S/PV.2634 Security Council

In conformity with decisions taken at the 2633rd meeting, I invite the representative of Nicaragua to take a place at the Council table. I invite the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, the Syrian Arab Republic and Viet Nam to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber. At the invitation of the President, Mr Chamotro Mora (Nicaragua) took a place at the Gxutcil table; ME Bajaie- Khorassani (Islamic &pt.&he of Iran), MIT Maya-PaIencia (Mexico), MI: El-Fattal (Syrian Amb Republic) and ME Bui Xuan Nhat (Viit Nam) took the places reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber.

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras and the Libyan Arab Jamahiiya in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the debate, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. At the invitation of the President, Mr Bermcal Soto (Costa Rica), Mr Oramas Oliva (Cuba), MI: Herrera Cdceres (Honduras) and Mr Azzamuk (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) took the pIaces reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber.

My delegation has already had the opportunity of congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of December and of expressing our confidence in your well-known ability to give guidance and leadership to the Council. Last week, we arrived at a satisfactory conclusion to our dehtirations in regard to the situation in Angola. We hope that our current deliberations on the situation in Central America will lead similarly to a successful outcome. 4. The item relating to the situation in Central America has been on the agenda of the General Assembly for the last three years. This is the tenth time over this period that Nicaragua has felt compelled to have recourse to the Security Council. This is indicative of the gravity of the deteriorating situation that obtains in Central America and the sense of insecurity that the Nicaraguan Govemment and people continue to experience. 5. In spite of the valiant efforts of the Contadora Group to find a political solution to the problems of Central America, the situation in the region continues to be marked by instability and strife. Acts of interference and intervention-direct and indirect-have continued and even intensified. Statements have been made which fly directly in the face of the concepts of sovereignty and independence of States. The process of dialogue between the two States directly concerned has been interrupted. New forms of pressure and coercion have been brought into play. 6. Yesterday, we had the opportunity of listening with attention and-1 must confess--grawing concern to the statement of the Acting Minister for External Affairs of Nicaragua, who explained with clarity the developments that have compelled Nicaragua once again to seek redress by the Council. It is clear that the people of Nicaragua have been subjected to great hardship and distress, and the economy of the country has suffered considerable disruption and damage. 7. In my current capacity as representative of the Chairman of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, I should 8. Security Council resolution 530 (1983), adopted in May 1983, reaffirmed the right of Nicaragua and of all the other States of the area to live in peace and security, free from outside interference. That resolution also recalled the relevant principles of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the obligations of States to settle their disputes exclusively by peaceful means, not to resort to the threat or use of force and to respect the self-determination of peoples and the sovereign independence of States. More recently, Council resolution 562 (1985), adopted in May this year, infer alia, affirmed the inalienable right of Nicaragua and the rest of the States to decide on their own political and economic systems free from outside interference, subversion, direct or indirect coercion, or threats of any kind, reaffirmed its fii support to the Contadora Group; called on States to refrain from carrying out political, economic or military actions of any kind against any State in the region which might impede the peace objectives of the Contadora Group; and called on the Govemments of the United States and Nicaragua to resume the dialogue in Manzanillo, Mexico. Regrettably, these resolutions continue to remain on paper. 9. The situation in Central America has figured prominently among the important issues engaging the attention of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. The Seventh Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non- Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi in March 1983, took note with great concern of the continuing tension in Central America. ‘Ib quote from the Political Declaration adopted at that meeting, the heads of State or Govemment “denounced the new and increasing threats and acts of intimidation and the growing seriousness and increased number of acts of aggression against Nicaragua”, which “were considered part of a deliberate plan to harass and destabilize that country” [see S/15675 and C&xl and 2, anntq sect. I, para. 136) 10. More recently, at its Conference of Foreign Ministers at Luanda in September, the Movement gave expression to-and here I quote from the Final Pohticai Declaration adopted by the Ministers-“deep concern that the present situation in Central America constitutes one of the main focal points of tension at the international kv~l”te~l17610 and Cord, annex I, para. 2041. “condemned the escalation of aggression, military attacks and other actions against Nicaragua’s sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, stability and selfdetermination. In this regard, they especially condemned the violation of its air space and territorial waters, the launching of international manoeuvres and Additionally, the Ministers “expressed the opinion that these new acts of political and economic pressure, coupled with military actions, should be considered within the framework of a broader Ian to destabilize and overthrow the Govemment of R icaragua; and that they augment the risk of a regional war and hinder the necessary dialogue that the Contadora Group is promoting to achieve a negotiated and political solution to the region’s problems” [ibid, para. 2071. 11. When we consider the situation in Central America, our thoughts turn inevitably to the Contadora Group, which for nearly three years now has been engaged in an admirable effort to bring peace to that troubled region, marshalling the genius, and calling upon the political will, of Latin America itself to solve the problems afflicting the area. However, as the Secretary-General noted in his latest report on the subject, “despite the efforts of the Contadora Group, the situation in Central America has been steadily deteriorating this year” [see S/l 7549, para. 81. He also stated that “It is imperative for the countries with interests in the region to support with deeds the Contadora Group’s efforts and refrain from any action that might adversely affect them” [ibid, para 111. 12. My country, along with other non-aligned countries, has been following the developments in Central America with serious concern. The Movement has deplored the use of coercive measures against Nicaragua, as well as the overt and covert attempts to interfere in its internal affairs. It is our conviction that the tensions and disputes in the Central American region can only be resolved peacefully and through negotiations among all concerned. We welcome and support the efforts of the Contadora Group and the recently constituted Lima Support Group. We hope that the Contadora Group, with the support of the entire international community and with the goodwill and co-operation of all the States concerned, will be able to invigorate its efforts. At this critical juncture, its effective functioning has assumed an even greater dimension and significance. The continuation of its efforts is crucial to the resolution of the problems of the region. It is essential that they be intensified. It is equally important that these address the basic issues at stake. This is indispensable for the eventual success of its efforts. 13. It is our profound conviction that peace in Central America cannot rest on the foundations of policies of intervention, interference and intimidation, on the threat or use of force, or on coercive measures of any kind whatsoever. For any peace to be enduring it must be based on acceptance of the principles of the up” liticai and socioeconomic pluralism of States, scrup ous observance of the principles of non-interference and non-intervention, 14. Over 30 years ago the first Prime Minister of newly independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, stated: 21. In this context, the problem of the unjust intemational trade demonstrated by the debt is an explosive and volatile factor that will be decisive in the inevitable process of future change. It is within that delicate framework of contemporary reality that we must consider the attempt to turn back the clock of history by force and the obsessive attempt to impose on 3 million Latin Americans a destiny different from that which they have chosen, without realizing that this could cause a change very different from the one sought in the direction of the 400 million Latin Americans who see in this new combat between David and Goliath a threat to their dignity, unity and sovereignty and a return to a period of our history that we believed and trusted was a thing of the past. “Every country has a right to choose its own path and go along with it. We have chosen our path and we propose to go along with it, and to vary it as and when we choose, not at somebody’s dictate or pressure; and we are not afraid of any other country imposing its will upon us by military methods or any other methods.” Those words were not uttered in any specific context. They were universal and abiding truths, not limited by time or space, and they represented the very basics both of nonalignment and indeed of the Charter of the United Nations. As we proceed with our debate, let us reflect on those seemingly simple words and see if they have any relevance to the agenda item before us today. 22. As is always the case, an attempt to stifle by force the people’s claims and feeling of national independence is unwittingly awakening the dormant energies of a great volcano. That is a tragedy for a region which today is attempting to work out, in the absence of co-operation and in the face of international indifference, a proper space for its democracy and which has succeeded in finding its own ways of arriving at peaceful, negotiated solutions to the most delicate situations in cases when its autonomy and freedom to do so have been respected.

