diplomacy. The concept of peaceful settlement of disputes derives in part from the Congress of Panama of Simon Bolivar; we Latin Americans took our experience of the inter-American system to’San Francisco. Our-region is theonly one that has a treaty banning nuclear weapons. At the recent Quito, meeting, our identification and our solidarity were reaffirmed, as was the defence of the basic principles of international law. 42. The efforts of the Contadora Group conform to this tradition. Itsexis&ence is proof that there.is a proper political forum where Central Americans can and must find their own solutions. We confess our doubts and apprehension that in the broader international sphere we Central Americans may largely lose control over our own future. 43. Despite premature announcements in the past of the demise of Contadora, there was a quantum leap on 9 September 1983, when the five Central American countries adopted the Document of Objectives [S/16041, annex] setting forth 21 points, known to this Council, and on 8 January 1984, when they adopted the 44. My Government is convinced that after this new stage, another important step forward wilI be taken that will reflect the degree of our Governments’ .political commitment. We are getting to the heart of the problem, and it is possible that negotiations may thus be more difficult, because that is when the most effort has to be made to make the process successful. 45. At this moment the Working Commissions of the Contadora Group are meeting in Panama-tafind targets that will lead to the objective of peace inour region. Nicaragua,.arguing for a qualitative change in the Central American situation, called upon each of the Commissions to give priority consideration to the problem of that country’s security, putting forward for consideration at that meeting a document setting forth its position. That paper was taken up at-the meeting and it will be put before the next meeting of ministers for consideration. The Commissions are now continuing discussions on other items within their competence in the political, economic and security spheres. The Security Council must be aware--and I am not saying this to.offend anybody-that its meetings have caused some consternation at the meeting at Panama and increased tension among the Central American countries in that forum. This, of course, is not the only factor causing tension in our region. 46. In the light of the foregoing, my Government’s position is as follows. Costa Rica isinterested, and Lam sure this interest is shared by the Council, in seeing that the mandate and support of the Contadora Group is not weakened. The spirit that led to the Cteneral Assembly’s adopting resolution 38/10 by consensus at its thirty-eighth session must be mainlainedJ That resolution repeated the need for strict observance of the principles of international law, endorsed the efforts of the group of countries constituting the Contadora process and noted with satisfaction the commitment of those countries to strengthen democratic, institutions as the most appropriate way of guaranteeing broad participation and promoting conciliation within Central American societies. 47. Since the Council has to take a decision on the question under debate, let it ap % eal to the countries concerned to carry out their missi n in keeping with the Contadora guidelines. Once again, let an appealbe made to the rest of the international community to refrain from diverting the nine countries from. their chosen path, and let there be strict respect for the principles of international law, above all to those referring to freedom of navigation. I&this Council uphold the principle that attention must be paid not only to matters. relating to the security of States, however important they may be, but also to 1henee.d for progress in all fields, those dealing with poiitical, economic and social development so essential. for achieving, lasting peace in its proper context. ‘ “A policy of peace is the inescapable. requirement of our time. Any foreign policy and any security policy must serve this idea. A policy of peace is-the only genuine policy for our time.” 49. The PRESIDENT [int.&pretationfiom Russian]: Th.e next speaker is the representative of the German Democratic Republic. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his. statement.

At the very outset, the delegation of the German Democratic Republic would like to thank the members of this body for giving us the opportunity to explainthe German Democratic Republic’s p.oint of view on the issue {hat we have on the agenda. . ‘51. Permit me, Mr. Kravets, to congratulate you warmly on you assumption of the presidency of the Security Councii for the rn-onth of April. We are convinced that you as the representative of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, with which my country has ciose and .fraternal links, will exercise allyour ability and diplomatic skills for the successful guidance.ofthe Council in the interest of international peace and se&Xrity. At the same time, the delegation of the German Democratic Republic wishes to congr.atulate the represent_ative of Peru, Mr. Arias StelIa, for his successful work, characterized by great diplomatic experience, whiGh he accomplished as President for the month of March. 52. The German Democratic Republic is increasingly concerned that this lofty body has to deal in ever shorter periods of time with the escaiation of aggressive acts against the sovereign and independent State of Nicaragua, a non-aligned country and a member of the-Security Council. The representative of.Nicaragua, Mr. Chamorro. Mom, informed the world public, in a comprehensive manner before this forum, about the new stage of aggressive acts, about the escalation of the undeclared war against his country. In particular, the mining of Nicaraguan ports, is. the expressionof a new actsfviolence perpetrated by the UnitedStates against the Iegitimate Government of a State Member ofh the United Nations, in obvious violation of the basic norms of international law. 53. All attempts to deceive world public opinion and to veil the responsibility for those acts of war -attempts, that were aiso made here in. the Security Cpun&-daily prove to be useless in the. light ofthe facts. 54. The responsibility for the aggravation of th.esituation in Central America has to be borne by, the United States of America. Even The New York Times wrote a There is nothing to add to that evaluation. 55. We see a close.connectionbetween the mining of Nicaraguan. ports, the increasingattacks against Nicaragua-8 the use of the: territory of Honduras and the various military manoeuvres by United States armed forces-in that region. Millions and millionsof dollarsare being spent by the present UnitedzStates Administration for the suppression of,the Central American peoples’ will to freedom and.for the undermining of legitimate Governments in that region, 56. The rulingcircles ofshis country iibe.topretend.to be the protector and guardian of free. and unimpeded navigation and of its internationally recognized principles. Are those circles aware of thefesponsibility which they assume with the mining of Nicaraguan por&-a responsibility for the security of those ships; for the lives oftheir crews, for the whole of international navigation and the related recognized and accepted principles? Shall piracy again-prevail in navigation, trade and traffic, or even in the whole of international life? 57. The peoplesindeed well remember, and no one can make them forgni that the United States has already once dramatically aggravated a conflict by mining Vietnamese ports in 1972, thus escalating aggressive acts. against a,sovereign State. I express the hope that the lessonslearnedfromthe dirty war agxiinstthe Vietnamese people and the,other peoplesof-Indo- China have not been forgotten. The general question mustbe raised: are those imperialist forces really aware of the directions in-which thepare-trying to push.international relations? These acts of. war against a sovereign State.disprove~verb.alasserfio.ns by this Administration--also>m.ade here, in th:e 8ecurity Council--that it, is striving for an improvememin international reiaticms. 59. We reaffirm the point of view contained in the Political Declaration of the States Parties to the Warsaw Treaty, issued at Prague on 5 January 1983 60. The escalation of the aggressive acts against Nicaragua is directed against the democratic process of reconstruction in Nicaragua as well as against the peaceful settlement of the conflict. We agree with the Co-ordinating Bureau of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, which declared in March this year: “Conscious of the urgent need to reduce tension in the area in order to facilitate dialogue, the Co-ordinating Bureau commended 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.” [See S/16422, annex.] 61. The German Democratic Repubhc condemns the aggressive machinations undertaken by the ruling circles of an imperidist great Power against sovereign, non-aligned Nicaragua. My country advocates the improvement of international relations and the unhindered development of all-round co-operation between States. .The German Democratic Republic advocates the prevalence of reason and logic and rejects methods of the law of the strongest in international relations. We appeal to all States to demand the immediate termination of the mining of Nicaraguan ports as welI as of any kind of covert and overt military action against Nicaragua and to provide all possible assistance to that country. 62. The PRESIDENT [interpretation from Russian]: The next speaker is the representative of Yugoslavia. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

First I congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the post of President of the Security Council and express our belief that in the course of the month of April you will, as always, relentlessly pursue the cause of peace, security and equitable inte’rnational co-operation. I also congratulate your predecessor, hir. Arias Stella, representative of Peru, on the political wisdom, dedication and persistence in the search for peace and negotiated political solutions that he showed during the month of March, carrying the heavy load of Security Councii work duringthat period. 64. The situation in Central America. is continuing to cause th~iate~afiorralcommunity graveconcern a-& is repeatedly being considered by the Security Council and also by the General Assembly. ChaiIenges to peace in Central America are immense, and their: causes are well known. While the tensions have been rising and human and material resources have been wasted on 65. In the search for a peaceful solution the Contadora Group is making invaluable efforts to establish a joint basis on which the countries of CentraI America can build peace. The Contadora Group cannot do this alone. All directly and indirectly involved parties should show a full measure of co-operation and resolve to resort to political means and to build upon the values and principles evolved by Contadora together with five Central American countries. 66. Again, at this juncture the cause of peace may be helped if all those involved would recall that the international community as a whole and the non-aligned countries in articular have rendered full support to Contadora. l! hey have done so because the efforts of the Contadora Group are motivated by an honest and selfless desire to identify a peaceful sohttion. in the region itself, outside bloc and big-power rivalry. 67. The Document of Objectives [S/16?W, annex] was elaborated by the countries of the region with the help of Contadora. This Document reflects the realities facing Central America and constitutes a solid basis for the solution of the problem. It re.affirms the basic principles of international law and e1aborate.s the principles related to the specific features of the region in order to achieve a political soiution. The self-determination of peoples, non-intervention, the sovereign equality of States, the peaceful settlement of disputes, refraining from the threat or use of force, respect&r-the territorial integrity of States, pluraiism in its various manifestations and other principles have been accepted by all the countries of the region as the foundation of a political sohttion of the problem. 68.. Further action by the Contadora Group resuhed in the adoption of concrete measures concerning security, political and economic and social issue-s wehich aJ! the countries of the region-have taken the responsibility to implement [see S/16262, anltex I]. 