S/PV.2745 Security Council

In accordance with decisions taken by the Council at its previous meetings on this item, I invite the representatives of Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Barbados, Burkina Faso, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, the German Democratic Republic, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kuwait, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka,'Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, the Ukrainian Soviet socialist Republic, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber. , At the invitation of the President, Mr. Dost'(Afghanistan), Mr. Djoudi (Algeria)., Mr. de Figueiredo (Angola), Mr. Mohiuddin (Bangladesh), Dame Nita Barrow (Barbados), Mr. Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso), Mr. Maksimov (Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic), Mr. Laberge (Canada), Mr. Oramas Oliva (Cuba), Mr- Badawi (Egypt), Mr. Tadesse (Ethiopia), Mr. BiffOt (Gabon), Mr. Ott (German Democratic Republic), Mr. In&nally (Guyana), Mr. Gharekhan (India), Mr. Barnett (Jamaica), Mr. Abulhassan (Kuwait), Mr. Azzarouk (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), Mr. Moya PalenCia (Mexico)', Mr. Do1 jintseren (Mongolia), Mr. Bennouna Louridi (MWXCO); Mr. Des Santos (Mozambique) ,,Miss Astorga Gadea (Nicaragua), Mr. Garba'(Nigeriaj, .: Mr. Shah Nawaz (Pakistan), Mr. Alcamora (Peru), Mr. Al-Kawari (Qatar), Mr. Sarre (Senegal), Mr. Manley (South Africa), Mr. Wijewardane (Sri Lanka), Xr. Abdoun (Sudan), Mr. Al-Atassi (Syrian Arab Republic), Mr. Kouassi (Togo), Hr. MeStiri (Tunisia), Mr. Turkmen (Turkey), Mr. Oudovenko (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic), Mr. Bui Xuan Nhat (Viet Nam), Mr. Pejic (Yugoslavia) and Mr. Mudenge (Zimbabwe) took the places reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber.

In accordance with a decision taken by the Council at its 2740th meeting I invite the President and delegation of the United Nations Council for Namibia to take a place at the COUnCil table. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Zuze (Zambia), President of the United Nations Council for Namibia, and the other members of the delegation took a place at the Council table. The PRESfDENT (interpretation from French): In accordance with a decision taken at the 2740th meeting, i invite Mr. Gurirab to take a place at the Council table. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Gurirab took a place at the Council table.

I should like to inform members of the Counci that I have received from the representatives of Congo, Ghana and Zambia a letter dated 8 April 1987, which reads as follows: "The undersigned members of the Security Council have the honour to reUUeSt that the Council address to Mr. Francis Meli, a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress of South Africa @NC), who is also chief editor of S&haba, the official organ of the African National Congress, an invitation to participate in our consideration of the item 'The situ&ion in Namibia' , in accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure.” That letter has been circulated as a Security Council document (S/18787). If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Council decides to grant the request made to it to extend an invitation in accordance with’rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Francis Melf. There being no objection, it is so decided. (The President) ‘. *.: .._ * ..: The Security Council will now resume its consideration of the item on its agenda. The first speaker for this meeting is the representative of Uiet Nam. I invite him .to take a place at the Council table, and to make his statement. Mr. BUI WAN NHAT (Uiet Nam): I should like at the very outset to extend to you, Sir, my warmest congratulations cn your assrnnption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. It is fitting and encouraging to see you, an outstanding representative of Bulgaria - a country that enjoys world-wide respect for its unequivocal and determined position in the cause of world peace and security and national liberation - presiding over this series of Security Council meetings on one of the most important of questions: the situation in Namibia. Your vast diplomatic skills and rich experience in the matter under discussion, as well as your personal commitment to the cause of the Namibian people, give us confidence that you will lead the Council% deliberations to the desired success. I should like to take this opportunity also to express the appreciation of my delegation to Anbassador Marcel0 Delpech of Argentina for the excellent maMer in which he presided over the work of this Council as its President during the month of March. Since this is the first time I have spoken in the Council Chanber this year, allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate the new non-permanent members of the Security CoUnCil upon their election ti their important seats, and to wish them and the other members of the Council a fruitful 1987 in which they will make the Security Council effectively live up to its responsibility. This body is meeting again, for the second time in less than two mcnths, to tackle a burning issue which after innumerable resolutions remains unresolved: in this instance, the independence of Namibia. (The President) It is 21 years since the Uhited Nations terminated South Africa's Mandate over Namibia and almost10 years since the Security Council adopted its resolution 435 (1978), whi& if implemented would have brought independence to that Territory. Yet the Namibian people is still daily subject to acts of brutality and inhumanity which constitute an open challenge to the conscience 6f mankind. We are deeply concerned about the explosive current situation in Wamibia, details of which were presented in the statements of Mr. Gurirab, Secretary for Foreign Affairs.of the South West Africa People's Grganization (SWA#)); Ambassador. Zuze, President of the mited Nations Council for Namibia, Avbassadcr Mdenge of Zimbabwe representing the current Chairman of the kvement of Non-Aligned Countries, Ambassador Gbeho of Ghana, Chairman of the Group of African States at the United Nations, and others. We are also filled with indignation by the deceitful schemes of Pretoria, which,with the connivanceofits Western partners, is attempting to set up a so-alled interim government which has beerxrejected by the world cosmnunity as null and void, but which is still being used by the apartheid rdgime to carry out colonialism in' Namibia. As a result, realization of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia Is being further obstructed, and ever more barbarous crimes are being couauitted, 'f+ether with our African friends and other peace-loving peoples the world over, Viet Nam demands that the Pretoria rdgima not be allowed to perpetuate its colcnial domination in that wrribxy. The independence of the Namibian people cannot be eternally pcstpaned because of the greed of transnatimal corporations and the politics of duplicity practiced by certain Western States. We are of the 7 view that linkage, the by-proact of the failed policy of "constructive engagement., is irrational and must be rejected. It is only a pretext for continuing South Africa's occupation of Namibia and for oppcsing Security Council (Mr. Bui Xuan Nhat, Viet Nam) resolution 43 5 (1978). Linkage is “the only obstacle to the implementation of the United Rations plan for Namibia* (S/18767, par a. 32), as &dared by the Secretary-General in his lucid report. Debates have been conducted in many forums to find measures to force South Africa to canply with resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly. At the Par is World Ccnference on Sanctions mainst Racist South Africa , at the Vienna Internatimal Conference for the Immediate Independence of Namibia, at the Special session of the General Assembly on Namibia and at the forty-first regular session of the General Assembly there was unahimity on the need for the Security Council bo’ impose comprehensive mandatary sanctions against the apartheid regime. In the same vein, Heads of State or Gcrvernment of non-aligled countries, at their eighth summit Conference, held at Harare, made it very clear that “the accumulated evidence of the past 28 years . . . irrefu t&ly points to comprehensive mandatory sanctions as the most effective peaceful means of forcing South Africa to terminate its illegal occupe tion of Namibia” l (S/18392, p. 57) The Security Council has a moral and political responsibility towards the people of Namibia. It has powers it must exercise, as prouided for under Chapter VII of the Charter. Regre,ttably, it has been prevented from discharging its responsibility by those who time and again have used the veto power to prevent the adoption of the necessary measures. Opposing sanctions, in any way, on any pretext, is nothing but