First, I extend brotherly greetings to you, Sir, and tell you how pleased we are to see you presiding over the Council, which so much appreciates your personal and professional qualities. I also wish to express my delegation’s appreciation of the outstanding way in which our friend Mr. Woolcott of Australia presided over the Council during the month of November. 16. Because we are Latin Americans we have a duty of solidarity with the brother people of Nicaragua; because we are non-aligned we have a shared responsibility to defend the principles of self-determination and non-intervention; and because we are members of the Support Group linked to the Contadora effort we are committed to the collective task of achieving a peaceful, negotiated, stable and democratic solution to the question of Central America. 23. That ability to reach agreement and understanding without the interference of external factors could have, and still may be able to, offset any real risk to the peace and security of the region, affirmed political and social stability, ensured respect for the sovereignty and integrity of all and promoted a political evolution that could reconcile freedom with justice and open the door to genuine participative democracy based on ideological and economic pluralism within the framework of genuine nonalignment. We would thus have given an example of democratic maturity, of harmonious and fraternal coexistence in the hemisphere, with respect for the principle of the sovereign equality of States, in tune with inter-American principles and pacts, which could with moral authority have preached abroad what is practised within the continent and could have projected our intracontinental relations towards a future of effective trust and securitysomething which so far has been unattainable. 17. Our membership in the Council, though, obliges us to reflect even more profoundly in scope and perspective in order to assess objectively the consequences for the international commumty of the dangerous course of events in Central America. 18. It is not necessarv to have more information or imagination to realize that the situation in Central America is entering an extremely serious stage at which the decision has been reached to use all the military, economic and political resources necessary to pursue a pre-established geopolitical purpose to its final consequences. 24. Nothing is perfect, much less an attempt to institutionalize, under siege, a revolutionary process which put an end to the long night of a fierce dictatorship, supported and sustained precisely by many political sectors and economic groups that today claim to intervene on behalf of freedom and democracy. 19. In the face of the use of force, anywhere and in any circumstances, as a legitimized form of diplomatic action, it is pointless to invoke enshrined principles and commitments undertaken at the international level. All that can be done now is to appeal to reason and common sense, and perhaps also to recall the precariousness, demonstrated by recent history, of relying on military superiority as a supreme and permanent argument. 25. Differences may exist as to methods, procedures and orientation; mistakes can be acknowledged and should be corrected. But what is untenable is to try forcefully to bend the will of a people that recently emerged from a genuine settlement of regional conflicts in the third world their Nicaragua and the consequent worsening of the situation own exclusive preserve would amount to repudiating the in the region, Peru considers that the conditions exist for the Security Council, in the context of its reiterated supsystem of multilateral relations, to liquidating forever the right of self-determination and to disregarding all that this port for Contadora, to establish measures of investigation and control commensurate with the seriousness of the Organization stands for. The Central American crisis is therefore universal in scope and significance, because in situation for peace and security. that crisis, as in other regional crises, principles and values 31. fundamental to all developing peoples are at stake. As a member of the Support Group, Peru will none the less act only in complete agreement and co-ordination 26. Given this situation, ‘Contadora emerges as the sole with the Contadora Group, whose Latin American efforts viable alternative to the option of war in Central America it completely supports, and in accordance with the will of and as the Political process that Can resolve, if its action is the countries most affected by the conflict. We trust that the preventive action that the Council should take and not undermined, the contradictions deeply rooted in the Central American region, whose origins are not limited to which is also an essential prerequisite fur the peace-makthe difficulty of having systems of different ideologies ing action of the Contadora Group may be employed in coexist, but rather derive from a long history of material, time to ensure the discharge of the responsibility that we .institutional and democratic privation. all share to preserve the fundamental principles of the United Nations and the international legal order that it 27. This has been recognixed and proclaimed in diierenshrines and to maintain peace and security in the region ent resolutions in this Council which, faced with the worsand in the world, which is our specific function and duty. ening of the situation in the region and notorious attempts to frustrate the peace-making attempts of Contadora, has 32. Mr. TROYANOVSKY (Union of Soviet Socialist reaffirmed its support for this process by encouraging it to Republics) (intepretationjfoqz Russian): I wish to congratintensify its action for the attainment of a stable, peaceful ulate you;Mr. President, on your assumption of the post and negotiated solution. ‘That aspiration is strengthened of President of the Security Council. We have no doubt today by the inclusion of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and that you will successfully discharge your duties, especially Uruguay as members of the Lima Support Group, which as you have acquired considerable experience in this field. was established precisely to avoid a waning of the Con- I wish to assure you that you can count fully on the tadora effort and to create external conditions conducive co-operation of the Soviet delegation. We also wish to pay to maintaining its vitality and its dynamics. a tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Woolcott, who performed most successfully as President last month. 28. Thus, entire peoples of Latin America are joining in 33. this attempt to achieve a realistic negotiation which can The Soviet delegation considers Nicaragua’s current guarantee peace and security to all the peoples of Central complaint to the Security Council as a fully warranted and America and which, respecting their sovereign right to timely step. In his statement yesterday in the Council, the ‘self-determination, can promote national unity and re- Acting Minister for External Relations of Nicaragua, .’ gional fraternity for allCentral Americans, The Con- Mr. Tmow, set before the Council facts which testify tadora action, which is eminently constructive, should not eloquently to the’escalation of the provocative actions compromise any interest. The presence within it and in taken against his country and the expansion of military interference in its affairs from outside. the Support Group of countries of the stature of its members is a guarantee that the objectives of security, stability, 34. peace and democracy, with which they have identified Almost four years have passed since the time when, themselves and to which they are committed, tin be at the request of Nicaragua, the question of aggressive actions by the United States against that State was first achieved without violence through intelligent and careful negotiations to preserve values and principles fundamentaken up in the Council. In that period, which is short even tal to all those of us who share that continent. This is the for the lifetime of the United Nations, the question of the responsibility that has been assumed and that they remain flashpoint of tension in Central America has become committed to fulfd if the course towards understanding firmly established on its agenda.