69. We. find it very encouraging that Contadora.managed to do all this in the contextofpresent int.ernational relations, which. are under ever-increasing strain, and notwithstanding the differences existing among the Central American countries themselves. Thus Contadora embodiesour hopes for a process to bring peace to the region on the basis of mutualrespectand-respect for the rightsof peoples and the principtes of the Charterof the United.Nations. We call for an end toall activities of regional and non-regional factors which can impede the process and increase the danger of the outbreak of war in the region. Colombia, Mexico, Panama and 70. Nicaragua is exposed to political, military and economic pressures aimed at undermining its. itndep~endence and sovereignty and at undermining the sovereign right of the Nicaraguan people freely to decideon their economic and social development and their political system. 71. The Seventh Conference of Heads of: State.. or Government of Non*Aligned Countries, heldcat. New Delhi more than a year ago, rejected thethreats and acts of intimidation and aggression against Nicaragua. None the less those acts have continued and have-escalated further. 72. The Co-ordinating Bureau of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries met here in New, York on I5 March. On that occasion the.nonaligned recalled the relevant resolution of the General Assembly, resolution: 3800, which reaffirmed respect for the, sovereignty, independence and territoria1. integrity of all States of the region and their right to live in peace,and. to decide their ownfuture freefrom all outside. interference and intervention. That resolution wasan important achievement and was adopted without a vote, which gives it added importance. We-fee1 that the General Assembly has thus ‘in effect pronounced itself against the export of‘social and economic models and their imposition from abroad. All the crises that engirdle the globe are caused by attempts of the more powerful and most powerful to impose and to dictate. 73. The repeated attempts to impose and.dominate invariably meet with rejection by the international co-mmu&y. The will ofthe peoples to reject and resist these acts makes. them unacceptable, wherever they occur, and thisis an encouragement for allof us.. It idndispensable again to recognize that Nicaragua, as well as-all other Central American countries, and for that matter all the countries of the. world, have the right to independence, sovereignty and, territorial integrity, to Iifein peace without pressure, interference and intervention; 74. The communique adopted by the Co-ordi@Zing Bureau nearly three weeks ago WZ6422, annexl’cal1.s for an immediate-end to a11 foreign military manoeuvresand.: activities on Central. American territories end:, coasts and an encffo.al~~~~~alla~ions of foreign-military bases, as well as 811 threats, attacks and=hostil’e acts. against Nicaragua, which are contrary CO the spirit of the peaceefforts of the countriesof the region. The nonaligned expressed their deep concern over the new, escalation of those acts. and. condemnedthe mining-of Nicaraguan seaports, which.hascaused lo~ss ofhuman life and heavy material damage and-which endangers international navigation. At that meeting: the nonaligned further expressed their firm opposition to any. measure directed$owards the Blockade of-any State in the region. 76. The PRESIDENT [interprerationfrom &&an]: The next speaker is the representative of Honduras. I invite him to take a place at the Council tableand to makehis st.atement. 77. Mr.’ FLORES BERM,oDEZ (Honduras) [interprkration from Spunis%]: I wish, Sir, to express my delegation’s satisfaction at seeing you presiding over the. Council, since your broad experience and distinguished career are a:guarantee of the successful outcome of the matters to be discussed in this body this month. . 78. The debate on thecomplaint by the delegation of Nicaraguahas been enriched by$the opinions of various delegations, that have shown their-interest in the situation in Central America. It is ourdesire today to make another constructive contribution and to take advantageof,the;invitationextended to us-to take part in these. deliberations so asto make clear the framework within which these problems should bedealt. 79. In several statements mentlon has been made of historic, factors besetting our region. For our part, we also wish to mentionsome things which have not yet been considered and which may serve to make better known thea problems of the region. 80. Although historically the Central American countries have had much incofrrmon in their political, tconomic andfsocial evolution, their relationship: has not been characterized by equal and equitable development. Withoutgoing intotoo much detail; I would point to the case of Nicaragua and the contrast, with recent historical developments in Honduras. While Nicaragua was suffering-underahatefirl dictatorship which tended to benefit only one family, in Honduras, steady social progress was being made through modern legislation which sought to regulate and harmonize labourdmanage-ment relations. While. in Nicaragua for more than 40 years ferocious repression was carried out against the people of%h_at country, in Honduras, agrarian reform was. gradually developing, together with civil service‘ and social security legislation which reflected the.interestin bringingtogetherall sectors of the nation. WhileNicaragua’s foreigntrade tendedto benefit only the Somoza family, in Honduras the exportation of such important itemsascoffee benefited~45,OO@Honduran families; : ‘ 81. I donot w&h to tire the Council with a detailed account of contrastsi but it isindeed our intention to make clear the factthat for more than 40. years the 82. The alternative’sought by the peopleof Nicaragua through a violent, collective endeavour which involved * every-sector in that country-from peasants to industrialists-was the result of a political phenomenon not encountered in Honduras. The alternative sought bythe people of Honduras was the peaceful path within an electoralprocess which gave rise to the establishment of a representative, democratic and pluralistic Govern ment dedicated to working within a framework of peace so. as to implement our development, plans which are designed, not for the benefit of one family nor to respond to special interests, but to favour the national community, bearing in mind that the human being is the supreme value of society and State and that human dignity is inviolable. 83. Despite this democratic path which is now b-eing strengthened in Honduras, my country is the object of aggression made, manifest through a number of. incidents by Nicaragua against our territorial integrity and civilian population. Those elements, whichhave obliged Honduras to strengthen its defences, are mainly the excessive and disproportionate amount of arms in Nicaragua, the constant harassmentalong our borders, the promotion of guerrilla groups which seek to,undermine our democratic institutions, and the waimongering attitude of the Sandinist commanders, whose reckless, aggressive statements we mentioned earlier. 84. With our intervention we do not wish to get into a squabble with our neighbour, Nicaragua. What we do want is to say that to cast theCentral American problem in terms of Nicaragua’s interests, as reflected in. the initial draft resolution submitted by that country, is a conceptual error. It is not just one country which is affected; it is not only one country which is suffering from conflicts. It is not only one people which is suffering and bewailing the fate of its children; it is not just Honduras and,Nicaragua. It is a Central American problem, and it must be solved regionally. This view has been brought out again and again by all Central Americans throughout the Contadora negotiation prycess and must be reflected in the Security Council% considerations and in its decisions. 85. In that regard, we were pleased to hear the statements made today, and Monday afternoon [2527th meeting] by the representative,of France, who noted with satisfaction the efforts of,the four countries of the Contadora Group to facilitate the search‘fora settlement satisfactory-to all countries of the region. As. he declared, “The countries of Central America-must be permitted once again to solve their problems for themselves.‘* [Zbid., para. 22.1 The representative of China also agreed that the affairs of the countries of the region must be left to their respective peoplesandgave his support to the Contadora Group .in. its continued 86. Indeed, for 14 months we Central Americans have been engaged in negotiations to achieve peace in our region under the auspices of the Contadora Group. Those negotiations have made considerable progress, and right now the Working Commissions are meeting on aspects relating to political affairs, security and economic and social co-operation, This is a collective effort the aim of which is to create a zone of peace where the cohesive elements of freedom, justice and solidarity are permanent, standing values so that relations among our States may prosper. All ofthis would set-aside the possibility of confrontation; establish regional security, strengthen integral democracy and give impetus to the economic and social development of our peoples. 87. Thesituation in Central America is complex and calls for a comprehensive solution. Any action by a United Nationsbody should be taken within that comprehensive context and should not be identified with the selective and special interests of only one of the parties. 88. None the less, the Nicaraguan tactics, of which wecomplained s in theletter from the Government of Honduras dated20 September 1983to4he President of the Security Council [Sli59951, have systematically beenconsolidated. Those tactics, based asthey are on an attitude of duplicity, include a,disturbing campaign of disinformation intended to. sow confusion and ambiguity with regard to what is really happeningin Central America. They have also been condemned%y my delegation in several of the statements we have made in recent months when the Security Council has met at Nicaragua’s request. 89. Those activities by Nicaragua have oc.curred within the Conadora negotiatingprocess. We have already mentioned the Working Commissionson polit.3 ical, security and economic and social questions that have been meeting at Panama City since the second of this month. Only last. night we received from Panama the alarming news that for two consecutive-days Nicaragua has blocked the activities of those Working Commissions, thereby hampering negotiations ‘and preventing variousmatters from being.takenup. Nic- 90. What Nicaragua is-proposing in Panama is that,so long as those Commissions take no decisions-on mili+ tat-y and security matters it will not alIow work to proceed. That inflexible and arbitrary position is designed to bring about acrisis inttlie Contadora negotiations in order to do.away withthat subregional group and ultimately to bring the matter before, the United Nations, thereby preventing Latin America and the Central. American peoples themselves from s6lving their own problems within the Contadora framework.. That framework has received the full support. of the intemationai community; it has found support in the positive thinking of most Central American statesmen and intellectuals and of the four countri&.members~of the%ontadora Group. It is a processthatis fully-abltto, take up and solve the problems.of theregion, Nevertheless, the essential. element for the .succesS’ of those negotiations is the will of the Central American couni tries themselves. It is sad to see that that element is lacking on the part of Nicaragua. 91. Indeed, yesterday in Panama, not only. in the Security Affairs Commission but in the-political Affairs Commission as well, Nicaragua indicatedthat thcmain causes of the problems of Central America were the substantive military buildup in the ‘region; the d& placement of thousands of soldiers, the holding of joint manoeuvres in the area, the covert war against Nicaragua, the terrorist operationsbeingtTart‘iedstit.on its territory with the use of aircraft and attack;bo.ats, the activitiesof the anti-Sandinist rebels, the violation of its territorial integrity and national sovereignty, the threat of’force’agains~ Nicaragua and the lack of implementation of the principles of the self-determinat tion of peoples. ‘. 