collaboration with apartheid. The Security Council is the ultimate hope of all peoples for justice, peace and security. However, its credibility depends on how its metiers react to the issues at stake. The Namibian people, who have suffered far too lcng, and millions (Mr. Bui Xuan Nhat, Viet Nam) of other men and women all over the world, are looking forward with anxiety to the result of the vote ,this time in this Cha!rber. Will the Wamibian people at last have a chance tc gain the independence for whi& they have fought so hard for sd many Years, or Will this oome to nothing, as has been the case. until nw? A positive vote for sanctions now will certainly enh&ce the credibility of the United Nations. . The staunch struggle for freedom and independence waged by the Namibian people for more than 20 years has won the admiration of the world. It is the struggle of the oppressed and dispossessed for their alienable right to be masters in their own land, and for that reason we believe it is bound to achieve final victory. Once again I avail myself of this opportunity to express the unswerving solidarity of the Vietnamese people for the valiant fighters of South West Africa People's Organization (SUAPO) and the Uamibian people as a whole. I particularly share the view expressed by our brother from SWAP0 in a statement he made in this Chamber two days ago: a . . . we very much intend to fight on, whatever the cost, until final victory. That victory will come, sooner rather than later, with or without sanctions. This Council - no less than SWAP0 (and] the Uamibian people - bears a heavy responsibflLty to lessen the cost of that victory in terms of human lives". _ (WPV.2740, p. 47) Let that call be heard in this Chamber. The PEESIDEUT (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Viet Nam for his kind words about me and my country. The next speaker is the representative of Afghanistan. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. DOST (Afghanistan)% Allow me at the outset, Sir, to extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to you on your assumption of the post of President of the Security Council for the month of April. Our two countries have the best of relations and I am happy to note that both are in full support of the militant Uamibian and South African peoples. I am confident that, being the able diplomat that you are, you will provide wise and effective guidance for the success of this debate as well as for’other activities of the Security Council during this month. I should like also to express our thanks and appreciation to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Argentina, for the skilful manner in which he conducted the Council's affairs in the month of March. Once again the Security Council is discussing the auestion of Namibia. 1t'is only proper to remind ourselves that for more than one and a half centuries the Namibian people have lived under the colonial yoke. For more than 20 years, under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organisation, they have been continuing, like their brothers in South Africa, a valorous struggle for the attainment of their inalienable rights. TWO full decades have passed Since the United Nations decided that the illegal occupation of Namibia by the Pretoria racist regime should be terminated and legally assumed responsibility for preparing the nation for statehood. It has been almost a decade since Security Council reSOlUtiOn 435 (1978), embodying the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia, was adopted by the Council. Regrettably, however, Namibia is still not free. It has been criminally enslaved and its people brutally exploited. Its territory is being increasingiy militarised and used as a springboard for aggression against front-line States. That constitutes a blatant example of State terrorism in action. Furthermore, in Namibia the oppressive and exploitative nature of colonialism has been coupled with the intrinsically inhuman policy of apartheid to subjugate the whole nation and trample under foot the dignity of the entire people. In defiance of all Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, the Pretoria r’bgime has installed in Windhoek a puppet so-called interim government to perpetuate its occupation of Namibia. The reason behind such intransigence on the part of the apartheid rdgime in South Africa must be sought in the economic , military, political and moral support constantly rendered to it, in gross violation of relevant United Nations resolutions, by certain Western States, and particularly by united States imperialism, as well as by fellow racist rdgimes, such as that of Israeli Zionism. This assistance is being rendered not in spite of the apartheid policy of the Pretoria rhgime both in South Africa and Namibia but because of it. The dividends that these capitalist countries are receiving from the inhuman exploitation of the Namibian and South African peoples and the plundering of their natural resources is SO great that they have a vested interest in the perpetuation of the apartheid r&gime and its illegal occupation of Namibia. The very policy.of so-called constructive engagement which is pursued by the Washington Administration, and the destructive nature of which has become fully evident, smacks of collaboration and / complicity. It is to white-wash this complicity on the part of the United States Administration that Washington has j,oined the racist Pretoria regime in linking the independence of Namibia to a completely extraneous matter - that is, the withdrawal of the Cuban internationalist troops from Angola. Such linkage is not valid; The international community as a whole , and in fact the Security Council itself, has rejected it. And yet the report of the Secretary-General clearly shows that '. linkage, as a pre-condition is the main stumbling block on the path to the implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia. In this regard the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan would like to express its appreciation for the constructive efforts made by the Secretary-General of the United Nations towards the implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions on Namibia. It is our hope that such efforts will be continued in particular through the United Nations Council for Namibia, as the legal Administering Authority over Namibia. That undoubtedly would contribute to the j,uSt struggle of the Namibian people for self-determination and genuine independence. (Mr. Dost, Afghanistan) It is time that the Security Council too\ decisive steps towards.the : implementation of its own resolutions, in particular resolution 435 (1978).. That is the demand of the whole international.community, which wants to see.an immediate . end to the loss of innocent lives in Namibia.. . . . 1. _,. ,, The Non-Aligned Movement and',the. Organization of African Unity have expressed this demand by the international /.'. iI community clearly and irrevocably. . . . Furthermore~, the continued il&egaLoccupation ,.. _ of Namibia and the subjugation,and inhuman exploitation of ,its,pe.ople by the,racist / *.,' . Pretoria regime , , aS.well as the latter's repeated aggression against,Angola and? ,' ., 1 . other front-line SFates . _' .,,, , const,itute a breach ~f~international peace .and security.. ., . * *.., ,,.. ,, : /., ‘. . i-, (Mr. DoSt, Afghanistan) , . : . (Mr. Dost, Afghanistan) The militant Namibian‘people, .like.the people of South Africa, hpe in iheir heroic struggle for freedom.and dicjnity'left no doubt 'that, sooner rather'than later,'they will attain.'what is theirs.. '. The Security'Council can'and should assist in bringing that ‘day closer. We believe'that one of'the effetitivesteps the Security Council can adopt towprds'that"&nd.'is the comprehensive'mandatoty. -. SaW!tiOnS prov%ded'for in Chapter VXI"of ‘the united Nations Charter. * ,; ;-. i : , ,.", . ‘In fact; c&nprehen'sive mandatdry'sahct~ons against the P&&or& rcgime'are I‘\ something the majority of ,Unlted Natibns Membelrk - the bemocratic Republig of Afghanistan among 'them -"E& 'obtierv'ing. ko&e r , it"'i& 'time $$‘ &c&ity C&IC~~ gave a universal character to such sanctions by adopting an appropriate resolution during this debate. In this connection we join the whole international COmmunitY in hoping that .some permanent members of the Security Council will abstain from abusing their right to the veto once again and thereby assist in the elimination of this vestige of colonialism in Africa. The Namibian people, under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), their sole legitimate representative, are struggling for freedom, independence and self-determination and for human rights and dignity. The Security Council can and should do everything within its sphere of responsibility t0 realixe those aspirations of the people of Namibia which every one of us cherishes so dearly in his heart.