-The constant buildup of and prudence is not blocked. There are no obstacles which hostile actions against Nicaragua has led to a state of affairs in which the situation in Central America has cannot be overcome, unless there is a decision to create them. And the interests of all can be reconciled if there is become one of the most potentially explosive in the world a real will to do so. ‘and now ranks on a par with the conflicts in the Middle East and southern Africa. 29. Given the military escalation we are witnessing, the 35. Contadora countries and those of the Support Group The flames of that flashpoint of tension continue to reiterate their desire for concord, agreement, good will cost, the lives of thousands of human beings. But that is and openness to all the parties involved in the problem not all. .In effect, it is putting the torch to the fate of many and their intent to spare the Latin American region the ‘States of the region and of the internationalsituation as a upheaval and violence that would inevitably accompany a whole. The logic .of events shows quite clearly that if developments in that region cannot be returned to their 36. Therefore. one fully understands the perfectly natural concern felt by the &erwhehning majo&y of States of the circumstances surrounding Nicaragua at the present time. This mounting alarm has been well illustrated by the fact that in the general debate in the plenary meeting of the Assembly representatives of almost 140 States Members’ of the United Nations in one way or another advocated the prompt settlement of the Central American crisis. 37. None the less, one has to note that the situation in that region of the world conthmes to become more acute, acquiring an ever more dangerous character. That is the conclusion reached by the Secretary-General, who finds in his latest report that “despite the efforts of the Contadora Group, the situation in Central America has been steadily deteriorating this year” [see $117549, para 8j, and he also refers to “the urgent need for an equitable, comprehensive and negotiated solution in the region” [ibid, para. II]. 38. The members of the Council are familiar with the basic political prerequisites for such a solution. A number of these have been reflected in Security Council resolution 562 (1985), adopted in May when the Council met to consider the situation resulting from the introduction by the United States of a trade embargo against Nicaragua. That resolution with full clarity confirmed the inalienable right of Nicaragua and other States to decide on their own political and economic systems, free from outside interference, subversion, direct or indirect coercion or threats of any kind. It also called on all States to refrain from carqhg out, supporting or or military actions of any L fornoting political, economic d against any State in the region which might impede the peace objectives of the Contadora Group. At the same time, the Council called on the Governments of the United States and Nicaragua to resume the bilateral dialogue with a view to reaching accords favourable for normalising their relations &nd regional detente. 39. The seven months which have elapsed since the Council adopted that resolution ,have shown, however, that the situation surrounding Nicaragua is far from normal and the basic provisions of the Couucil’s resolution remain unfullllled. As far as concerns the United States trade embargo against Nicaragua, the Second Committee of the General Assembly was recently obliged to adopt a special resolution on that question, a resolution which condemned that embargo and other measures aimed against Nicaragua and demanded their immediate repeal. 40. It is clear that the main reason for the aggravation of the situation in Central America still remains, that is, the further escalation of the aggressive policy of the United States against Nicaragua, aimed at gross interference in the affairs of that sovereign State. Irrefutable facts demonstrate that there has been an expansion of the arsenal of the means of military and political pressure 41. The very dangerous manifestation of the escalation of tension imposed from outside was the a pearance in the hands of the counter-revolutionaries o P anti-aircraft missiles of the surface-to-air type, which led to tragic events in the territory of Nicaragua. There can hardly be any doubt as to who placed those weaponsin the hands of the’mercenaries, particularly as in Washington quite some time ago it was possible to hear arguments about the %xpediency” of their introduction into the camp of the Contras. The question therefore arises whether those who practically acclaimed the attack on the Nicaraguan helicopter realize the direction in which they are push$g events. The transfer of that type of weapon to terrorrst bands could lead to an unpredictable escalation of criminal acts of violence. The targets of the terrorist acts, as was the case with the mining of Nitiraguan ports, could prove to be the means of transport of various States and peaceful civilians, and not only in that region. This is something that those who advocate the strengthening of the struggle ,against international terrorism would do well to think about, so that their words can be brought into line with their deeds. 42. I believe that if our aim is to list the illegal acts against Nicaragua, such as the mining of ports, “educational supplies” for terrorist groups, participation of American mercenaries in raids on Nicaraguan territory, the ,trade embargo and much else, this in itself would take up many pages of an indictment. It is to be emphasized that this course is being conducted openly and is a clear challenge to civilised norms of morality and the principles of international law. The International Court of Justice at The Hague demanded the cessation of such actions, and for good reason. At the same time, the United Nations is a witness of the stubborn unilateral refusal to pursue a dialogue between the two parties, notwithstanding the fact that this has been provided for in the Security Council resolution. 43. The slanderous campaign is being stepped up against the uolitical and economic system which the.Nica;aguan pebple have chosen for themselves. Virtual ultimatums are being delivered to force them to change their internal system and foreign policy, and, in fact, to renounce their sovereignty. It is clear to all that here we have a general policy of destabilization for the overthrow of the Government of that country. The threats against Nicaragua become-ever more brazen. In this connection it is sufficient to recall the recent statements of a highly placed United States official concerning the need to “remove the tumour” by means of surgical intervention. 45. It is obvious that the United States not only is failing to fulfil its obligations as a permanent member of the Security Council but indeed IS deliberately undermining the Contadora process for a peaceful settlement of the Central American situation. The United States is trying to cover up its policy of hostility towards Nicaragua by generalities concerning its support for the efforts of the Contadora Group. But what is primarily needed is concrete action to that end; what is needed is the manifestation of political responsibility, the renunciation of strong-arm tactics. This would make it possible to reduce tension in the region and around it and help to establish a climate favourable to a political settlement of the crisis in Central America by the Latin American countries themselves. 