92. That position of Nicaragua-thafsuch matters should be taken up cbefore any of:the:work ofthe Commissions can, be resumed, including the work &the Commission for Economic andSocial:Questions+has created a crisis of bad faith in the Contadora process. What Nicaragua is really indicatingas,:ti.e ezutst! of the problems are in fticYonIy eflect?% Hondilrras I’Bs; in this. body as well as in the Grganization of. Am_crican States (OAS) and within the Contadoi Group itself; attempted to clarify thereal caus’es. Theyinclube interference in Central America.by anextracuntinental Power, the breach of the terms of sectn@ in, the ccgion becauseof the disproportionate arming1 by Nicd aragua, problems of an internal order: ‘c&m&l bjr its authoritarian: structures, its attempts co dcstabifiZ% neighbouring regimes,’ the supplying to: Nicaragua uf 93. The. American military presence in Honduras amounts at: present to approximately I.700 men.. For the moment, those are the major Central American manoeuvres that affect the territorial integrity of Nicar.agua.’ Wha? did indeed affect stability in the region was the sendmg, some three weeks,ago, of 2;OOO Cubans: to Nicaragua, Those troops have had military training a.nd partially replace you-ng Cubanmen and womenwhahad been in Nicaragua. What dues indeed affect stability in-our region is the presence in Caribbean-waters &the Soviet,helicopter-carrier Lmingrad and the-Soviet destroyer Udaioy, accompanied bytheir respective frigate-s, the largest Soviet presence in the &rib&an since theend of-the 1960s What do have an effect and.an impact.onour”negotialions are the thr.eats from. Commander Ortega; Saavedr& the- Nicaraguan Defe~nce Minister-, indicatingthe. possibility that bcal guerrilla groups will mine the. gorts~fCentra1 America from- Guatemala to Panama, as we noted on Friday-, 30 March, before the Coundl @i2Jth meeting]. On Friday f a1so mentfoned;that,folfowing the statements by Commande.r Ortega Saavedra five bombs exploded in thecifiesofTegucigaIpa;smd San-I?edro&la, leaving one person dead. Morerecently. there&as beena sabo.- tage OF the electric power provided.. fo some. areas of H:onduras from Costa Rica through Nicaragua, which has ledlo therationing ofeIectricpo%?erin various parts of our national. territory. 94. Among other Nicaraguan acfivities that pose a threat to peaceds the:continuation~f.the~ll,egal traffic in arms to.guerrilla group5 in other countries; if is also continuing to provide. logistic suppon to-insurgents in neighbQuring States, whiIe its agents visit Libya, Iran and North Korea, among,other countries# for the purpose ofiacquiring more weapons, The mining of the Nicaraguan,*arts is an act the responsibility for which has been attributed to insurgent prganizations oper? sting in Nicaragua. Hence, Nicaragua’s claimthat all States should refrainfrom-carrying out any action that mighthamperfhe exercise&the rlghttofree navigation: in thewatersoftheregion does noi:refle?t what is really happ,ening, since the mining was-due fo%heactivities of Nicaraguanrebel .groups. , 95.. Withcegard to Mi>aragua:s fulfilment of its inter+ nafionsll.~.~~-~ltments-~ weare compelled to mal@reference Za Nicaragua’s &ctcral’~henomenon and..pIace il.witliintheContadora~ontext, sincefhat was.among the. 21 objectives adopted.6y al1 of,the-. Central American cotmtries cm 9Sepfemb:er I983:and subsequently rafiIied!by each..and, e~very one of our Governments; including that of Nicara . . The. adoption of those I? objectives was; one. of f & positiveachievements in thene&otiations.,thathave%een hefd4nder.~,heausl?ices of the- Confadora Group The principal objective with 96. Another objective is “To promote national reconciliation efforts wherever deep divisions have taken place within-society, with a view to fostering participation in democratic political processes in accordance with the law” [ibid.]. 97. It is in the context of those commitments that we must consider the electoral preparationsin Nicaragua. Looking at current developments inthe electoral process we find. the following discouraging:elements.. In Nicaragua certain sectors are forbidden-to participate; The amnesty decreed by the Sandinist Government did not pardon political and related common crimes, which would have permitted Miskito refugees in Honduras and other Nicaraguans who are out of the. country t-o return with suitable guarantees. The Government of Nicaragua continues to enforce the law of confiscation and expropriation, used against those who oppose. the regime in power, and the national emergency law under which constitutional guarantees were and still are suspended. The Nicaraguan opposition has serious questions about the political process in that country. Indeed, even internationally recognized officials from European eountries whose democratic traditions are long standinghave expressed concern about the lackof conditions that would guarantee impartiality and equal opportunity for full participation by. all sectors. 98. Evidence of this includes the absence of an. electoral roll or list, while those under 18 years of age are allowed to vote-16-year-olds are permitted to vot.eso that young people completely without political experience can be manipulated. All members of the Sandinist PeopIe’s Army and of the other sect&y forces are permitted to vote. There is no guaranteeof the right of assembly., the right of association or the right of free expression, which are essential for carrying on an election campaign. There is anenormous imbalance between the opposition parties and the officiai party, when one considers thepure and absolute iden tity among the Sandinist National LiberationRon& the Government and the Sandinist People’s Army. That represents a close linkage of the powers of the State with the Sandinist political organization, which involves the use of State resources, and of the State’s coercive<power and communications-media.for its own politicaladvantage in the election campaign. The Nicaraguan opposition complains that it does not have the same opportunities. 100. The Nicaraguan Council of State hadbeen discussing the electoral law, initially withthe participation of nearly all sectors in the country. But. because of the points i mentioned before, those, sectors have withdrawn in protest against the way in which theGovernmemis trying to manipulate the electoral process. Among the institutions which have withdrawn are the Liberal Conservative Party, the Social. Democratic Party, the Democratic Conservative: Party, the Confederation, of Trade. Union Unification, the Social C%is$n Party and the non-Sandinist W.orker’s __ ‘_ IdI’. :’ I wish to,quote.the Chairmanof the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Pablo. Antonio. Vega, who; with reference to the consideration of the electoral law by the Nicaraguan Council of State, said that that Council ‘is a “totalitarian sham”. 102. To illustrate that fact we need only refer to the discussions going on in the Nicaraguan Council of State. Government officials. have said’ there that the opposition will have the right to onehour per week for carryingout its political campaign on. television and radio; those media belong to. the- State, that is, to the Sandinist Front. Thus, the, time available will-be less than 10 minutes a:day, and that ti.me will have to be shared. out among the opposition parties. Owing to th.osearbitrary, ‘minimal conditions, the opposition has asked-for more time for its campaign, especially since the Sandinist Front already. has nearly five years of campaigning behind it. . lQ3.Y Ln addition, the opposition published, on 24 December 1983, a manifesto denouncing the Govemme&s fraudulent intentians regard&g the ,election, That manifesto was signed by the Nicaraguan’Worker’s Central, the Confederation’of Trade Union-Unification; then Democratic Conservative Party, the Social Chris-’ tian Party, the- Social Democratic Party., the. Authentic Social Christian Popular Party, the’Nicaraguan Chamber of Industry, the Nicaraguan Chamber of Construction, the Nicaraguan Confederation pf Professional Associations, the Confederation ofChambers.dfCom: merce, the Nicaraguan Development Institute and the Unionof Agricultural Producers. The manifest.ocalIed forthe separation of State and party, theabandonment of-laws which. infringe on human rights, a -genuine amnesty, remspect for freedom of religion, an independent 104. In another communique, dated 21 February 1984, the armed opposition made up of the two groups struggling within Nicaragua, one in the north and the other in the south, also rejected the electoral process as put forward and expressed its desire to participate in an open, honest electoral process, with equal opp-or= tunities and. appropriate guarantees. IgS. All this opposition ta the electoral masquerade makes us think about the .situation. in Nicaragua. We wonder whether the Government of Nicaragua..is adopting measures which could lead to*the establiishc ment of a representative, pluralist democratic system.; guaranteeing effective popular participation. We wonder whether by acting in’ the way which has been.denounced by the Nicaraguan-opposition theGovernment is promoting action towards national reconciliation-; as it has undertaken todo in accordance withthe points adopted in the Contadora negotiations1 s j, 106. The answer is no, for what they. have done is 10 call for,moreweapons, for more political control and for increasing, structural, rigidity. 107. .I have’ mentioned these internal problems: of Nicaragua for the sole purpose ‘of showing howthey extend beyond the borders of that country, witha considerable negative effect on our interest in the development of ourdemocratic institutions, in order to fulfilour development plans and meet the, vital needs of our population. Honduras is the.first to support multilateral negotiations within the Contadora framework in-order to finda negotiated peaceful soiutionto the problems of the region, problems which are concentrated in Nitaragua. . 108. The‘Ministefs for l%temal .Relations: of Costa Rica an-d Honduras met a-few days agoat Tegucigalpa, and on 26 March they issued a joint statement, the. pertinent part of which, said: “They agreed that the. democratic, representative. and pluralist system is the only systemfor political development guaranteeing the effective exercise of freedom and the full enjoyment sf human.,fights. In this regard they reiterated. the firm,.purpose&both Governments to,promote and strengthen-democracy in. the region. They reaffirmed the decision, of their Governments to seek a peaceful comprehensive; regional settlement of the: crisis in ,Qntral* America. and pointed out the appr0priatenes.s of making every necessary effort to see that thecountries.ofthe.,region finalIy take the.path.ofpolitical, economic &nd~social democracy. ‘They drew the, atte~ntion of the. international community to.‘the. needto find approp-tiate means to guarantee security fot the ,Cenfral Amer% ican region based on the princip!es,‘of non-interYen* tion, rejection of the threat or use of forceandzhe use 114. In November 1983, during the General Assembly of the Oiganization of American States, headquartered in Washington, in the Embassy of Panama in that city agreement was reached to convene the Technical Group of Contadora in meetings on 1 and 2 December. This proved impossible, because using the same delaying tactic Nicaragua proposed a-written commitment on military and security aspects, a tactic-which is faithfully reflected in the draft resolution it has introduced here, a draft resolution which is selective, since it takes into account oriiy the interests of that country without considering the other matters related to the regional peace process and departs from-the objectives endorsed by the Central American countries at the joi.nt meeting of Ministers for External Relations held in Panama last September. 11.5. At the fifth jointmeeting of Foreign Ministers, held on 7 and 8 January this year, the deiegation of Nicaragua again presented its unilateral interests, seeking to use Contadora only for its own ends. None the less, at that meeting the decision was adopted to set up three commissions on the basis ofthe document of measures to be taken to fulfil the commitments entered into in the Document of Objectives [S/16262, annex I, rrppen&x]. There is now ample information that those three commissions are designed to deal, first, with political affairs; secondly, security matters; and; thirdly, social and economic questions. lIzi. As we have made clear here and on other occasions, all this is part and parcel of Nicaragua’s unswerving attempt to create a crisis in the peace negotia; tions, thereby doing away with that sub-regional body for the sole purpose of makingthe United Nationsintervene in the conflict. 