I thank the representative of Afghanistan for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Sri Lanka. I invite him to take a place at the Council table'and to make his statement. Mr. WIJRWARDANR (Sri Lanka): I should like first to convey to you, or. President, and, through you, the other members of the Council, my delegation's gratitude at having been given this opportunity to appear before the Council. (Mr. Wijewardane, Sri Lanka) ._. I.should also like at the outset to convey to you, Sir, the-felicitations and greetings Of the Democratic Socialist Republic-of Sri-Lanka. .My delegation is happy,to see you presiding over the deliberations of the Security Council, and we are assured that under your guidance and diplomatic skills.our discussions will j' augur.well. My delegation also wishes to.convey to His Excellency 1 " Mr:. Marcel0 Delpegh, Permanent,.Representa.tive: of,,Ar,gentina . ,.,'..'".‘ . . .:., ,,our appreciation of .the good work he did during last month's gresidency.; i ;:.., i: ; , -'r.f-;: .' ;,a . &. /+a This is not the first time that the si,tuation in Namibia is being,debated in ;- -., .*' '. .' the Security Council. ,I will not, therefore, labour,the history of this continuing debate now taking place. Suffice it to, refer toSecurity Council _. .,. .I resolution.435 (1978)and to express our concern.that South Africa continuei.its', illegal occupation,,of,Namibia.i Assuming that .resolution .435 (1978) ,was acceptable to South Africa, th,e,Council, .in resolution 566 (1985) .of 19 June 1985, mandated. "... the Secretary-General to settle the electoral,'system for-the ele&ions for the.>; constituent assembly.that were.to be held under United-Nations supervision and::: . control. We have .&en told that South, Africa-,ha.s..no'objection to..adopting a system of proportional representation as a framework for the elections..contemplated in.t. resolution 435 (1978). However, progress has been abor~ted. South-Africa has :,-; disagreed with the~rest of thq<,United Nations,by stipulating as a pre-conditicin the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola prior .to the implementation ‘of ' .,.a .:I . ' resolution 435 (1978). We learn from the Secretary-General's report that.is now'. ~5': before the Security Council, that the only obstacle to the implementation of,thes United Nations plan for Namibia is this linkage pre-condition. ,, . . S'. : 6 y;q, . z* I My delegation views the.callous disregard of world opinion by South Afriqa as a devious attempt to spite the,,United Nations and the Security Council.- :South:: ' : Africa has set up a s&called-interim government, in total disregard of Unite& Nations recognition of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) asxthe .I . ._. (Mr. Wi jewardane, Sri Lanka) sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people. We are greatly reassured by the fact that, in its judgement, SWA#) has accepted the united Nations settlement plan and has confirmed i ts‘decisicn to abide by resolution 435’ (1978), which calls for free and’fair elections. . . : The present administration of Namibia, .backed by South Africa; is in defiance’ . of world opinion. and of the wishes of’ the legitima te.representatives of the “peoples of Namibia. South Africa refuses lo r’eco&~ize its &‘a1 obligati’ou because’& its’ ,- vested interests in exploi’titiq the resources of that land. *. A coi&ial regime has been!.imposed cn the peoples of Namibia, ,whc ‘are being deprived of their renewable 1 sources of wealth so rapidly-that soon that country@s ‘r’esources%ili be ’ e%h aus ted - not, .however, before a situation is create-d which is bound ‘&et’ the “’ next :few years to explode ,and to .reduce the’ southern African region ‘to a ’ :. smouldering heap of dust ‘and ashes. Apartheid,, that -deadly vi;us; hti eaten fh6.0 the body politic -of ‘South Africa, and the -eccnoiny of Namibia, now subject to ’ ruthless exploita tion , is lingering ‘on the brink of disaster. i!tie S&cur if+’ ‘Council : must take seriousnote of the.actions of ‘the irresporis’ible and i&or&ii ‘racist ’ t&gime. in-South Africa and its actions in ,Namibia. Because of ‘their, geographic ’ proximity, the ‘frtit-line States are faced time and aga’in with the’vicious i&a’& of a rdgime that-cannot see that its conduct is leading not only ‘to’ its ultimh& demise but a&so to social, poii’tical and &conomic &a& “fbr its’victims in ak? ‘df . southern Africa. .:... : . ._ . . Those are our ‘perceptions of t&e situation in Namibia, removea as we are from the immediate scene of this crime against humanity. The Security Council ha& h’eard other speakers calling for ‘a quick and pr’ompt action to. bring the erring rdgi& of Pretor 16,: to its senses. .That.rdgime is infatuated with itsown panp and power; built on a system of values that was wiped out at tremendous cost over 40 years’ aga. The rdgime in South Africa is the’ last flicker, the dying ember .of a movement that was stamped out by the blood and sweat of free people all ofer the world. The South African r6gime does not seem to realize-.the.conseguences of its,actions. The world is turning.to the Security Council to deal-unequivocally with the . one remaining scourge that defies the dignity--of mankind., Let us register our , concern and displeasure not by force but by measures prescribed under-.the united Natlqns..Charter. Mandatory sanctions,under Chapter VII,of the United:Nations Charter would undoubtedly hurt-the front-line States, but that is the price.which they have time and again declared that they would pay if only it can‘lead to freedom and liberation for the black peoples of-south Af.tica and Namibia. ! My delegation.would-urge this body,to take a decision,on the matter before;it, one that will be.just and fair to the long-suffering people of Namibia, whose, views have been represented here by the South West Africa People's Organisation, their sole and authentic representative. ,i *.-, .The PRESIDENT (interpretation from French): I thank the representat,ive of Sri Lanka for the kind words he addressed to me. + ', : ,The next speaker is the representstive.of Morocco.., I invite ,him to take.+: place,at the Council, ,table and to make his statement. .: _ ,, I., . ( i 7 * (Mr. Wijewardane, Sri Lanka) ,, :> * Mr. BENNODNA LCXJRIDI (Morocco) (interpretation from French): On behalf of the Moroccan delegation may I first of all warmly congratulate you, Sir, upon your accession to the post of President of the Security Council. Your skill and great experience are the best assurances that the Council will be-able to discharge its task satisfactorily. ., I wish also to pay tribute to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative' of Argentina, Mr.'Marcelo Delpech; who skilfully and effectively presided over the work of the Council last month. In speaking in this debate, the Kingdom of Morocco wishes first of all to reiterate its total and unconditional support for the Namibianpeople in its legitimate struggle for the attainment of its independence throughout all its nationaf territory. Indeed, we and the entire international community are in duty bound to do our utmost to eliminate this last remnant of colonialism in Africa and perpetuation of the Namibian people's colonial status. However, we should ndt lose sight of the fact that the Namibian people is also confronted by an apartheid rCgime which has institutionalized .racial discrimination as a system of government, thus flouting the most sacred human values and seriously threatening international peace and security. It was hardly a month ago that the Security Council once again took up the question of apartheid and the chain of violence and crimes engendered by apartheid. On that occasion we recalled that South Africa was attempting to impose its model on Namibia, bringing in its wake the well-known racial laws, daily attacks on dignity and fundamental rights of the human person, harassment and repression of all kinds. It is therefore scarcely surprising that South' Africa set up a so-called provisional government in Namibia, just as it set up bantustans in South Africa itself, as puppet creations intended to cloak its colonial policy and loathsome system of apartheid with a mantle of legality. There is no real alternative to the suppression of apartheid and the elimination of colonialism in Namibia. It must come about by a transfer of power to the. Namibian people through free elections with the assistance of the United Nations and under its auspices. It has been more than 20 years since South Africa lost all legal title to the continuation of its presence in Namibia, having been stripped once and for all by -: the General Assembly of the Mandate it exercised over the Territory.' The efforts Of the international community made it possible for the Security Council, after consultation with all parties concerned, to adopt a comprehensive plan to assure Namibia's accession to independence by peaceful means. Since the adoption of resolution 435 (1978) on 19 September 1978, our' Organization has repeatedly appealed to South Africa to implement the plan and respect international law, while demonstrating its lasting solidarity with the struggling Namibian people. Indeed, only last year, the International Conference . for the Immediate Independence of Namibia, which met from 7 to 11 July at Vienna, Was followed by a special session of-the General Assembly on the same subject: it met in September, only a few days before the opening of the regular session'of the General Assembly. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Javier P&rez de C&l&, for his part, has worked tireleksly to complete and expedite implementation of the 1978 plan, and we take this opportunity to pay warm tribute to him for his efforis; Indeed, in his latest report (S/18767) dated 31 March 1987, the Secretary-General recalls the series of steps taken by him to resolve the last question stile '. outstanding with respect to the 1978 plan, namely, the choice of. electoral system , to be used for the election. That minor point would now seem to h&e been &rked out. One must also commend the considerable efforts of the United Nations'Council (Mr. Bennouna Louridf, Morocco) , for Namibia over the years to expedite the peaceful settlement of the C?ueStiOnr to . protect the rights of the population and to mobilize international solidarity on its behalf. However, all these efforts have run up against South Africa's intransigence and its contempt for all the fundamental norms of universal'morality. Rather than getting involved in a process leading to the peaceful negotiated settlement, the I. ;. _' . . ; ' ..:,,', Pretoria regime has opted for drastic measures , attempting to link the question of Namibia to disputes completely unrelated to it, or employing its territory as a base for aggression against neighbouring countries, thus worsening the threat to Africa and to international peace and security. Furthermore, and this needs be repeated, the plundering of resources within . . the Territory continues, notwithstanding the relevant United Nations resolutions and Decree No. 1 of the United Nations Council for Namibia for the Protection of Natural Resources of Namibia. Thus, if an end is to be put to the tragedy being daily experienced by the. Namibjan people, the Security Council must then resort to all peaceful means available to it, including adoption of mandatory sanctions against South Africa under Chapter VII of the Charter. As far as international action ds concerned, firmness of language is more necessary than ever to guarantee Namibia's accession to independence throughout its territory, including Walvis Bay and the offshore islands. If we are not to undermine the credibility of the Organisation, the determination of the international community cannot be allowed to waste away in still-born resolutions. The Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its active solidarity with the front-line w States, which have suffered acts of aggression and destabilization at the hands of the South African r6gime and endured heavy sacrifices to defend their sovereignty. Yet they have continued their support of the Namibian and South African peoples in their just struggle against colonialism and apartheid. As far as we are concerned, that support has always constituted a sacred obligation, one rooted in our deepest convictions and with which we are determined to keep faith. The Kingdom of Morocco, which pays tribute to the martyrs of the Namibian liberation struggle, ,;. sincerely hopes that international resolve will help . . ',: to remove the last obstacles still impeding Namibia's ultimate and inevitable accession to ind'ependence. .,

I thank the representative .1 of Morocco for the kind words he addressed to me. Mr. AL-SHAALI (United Arab Emirates) (interpretation from Arabic): ," Mr.'President, it gives my delegation great pleasure to see you guiding the .-,. Council's work this month. Your personal aualities make us confident that you will conduct our business with efficiency and wisdom. Similarly, I cannot fail to _ - express our appreciation to our colleague, Ambassador Marcelc Delpech of Argentina; ,." . . : for the exemplary manner in which he conducted the business of'the Council last .' , ; ,' month. The colonial auestion of Namibia is one of the traditional problems before the United Nations; yet it.is a uniaue problem, owing to the fact that colonialism, in addition to all its other vices, is racist in form and.practice, thus adding to its illegality and inhuman character. Therefore, the question of Namibia constitutes an insult to the conscience of contemporary humanity. Since the General Assembly's adoption in 1966 of resolution 2145 (XXI), which terminated South Africa's Mandate over Namibia and placed the Territory under the direct responsibility of the United Nations , many significant developments have taken place, the most important of which were the establishment of the United Nation Council for Namibia in 1967 and the advisory opinion handed down by the . International-Court of Justice in 1971 committing Member States not to recogniee the legality of South Africa's.presence in Namibia, which was confirmed in Security Council resolution 301 (1971). All subseauent Security Council resolutions on the subject reaffirmed the Namibian people's right to independence - notably, resolution 435 (1978) which reaffirmed the legal responsibility of the United Nations for Namibia. It also embodied the plan for the settlement of the cuestion of Namibia through a cease-fire and Namibia's subsecuent accession to independence through free and fair elections under United,Nations supervision. . . Despite the consistent efforts of the Secretary-General to implement that resolution, the South African Government has continued to procrastinate, linking' settlement of the question of Namibia to other matters irrelevant to the imp~ementationof~resolution 435 (1978). My delegation sees no "linkage" between implementation of.the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia, as embodied in resoIution 435 (1978),. on the one hand, and the presence of the Cuban forces in Angola on the other. We agree with what the Secretary-General stated in his reports 'r "I do not recognise the validity of the.linkage pre-condition, nor can I accept it as.a,pretext to delay any further the independence of Namibia. The presence.of Cuban troops in Angola is a ,separate matter . ..“. ., 1 - (s/187-67, para. 32) .' .> Therefore, we- believe that, day after day, .the South African Government is,., confirming its unwillingness to co-operate,with the United Nations for.the '**. . implementation of theunited Nations plan for the independence of Namibia. : :. The solution,of the question of Namibia brooks no further delay: the Namibian people,has already borne too much oppression and displacement8 .the question of-:.'? Namibia falls within the direct purview of the United Nations, which has assumed direct responsibility for the Territory; hence it is a matter of commitment to the Charter, which tecognises the right of colonial peoples to self-determination. - Moreover, the racist, inhuman South African 'r&gime, by its oppression of more than _ 74 per cent of South Africa's population, by its illegal occupation of Namibia, by its attempts to destabilize neighbouring States and by its repeated acts of aggression, constitutes a threat to international peace and security. . .’ . . (Mr. Al-Shaali;United Arab . . '_. Emirates) ' On'that basis, we cannot. lend credence to the offer of co-operation extended ' by the racist South African Government. We believe'that Pretoria will fabricate further pretexts to perpetuate its occupation of the Territory'and to continue to plunder its riches because , according to the racist point of view,- the end. 8, j'. justifies the'means. .h The Charter is the framework of United Nations efforts. ,Hence 'the will'of~the' international'comr&unity,'as embodied in numerous resolutions adopted by the Council' and.the General Assembly, must be reflected in the relations still maintained by some members of the international community with South Africa. This can be,- achieved only through the 'adoption of all relevant measures provided for in~the Charter - in particular, those set forth in Chapter VII. Therefore, when we call for -the imposition of mandatory; comprehensive sanctions against South Africa, it is an expression of our firm belief.that the international community has .exhausted all other available means. It has become abundantly clear that, in pursuit of its policy, -the racist South African 'Government exploitsevery loophole'and every weakness of the-international will; Therefore, 'we believe that those loopholes must be closed “until the 'racist Government heeds the .&ice of-reason. “ ‘.. -"In conclusion, I pay a tribute to the heroic struggle waged by' the people'of Namibiai under:the leadership of.their sole, legitimate representative, the South West:.,Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). 'we support that struggle',in'the belief that3t is the most decisive and essential factor for their atta.inment of freedom and independence.- I pay a' similar tribute to the Secretary-General and to the Unite&Nations Council for Namibia for their valuable roles. 1 *“- A . . /I : 'The PFGSIDENT (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of the United Arab Emirates for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Burkina Faso. I invite him to take' a place at the council table and to make his statement. Mr. OUEDRAOGO (Burkina Faso) (interpretation from French): Itisan. honourfor the delegation of Burkina Faso to participate 'in this important debate, and T. should like to thank you, Mr. President, and the bther members of the Council * for having given;me‘&i oppor&nity to do so. " ' ., .