46. It is precisely that approach to the problem of normalizing the situation in Central America that is advocated by Nicaragua in making constructive proposals to that end, inter alia, concerning the establishment in the region of a zone of peace, free of any foreign presence. That policy was clearly demonstrated in the note addressed by the Acting Foreign Minister of Nicaragua to the Secretary of State of the United States on 6 December [s/17675, annex]. In particular, the note contained an urgent appeal to the Government of the United States not to impede negotiations within the framework of the Contadora Group and to promote the establishment of minimum security conditions which would make it possible to continue negotiations on the Contadora Act. Unfortunately, however, we have not a positive reaction to that proposal from the United States. 47. As a consistent supporter of having the countries of the region themselves solve the problems of Central America by political means without foreign interference, the Soviet Union takes a very positive view of the efforts of the Contadora Group and the States which support it to eliminate the external factors which are impeding the normalization of the situation in the region and the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Nicaragua. The Soviet Union calls for recognition of the inalienable right of each people to freedom and independence and to the autonomous choice of the path of its own development so that that right will not be violated by anyone and there will be no outside interference. This Soviet position of principle was outlined fully with complete clarity to the President of the United States during the Geneva summit in November. 48. The actions of the United States which have led to the heightening of tension in the Central American region and the statements of certain American leaders conceming the intention to continue to support the anti-Government bands and overthrow the Government of Nicaragua cannot fail to give rise to serious concern in the Soviet 49. As was emphasized by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mr. Gorbachev, at the session of the Supreme Soviet, on 27 November, ‘We have always been and will continue to be on the side of peoples defending their independence.” 50. In the opinion of the Soviet delegation, the Security Council must play an important role in the urotection of the sovereignty of Nicaragua and other co&tries of the region. It is the task of the Council to bring a restraining influence to bear on the dangerous developments in Central America. 51. Mr.MOHAMME D (‘Rinidad and Tobago): My delegation would like to extend to you, Sir, our sincere congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of December. I know that under your able and experienced stewardship the work of the Couricil will be guided with competence and impartiality. I wish also to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Woolcott, the representative of Australia, for the energetic and responsible manner in which he led the Council’s work during the month of November. 52. In May of this year my delegation participated in a debate on the situation in Central America at a meeting of the Council [2579th meeting] convened at the instance of the Government of Nicaragua. Today the Council is once more considering the question, against a backdrop of an escalation in the conflict in Central America and, more specifically, the introduction and use of sophisticated weaponry. This escalation can lead only to a further deterioration of the social, economic and political conditions in Central America, as well as hinder attempts to negotiate peace and stability in the region. 53. My delegation deplores the use of force or the threat of the use of force in the resolution of disputes, and if historical precedents provide any indication of future perspectives, llinidad and Tobago is concerned that we are facing the gloomy prospect of not only an arms race in Central America but the competitive use of increasingly sophisticated weapons. 54. Trinidad and Tobago is convinced that Deace. stability and security in Central America must be predicated on the principles of selfdetermination, respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, the inviolability of national frontiers and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The mechanism for achieving those objectives must be constructive dialogue both at the bilateral level and within a multilateral framework, of which the Contadora peace process is an appropriate forum. We feel that bilateral and multilateral discussions or negotiations are not mutually exclusive and could be pursued simultaneously in a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance. 56. My delegation continues to believe that the Contadora process created by the diplomatic and political initiatives of Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela and more recently assisted by a support group of additional Latin American countries-Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay-provides the framework for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the entire Central American problem. We recall that Security Council resolution 530 (1983) and General Assembly resolutions 38/10 and 3914 fully support the Contadora process. My delegation considers that the deteriorating situation in Central America warrants increased attention and consideration by the Contadora Group with the assistance of the Support Group and the full support of the parties concerned for the Contadora peace process. 57. Trinidad and Tobago is deeply concerned over the recent deterioration of the situation in Central America. My delegation is convinced that existing mechanisms for the negotiating process to bring about international reconciliation are not lacking; what may be lacking is the political will to negotiate in a spirit of good faith and compromise.

It is my pleasure, Sir, to see you assuming the presidency of the Security Council, and please allow me to extend to you my warmest congratulations. I am convinced that, being an outstanding diplomat of Burkina Faso, you will certainly be able to guide the proceedings of the Council to a smooth accomplishment of the important tasks of the Council for this month. I wish also to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude to your predecessor, Mr. Richard Woolcott of Australia, for his excellent performance in discharging the functions of the presidency for November. 59. We have listened with attention to the statements by Mr. Tmoco, Acting Minister for External Relations of Nicaragua, and representatives from other countries. The Chinese delegation wishes to offer its observations on this question. 60. Despite the continued efforts of the Contadora Group, the situation in the Central American region remains tense and turbulent and no relaxation has been achieved so far. This cannot but cause serious concern for the international community. 61. The fundamental way to alleviate and eliminate tensions in Central America is to remove all outside interference. We therefore oppose the intimidation, interference, infiltration and sabotage carried out by any outside force, in whatever form and under whatever pretext, against the Central American countries. We support the unremitting efforts of the Contadora Group and other Latin American 62. The Chinese Government and people have all along sympathized with and supported the just struggle of the Nicaraguan people to safeguard their national independence and State sovereignty and develop their national economy. We hold that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries in Central America should be respected. The disputes among the countries in the region and those between the United States and Nicaragua should all be settled through negotiations conducted on an equal basis and in accordance with the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations, but not through resort to force or threat of force. 63. The Chinese delegation hopes that all the concerned parties to the conflicts in Central America will respect the aspirations of the people in Central America and adopt practical and effective measures to terminate the prolonged turbulence in the region so as to enable the Contadora Group and the Lima Support Group to become fruitful at an early date in their efforts in search of peace and stability in Central America.