117. As the representative of a Central. Ameticati country, I have asked to speak today so-tfiat,our voice,; which reflects the position ofa State which I@s taken an active part in restoring regional peace, can be heard with the attention it deserves. Ma-ny statements have been made here supporting the Contadora process. If there is a real commitment in favour of the Comadora initiative, serious account must be taken of the faci tliat endorsement of the unilateral interests of Nicaragtm ifi the terms of the draft resolution contained indocument- 118. It-is timely to bring to the atten_ti?n af the-Council the words of the Secretary-Geneml’ as they ‘appear in the Panamanian daily La Emellp in its ediFl?on of 3 March-that is, less than 24 fiours aghwhich reads, “Doctor lavier P&ez de CuCiiar d&cribed as highly encouraging the report of the Panamanian Foreign Minister” on the. peaceful activities of the’ Contadora Group, adding that “what musf be avoided is a diplomatic vacuum, because that invites adit@turism”. 119; To ignore this appeal would have irreparable consequences for the future peace negot-iationsin Central America. Similarly, Nicaragua should abandon attempts. to duplicate international effo~rts, in these parallel forums, by trying to involve the Security Council again, while in the Contadora Group we have a specific co.mmission to deal with matters of security concerning. the countries of the region. That csmmission enjoys the support ofthe internafianal community, as has again been expressed here. 1fNicaragp.a continues to ma&lain this attitude, it will vitiate the. functioning of the Contadora Group as a negotiating forum. That body, instead of being replaced, should be strengthened. 120. The PRESIDENT finrerp-atirion from Rirssianl: The next spe-aker is the representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. I-invite him to ‘take a place at the Council table Andy to make his statement. 127. Mr. KITTIKHQUN (Lao &Vopl‘e”s Democratic Republic) [irzterprerationfrom French]: My delegation is indeed gratified to see you, Sir, presiding over the meetings ofthe Council forthis m.onth, The-wisdom and ski4 that ar.echaracteristid of you arean. earng*st of the success of these very important meetings of thccouncii. My delegation woluid like also to thanWe representative of Peru for th‘e very skilful an_d’c@!!Xeo_us way in which,he directed the difficult and del&@ work ofthe Counc_ir~durin@the past month. Fi&iiy, we wc~id venture tp express our gratitude tg ail the members of the Cou&Kjfor fiaving.been kind enougti to accommodate 0u.r reqv?uest to pa&cipate in this deb;ate, which essen- 123. In recent years, a nu-mbe~ ofthoecdno~mi_c and military installations of the Republic qfJ?iear%@&ere the target of attacks otr the p@t (lf the U@tecf !%@s Government, which used ai@anes, %eiicopters and attack boats to carry o:ut a virl&d”air-sea QttJe; ‘&atwar i$foti eu,en went so fat? as t_9fnigWhe @&l~,pprts of Nicaragua. That s!$ous act, which-is ConKa-ry t6 @i&rnaiioriai’ law, was condemned bythe &ordinatifig Bureau of the Movement of Non-+Aiigged,sCounFfles, has already. cost a number sf innoce.rit litres, and:& a se&us impediment to the freedomdf int!?matiotlal navigation, Such behaviour suteiy reveals some oFTheunderlying motives promptingthe Amerl~a~~Adnli!$sti-ationnot to go a@ng witb’the-internaFionai.cramm*pilty in adopting the UniW$Natioris C;orrvenFio~on-the.Law of tfie- Sea, that m@nmientai docW~X%~ adopt&: by those peopleswho vigorously defWlfr@Xlom ofdnrernatio:nal navigation, / 124. In conjunction with these host@ activities” in Nicaragua, the Anierican Adii-inistri&VY is. fii?ancQig~, organizing and ‘arming Sampzist 0iefcWaryforces wl&h, accordin to certain @Tici@ py@!gyncements of the Central Pfelligence. Agenf: [Q).; will %?on B amount to 181000- armed men; wit ‘:-thei atin of avert throiing thelegalGovernmeilt:of tIiaicc>un_tiiy, a-&mbet of the United Nations p@, of the NW-AfigWd Move-merit. 125. This, then, is the bizare way ixi:wl&$ iSd$aIS with those peoples which havfle opt&:&@ %ociainnd pol@icai systemzha0+es not ~ppea~t@@eAmericans, “Se.ntence one: micara@aT is behind every. international problem in Central America and the rest. of L&in America. Sentence.two: The United States is behind every internationalproblem in CentralAmerica and the rest of Latin America.“* i2’kr. Und!8rbt:edly, I could chooseevesmore extravagant language, butnone couId.Cl?mpare withthe fantastic, unfounded and totally unretilistic statements we heard at the very beginning of this debatefrom the United‘States delegationinits attempt4omislead world public opinion. 128. Furthermore, thisincan!tation:is not at all new. The world will recall that be&t% its. brutal aggressionthe Amerlc,anGovernment:consid&ed.fhe small island. of Grenada as being a, threat to&ownsecurity. i29. The anti-Nicaragua: propaganda unfortunately did not stop there it even went: 64 far as tomaintain unscrupulously that the anti$andirrist &be1 forces were basedwithinthe: territory of: Nicaragua; in an, attempt, as usual, th0ugh.a vainattempt, to make the world believe thatNicaragua was &fact facing a purely domestic etisisj 130. Idonot intend to take up-too muchofthe Council’s valuable time, but thee%ot.mcil may.&interested to be. informed. of a manifesto signed by a number of Honduranpers~nalitiesand politicai readers, including the former President, Ram&t Cruz, as reported. by Agence France Presse on 24 March 1984. The signatorlesof the-manifesto call for, intPr alia; opposition to the American desire to estabhsh @ permanent base to continue to train non-Honduransoldiers, particularly the NicaraguanoppositiDn. The manifesto naturally has not been mentionediby the irnpeiSa1ist.s and the other detractors of Nicaragua, I31. The world knows full wellthat tie problem‘s of CentraI~Americaare real and that%liey must beres~lved urgently-. FOr hs part, Nic;eragua has; in its wisdom, generally given a warm welco’me ‘to? peaceinitiatives by third @untries, particnla?rly those’ belonging trr the Contadora- Group, aiming at a. political sot&on to the problems Gf$lie r-e-@on. in thiscatmectlon, the Co-ordmating Bureau ofthe.Movement ofNonAligned Countries, in: its communi:gue u!&he.d, on 15 March {+S/f6422; annex], welcome& Ff icaragua’s. firm atfachmenttageace, as shown.l$%h;lt cou@ry’smost recent. initiatives, and once againgroclaimedits solidarity with the Government of National Reconstruction and the people of Nicaragua in.their struggle fo’protect th,eir , * Quoted in English by ihe speaker. 132. As for the United States Government, c.ontrary to the policy of peace which it claims tohave chosen, it is simply increasing its military presence in the area and. intensely pursuing, its air and sea attacks against Nicaragua. .- 133. My delegation learned with indignation of the news from Agence France -Presse on I April that a former commander-in-chief of the Honduran army had sent the Kissinger Commission a document recommending military intervention in Nicaragua in-order to resolve the conflict in Central America. This is the plot the,imperialist forces and their hirelings&tend to hatch in order to neutralize the valiant people of Nicaragua. ‘. 134. In the face of this serious situation, the pe.aee efforts being made by the Contado.ra Group have been. sorely tested, and the danger of armed confrontationin that trouble-d. part of the world has become a reality.. Consequently, it is incumbent onthe international COMmunity, the United Nations; and in particular the Security Council, whose purpose is to safeguardinternational peace, to condemn the: mining of the main Nicaraguan ports and to require that the United S,tates Government end its belligerent policy in Central America and agree that a political solution should be found to the problems of the region. 135. In conclusion, we express our deep convictian that the people of Nicaragua, strengthened by their. tradition of heroic struggle, under the Sandinist National Liberation Front, will be able to thwart all aggressive manoeuvres by the imperiaIists. Ourpeople is fully behind the fraternal people of Nicaragua in its just struggle to protect its independence, sovereignty. and territorial integrity, until final, complete victory. 136. The PRESIDENT [interprefarion from Rlsssib]: The next speaker is therepresentative of Czechoslovakia. I invite him to take a place. at the. Council table .and to-make his statement. ,. .- 137. Mr. KOVA.CIC (Czechoslovakia]: Mr. President, let me first thank you and sill the other memb.ers of the Security Council for granting me this opporttmity to speak on behalf of the Czechoslovak delegation on the important issue on the Conncil’s agenda today, an issue which is of profaund concern to us.. This issue is the continuing and ever-escalating; iicts of aggression, terror and provocation against Nicaragua; It-is the escalation of unlawful, hostile acts organized and financed: by., or even directly carriedout by, the United States against an independent, non-aligned and: freedomloving.CentrdAmerican State. It is theescalationofthe undeclared war by the United States against Nicaragua. 138. Mr. Javier Chamorro Mora, representative of Ni.caragua, informed this body of the scope of the United States aggression against -Nicaragua and thes 139. The representative of Nicaragua i-nformed the Council aboutthe escalation ofterrorist actions against military and-economic targets in Nicaragua, organized as a part of United States. efforts to destabilize, that country. He informed it of therecruitment of mercenaries fromthe ranks of the Somoza adherents and other counter-revolutionaries and criminals financed from the funds of the CIA and other agenciesof the United States Administration, He also menti-oned acts of air and naval piracy and terrorism inspired and even directly controlled by Washington. He presented facts and evidence on the Ieading role of the United States, and in particular the CIA, in the mining ofl%caragua’s major P&Kc and Atlantic ports-actions that are directed not only against thepeopie,andGovemment af Nicaraguabut outright against international navigation, communicationsand international trade. 140. The..aiarming factsmentioned in thestatement of the Nicaraguan‘.representative attest beyond’doubt that the United States Administration stands behind the acts of aggression and violence against Nicaragua andthat it is responsible for all the immeasurable damage that is being caused -to the Nicaraguan people in both human and’~material terms by the continuing~and escalating aggression. 141. We are speaking here of acts, that are unequivocaiiy prohibited by the Charter; by the most significant documents 6fthe Organization, induding;the Deciaration on Principles of International Law: concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations’ and the Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention and~Interference in the Internal AI&&s of States,2 as well as the norms ofinternational law. 142: We are speaking&f acts that are in full contradiction of important resolutions of the Organization, inchtding -ihe unanimously adopted. General aAssembiy resolution 38/10 and Security Council resolution 530 (1983), These are acts that have. rightIy been conde.mned by the historic meetings of theforeign ministers of rmon-aligned countries in Nicaragua and by the New. Delhi summit of <he Non-Aligned Moveme& as well as by.the subsequent sessions &he Co-ordinating Bureuof that Movement, 143; The United States aggression against Nicaragua is-be& critic’ d and resohtteiy condemned -by broad i -,. ,,<:’ ; ~.~#$ !::y +.: <,- ,. 