^ \-,; ., ' At the Outset, Sir, I convey to you the heartfelt congratulations of the delegation.'of Burkina‘Faso on your assumption'of .the presidency of the Council ‘for the month of April. ; My delegation is convinced that, thanks to your great I_ expertence and skill,'the work'of the'Counci1 will be successful. Similarly, may I also convey congratulations to your predecessor, Mr. Marcel0 Delpech, Permanent Representative of Argentina, for the skill with which he guided the Council's deliberations on the important uuestions before it last month. I shall not go into the background of this issue, since previous speakers have already done so very eloquently. MY delegation is participating in this.debate to, ,, I .- .,,' ,. 1 _, ; reaffirm once again the strong support of the Rewolutionary Government of Burkina Faso for the valiant people of Namibia, which is carrying out a just and legitimate struggle for freedom and national independence. We in Burkina Faso express : solidarity with that people. The Security Council has again met to resume consideration of the situation in Namibia, following the combined efforst of the members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of African States. The Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement at various important meetings have consistently engaged in a thorough consideration of the situation in Namibia and each time called upon the Security Council to act decisively so that the United Nations might shoulder its direct responsibility with regard to Namibia and take urgent steps for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia. It is a tragedy that nearly two'decades after the termination of the Mandate by a decision of the United Nations the racist rhgime of Pretoria should continue t0 maintain its illegal presence in Namibia through its racial policies based on apartheid., Thousands of Namibians have been killed, tortured, imprisoned and driven away from their lands merely because they rejected the abominable practices of apartheid, which have been declared by the United Nations as a crime against the conscience and dignity of man. * I , It is also a tragedy that Pretoria should still have no intention of implementing resolution 435 (1978), which was adopted eight years ago and which was then'viewed as the resolution of hope, the last resolution on Namibia. Indeed,, that resolution was sponsored by the Western countries. My delegation believes that it remains valid to this day, for it contains the promise of a democratic and peaceful solution of the Namibian problem; It envisages the holding, under United Natfons~auspices and supervision , of free and fair elections in Namibia, to be preceded by negotiations between the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) and:South Africa and also by the #arrival ,in Namibia of the United Nations, Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) and'the Secretary-General's Special Representative responsible for the transition, . WhereaS,SWAPO, the sole legitimate representative of the Namibian people, constantly reaffirms its support for resolution 435 (1978) with aview.to bringing the Territory to complete independence,, whereas it remains prepared to,co-operate with the Secretary-General and the Council:to achieve that goal, South Africa is, still intransigent and arrogant and defies the United Nations. It hes.tecourse.to gross and shameful political manoeuvres. .This,arrogance and defiance adopted by, South Africa emanate from the constant support some permanent members'of the ,-,. Security Council give to the Pretoria rbgime. Those States have.a serious responsibility: ato take immedidte effective:measures for the immediate effective implementation of the plan for Namibian independence , contained in resolution ?;3,5 (1978), without modification or pre--conditions. ' . . With regard to pre-conditions, my delegation strongly denounces the notion~of linkage which,.according to the Secretary-General in,his report, is the only obstacle to the immediate implementation of the Namibian independence plan. Indeed, South Africa has linked the independence of the Territory of Namibia to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola. My delegation is convinced.that demanding that withdrawal is a spurious manoeuvre aimed at ensuring for the Pretoria rBgime the co-operation of certain Western countries in its grim designs. 5' The Revolutionary Government of Burkina ~aso has always done evkrything in its power to eliminate apartheid and to establish a non-racist democratic society in South Africa. The President of Burkina Faso, Comrade Thomas Sankara, has taken every opportunity to reaffirm the unconditional support of Burkina Faso for SWAP0 and his faith in the inevitability of Namibian independence. Here I shall recall, among other specifig“steps taken by the Revolutionary Government of Burkina Faso;.thb establishment, by decision of the Council of Ministers on 6 August 1986, of a fund in support of the anti-apartheid struggle. While this-is a modest contribution, it nevertheless reflects the desire of my people to see peace reign among the peoples of our continent. 'This -goal presupposes the elimination of all forms of domination;explditation and subjugation of which Africa is the victim. My delegaticn'cotiends the'laudable efforts of the Secretary-General to find a just and fair solution to the problem of Namibia. His important report contained in document S/18767, dated 31 March 1987, provides a full and clear picture.of the subject of our current deliberations. In conclusion, let me.say that it is high time for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. It is high time that it take.all *necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the Organisation's decisions to promote Namibian independence, eliminate apartheid and, hence , eliminate the threat to freedom, PetiCe and Security in southern Africa. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from French)t I thank-the representative of Burkina Faso for the kind words he addressed to me. Mr. .GBEHO (Ghana): When on 6 April 1987 I asked to speak in the current debate'& the question of Namibia it was in my capacity as Chairman of the African Group for this month. With your permission, Sir, I wish today to say a few words on behalf of the Ghana delegation. The decision to intervene in the debate at this point has been taken by my delegation for the purpose of clarifying a number of points that have been raised ;. .; in the debate primarily by the South African representative. His statement on 6' '. April was full. of distortions of substantive aspects of the auestion of Namibia, in addition to obvious slander. Let me therefore try to set the record straight. The representative of the Pretoria r6gime , members of the Council will recall, said at the ,beginning of his statement that it had become customary,in ,. deliberations on the Namibia issue to ignore the spirit of the United Nations Charter and to refuse to address the real issues standing in the way of the resolution of-the long&standing dispute. . Let me explain for his benefit, and for the benefit of his Government in Pretoria;” that the letter 'and spirit of the Charter is reaffirmation Of I “. * ++ ‘. “faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and irorth- of the human ” person, in the equal r’ights of men and women and of nations large’,and small”?F~ Apartheid negates all of these. The letter and spir‘it of the ‘Charter means “’ ’ “to establish &nditions.,under ithlich justice and respect f&the obligations :“i ariS=hg -from treaties ,and other sources of international ‘l&&n’ b&“’ 7 *’ “- ‘.’ .’ ” maintained”.’ ’ : . . ” . -. ‘2 -. 1 -_ : ,, South Africa’s actions in Namibia and elsewhere in -southern Africa undermine those ’ very principles, as this very Council has repeatedly asserted. The representative of the Pretoria r&ime claimed that the only obstacle to the independence of Namibia is the lack of commitment on from Angola of Cuban forces there. Since there is a likelihood that will be repeated by supporters of the racist regime before the current debate is over, let me state that the introduction of this issue is a surreptitious attempt to have linkage accepted as a pre-condition for the final resolution of the issue of Namibian independence. The Council has already considered the matter and ruled that the presence of Cuban troops in sovereign Angola should have nothing to do with the implementation of resolution 435 (1978) of the’council. To re-open that issue now, in whatever form, would be retrogressive and should be avoided. As the Secretary-General has pointed Out in his report, all the recognized conditions outstanding have now been fulfilled, and the Council must proceed to put the plan in resolution 435 (1978) into action forthwith. It is 'precisely the sinister and callous delay of that .process by the racist Pretoria regime that has impelled the Group of African States remaining the withdrawal that sentiment and many other delegations at the United Nations to call on the Council at this time to,.intpose comprehensive mandatory sanctions against South Africa.;,> ..,I," . It.is :indeed surprising that the representative;of the Pretoria regime should . charge that, instead of facilitating the independence of Namibia, military and i weapon:supplies and systems,of Soviet-originhave continued to pour into Angola.: Re eveaJw~nt~furtber~~,to.