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

First of all, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption once more of the presidency of the Security Council. Your well-proved diplomatic talents and your firm commitment to the defence of peace and just causes are a guarantee of a successful outcome of thework of this important body. I wish also to thank most cordially the representative of Australia for the very effective way in which he conducted the Council’s work last month. 66. Yet again Nicaragua finds itself obliged to request the convening of the Council in order to set before it the exceedingly grave situation prevailing in the Central American region as a consequence of persistent interference in the affairs of the countries of the region by an imperialist Power. The Acting Minister for External Relations of Nicaragua, Victor Hugo Tmoco, has reiterated that the latest decisions of the United States Government authorizing the supply of aircraft, helicopters, launchers and other kinds of war materiel to the mercenary forces committing aggression against Nicaragua constitute a dangerous escalation threatening peace and a serious blow to negotiating efforts. 67. To this we must add the fact that there has been a dangerous escalation of conflict in the region with the introduction of new, sophisticated hardware given by the United States to the Somoza criminals, now called amtras, as shown by the shooting down of a Nicaraguan helicopter by a surface-to-air missile. Not only has Nicaraguan air space been mined, but also the cycle of violence has thereby been intensified and tensions raised to levels at which the point of no return might well be reached. 69. Today a Nicaraguan helicopter has been shot down, but tomorrow it could well be an airliner. The statements of Secretary of State Shultz, applauding the use of surfaceto-air missiles by the so-called Contras and warmlyendorsing their recent criminal acts, are not only irresponsible, encouraging as they do the use of such weapons by Somozist mercenaries, but they also reveal the Yankee hypocrisy when speaking out against terrorism. To givesophisticated weapons to the counter-revolutionary agents in their pay, the contras, is to sanction new acts of terrorism, with unforeseeable consequences. 70. The international community cannot ignore the gravity of these events nor the dangers which may stem from irresponsible and criminal actions and statements by the United States Government and its highest officials, such as those to whom I have referred, includiig the remarks of the Secretary of State. 71. These facts and actions seriously exacerbate the state of tension and the dirty war waged by the United States imperialism on Nicaragua. That aggression has been repudiated repeatedly by the international community, as can be seen from various General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, decisions of the Intemational Court of Justice and the recent decision of the Second Committee at this fortieth session of the Assembly which condemned the economic embargo and the coercive measures taken by the United States against Nicaragua, as well as from the Final Declarations of the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-Aligned Countries, held in September last at Luanda, which express the views of the overwhelming majority of Members of the United Nations. 72. As set out in the Charter, it is the responsibility of the Security Council to assure the maintenance of international peace and security and to put an end to acts which disturb them such as those I have mentioned, which are a danger to peace and security in our Central American region and may have incalculable international consequences. In this case these actions are all the more serious since the country violating the Charter and openly refusing to endorse any norm of international law is a permanent member of the Council. The attitude of the United States Government is not only unacceptable and to be condemned @so facro; but from any point of view it goes a&%&its status as a permanent member of the Security . 73. A few days ago in the General Assembly we said that ti people such as the Nicaraguan people, which is imbued with self-respect, will be able to defend tooth and nail its freedom and the right to make its own revolution. 75. How can Nicaragua be asked to make more and more concessions if, with each passing day, it is being asked to pay a very high price for the decision to be the master of its own destiny? Nicaragua is the victim of an undeclared dirty war by the United States; that is well known, because the leaders of that country openly state that the Yankee Government’s commitment to the contras is unrestricted. In other words, even if agreement is reached on the Contadora Act, they will continue to back these contra assassins. It is also well known because they unabashedly request more millions of dollars to help these wretched criminals who like vile vermin scurry away from Nicaraguan territory whenever the Sandinist army strikes. 76. It is not Nicaragua that should make concessions, but those committing the aggression against that country who should put an end to their criminal and ignominious war for there to be peace for the peoples of Central America. It is essential that aid to the contras cease and that the interests and aspirations of the Nicaraguan peoples be respected, as President Daniel Ortega Saavedra stated recently in the 42nd meeting of the General Assembly’s fortieth session. 77. The time has come to take a firm and resolute stand, because the situation in Central America is deteriorating. What is happening now is a grave threat to peace and security. We must not be fooled by lying press campaigns, the sole aim of which is to create the necessary psychological conditions for the United States Congress to approve new aid for the contras. Let us think back on all these precedents, because tomorrow, when there is some country that wants to do something not to the liking of Washington, some cock-and-bull story will be manufactured so that on the basis of this harmful practice which is contrary to international law, monies may then be voted to arm killers who will try to overthrow that Government-as if the invasion of Castillo Armas in Guatemala, or the assassination of Salvador Allende in Chile or the invasion of Grenada were not enough to demonstrate who is practising the policy of State terrorism and to know exactly what that policy means. 78. Recently, the United States Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Abrams, gave some false figures as to Cuban advisers in Nicaragua. We reject the statement on the resence FG of Cuban troops in Nicaragua. President Ortega aavedra, in his statement before the Assembly, provided information on Cuban advisers in his country. The United States knows perfectly well that the Cubans in Nicaragua 86. Mr. Shultz, the United States Secretary of State, affrmed on 3 December-that is, a day after the act of aggression against the helicopter-that the United States would persist in its unlimited support of the mercenaries even if the countries of Central America signed the Contadora Act. Mr. Shultz described Nicaragua as a “cancer”. 80. At this time we call for the solidarity of Latin America, the non-aligned countries and peace-loving forces with the heroic Nicaraguan people, which is nti defending for all time the sovereignty, independence and dignity of all the small peoples, especially in our America, against their principal and historical enemy. 81. I wish to conclude my statement by quoting from August0 C&ar Sandino, the General of free men, who said, “there will be justice, and the war of the oppressors of the free 8z oples will be won by the war of the liberators”. As a ban with profound faith in the destiny of our America, I express to the Council today my unshakeable belief in the glorious victory of Nicaragua.