144. The aggression and terror against Nicaragua are’ not.an isolatedphenomenon in the foreignpolicy strategy. of the United States. Washington ispractising a poiicyof blackmail and diktat in other parts ofthe world also, and it arbitrarily proclaims spheres of so-called j vital interestto the United States, It does not at all hesitate to use armed force to suppress revolutionary liberation movements and to impose its will on independent States, as has, beendemonstrated <by the armed intervention against Grenada, by the press.ure-exerted against Cuba, Syria and Libya, by events in Lebanon, by the gruwing military presence of the United States in the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterraneanand by the feverish.arm~sbuiidppon1and, at sea as well as in outer space, including the deploymentof new United States:first-strikeweapons in thet%ritories of three-States in Western-Europe. And it-is this-policy; these acts of intimidation, pressure-and.outright aggression by the: reactionary forces of imperialism, headed by the United States, which have caused’s marked deterioration in the overall international situation. 145. The Czecho.slovak people and the. Guvem-ment of the Czechoslovak Socialist. Republic feel profound indignation at the aggressive and terrorist actionsagainst the friendly people of Nicaragua, They resolutely support the popular Sandinist. revolution and she struggle’of the Nicaraguan people to preserve their revolutionary achieveme.nts and. todefend,their independence and legitimate right to economic and. social developme~nt of their.nation. They arein ful! solidarity with the people of Ntcaragua. They appreciate the&itiatives of the Government of Nicaragua an&the con tinued. endeavours to‘achieve a peaceful and just settlement of the conflict situationin,.XZenfrai Am.erica and in the Caribbean region* including the efforts of the. Contadora Group. They resolutely c,ondems.the-@cts of destabilization, pressure,~~d.armed~~gtes~~ootl~ag~~~st Nicaragua, and they demand an i$nmediate ha& to them, This was clearly expressed& the statement by ou-r- Federal Ministry of Foreign ffffairs of3Q March. 1984. 146; Let me express the hope that the conclusions reached by the Security Council in the implemenfatfon of itsaoble mandate wihbedirected towardsthatx%jecV tive. 147. The PRESIDENT [irlfetp~efati~n firm RUTsim]: The next speaker is the representative. of Guatemala. I invite him to take apiaceat the Cotmc~~able and.to make his statement. 151. Because of al1 those principles and owing to’its deep commitmentto Central Americanism, my country has. remained outside the arms race problem and the problem of-the exportation of armed groups.and5ntends to continue with that policy so as to make a positive. contribution in the search for a peaceful settlement to the situation,which at. present. prevails in Gentrai American countries. Hence we Gelieve; indeed insist, that the Contadora Group is the’ regional body that we have chosen-and which must bestrengthened, My- 152. My country now, wishes to ‘make ‘an appeal for reconciliation among Central Americans. Let us con-. tinue to work within. the Contadora framework, with resolution and patience to achieve peaceful coexistence and to settle .our differences, Let us strengthen the peace initiative that we have been offered by our fraternal countries in Latin America, members of the Contadora Group, and let us notallow hegemonistic and extracontinental conflicts ,which are. foreign to our. interests and which in no way contribute to our devel-. opment .to sweep us .up:in the ongoing confrontation they,sustain. ,I’ . +: i ..! ; :. -, . . .-‘I : .’ 153. Finally, my,Govkrnment~ wishes ‘to reaffirm iis support for the Contadora Group. We completely support General ,Assembly resolution 38/10 and hope that the Security Council will further thc,peace,efforts being made in this -forum. The problems are those..of Central America and Latin America;, they are comprehensive and must be negotiated. It isfor us toresclve them. The. United Nations must help to create the conditions conducive to lasting peace in the region. ‘I % , , I” . I 154. The PRl%II&T [int&p&ation ‘j&m Russian]: The next speaker.is the representative of Afghanistan. I invite bimto take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. -‘. _ . . . ., 155. Mr. ZARIF (Afghanistan): Earlier. this week I had an opportunity most warmly to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the high office of President of the Security Council. However, I should like now to express our admiration and thanks for the brilliant manner in which you have so far conducted the Council’s work. , I. ,’ * j ./ / : .. ., .._ II_ 156. The aiready’tcnse situation in Central America has taken an ominous. turn for the, worse. .The main cause behind this dangerous change is, ,as always, the stepped-up United States imperialist intervention in the internal, affairs of the’eountries of the region. .> 157. t ,.. ,. United States intervention in Nicaragua is, being carried out practically on all fronts. The armed intervention which once had the form of isoiated Provo: cations and :occasionai subversive, actions against Nicaraguan border -villages by. the former Somozist National,Guard bandits has now been developed into a large-scale undeclared war launched by* a mercenary legion of the CIA which is highly organized, well’ trained and fu11y equipped with sophisticated light and heavy weaponry. The CIA mercenaries <have invaded. Nicaragua from the north, the south, the Atlantic coast and the Pacific coast. They have chosenas-their targets defenceless villages, agricultural plantations, public service institutions such as schools and.hospita,ls, and economic installations. They forcibly displace the vil- 158. Economic pressures that started with the cessation of all United States economic assistance to Nicaragua by the Reagan. Administration have now been elevated to the level of an all-out economic blockade. 159. Coupled with all those is the psychological and propaganda warfare waged at all levels to discredit the revolutionary gains of the Nicaraguan people. 160. The modest hope for stabilization and tranquillity in the region which was created with the endeavours and proposals of the Contadora Group faded away because of the negative attitude adopted by the United States Administration and the pressures it has exerted on its regional lackeys. 161. The situation recently acquired a new and very explosive dimension as a result of the mining of Nicaraguan territorial waters around the important seaports of Corinto and Sandino. These mines which have been laid in a SO-kilometer belt across Lake,Nicaragua, from Sapoa River to the town of Col6n, have already destroyed or damaged 10 cargo ships and fishing boats. Among those damaged were Panamanian, Soviet, Liberian, Japanese and Dutch-registered vessels. The mining of Nicaraguan territorial waters by CIA mercenaries constitutes not only an act of intervention and aggression against that country but aiso poses a grave danger to. international navigation. The international: community should vehemently condemn, this brazen act of, aggression against Nicaragua by the United States. 162.. The Peace, Friendship and Soiidarity Organization of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan has issued a statement on the recent escalation of the United States dirty undeclared war against Nicaragua in which the United States Administration is strongly condemned for itsacts of aggression. The statement has reiterated fui1 support to and complete solidarity with the fraternal people of Nicaragua in their struggle to defend their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the proud achievements of their revolution. 163; The people and Government of the Democratic Republicof Afghanistan fully associate themselves with,the legitimate concern of the people and Govemment of Nicaragua, which was eloquently echoed in this CounciI by Mr. Chamorro Mora, the representative of Nicaragua. 164. We demand the cessationofall imperialist interference and intervention in the internal affairs of Nicaragua and .other countries of the region. The Security Council shouldtake appropriate measures to put an end to the acts of aggression by the United Stat-es against 18. 165. May I, in conclusion, Mr. President, thank you and, through you, the other members of the Council, for extending to-my delegation the privilege of participating in the debate of the Council on the item. before it.

Although you, Mr. President, like myseIf and-one or two of our neighbours, suffer under the disability of representing.a deIegation that does not begin with “Plz but with “U,” you have already set us an excellent example by asking us to be brief in our congratulations. I therefore congratuiate yourheartily on what you have already done and on what I am sure you will do, and, similarly, I repeat what I said a few days ago aboutthe skill of our Peruvian colleague in leading the Co~unc$l; last month. 167. I must apologize, not only to my calleagues,on the Council for making a speech at this hour. of: the night, but also to the interpreters and’thetranslatorsfor making what is more or less an impromptuspeech, Thespeech that i.had prepared to give either. this eveningor tomorrow--l was not sure which-is no longer wholly relevant, and this, puts me-and I apologize. for it--in some difficulty. The reason for the difficulty is the very recent amendments put forward to thedraft resolution that was submitted, I believe, last night. These amendmentsare, 1 repeat, the reason for mymaking an ex ternpore speech. 168. The amendments are quite. simple; there aretwo, of them, one to the last preambular paragraphand fhe other to. paragraph 1, and my deiegatiorrt5d.s that in part they are good and in part they are bad-r at any rate awkward. 169. I do not find difficulty with the-amended paragraphs as they now stand in the text before us, twishto make it quite clear that the United. King$om-deplores the miningnf Nicaraguan waters, Responsibility-for~the laying of mines has been claimed by t,wo organizations which have declared. themselves. in opposition: to: the Government of Nicaragua, Themmtingoperations have already caused damage to me.rcha.nt ships sf several nationalities and injuries. to. merchant. se,amen, -Our position is well known and consistent: asa.maritime. nation, we are committed to freedom. of navigatiqni including innocent passage through theI te~rriiorial sea and access to foreign ports for peaceful. trade. We deplore any threats to navigation, whenever @id wherever they occur. I reaffirm our adherence to&at principle. 170. ‘Having said that-and irepeat thatrhaVisave.ry clear, unequivocal and firm.position on thepart CS~~QIY Government-we in the United-Kingdom ne.ve.rtheIess feel that the draft resolution’ as it. now stands. iaCkS balance. “On specific instructions from my. Government, Ihave.the honour to requesta meetingofthe Security Council as a matter of urgency and immediacy, in ordeeto consider theescalationof-actsof aggression currently. being p.erpetrated against my country.” There was no specific reference to which acts of aggression, 0.0 specific reference, for exam@, to mining, in ouragenda. But I thit&no onedoubtedthat miningwas oneoffhe matters whichthe Nicaraguandelegation-was complaining about when it gut-for&&this letter which. we as a Council adopted as our agenda, 172. However, I think it is also fair for others of us, including my delegation, to have assumed that this w.ordingwhich I have just. read o.utd“acts of aggression currently beingperpetrated againstmy country”- refe.rred to the other recent Ni.caraguan letters. For example, there were other letters: on 26 March, 27 March, 29 March and 2 April. If my coIleagues.will excus.e me, I would just Iike to, quote briefly a few @@ages here and there from these Nicaraguan Ietters to illustrate why I had fhe impression. that our debate was about something wider than the mining, question. 173. For example, the first of these letters [.S/164.?9], of,26 Marich, says in part: “Dam writing to inform~ou of the following: “Yesterday, 25March 1984, art3.30a.m., agroup of Honduran military ~erzontiel; 6f undetertlned number, carried out an attack fro-m Honduran terf&y upon the units ofthe Sandinlst People’s~Army situatetis kilometres southjtvest of Somotillo, tiring 40 rounds from 81-mm mortars. Fortunately, no cast&ties resulted from.this criminal attack, which lasted &etween 20 and 3O%lnutes.” 174: The-next letter [.SII6?4~, of:;?7 March; enclosed a communique. by the Gov@%lng Junta of National Reconstruction dated 26 March, which c0vered.a large: ntnhber~of~points. It is atxo-page:document, so L will not attempttoquote it@, but, amongstother-things, it said: “This.titutitio.n, which brings e-veacloserthepossibllityofUnited Stateslrrilitary interventionagainst-El Salvador and Nicaragua, has frustrated the efforts for peace”. It goes on-in anotherpassage to,ask the United States Government: “1. To stop escalating the stationingof troops-in Central America a@ tawithdrawthe contingents sent in in the fast few weeks to join those already stationerlthere, together with the espionage aircraft; aircraft-carriers and twarships recently dispatched to the region; \ 19 “3. To end the escalation of the clandestine war against Nicaragua which takes the form of air and sea attacks and the mining of harbours; “4. To withdraw its request for the allocation of $21 million, which is at present under consideration in the United States Congress.” 