~~~ly $Qat.Cuban.forces.in,Angola,~ould~m~nace.rfree elections in the:TerrStory,-,were .the .Councilcto "begjn..imp,,l,~:menting;..,: ..:-' 1 :*. I resolut$on,435 (19?8), If anyone has poured arms,and.troops into Angola,.it, is,his country, South Africa., As we speak now, t,housands.of South,African ,forc??s are-,,,,, stationed.permanently .in southern Angola.against all norms,of international la~;~ south African military aircraft are sitting on runways +:Angola., ready to f@ht,if the Government forces Qf Angola should,,threaten the renegade Savimbi forces. It is the South African Govarnment:Fhat has poured,armsinto Angola,,for use,by its OF. forces against the Government.of Angola and also for use,by the traitorous bandits. under the leadership.iof Jonas Savimbi. . . :-,. ;. .J".d Furthermore, ,ItS.must,be clarified that Cuban troops ,have never threatened,:l.. \I _ Namibians.,. :The Council.has never received nor considered such a-complaint aga$nst ,. Cuba,.n&the Government of Angola. . .1 Indeed, both Angolans-and Cubans openly .;%.;::, sympathise with Wamibians and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAgCj), and could not conceivably threaten them. It is, rather,'those wb~commi~ .Yr+:,i aggression against,sovereign States and -fight lawfully.constituted~Governments &hat are 1;Lkely to be,a,menace to free and fair elections. Itis those who supply.,arms and ammunition, including Stinger missiles, to bandits who threaten,peace in.:the region. , .,zi "2 Sanctions have again beencalled into question &.a means of dealing :;*< effectively with the present impasse. 1,know this will be tediously repeatedrfrom the usual quarters because of their own reluctance to be part of’the pressure. tactic. We owe it to those few countries, however, to say openly and with courage that we do not share their,view, nor.their attitude. If they are indeed Serious about bringing South Africa to facilitate the implementation of resolution 435 (1978), then we would propose to them-that they should allow the Council to try ,comprehensive ,mandatory sanctions against South -Africa, even %if . within a specified and reasonable’period of ‘time, and, -if the sanctions do not ,’ work, proceed to abolish them’formally. It would be immoral to oppose sanctions . and do nothing,’ because that would be tantamount to support for the delay in Namibia’s independence. We are sincere in this proposal, and’we hope for a response in reciprocal feeling. : ‘We are calling for global and mandatory sanctions k&use we also agree that sanctions would be most,efficacious if applied by all’states and over all items. We are therefore being careful not to create avenues for unscrupulous Governments and companies to rush into areas of trade and business where others have left’in deference to the wishes’of’ the international community. .we wish’to,avoid a’ situation in which some may”wish to ingratiate themseives with South Africa at’the expense of others.’ Sanctions should be a measure of the international community ,~. against an obstinate and dangerous Member State of the United Nations, as its overwhelming majority have determined. .‘;At’the end of the statement of the representative of the Pretoria r&ime, he threatened that if all endeavours to break the deadlock failed his Government would . give’consideratfon to other parties and alternate means of granting independence to, Namibia. That statement is more serious than it looks on the surface, and I urge Council-members to pay close attention to it. we are all aware of the illegal (Mr. Gbeho, Ghana) government that has’been installed in Windhoek, and which.the Council has declared null and void. South Africa is now implying that if the Council fails,to accept its minority.position in this matter - and this infamous linkage theory is.a : minority view - -then jt.would cdmpound illegality by declaring a government for the Terr.itorg;and granting Namibia unilatecal independence. South Africa will presumably, .use force. to defend such illegality. .>This is pure and, simple threat to peace in the-Territory; and .in &he. region.:. '. $A.; :. *. ‘+. . . . . :..,,: :' ', (, 1 .: 7~ urge.douneil-members to re-read that portion.of the.Pretoria r&ime’s: representa.Live’s statement. ... s,: ,'..Y; t : z :, ,., ';,. __ i' . . .:_ : In the fac.e. of .,:such a” fhreat- -, and :it is. in, black- and.,white -: should the >J Council.. wait for. the: deed to be done before, it.considers. action? That would be an expensive and tragic way to proceed. MY delegation is ofthe view that the Council should act now to pre.-empt such*an eventuality by imposing-sanctions .against that recalcitrant r&gime as provided for unde.r.Chapter,VII.of the Charter, . ..I( : . ,“.- ‘_ “. : Iet me say kn conclrrsion that what my delegation has heard in, the debate so far is in many ways reassuring. None has backed the racist regime in its benighted policies in Namibia cx in its continued attachment to the policy of apartheid; even in the Territory. Indeed, there have been strong condemnations of South Africa's stalling tactics. If that is the case, then I hope we can proceed to do what is necessary and perhaps the only route to the early independence-of Namibia. 'This '-' Council should uphold justice and oppose subjugation by voting for: the draft " resolution before it. Any vote deliberately to prevent the Council ,from taking that course of action will be an unfriendly act against Namibians, against African States and against progressive forces in the international community. The PRESIDENT-(interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Ghana for the kind words he addressed to me. .'.The next speaker is the representative pf Gabon. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. BIFFOT (Gabcn)(interpretation from Fren&): I congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency. I congratulate your predecessor on the effective discharge of his duties during the month of March. I wish you every success during your term of office, which has begun with the consideration of a problem which has been debated for a woefully lcng time and which continues to be debated. It is a problem concerning which the variety, multiplicity and clash of. thinking and approaches on one hand and of opinions, attitudes and actions on the other are so great that I truly do not know where to begin or how to end. The most varied and contradictory of arguments have been put forward with respect to the problem of the independence of Namibia. Qle statement in particular monopolized my attention because of its apocalyptic visions and predictions and because of its language, which was that of a sham good shepherd and protector, (Mr. Gbeho, Ghana) apart from the threats mouthed by the spokesman of a State which knows itself to possess crushing military might. That statement has been sufficiently dissected by many other speakers, who have revealed its deceptive, machiavellian aspects, So I shall not dwell on it nuv. The States most highly developed technologically have naw invented very lethal weapons, weapons to make one shudder. Hut there is something more terrible, more . , . !. ,I .:,.. / I : terrifying than those weapons: history; the verdict of history; the immortality that the uneradicable memory of peoples ‘and nations reserves for those who at . crucial moments - such as the present moment in the Security Council Chamber - must take a decision on the fate of other human beings. Hitler Strove to dominate the world, and he nearly succeeded. He nearly achieved the enslavement - worse: the cleverly, cynically conceived extermination - of peoples and nations. South Africa has been striving and stubbornly continues to strive to '. dominate - for the time being - at least a part of Africa: Namibia. It has succeeded., The sub juga tion and enslavement of the Namib’ian people is 'an eloquent ' . _ and convincing manifestation of the clever, machiavellian plans and objectives of :. the South African Government. History has immortalized Hitler. History will immortalize the present. : , Pretoria Government. History has sought out and will continue to seek out all Hitlerite henchmen and collaboratars. It will implacably do the same sooner or ,, -4. later - it nratters not when - with all those who overtly .or secretly, deliberately or s*consciously support and continue to support the racist South African regime in its quest for a aratfonalu solution to the problem of the independence of Namibia. (Mr. Biffot, Gabon) ' Any manner of co~ivance, ccaaplicity or flirtation - a even abstention, whether an imitation or a reproduction of Pontius Pilate's gesture - any such conduct reflects advocacy of or a desire for perpetuation of the status quo. It is time for a rational choice. .The time for wavering and choosing one's affinities should come to an end forever* , ccntinued procrastination is no longer possible. A spiritual morality must finally prevail over a materialistic :.