The the Syrian Arab Republic. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 83. Mr. EL-FA’ITAL (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretution j?om Arabic): At the outset of my statement, Sir, I should like to express our great pleasure at your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. We assure you that we are participating in the deliberations of the Council because of our keen interest in the establishment of peace, security and harmonious coexistence among the peoples and nations of Central America. I take this opportumty also to convey to your predecessor, Mr. Woolcott, the representative of Australia, our appreciation of his achievements during his objective and judicious guidance of the work of the Council last month. 84. The downing of a helicopter of the Nicaraguan Air Force on 2 December 1985 inside Nicaraguan territory by a sophisticated surface-to-air missile indicates a qualitative escalation and development in the weapons used by the mercenary forces, thanks to the support of the United States, which includes training, funding and armaments, in addition to wide media and political coverage. All of these developments are directed against the independence and sovereignty of Nicaragua. 87. These acts of aggression combihed with provocative statements run counter to the efforts of the Contadora Group and the Latin American Sup the Luna Group-and those of the rfl Grou&---; 2 ecretaryrescue the region of Central America from the grip of armed conflict which threatens the entire region with a great explosion with incalculable consequences, in addition to being a flagrant violation of the rules of intemational law and the purposes and principles of the Charter, especially the principle of the peaceful settlement of diiputes. They reveal an integrated and systematic plan for open intervention in the internal affairs of Nicaragua directed against the Sandinist revolution and proceeding from a foolhardy imperialist theory that rules out the coexistence of non-aligned progressive government and other systems of government in the region. 88. Everything indicates that the United States does not allow changes that run counter to its own selfish interests, which are always based on the consolidation of relations of inequality with the countries of Central America. 89. We call upon the Security Council to take all the necessary measures to put an end to the aggression against Nicaragua and to strengthen the role of the countries of the Contadora Group and those of the Latin American Support Group. We are convinced that despite the imbalance of power as between the United States, a giant, and Nicaragua, a small’ developing country, the peoples of Central America and the countries of Latin America in general will never submit to the attempt to turn back the clock by the revival of abominable Somozism in Nicaragua- 90. TLbday Nicaragua faces a threat to its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Security Council should take all possible measures to promote a peaceful settlement of the dispute and persuade the United States to resume the dialogue with Nicaragua, to cease its acts of aggression against that country-which, although small in size, is great in its values-and to support the Contadora 91. The aggressive measures against Nicaragua, if they continue to escalate as they are doing at present, will not only threaten the peace and security of Central America but have grave adverse effects throughout the Caribbean and Latin America,,as well as on international peace and security. We call upon the United States to show reason, prudence and understanding in order to contribute to the resolution by peaceful means of the problems and crises in Central America, instead of intervening in the internal affairs of States and resorting to terrorism, aggression and oppression-especially since such crises and problems are the legacy-of the regimes of darkness and backwardness imposed by’world imperialism and its political and economic interests on that part of the world. : .92 i Nicaragua has p&ved by deeds and by words its attachmentto the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes. Regrettably, however, Nicaragua’s attachment to the pu,rposes anti principles of the United Nations and the prmcipIesof hitemattonal law is met by defiance, rejection and disregard on the part of the United States Administration.: For that reason, all of us cannot but believe that Washin the Government of 8: on is seeking openly to overthrow icaragua and, at the same time, is persisting in its attempts to control the destiny of all the peoples of Central~America. Such activities cannot be accepted by the international community. ._ .’ 93. In any em+, we believe that no giant, however great he may be, can control the destiny of peoples. We call upon the Security Council, in dealing with the question before it, to be guided by the decisions taken by the Seventh Cunfeience of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New Delhi in 1983, as well as the’decisioxis taken by the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-Aliied Countries held at Luanda last September.’ ‘I$@@ ;those decisions, the majority of the peoples and nations of the world expressed their solidarity with Nicaragua and called for an immediate end to all United St%tes threats and acts of aggression, the operations of mercenaries, and the United States economic boycott against the people and Government of Nicaragua. We are certap that there can be no peace or security so long as there 1s a direct or indirect United States military presence in Central America. . . 94. 24.b the +opies of the world are at the side of the militant people %of Nicaragua. They wish that people success hi its revolution. -They wish success also for the peaceful effortsta’etiinguish the flames of total war that world imperiaiism is seeking to fan in the region for the purpose of tightening its grip there. History teaches us that peoples that believe in the justice of their cause always are victorious. _: 95. Thq PRESIDENT (interpretationj?om French): The next speaker is the. representative of Mexico. I invite hi :. i . [ ZXe speaker continued in English .] 97. I wish also to express my country’s deep recognition of the outstanding performance of the representative of Australia during his presidency of the Council last month. [The speaker continued in Spanish.] 98. I wish to thank the Security Council for giving me this opportunity to express the Mexican Government’s views on the Central American situation, on the basis of the complaint that has been lodged by the Government of Nicaragua. 99. We are faced with a dangerous worsening of the crisis in Central America caused by what appears to be a buildup in the arms race in the region. Once again, the choice of solutions of force is being promoted to the detriment of the quest for formulas that can guarantee understanding through diplomatic negotiations. 100. On many occasions we have indicated the consequences that a widespread confrontation would have for the region. But we cannot deny that violence is today a daily fact of life in the areas of greatest conflict. The international community cannot be indifferent to the armed confrontations that occur daily and to the repeated violations and breaches of the international legal order. 101. My delegation does not intend to refer to recent events in isolation. Rather, we wish to draw the Council’s attention to those aspects which, in the Mexican Government’s view, are at the heart of the Central American conflict. 102 We must repeat once again that in the Central American region the very exercise of the principle of non-intervention is in jeopardy, as is, therefore, respect for the self-determination of peoples. The Government of Mexico has invariably and unequivocally spoken out against any violation of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of States, wherever it may occur. Defence of the principle of non-intervention-a basic norm of international lawhas, none the less, special significance for Latin America. It cannot be forgotten that the history of our continent is characterized also, to a very great extent, by foreign intervention and the policy of force. This explains the long struggle of Mexico and the Latin American peoples to establish the principles of non-intervention and selfdetermination as fundamental norms of inter-American coexistence. 104. The Central American crisis, and in particular the situation of Nicaragua, has elements in common with other national processes of past decades. In the past-and this is true today as well-in Latin America what was at stake was the right of peoples to choose their own destiny without any interference and to coexist within a regional order respectful of the democratic plurality of nations and respectful of international law. 105. That is the historical crux of the Latin American problem. It is at the root of the tragedy which threatens Central America. 106. A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to consider the situation in Central America. We pointed out at that time that the action of irregular forces whose purpose is to overthrow legitimately established Governments constitutes, infer aliu, a clear obstacle to regional detente. Therefore, the peace-making process of the Contadora Group, by pointing very clearly to actions of political or military destabilization as one of the main sources of regional tension, has established in its peace proposals a set of perfectly well-defined commitments to the prohibition of any type of support for such actions. 