175. Then when we come to the letter of 29 March [S/16448] we find a sentence in the annexed comrnunique which rather worried my delegation. It says: “The Government of Nicaragua confirms once again its readiness to continue to struggle for peace in the Central American-region and reiterates its appeal to the internationalcommunity to provide Nicaragua with the necessary technical and military means to defend itself from. the State terrorism unleashed by the United States Government.” 176. Then we come to the letter of 2 April [S/164571, which states: “I have the honour to inform you of the following: “Yesterday, 29 Marcli 1984; at 2.05 a.m., an unspecified number of personnel of the Honduran army attacked, from Honduras, the Catarina sector, 3 kiIometers south-west of La Ceiba and 5 kilometers west of Somotillo, with rounds of small-arms and 81-mm mortar fire. Fortunately, no casualties resulted from this criminal act of aggression.” 177. I think that what I have briefly quoted from these letters does entitle my delegation to think that this debate was on a wider matter thanthe.mining-question, serious though the mining question,&, andr‘was further persuaded that this was the subject of thedebate by the opening speech made by the representative of Nicaragua. That speech ranged over material which, unfortunately, is ail too familiar to the Council because we have debatedthe matter on several previuus occasions. But amongst other things, there were, by my count, nine pages of complaints before we reached the question of mining. 178. So, once again, I shouldjustlike to affirm that my delegation thought that this debate was about the problems of Central America. We thought that it was about the problems of Central America as put forward by Nictiragua, but that other Central American countries, other countries closely involved, and other membersof the Council would have something to say in contribu tion, and indeed they did; we have heard a number of speeches in this debate. 179. And what have they been about? All these speeches seem to me to have ranged over a very wide area of international affairs. I evenheard one speaker 18fl.’ So I feel that it is not only the agenda we adopted, but the speeches we have heard, which led us to think that we are dealing here with the whole problem of Central America. For example, in the very opening speech; we heard the following from our colleague from Nicaragua: I “On theother hand, we are absolutely certain that .our region is now in a particularly critical and difficult period and that at any time this could lead to a conflict with serious consequences.” [See 2525th meering, para. 26.1 t As a matter of fact, my delegation thinks that that is a fairly accurate statement of the position; That, it seems to us, is what this debate is really about. 181. The speech by the representative of Nicaragua was followed by a speech by the representative of the United States which dealt with a large number of matters which really do not seem to be ve_ry adequately reflected--ifthey are at ail-in the draft resolution before us: Then, if we turn to the other parties involved in this dispute, we:have just heard this evening a powerfuI speech by ‘the representative of Honduras, which contained information that my delegation is not able to verify or deny-, such~information as a large number of Cuban troops going to Nicaragua, andso forth. Wealso heard. a speech ‘from the delegation of EI Salvador, which was pretty critical of-one of its fellow Central American-countries. This evening we heard a speech from therepresentative ofCosta Rica, who was pointing out to us the importance of not undermining the Contadomprocess and suggesting that perhaps it was being undermined by the way in which we were conducting this debate. Finally, we have just heard-a powerful speech from-the representative of Guatemala. 182. It seems to me,.listening to,ali these, speeches, that this body is falling into the habit-which I am afraid is becoming ingraineddf producingresults that do not havemuch relevance to the debate. One begins to wonder whetherit is worth our while having debates at all, if we have long debates and then end up with something that is, notcongruent with them. : 183. I repeat that our present draft resolution does noti‘it seems to’my delegation, match the scope of the 184. Now members will see why I began by saying that the changes reflected in the versionof the draft resolution just circulated have. put me in some difficulty: aithough.as amended they are acceptable to my delegation, the original wording of the. provisional text would, we thought, have beenimproved if to. the final preambuiar paragraph- “Noting also with deep concern the mining of Nicaraguan ports and other attacks, as we11 asovertand covert hostile acts and threats against Nicaragua>“- had been added “and other States in CentraMmerica”. 185. Similarly, in para raph 1 of the provisional wersion, where’we called. if or “an immediate end to all threats, attacks ‘and overt and covert hostile acts against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Nicaragua”, we should have preferre@to say $~ot just Nicaragua, but “the States of Central America-“. And, indeed, it seemed to us, that there was indeed much purpose in calling for an immediateendto all threats, attacks and overt and covert hostile acts agamst the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity ofali States of Central America. I.can.not vc-ry easily believe that any delegation represented around this table would have opposed that; sureiythisis apsint on which we are all agreed, and my delegation would have liked.@ have said-so. 186. In short, it seems to us that it is wrong to deal only with the mining question, though it is perfe.ctly right that we should deal with the mining question, It is wrong, we feef, to deal with the interests ofonly6ne of the countries involved in the situationin Ccntrai America. 187. Sir, I recaiI the. declaration your predecessor made on behalf of all of us only last week I2%th meeting1 on another very serious matter, namely, the use-zver-@ied by the Secretary-General’s group of experts-of chemical weapons. But when we discussed this matter, and when we-:agre,ed on the&claration that was issued by your predecedss.orT we put that in.the context of the> whole situation which was occurring there. I should have liked to’do,the same sort of thing on this occasion. 188. Always with the same object in views we. a&o find other problems with this draft resolution, We should have liked to see more balance. The draflresofutionrefers to SecurityCouncil re.s.oiution.530 (1983Jand to General AssembIy resolution 38MOf but it refers to the-m selectively. Hence it seems’ to us. that it. lacks balance, and we believe that the draft re.solution~uld. be improved in a way that wouId’command general “Mindful of the necessity of promoting. the achievement of-peace on a souad,basis, which would make;possibie agenuine democratic process, respect for human rights, and. eoonomio andsocial developnie.m, ” andparagraph 5 wouldread: “N6te~with safisfac@on.that. the countries of the. r@onhave agreed-to @Ice; meawes leading to the establishment and; whereappropfiate, the i-mprovenienf sf democratic, regresentatitfe andpluralistic systems which will guarantee effective. popular. participation. in decision-making and ensure the free. access of various currents .of op$tion to. honest and periodic electoral processes based-on the fuEobservance-ofcivil rights, emph.asi-izin$ that the strength7 etiingaf democratic institutions. & clos:ely linkedto evolution and advances. @hieved in the sphere uf e~anottlic development andsocial justice;“; 189, Euthermore, we believe. that we might not only have4iected more accuately. the resolutions cited in; this draft resolution but also some&the wise wurdsuttered only recently, on 28!March, by thePresident of Mexico, Mr. Miguel delaMad-rid; whichwerequoted in the statement of the representative of Mexi~co, as foiiows: 191. I come to what is really my mainessential posi? tive point. In listening to this debate, in reading the statements when I was unable to be presenthere, I have got the. strong impression that there is one thing that.&; common to virtually all the speeches: that is, support for the Contadora process and support for the 21 points ofthe Document of Objectives [S/16041, annex]. These are very important matters which, as I sai& seem to-be. of general acceptance not only to the mem6ersof4re Council but also to members-of the General <Assembly who-were invited to speak here and who.have stressed, for example, free elections, pluralism, democratic, processes, human rights and eco.nomic and social development Surely, ail these things are part of the wh.ole problemof Central America, and they should be refleeted in this draft resolution. And let us remember that we are dealing not just with a problem-because that sounds a bit abstract-but with a problem about . people, people who have suffered agreatdeal and fora- IongJime. In my personal estimation, de-spite someof thestatements in this debate, we,are not-reallydealingwith. a great. East-West dispute here-which we. quite often do get into. We are re.aliy dealing, with amuch. more local situation-which the peopie,f Central~AmerT ica unfortunately find themselves in but which, we believe, they can cope with. And here I.refer again&o the concluding.words of the statement of thePresident of Mexico I quoted earlier to the effectthat Central Americans can find Central American solutions. “ ‘Ifispossible forcountrie~-bqrdeyng.on the area of conflict and generally i~nterested4n the soiutisn of probie.ms that might eventually. involve the-m to-play anactive-and important-role in restoring di.alogue and negotiation, thus relieving. tension and restoring: peace. It is equally im ortant that&e c0untrje.s involved, directly or in B irectiy, ina regionalconflict shouldrefrain fromtaking-action that c.ouid exacerbate, thatconflict, should j renounce hege-monistic aspiratjoes and should not engage i-n interference or destabilization actions. ‘1 ‘ . . . “ ‘Latin Am~~ca;needsastabiean_dpiuralistic.~ntra1 America which. c;m tit into-the. patterns of cooperation and enrich: the joint emndeavours of the re-gjsn.’ ” I-Iear, hear b “ ‘The path to achieving that is_ clearly one of’ dialogue and: negotiation, based’ on respect for national &lent&s and .forms of expression, and it. is certa@ily not the p@h of confrontation and conflict, of destabiiizing actions,or the imposition ofmodels. 192. We found a great deal in the.analysis.the representative of the United States quoted at the-6eginning of Well, that is the authentic voice of the only memberof” the Contadora Group who has spoken in this debates as far as I am aware, and I think we might: have triedto reflect that statement in the draft resolution. 190. I know that we all support the two resolutions that are cited-Security Council resolution 530 (1983) and General Assembly resolution 38/1O-and we:are very glib in citing previous resolutions; it is something we are all trying to do ail the time. But I fhink we should pay special attention to the circumstances in which Assembly resolution 38/10 was negotiated. Ali~of,us must remember sitting around for a-whole morning and all through lunch-time twiddling our thumbs while-the delegations most closely eoncemed negotiated its&text, and there was a great deal of dissatisfaction as ali:our stomachs got emptier. But when they came up with an agreed text, which was then accepted by: acclamation, we all thought it had beenworth while and we all applauded them. And I do not like the feeling that this resolution, which was achieved not only by consensus of the countries most closely concerned but also by consensus of the entire General Assembly, should, in a sense, be undercut byour selective quotation and’by not being fully and fairly reflected. 