^ ; j, ~ morality. The Namibian people is not asking for a gift; it is demanding its due: freedom, genuine independence, rule by a government of its own choosing, not a government imposed by an occupier, an invader that clings to power because it knows that any time it likes - thanks to the fire-power that the decades of vacillation by others have enabled it gradually to acquire and consolidate - it can terrorize, it can cause mass death, it can dictate the rule of silence, if not participation and co~ivance, even to great Powers which cherish peace and humanism. The withdrawal of some 42,000 Cuban soldiers based in Angola has been touted as a firm pre-condition. It is tenaciously, even stubbanly, claimed that those troops would invade - or *might" invade - Namibia when it has regained its national independence. "Prevention is the best cure”, the argument goes, and it is therefore wise and advisable for Cuban troops to leave Angolan soil before the South African occupying forces leave Namibian territory. That argument is fallacious. It is drawn from the arsenal of pretexts ccntrived in order to conceal the true motivations on which the illegal occupation : of-Namibia is based. f.. The departure of the Cuban troops - as the Pretoria Government knows but dares not admit - is something Pretoria desires in order to be left free to pursue its expansionist ambitions. Once Namibia has gone under, Angola will be an appropriate prey. The invasion of Angola will be greatly facilitated if the 42,000 Cuban soldiers, ,whose courage is well known, are no longer there. The'strike force of the racist South African State could operate under cover of night, and the world would,wake up to a fait accanpli. ,Y,' : . Let us leave asiQ.the frenzied appetite aroused among more than one financial Power of the globe by the contents of Namibian soil. The arms manufacturers contribute in no small way to the maintenance and growth of the eanoniies of many highly industrialized societies. Recent studies have indeed made it clear 'that if a particular country, which I shall not mention by name, were to stop the production of weapons, cr even to reduce the annual production of weapons, thati- would result in a considerable drop in the country's standard of living and a ,,, disturbing increase in unemployment. The ccntinued prOduCtiOn Of Weapons iS thUS an economic imperative for that country. If other States and Governments arc:. likewise subject tr, such constraint , it goes without saying that all of. them would subsequently find themselves obliged to get rid of the weapons they had produced and, consequently, to find purchasers, to perpetuate or create around the world trOL@le spots or rebellions of all kinds. <'i In order to distract attention and to justify certain electiveaffinities),we hear talk of the spread of communism in Africa. Have people asked themselves “:" whether more than one African State did not turn to communism because more than one country in the capitalist bloc failed to - or perhaps chose not to - understand. that State? ft is sad to observe that in the rivalries and struggles be@en;:+ communism and capitalism the innocent victims are the developing countries, In this (Mr. Biffot, Gabon) . (Mr. Biffot, Gabon) case Namibia. Capitalists and communists sometimes know how to’get,along together, when it is in, their interests to perpetuate the division of states that prev’iously had been united. If they want to now, ‘they can also reach agreement so that a i UnanhOUSly affirmative vote can finally bring an end to the crucial, problem of ., Namibia’s independence. I sincerely hope that such a consensus can be reached ,this. time. ‘.,. ‘,: I ,. : : =. ,, : :.,:. _, .: ::’ I~ ,‘_ ‘.;‘;‘ .:. ‘; ‘: $.‘, / ..: : ,, , ; vy, ,i.:; ;-* ‘1 ,‘:c<; The PRESIDENT (interpretation from French)!:“’ I thank-&e- representative p-c of Gabon for the congratulations he addressed to me. -” 1 ” .; The next speaker is’ the representative of Ethiopiai’ I invite Thim to tak.e a.’ . place at the Council .table anu to make ,his statement; .t : Mt. TADESSE (Ethiopia): On behalf ,of. the Ethiopian dal’ega tion ; ~&ilaw me i Sir, to congratulate you most ‘sincerely ‘on -your assmption of the presidency of the Council ‘for the mtith -of .April. The comitment of your-.fraternal’oountry;‘:. .T-:- ’ 1,” Bulgaria; to the cause of dscolariza-tion and your di-plornatic skills as well .as ‘your firm position on .the question of Namibka -give us ample reason to believe that”the Council’s deliberations cn th%s Iimportant issue will be.effectively guided. ,:; : :.z,In .the same’.vein, I .wiSLto pay a well-deserved tribute -to -Ambassador Marcel0 Delpech of Argentina for the: able manner in which he conducted &he :wor k of .the ,: Councils during .the month which. has just elapsed. .: ” ‘. i .: : The question of Namibia has been under consideration in this Council;Chati.er for over two decades. Countless resolutions have been adopted <and well-intentioned strategies mapped out. The South West .Africa People’s- Organiza tion (SWAPQ) , . . : members, of the African Group ; metiers of ‘the Non-Aligned mvement and indeed the- intdriartional commvlity at ‘large have expressed deeply felt hopes’ and aspirations for the speedy accession of Namibia to a lcng-awaited independence. Numerous appeals have been mde to all those who have a measure of influence or leverage on+ South Africa, in SpitS of the transparent link of some States to the racist rdgime. men -Security Council resolution 435 (1978) was adopted, at the initiative of the five Western countries, we hoped, almost against hope, ,that at lcng last’the most acoeptable formula for the independence of Namibia was within reach. Unfortunately, the events that followed were characterized by duplicity, deceit and prevarication QI the part of South Africa- as well as hesitation, reluctance or inaction on the part:of some traditional. collaborators with that apartheid State. Those States that could have been instrumental in exerting the necessary’pressure on South Africa were found wanting when it came to the question, of t&king concrete action against a rdgime which they have unfortunately perceived as areliable j’ ou tpos t ,of Wes ter,n civ il iz ation. As one can readily discern- from the”overal1 ‘1 traits’of ‘.the apartheid system; -there is.nothing Western or civil.ized about’ the;*. rdgime in Pretoria. Yet, almost at the behest of that rdgime, some.Western 4.q corntries have advanced unjustified pretexts ,for, the delaying ,of Namibia’s independence, including the question of linkage.-Thus, .it seems that.the saga,of Namibfa’is a story not only of a trust-betrayed but indeed of trust misplaced. ::. As we the merdbers of the iinternational aamnunity have. learned from our very., often frustrating i. indeed harrowing, experience vi th South Africa; that enti ty;-.;.i could ‘not,and should not have.been accorded even a modicum of trust... By its. ~~~~~~ disregard.for the will of the jnternaticnal commmity, .its contemptfor the I.‘. * t~OlUtiOns Of t!Iis~COUnCil and its suppression of the Namibian. people, as welti as its, illegal occupy tion of Namibia, South Africa has amply> revealed-its true colour . . ‘pb date South Africa not .cnly has rebuffed all meaningful proposals and plans for the peaceful and expeditious independence of the Territory but has attempted, to consolidate its hold over that-Territiry by installing pUppe!t rdgimes, the cUr.r&t ale being the so-called transi ticnal gwernment. , t, \ r‘ .: ‘L .’ Furthermore, Namibian youthsat'their most tender.age have,been forcibly . conscripted into the occupation army,& south Africa, Namibian villages have,been-.' devastated bycthe occupation forces, the indigenous working people subjected:.to .. untold misery and the natural-.resources of the Territory exploited dthout-.any' .-'i consideration'for.present~anU~futurc;generations of Namibians. Adding .inSUlt'tO-,::.-: injury, South:Aftica has conducted fts'odious scheme:of destabillzation against,:: i r ,*-_". .,-,l,.. r ", .. neighbouring.;States.- ::-:J p:y<', .::- ,;i :Y..~~c; ; ,: '., : ‘t:?e: _ : .( O-b' :::.,, y,:',-.g:-,: .';All.this.affronts-the.dignity of:every‘Namibian-and, indeed;of every. .ti f.--‘ r.1 African.- Yetathe Security -Council has 'been unable to'.impose mandatory sanctions-,..' against the unruly r6gime*Jin.pretoria owing to the reluctance;Ofa some Western,' j : .' countries to join;,in.the only viable:interpational concerted action.that can-bring . , _ South Africa to'eits knees,..::. . ,, : ::: :; 'i ? !A 1) '.& .y, :. :;_. '1. The countriesthat have gone so'.far 'as'to cast'a-%egative.vote'in ,the service" Of South Africa'have:argued :that inandatorJi’sanCtions Lwill-be too comprehensiie~and I indiscriminate;., More often-than not they have argued that such..sanctions are<.,:' like$y,to jeopardije the'economies of~frorit-line States'and to'iupsef the ,living standard,of black South Africans.. .We.fail,:to see.any:merit inthat:paternalibtic a ~ argument, for the,representatives of .those,very front-line,countries have,in..this' ,' very Chamber expressed their.willingness to accept any sacrifice.involved.if:the < 's imposition of slich~measureswill contribute to the:independence'.of'Namibia )and the- total~liberation~of~GOuth!Africa from'the'monstroussystem of apartheid;. L'z',* i'i' '. ' 'rA%though it"& 'not the wish of'the &hiopian delegation to~ap@6rtion~blame Or . to pointza finger at-the culprit in this classic case.of miscarriage of justice; the;facts in the>Namibian case make.it,very clear that'it is imperative for.us to,' state the obvious, after two decades-of perseverance..: 'While we'recognize the.: positive trend among those Western countries that have adopted a limited set of sanctions against South Africa, we shall continue to express regret at the (Mr. Tadesse, Ethiopia) ; . . . ."