107. Hence in the final draft of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America [S/17549, annex v], of September 1985, obligations are laid down that would be assumed by States to prohibit any type of political, military, financial or other support to irregular forces that promote the overthrow or destabilization of other Governments, as well as to prevent by all means within their power the use of their territory for the purpose of committing wrongful acts against the territory of other States. Bringing peace to Central America requires strict respect for that international obligation by States, including those from outside the region. 108. At the same time, we cannot disregard the fact that quantitative and qualitative changes are rapidly occurring in weapons stockpiles in the region. Hence the risks of military confrontation increase and the spiralling arms buildup in Central America is encouraged. Moreover, that runs counter to some of the main declared objectives of the negotiations, which consist precisely of obtaining agreements among the Central American Governments not to introduce new weapon systems in Central America. 109. In our view, supporting Contadora by more than words means immediate respect for the spirit and letter of the principles that guide the search for negotiation aimed at prohibiting acts of political and military destabiliration, as well as those principles that refer to controlling and reducing the arms buildup, eliminating the foreign military presence, or eradicating the arms traffic. 111. Peace brooks no preconditions. Confrontation and blockade must give way to negotiation which ‘can no longer be evaded. Central America requires a real commitment which, in addition to putting an end to the intolerable waste that drains human and material resources in its societies, makes it possible to establish harmonious bases for coexistence. Thus the importance of dialogue among those who have bilateral differences that affect the region at large. Therein also resides the importance of a multilateral agreement, respectful of the individuality of each nation, which can take due account of,the legitimate concerns of all parties. . 112. This is the challenge confronting Central America. It is the aspiration of Mexico and Latin America -and this has been the clear and reiterated u&h of the vast majority of our countriesto begin a new era of inter-American relations respectful of our destiny and plurality. That is why the Government of Mexico speaks out once again for the establishment of dialogue and the adoption of constructive agreements. i 113. In his statement before the fo,urteenth~extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, Mexico’s Minister for .Foreign Affairs, Bernard0 Sepblveda Amor said, among other things, the following: “All the nations of the continent havea grave responsibility in the crisis of Central America. The conflict in the region threatens the peace, development and political and social stability of the hemisphere; The spread of militarism is a factor which jeopardizes thefuture of inter-American relations and gravely affects regional security. “The Governments cannot remain indifferent in the shadow of a tragedy of death and destruction, militarization of societies and exportation of war machinery. We cannot sanction as legitimate what is illegal; we cannot justify actions of destabiiatian or subversion on the excuse that they why we speak of politica P rotect one’s security. That is and moral responsibility. . “It is time for reason to prevail, and for t&purpose we understand the need to reconcile legitimate interests and to ensure respect for internationallaw for the benefit of all. The countries in conflict and those which have influence in the area must give, up something in order to achieve what is essential.” : ,’ ,_, I’ We have the right to aspire to that, forthe’c&seofCentral America is the cause of Latin America. ‘In the regional crisisour owndestinyis alsoat stake. : .r’

The next speaker is the representative of Viet Nam. I 116. ThewarofaggressionimposedbytheUnitedStates on the Nicaraguan people has further escalated to a dangerous extent. The United States Govermnent has decided to authorize the supply of aircraft, helicopters, speedboats and other types of war materials to the mercenary forces operating inside and outside Nicaragua. Recently, for the first time in the history of this continent, it supplied the Contras with SAM-7 surface-to-air missiles, which resulted in the death of 14 Nicaraguan soldiers fighting to defend the independence and sovereignty of their country. That is completely contrary to the peace rhetoric of the President of the United States in the General Assembly on the occasion of the meetings commemorating the Organization’s fortieth anniversary. 117. What has Nicaragua done to deserve such treatment? Everybody knows that non-aligned Nicaragua is a small and poor country. It is therefore altogether illogical to think, even for a single minute, that it may constitute a threat to the security of the United States, the super- Power of this hemis here. The illegal and immoral war being waged by the e nited States against Nicaragua has taken a toll of nearly 10,000 Nicaraguans dead. or wounded, 7,600 war orphans, and 240,000 homeless. How much more loss and suffering will the people of that country have to endure? 118. Two weeks ago Viet Nam joined other delegations in the plenary meetings of this fortieth session of the General Assembly to express deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Central America and to condemn the escalation of aggression by the United States and its hirelings against Nicaragua’s sovereignty and independence, its acts of sabotage, its air and naval attacks, its mining of the country’s main ports and its imposition of coercive economic measures, including the trade embargo. 119. In this very year of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations, when the words “peace”, “independence”, “sovereignty” and “selfdetermination” are lauded and extolled in the various forums of the Organization, such acts by the super-Power of North America are a challenge and an affront to all nations, big or small; they constitute an open violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and of international law, and in particular they show contempt for the 10 May 1985 Order of the Intemational Court of Justice. 120. While sustained efforts are being made to find a comprehensive political solution to bring peace and sta- 121. Viet Nam is firmly convinced of the righteousness of Nicaragua’s cause. My delegation demands that the United States put an immediate end to all kinds of assistance, overt or covert, to the mercenary forces which are operating either in Nicaragua or from the neighbouring countries and stop all acts of infringement of the sovereignty of Nicaragua, so that favourable conditions will be created for negotiations directed to a comprehensive settlement of the regional issues, thereby translating the peoples’ wishes into reality. 122. My delegation reiterates its whole-hearted and unswerving support for the right of the Nicaraguan people to self-defence and for their heroic struggle to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their sacred right to life and self-determination. The principles of the Charter must be strictly respected. It is the earnest hope of our delegation that this august body of the United Nations will react properly to the request by the representative of Nicaragua.

I invite the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement.

I extend my sincere congratulations to you, Mr. President. It is a great pleasure to see you presiding over the Security Council. The Council must be proud of its new President, because under your presidency all the oppressed nations have full confidence that the Council will not be and cannot be exploited in the interest of the arrogant Powers. The Council may not be able to take a positive step, for well-known reasons, but it will definitely not be misused, and for this we feel indebted to you for your skill and your personal qualities. Incidentally, your predecessor, Mr. Woolcott of Australia, too, had the vote of confidence of the entire international body. He, too, administered the affairs of the Council most sincerely and very constructively indeed. I extend my special appreciation to him for his good performance in the Council in the month of November. 125. The year 1985 is coming to its final days. I wish also to avail myself of this opportunity to wish you, Mr. President, and the members of the Council a happy New Year. 126. This is the sixth meeting that the Security Council has convened to discuss the problem of Nicaragua in the year 1985, and at the past five meetings nothing significant has been achieved to relieve Nicaragua of its roblems caused by the United States Administration. R ore important is the sad fact of the new escalations which have been reported. The situation around the borders of Nicaragua is deteriorating. The $27 million that has been given to the contras under the label of humanitarian assistance have been converted into SAM missiles, which downed 127. It is sad that such generosity by the United States in almost all cases, and certainly in the case of Nicaragua and South Africa, reaches the wrong side. The United States Government could have contributed the same $27 million to the people of Nicaragua. We know that the entire nation of Nicaragua must suffer from economic blockade, the mining of harbours and other political, economic and military activities of the United States, and only the enemies of the nation of Nicaragua benefit from them. This American comprehensive war against Nicaragua deserves the strong condemnation of the intemational body. As the result of these inhumane policies not only has the entire nation of Nicaragua been taken captive but also the peace and security of the region is in jeopardy. 