193. So.we had hoped that the Council at the end.of this debate would produce a resolution, a presidential statement, or whatever, that would be really constructive and not in any way vindictive. We had also hoped for all these elements I have mentioned to-be reflected in the present draft resolution so that we would have a tn.@ btianced statement Making it.easier for thefour countriesofthe Contadora Group to exercise their very valuable function in-bringing the fiveCentral American c.mntries into agreement. t94. We find that missing from thedraft ~esglution as it.now stands. Therefore, I must say. t,hat mydelegation, indisappointment, will abstain when thedraft isput, to the vote. 195, The PRESIDENT [interprx%zticvz from. Russ&]: I should. now like to speak in my capacity as representative of the UKRAINIAN SOVIET SQCIALIST REPUBLIC. 196, The Security Council is considering a matter wh&.h:affects a vital aspe.ct of the lie of,any Stateor peapIe: the right to an independen?andaov.ereign existence in conditions of peace and security without any foreign interference inits internal affairs. That right is enshrined~in the Charter of the United Nations and in other fundamental international legal documents, Any directorindirect vioiatlonofthat rightnecessarily leads tolawlessness in international relations; 197. The! statements made by most delegations have pruved cogently that the Security Council, is dealing with precisely the: kind of wilfulness where generally a&no-wledged norms and principles of international law are! being ignored and flouted. SimpIy because the present Government ofNicaragua& notto the liking of the.Uaited States-s has frequently been stated by the latter’s representatives inthe Security Council-the United States has set itself the goal of overthrowing that Government. 198: An afte-Mptfiasbeen made toprove to us that the Government of this Central American country aIIeged& represents some kind of threat to the. United Statesi something that country cannot. foferate. May I tecalIthat the same kind of putative threatwas Mentionedby the United States in the case of Grenada, aga&t which.it directed its regular military units. 199. There. is every reason to-assumetiat the United States& pianning .preciseIy the same-kind of operation inthe case of Nicaragua. However, for the time being it prefersto do this through third-parties; using hostile elements from among. the followers of Som0z.a and other d.&%ffected elements. The trainingand: military 20. An undeclared war is being waged against 6% country and its people, and every day it is assuming increasingly threatening and serious diMens@rs, gravely menacing peace an,d security in Central’AmeF ica and in the worId as a whole. The large contingents-rlf naval and air-force landing units that have been seat one after the other towards the coasts of Nicgraguaare meant to. serve a policy of intimidation. The manaeuvres that have become a permanent feature of this region are intended to create a miiitary infrastructure with the building of airports, bases, munitions dumps and so on. No sooner hadthe Big Pine II Manoeuvres, which had lasted for six months near the frontiers of Nicaragua and which had involved the landing of United States and Honduran soldiers, come-to~an:~@‘rd than they were succeeded by the Granadero 6 and Ocean Venture 84 Manoeuvres. According to information from the Pentagon, these will involve the partisfirsation of 33,000 United States troops. How can.w&a&to recall that it was precisely the Ocean Venture~81 @a* noeuvres that were used asa dress rehearsal for the eventuaiinvasion of-Grenada. 201. A new and extremely menacing development has been the United States attempt to set up. a marine blockade around Nicaragua. The approaches to” its ports have been strewn with various kinds of Mines, which merchant ships from Panama., the Netherlands, the Soviet Union, Liberia, Japan and ,cammercial!and tishingve-sseIs from Nicaragua-have foundered on. This is a gross transgression of the traditional. usages. of internationalnavigation and trade. These actionscannot be, termed anything but an act of piracy and internationat terrorism. 202. Sure& the representatives of> the United States donot seriously believe that the Inrernational.col~ nity is so naive: as to believe their assertions. tliat al1 these mines are simpIy hand-made and have been. placed there by some casual bystanders. Incontrovertible data has been cited here demonstrating that the most sophisticated kinds of technical methods were used in Mining the ports. The nature and size oFthe attacks on Merchant ships en route TO Nicaragua:&ve quite clearly indicated that they have been carried roUt at United States expense and with,the.direct participation of organizations and persons controlled fiy the” United States Government, which is directly responsible for these criminal acts. 203. In the opinion of the deiegaaon &Xhe U%r?&&m SSR, the Security Council shauldfirmlycondi %ts immed$‘teIy to cease all hostile actions against Nicaragtm Maximum use shouldbe made oftheefforts the states of the Contadora Group, which are aimed at securing ape_aceful settlement of the conflict inCentr”a1 America.. Bo$; The Ukrainian SSR is firm?y against United S-b&s intervention in the internal affairs of Nicaragua andaffirms its complete solidarity with the heroic Nicaraguan people. 205. I: shall now resume my functions as PRES- IDRNT of the Council. 206. Mr. CHAMCXRRO MGRA. (Nicaragua) [interpretrrttoanfrom Spani&]: I wish tomake it clear to the members of the Council that I had requested to speak eefore Iheard the statementofth.erepresentative of the united’ Kingdom, since I considered it important to provide additional information, as I-have been doing throughout the debate. i3ut having-beard his statement, I believe it important to makes a few brief references to what he said, which, in. o.ur opinion, was almost an explanationof vote. 203. %-St, the representative oftie United Kingdom mentioned our letter in which we r-equested the convet&g of these meetings of the Couatil, [s/16&9l. I shouldbke to read it out to himand I request: him to fisten carefully and-he wiIl.~ndeXtandthat our.request was “in order to consider the escalation of acts of aggression currently being perpetrated against my country?‘. 208. We have been clear from the time we called for a m-eeting that it: was to discuss the acts of aggression against Nicaragua, that therehad been various such. acts, and among them the miningofithe ports has now assumed extraordinary significance because of its sc0p.e and its origin. 209. I wish.ais.0 to say that qe are ~ware%liat Central American probiems are multiple and sompiex. We are aware that the way in which we mus1&al with them and the sohrtion we must findfor themalsohas to be multiple andcomplex in nature. Hence, wethereforehave to explore: every possible form. andmake every possible peace eflorr, precisely in. order to arrive at a cornpie+ hens% set&merit of the probl&~s affecting Central America. In this. respect Nicaragua has never objected to the problems of Central Americabeing discussed in the Security Council, which is the most appropriate 210. The representative of the United Kingdom also made reference to the communiqut of Nicaragua’s Governing Junta of National Reconstruction distrib* uted to Council members and mentioned some of its paragraphs, among them, those referring to the appeal for military co-operation which my country publicly made in order to defend itself against the undeclared war and the military and tradeblockade it is now facing. I wish to say to him and to the rest of the international community that this appeal-has just been repeated in another communique we are sending to the Security Council. 211. We sincerely hope that among those countries responding to this appeal will be, the United Kingdom. Perhaps it could send us some minesweepers to clean up our coasts. We would be very grateful to the United Kingdom if it could help us in this endeavour, knowing the facilities his country enjoys and that during the Second World War the United Kingdom was one of those countries receiving military co-operation from others in order to defend itself against Nazi aggression; I seem to remember also that the United States leased the United Kingdom aircraft at a nominal sum of a dollar or so in order that it could defend itself against bombings from,which, unfortunately, his country was, suffering at the time. 212. We hope that, once we come to vote on the draft. resolution we, have presented to the Council for its consideration-which to our mind precisely reflects the actions of which Nicaragua has complained and is suffering at present-the United Kingdom will be one of the countries that will be in a position to.vote in favour, taking into account the fact that, among other things, it condemns the mining of the ports and refers to the need to respect the right to free trade and navigation which should prevail in every region of the world. Furthermore, there have been other resolutions adopted in the Security Council along the same lines-1 seem to rem11 resolution 540 (I983)--on which the United Kingdom was able to vote in favour. 213. I also wish to refer to some statements-as 1. have already done on a previous occasion-of American and 214. In this connection I shall mention certain statements.madeby the Secretary-General during hfs visit to Panama. a few days ago, because during the debate some few seemed to wish to place the Central American problem within the context of the East-West cris’is. To our mind, this is not in keeping with-the reality prevailingin our region, nor is it &the root of theproblems Gesetting us. The fad is that because&these problems there are civil wars being waged in some- Latin American countries, for example, in El Salvador. 215 The Secretary-General said that the, Central American crisiswas very complex and that, to his regret, there were elements that were hampering the peaceefforts of the Contadora Group. He also said that the Contadora Group’s approach to$he. regional problems-was correct because what was fundament@ to the crisis in that region were its economic and social aspects. At. the same time, he mentioned $h;it all acts of interfirence in the internal affairs QIXentral &me&an counties were deplorable. 216. Recently, President de la Madrid, inexpressing some. views on the Central Ame&aa isue& mentioned; @no_ng:other things; that-ihe problem-ofQntra1 Americis must.be resolve-d by Central Americans themselves free from foreign interference fr_om whatever source. 217. As.we are all aware, in the f?asr two weeksthere have been long debates in, the Unite@ States. Senate about military assistance to Central~Ametica, including those which I mentioned in my two e;rrlier interventions. I shall quote a few statements w&h, according to the press, have. been made in the. Senate in the past f&v days. 218. Senator Sasser, in an attempt to e@tin why Congress isreluctant to take drastic measures to halt the i4cessant call for funds. by the Reagan Administration.to carry on thewar in CentraI.America, said:- “There:& areluctance around Fiere to-be too assertive6n CMtral America. Peoplefe@Zongress will be blamed b the Admfnistralion fdr Ioslng Central l! Americ_a .. cthings go awry there.‘” 2 19. 2% New York Times on 3 April also told us about some.aspects of the debate origina0$d in$he Senate by Recalling the Administration’s original-reqqesf, uv@ch was for $92 million, Senator Inouye added; “Y~.XBXI kill less people with $62miIIion than with D2:~il~i~ts.” 220. According to The New York Z&es &Rm$ James D. Strachan said, “There is increasing u@$rstanding in the region that the Nicaraguan threg is regional, calling for regional. co-operation. md:g $ re+ gional solution.” I ask members of thecouncil whelhefi &at is not a real threat-to my country fi%m a~~!on@&i the United States Army. 221. I wish next to refer toa short articlethat appeared in The Christian Science Monitor @day, precisely about the request for this.convening.oZthe Security Council by Nicaragua. It said at the end: “The resolution will have tie trouble get1i.m at least nine votes on the i5-member Security coun:ciI. It is not clear whether the United States wiil.veta ar support the resolution.“-We, ofcourse, wouId.$il@ the ‘U&ted States to support it.-“A veto mlghf indicate the US harbors aggressive intentions toward Nicaragua, one Western dipIomat says.” 222. I shall now referbriefly to other statementsm-age during the debate on Nicaragua’s complaint aboafthe acts of aggression against our country. 