128. The Contadora Group, which was-and I hope still is-the hope of the entire region, seems to be losmg its charisma, and I am afraid that if its members do not take timely and determined action they may be gradually rendered ineffective. The danger in this context is that the United States Administration may be tempted to manipulate or to “influence” the Contadora Group and the Support Group in order to preserve its allegedly justified interests. Tb the extent that the United States Administration advances in that direction, doubts and sceptical feelings are aroused on the Nicaraguan side, and consequently the credibility and effectiveness of the Contadora Group is damaged. 129. Thus, when the United States Administration might just be feeling happy with its political achievements in terms of having smoothly made the Contadora Group tilt towards a “‘balance” in favour of the United States, it might, from the viewpoint of the Nicaraguans, have been influencing the Contadora Group and thus diverting it from the balanced position which was the only anchorage for Nicaragua’s confidence and trust. In other words, the more the United States persuades the Contadora Group to adopt its own terms of impartiality and evenhandedness, the more the Contadora Group becomes irrelevant to the solution of the conflict. Nicaragua cannot be blamed for this undesirable possible development because it is a small country, not comparable to the United States; only the United States can be blamed. 130. The United States is a country of “star wars” ambitions; it claims to be the richest, the strongest, the most technologically advanced, scientifically matchless, militarily invincible. To conquer the heavens and install an interplanetary service station for the United States may be no longer a mere dream but rather a fairly practical project, if an expensive one. 131. My best and most sincere advice, therefore, to the United States Administration is strictly to avoid any action 132. Considering that there is no comparison between the size, power, population, technology, science, standard of education, health services, educational and research institutions, natural resources, automation devices and services, games, pleasures, sports-sins even, and whatever else representatives choose-of the United States and those of Nicaragua, it is hard to explain this unequal and therefore unjust comprehensive battle. The only explanation is that a country, or rather an empire, of the magnitude of the United States has fallen victim to an unwise, uncultured, bellicose Administration that has no solution to its political problems other than resort to force and that is prepared to be a party to any and every conflict. The fact is that the United States Administration is actually ready to denigrate and waste all the grandeur and glamour of this exceptionally hard-working and productive nation of the United States just in order to destroy such a small, oppressed, Somoza-stricken, good-hearted and really harmless and friendly neighbour as Nicaragua. 133. We deeply regret that it may take many years for the United States Administration to understand that its victory over Nicaragua is a real defeat for the United States. If there were any wisdom or understanding at all among those in the higher levels of that Administration, they would perceive that it is most imperative for them to give up this silly ambition of bringing the Sandiit revolution to its knees. This rancorous obsession is only selfdefeating and self-humiliating because it only shows how far from right is the present American concept of the situation in Central America. If this Administration had any respect for the interests of the hard-working and good-hearted American people, it would immediately end this unequal, immoral battle. 134. In the light of the fact that there is no comparison between the resources of the two adversaries and of the seriousness of the threats to peace and security in the region, it would be appropriate to expect Nicaragua to be insecure, angry, defensive, recalcitrant, uncompromising, difficult, and impossible to talk to. But the contrary has always been the case. It is Nicaragua that demonstrates serenity, wisdom, patience, tolerance, security, lack of irritability, openness and readiness for peaceful and constructive talks at any time, in any place and at any level proposed. And we observe that it is the United States that, on the contrary, is very stubborn, difficult and uncompromising and rejects all proposals for negotiations made by Nicaragua. 135. This exchange of positions is due to the fact that, first of all, the United States is not interested in resolving .._ its differences with Nicaragua, and, secondly, it knowsthat!“- 136. In groping for a solution in the dark, a lesson from Viet Nam might help. In the viet Nam war the United States lost billions of dollars and thousands and thousands of American servicemen-volunteers, soldiers and officers. Yet it sustained a defeat which marked an epoch in American history. Do you not think, Mr. President, that if the United States had offered just one fifth of the material loss alone to the North Vietnamese at that time in the form of a donation, without any expectation of return and without any positive or negative intervention in their internal affairs and problems, the ultimate results would probably have been better than those it finally obtained in Viet Nam? The diificuhy is that the learned ignoramuses and the unperceptive sophisticated intellectuals who constitute the policy-making machinery of the United States are so obsessed with repeated defeats that they simply cannot listen; instead they stubbordy continue to solve all their problems by pointing their guns at everybody. They are too preoccupied with their gunboat dipIomacy to look back and see what they have done. They just do not understand that what they feel they have to do to Nicaragua is simply not a solution but the undesirable inevitable corollary of the wrong pohcies which they have adopted towards Central America and Latin America. Wisdom dictates that they should stop doing all those “good” things that they feel like domg in order to meet the challenge of Nicaragua. Instead, they should pay more attention to all the good things that Nicaragua has done in order to show its good will. 137. First of ah, the President of Nicaragua has always addressed the United States President with respect and honour; secondly, Nicaragua has always extended its hands in friendship, has always reiterated its readiness for friendly, peaceful talks to resolve differences. It has been careful not to condemn or to use any language that might further antagonize the United States. The Foreign Minister of Nicaragua, the Reverend Father D’Escoto Brockmann, has visited Washington as often as he thought useful to persuade the United States towards friendship. 138. Nicaragua has held a popular election. Such an election was absolutely unnecessary so far as the people of Nicaragua were concerned, because they were fully behind the Sandiist rt@me, but the elections were still held, to accommodate some of theconcerns of the United States. The election might not have been as valid as the so meticulously clean elections of the United States, in which the Watergate scandalwas only a peanut, but by our third world standards it was really acceptable. Yet the United States did not stop nagging. Nicaragua is drafting a new constitution in which the right to private ownership-1 am told-is also specified. Litho in United Nations, New York 00300 90-6143S-Cktober 19!91-2,050 140. May I request you, Mr. President, in the course of your private consultations, to advise the concerned that his Government is simply wrong, that what it is B arty oing is counter-productive and is threatening the peace and . security of Central America, which is not as far away as Viet Nam was. The United States must know that the inevitable American defeat in this regionwould beslightly different from the one in far away Viet Nam. 141. If the United States Administration is reahy worried about the so-called spread of communism, it must refrain from making propaganda for it by calling all the heroesand freedom fighters of the region C%nmmmists. 142. What the United States is doing in Central America is totally contrary to its purpose. My advice to the American Administration is as follows: please do not do just anything; if you feel you do not want to be absolutely irrelevant and neglected, suftice it to offer considerable assistance only to the same revolutionary Government of Nicaragua; give the Nicaraguans the chance to develop confidence in you and you will see how peacefully and easily they will resolve all your differences with them. They need your friendship, not enmity, your assistance, not conspiracies, and your dignified consideration, not blind intolerance. 143. We believe that Nicaragua is suffering from the lack of proportion that exists between the degree of wisdom and thoughtfulness of the United States Administration and the military force which it can exercise. May the good members of the Council, as well as the Contadora Group, mobilize their collective wisdom in order to make up for that lack of proportion by persuading the United States simply to stop all its programmes and activities against Nicaragua. That would be the best service they could offer to the people of this host country.

In view of the lateness of the hour, I propose to adjourn the meeting now. with the consent of the members of the Council, the next meeting to continue consideration of this item will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 12 December, at 3.30 pm. I would remind the Council that tomorrow at 11 a.m. there will be a meeting of the Council on the situation in Cyprus, preceded by consultations. The meeting rose at 6.20p.m.