223. A few representatives salid that the convetljn-at: these meetings, their results and ot@raspects tea i!! ed. to’ hamper and jeopaydize the Contadora, procms, I should iike to ask the internation@ commu&y: whettier a peace p;ocess can%e-hampered; paraly@or obstructed‘by a request from a coomry which is sllffering aggression to. a b;ody responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. 224. I should aIso like. to ask whether it was not pxecisely fbe efforts of Nicaragua, both in the !&u&y Council and in the Gene@ Assembly~espite~~h~~~~ac~ that the same arguments were advanced-and@ s;l-me’ accusations were made, that we were trying$o-i@gede the Comadora process--that led fo Se&Q Council resolution 530 (1983) an&General Assem~l~resoh$an 38710. 225. Lastly, I should like to ask whether, on”the.cgntrary, the negotiating process, whether t&at ofthz&&ntadora,GrQpp or of any other groupi &not S&g-&mpered~%y tlie carrying.0t.n. of militXQ manp-aYr-esi by the.establishmem of military eases, @&$y thcopJos& tion by certain countriesofthe region:tp.an-immediate moratorium on the shtpment Qf arms to the fegizm, 24. 226. Even the least sophisticated should be able -to understand that it is the perpetrator of acts of aggression and.miiitary actions who is really against a negotiated political solution. 227. Finally, I recall. that, in my two previous~ statements I put two specific questions toghe United States delegation. Those questions. appear in the offXal records of the Council, but so far they have not been answered; Ishould like an-answer, if the United States deIeg?tion is in a position to answer.me. I should also iike to know when the United- States wil1 hear the universal.cry and halt its actsof aggression and the dirty, undeclared war that it is waging against my country. 228, The PRESIDENT [interprerution from Russian]: Members of the Council have received the text of a,draft -resolution presented by Nicaragua, contained in document $116463.. If there is no objection, I shall now put the draft resolution to.the vote. 229. I shall first call on. those representataes. who wish to speak in expianation,of vote before the vote. 230. Mr. van der STOEL (Netherlands): Before we proce-ed toXhe vote I should like to point out that my delegation continues to have reservations concerning &he di-aft resolution as it stands. Indeed, we liaened with great sympathy to the suggestions for improvement of the text madejust now by-the representative of the Un.ited Kingdom. 231. In th& connection I shot.@ also Iike to make. PaXicuiarteference to the fourthpreambuiar paragraph becauseit singles out one admittedly important, but nevertheless just one, element of General. Assembly res-oliution 3-S/10. As I’ htid--occasio,n to indicate earlier in our debate, we fee1 that ail-1 repeat, ail--the aims of the Document ofobjectives must form rhe basis for a peaceful sett@ment of the problems tzesettiing the region. I need not erhphasize. that my Govenrment attaches p;ai%cniar importance to the establishment and improvement of democratic, representative and pIuralistic systems ofGovemmentwhich will guarantee effective &pufar p$rticipation in decision-making and ensuref~e!Xccess,for the varicrusc,urrents ofopinion fo honest and periodic expressions of the will of the people based on fuI1 observance of civii‘and poIitical rights. 232. Havingsaid that, Imay rem&d theCounc-il of tile long-standirig and firm commitment of mycountry to 233. Mr. KHALIL (Egypt) [inferpreratian from Arabic]: The fact of the matter is that ‘the Egyptian delegation would have preferred some time to be made available for us toconsult on the draft resolutionthat is now to be put to the vote. We had ho ed that a text could be arrived at that would be genera ly accepted by P the Council and would better reflect resolution: 530 (1983) and General Assembly resolution 38/iO, which was adopted unanimously. Unfortunately we have not had that opportunity. 234. In its statement yesterday [252&h meeiing] my delegation was at pains to point out that the States of Central America are facing social, economic and political challenges that cannot be overcome except by the creation of a regionalatmospherein the area that would break the circle of violence and counter-vioien’ce atid be based on the rejection of the use or threat of force and the rejection of confrontation and intervention in the internal affairs of other States, which tiduid have accorded with the principles of good-neighbouriiness and respect for the s-overeignty of the region’s States, their independenci and territorial integrity. ‘, 235. In the circumstances we wish to stress that it is our understanding that the last twopreambuiar paragraphs are closely linked. On that basis we-shafl-vote in favour of the draft resolution. 236. As a matter of fact-the Egyptian delegation would have preferred the language of some of the other paragraphs to be more balanced than they are, in which case they might have contributed to the result of the COI& cil’s-discussion of the issues by lesseiiing tension and breaking the circle of violence in Central America. In our opinion that is the one aim that should be PUP before all others. 3 ‘. 237. We say this despiteailthe difficulties that arc! still facing the Contadora Group. We sincerely hope that their construdtive efforts will continue and will be revived;

I desire to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency and to express our confidence that you will conduct the affairs of the Council with-fairnessand efficiency. .I also desire to express the satisfaction ofmy Government with the skill with which your predecessor, the representative of Peru, Mr, Javier.Arias Steila, conducted the affairs ofthe Council during the month of March. -’ :., - 239. The draft resolution before us is seriously flawed. Above ail it lacks balance and fairness. It is not well suited to the purposes it ostensibly seeks to se,rve, notably the peace of the area. In an area rent by vio- 241. This draft resolution therefore is seriously unbalanced. The rush to.decision by the Council is itself an example of seriously unbalanced’concern. 242. TheCouncil had-before it.last week an attack on the Sudan by Libya. The evidence was clear, as many members of the Council understood. But the Council took no. action. The Council has had before it two att.acksby Libya on Chad, But the Council has taken no action. The Council has had before itthe appalling tragedy of the Iran-Iraq war, with, children sentinto battle unarmed and’ with chemical. weapons used in violation of international agreements. But the Council has not been able to act decisively. 243. Today, however, the Council is able to act-not in opposition to crimes against human beings butout of concern for actions against property; not out of concern for human beings denied freedom or self-determination or out of concern for peace in Central America, but in response to the demands of a country.which violates its promises to its own people, violates its.promises to the &ganization of American States, violates. its neighbours’ borders, attempts to destroy the march towards democracy in the region and ignores every principle of good-neighbourliness. 244. Apparently the only crime against the peace that the Security Council is concerned with is mining. Not bombing, as in Sudan; not shelling, as in Costa Rica; not in child sacrifice or gassing, as in the Iran-Iraq war; not infiltrating and subverting, as in El Sdvador; not invading, as in Chad; not occupying, pillaging or burning, as in Afghanistan; not yellow rain, as against defenceless South-East Asian.. populations. OnIy mining, How extraordinary that the prohibitions of-th:eCharter should have been reduced to one simple negative. 245. The actions taken here today do not advance the cause of peace. They do not address the probIems of the region. They do not address, much less protect, the principles of the Charter. 246.. Instead, Nicaragua comes=to the Council seeking not peace but seeking the right-of repression at home and aggression. abroad with impunity. 248. We hope that the members ofthe Council,voting for this draft resolution will note, as they recommend the Contadora process, that Nicaragua declined yesterday to attend the meeting of the Contadora. Working Commissions, so busy were they trying to subvert&at very process. Today, with this draft resolution, it further damages the single best hope for peaceful settlement of the region’s problems. 249. Naturally, the United States will vote, no.

We would leave preferred just a little more time for consultations on the fwt now being put to the vote so as to have made a final effort to achieve consensus by broadening the terms of the&aft resolution. We realize, however, thatthe rnatter is urgent and, that perfection is not easily achieved under pressure. -251. We believe that the text, as now amended; is positive enough to deserve our support, and we. &ill vote accordingly. In doing so we take comfort from the fact that all who have explained their vote have peace in Central America and the role of the Contadora Groupas the major considerations. 252. The PRESIDENT [interpretation porn R_ussiafll; I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution in document S/16463. A vote was taken-by show of hands. &favour: China, Egypt, France, India, Malt-a, Neth-. erlands. Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Repubii.c,. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Upper Volta, Zimbabwe. Against: Unit.ed States of America. AWaitzing: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The result of the vote was 13 infavour, I~@LSL and. 1 abstention. The draft resolution was not adopted; the tlegative vote being that of a permanent member ofth_e-4&Mtcil. 253. Mr. CHAMORRO MORA (Nicaragua), [toterpretation from Spanish]; Before the debate ~loseson the act-s of aggression against my country, $:tltish. to thank members of the Council who voted for the&aft 254. I wish also to say that my delegation sincerely made the greatest efforts possible-it made enormous efforts+o try and obtain consensus in the Council on the draft resolution. We worked very closely with. the non-aligned members of the Council; we were in constant contact with other members of the Council, and VIIC embodied most-I would even say 99 per cent-of the positive suggestions made by many members of the Chln’Cii. 255. We never thought ofcoming here to hold discussions andEabmit a draft resolution that would not be adopted by the Council becauseof a veto by a permanent member. On the contrary, our intention was to try and. enable that permanent member to advocate and work for peace in Central America. That, unfortunately, was. not possrbie. 256. Unfortunately, too, the veto cast today hasgiven a clear answerto the final question in-my laststatement addressed to the representative of the United States. I asked. him when the United States would hear the universal outcry and halt the dirty, undeclared war that it was waging against my country. The veto cast by the United States today against the draft resolution is. a ’ 258. I can guarantee, however, that once again, in Nicaragua, the Bible story of David and Goliath will be fulfilled; the mouse will defeat the elephant; the children of Sandino will rise again and vanquish the invaders.

The representative of Nicaragua is, of course, free to interpret the American vote in any way he pleases. I just want to reiterate that our vote has been explained in our explanation of vote and, as we have said many times before, we say what we mean and mean what we say. The meeting rose at 8.30 p.m: NOTES ’ General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV), annex. 2 General Assembly resolution 36/103, annex. _. HOW TO OBTAlN UNfTED NATIONS f UBLICATIONS United Nations pub&trions may be obtained from hook&xc% an&distributors throughout the world. Consutt yout+@Dokstore or write to: United Satwns. Sales Section. Mew York ar Geneva. COMMENT SE P@OQJJ@R LES PLrBLiCATlOKS DES %‘AT@lXS UNIES L.es publicqtionsdes Nations Unies sent en vente dam les hhrairiestt les aeeilces-d~~ositaires-du monde enrier. Lnforrnez~~ auprk de vatre libraire ou adressez-vour g : NiRiQnS Unies. Section des venres, New York ou.Cien&e. COMO’CONSEGWRCLlstICAC~~NES DE tAs:N&CIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de tas Naciones Unidas estan en vem en librerias y casas dislribuidoras en todas partesdel mando, Gonsult@a su librero o didjase a: Nacioncs Unidas. Secci6n de Ventas. Nueva York o Ginebra. LithMn Urtited +&lions, New York 00400