<'<‘ ,...' . -. ._.. -_ - reluctance-of some members of the Security Council,to join;us in imposing the '* I : -_ mandatory sanctions which the ,' :: s intransigence of South,Afri,qa,has made imperative..,. .- /, i < .' .' From those who describe apartheid as a crime against humanity we demand basic ii'--'. : I. -, : .,' co-operation in our collective effort to exert,.pres,sure on-South Africa and to :J' ,*** ;",'.., c-c ._ . -. ' j , # .,: i I . compel it to comply with all the resolutions and decisions of the Security Council relating to Namibia. As we have.had occasion,fo,.~/nt,out ,Q.the pa$t, those who .- *8,-i r', + : -,;:,, -5 ..‘! .L ,.,. . ..- .._. have expressed concern over respect for human rights,in Na?fbia and South.Africa.:., -#_ ..'I;: _- . :."'.' ,I ., /: .*.,'2 .:. ..- are morally obliged to co-operate in all international efforts aimed.:at.bringing ; ",. ( :,.\.. .,. ,,i . . '.. . apartheid to a definitive end. .' , ,':I. . : i; > I'_. * . Need we remind those States..that to work for a ,? I :: z. _j. I.. :: . sustained relationship based on eouity with the entiteoontinent of Africa is much r _ ,i . -, / . ,,.‘ ._' > . .,;.. . . . more prudent than to hang onto an apartheid regime condemned.to the.waste-basket,of ,-,, , .; y.. :. : *! ,, -. : .'.L. G history? Need we inform the very coun,tries that pride.themselves.on.their .: +, . r : . . .? I- -.' . ; 'I'. .: . .' ' ! . . immaculate civilisation that apartheid,!?.uncivilised? Wed ,we reiterate to.those . . ‘ , '._ . j *. : : -, .', ,( iv_ . ._ I ;. I I . .' , technologically advanced countries that the fqili.tary hardware and technology. they . , .., . . ...: ' _, .I , : : ?i: ..,.,,, .I ..' * provide to South Africa. is be,ing used to main and murder Namibian children? ,Neeb i. . . 5. : '. ,. I . . .; ! 1 .: .,' ' . we bring to thti attention of those States the fac.t that South Africa .is threatening f .,. _. \, ' \ '. I... t ,,. ... .$,.,. ; ; .' I". ,' regional peace and security as a result of the collaboration it enjoys with th:ose .' .'., .., '%_ ;, ' . . I.< ..,. _' :. . . t : ,. ;.. :.'. i : .i. (' States in the advanced field of nuclear technology? ,I .’ r. ?: I : . : : .I ?.’ : . .~ :I. :, I : :. : The Ethiopian.delegation !s convinced that fhe,Council must ,take the necessary . . , "< '/. . I . ,' I .' I - measures under Chapter VII of the Charter. I *j ..I. . . (I . I : . a s-. We believe that, a historic deoisLon.;> . 3. must be taken to avert a blood-bath in Namibia. We also hope that those Wes$eF+. members of the Security Council opposed to the imposition of mandatory sanctions i..v_' , .' . I*.. , will reconsider their position and allow the United Nations to advance the caqse,of I . !.. I .,, . peace and independence in southern Africa. . . . . , At this historic moment.it is our~.,,,i, ,., , : :, earnest hope that those countries will not be the ones to block our,collective . _' (, ..L. i ,. .< . I ,- ‘. _.I'. : march into the future once again. , ..- I 'would therefore like to conclude my statement by fully supporting the draft resolution before the members of the Council and by reiterating Ethiopia's . unswerving solidarity with and total commitment to the just struggle being waged by the heroic people of Namibia under the'leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization. _' . "The PRESIDENT (interpret‘atjonfrom French): :. I thank'the . . I representative'of &hioiPa:'for the kind words he addressed to,me and to my coUntrY= :The next speaker is the' representative of the Syriqn Arab Republic. I invite , him to take a piace at the Council tableand to make his statement. < i .J .;" Mr. 'AL-ATASSI (Syrian Arab Republic)(interpretation from Arabic): I : should like to'cbnvey to'you; Sir, 'onr warmest congratulationsupon your assumption ,, I. of the presidency of the'&cutity Council 'for"the month of April.. Pour wisdom, courtesy and considerable knowledge of the proceduresand traditions of this body, . as well as the close relat&s.that bxist between our two countries, make us fully ,,.. ., confident that the Security Council will be successful in its deliberations. , "1. should also like to convey to His Excellency Mr."Marcelo Delpech, Permanent ', Representative oi Ar$ntina;' our heartfelt appreciation for the able, ser'ious and /. skilful manner in which he presided over'the Security Council l&t month. His dedicated leadership of the Council during its meetings and cbn&ltations on the ~ issues‘before it were clearly unbiased and m&t able. He can take pride in his achie&)ent. -. 'I ., ., The deterioration of the situation in the Territory of Namibia since the Security Council last met to consider that auestion today requires-the Council to undertake urgent and serious action that will reflect the deep concern of the United Nations membership with regard to the uuestion of Namibia. From reading the Secretary-General's 'report (S/10767), it is clear that he has undertaken intensive and comprehensive consultations with all interested and concerned parties aimed (Mr. Tadesse, Ethiopia) at paving the way for the implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia as set forth bn Security Council ,resolution 435 (1978). In his report the Secretary-General concludes that, although all the conditions necessary for the implementation of that plan have been established, South Africa's &rsistence in linking the independence of ETamibia to the presence of Cuban trOOPS '. ,' in Angola is an obstacle on.the road to an early settlement of the.issue. All,the arrangements have been set up since 1985, but,Namibia is not yet independent. '. '. (Mr. Al-Atassb Syrian Arab Republic) It is truly disappointing that no progress has been made in setting up the necessary arrangements for that Territory@8 early-independence. The South West Africa People's Organleatlon (SWAPO) hab reasserted 'its support of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) as the only means to achieve full independence for the Territory; From the very out&et, SWAPO-has demonstrated its willingness to co-operate with this Council and with the Secretary-General. However, South Africa continues to insist on linkage. Furthermore, South Africa has flouted Security COUnCil teSOlUtlOn4 snd continued to exacerbate the element of illegitimacy in the Territory by helping the so-called interim government in shoring up its tenuous position, all at a time when the Uamiblan people continues to live under conditions of oppression, torture and political hegemony. This issue has been taken up by many bodies, including the African summit conference, the Non-Aligned Movement in its summit held at Rarare, the summit meeting of the Islamic Conference in Kuwait, the fnternatlonal Conference for the Immediate Independence of Namibia held at Vienna, and at the fourteenth special session of the General Assembly, as well as at its forty-first session. All these bodies have condemned South Africa's continuing .occupation of Namibian territory. The whole world is agreed that the only peaceful basis for solving the auestion of Namibla's-independence is the implemen~atlon of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). PreViOUS speakers spoke at length on the background of the issue and on the measures taken so far. Reports prepared by the Secretary-General have been clear in pointing to South.Afrlca*s prevarication ln'lmplementlng Security Council resolutions; the latest of which - 566 (1985) - inter alla, affirmed thai South Africa's choice of electoral system was the only outstanding issue standing in the way of implementation of resolution 435 (1978). In the absence of such a choice, the Security Council would be compelled to meet to consider implementation of . ',. Chapter VII of the Charter. ." ', *.. What is encouraging South Africa to continue challenging the international ; '. community? It is the political support and assistance provided by some Western . ', I States and in particular the policy of wconsttuctive engagement" that encourages 1 ,.. ., that racist rdgime to defy the international community and to persist in its policy : . (I of apartheid, the occupation of Namibia and acts of aggression against neighbouring .' ‘,. , African States. .' .' '~ The close support and co-operation between the racist r&imes in Pretoria and _.. -., ,;:: Tel Aviv have become common knowledge. We have all read or heard media reports on L L ,_ _.. : -. .^ the amount of weaponry and the level of support supplied the Pretoria r&gime by its , . counterpart in Tel Aviv. That information came to light during preparation of the r " .(. . ; *'I. report. to the United States Congress on relations between South Africa and other ,' : '_ States. For example, the Washington Post on 28 March 1987 cuoted Israeli reports . . that the value of Israeli sales of weapons to South Africa ranged between .' 600 million and 800 million dollars, while the Wall Street Journal on 28 March 1987 mentioned that the value of current weapons contracts between Israel and south . 1 ., ~,'_- '- Africa were estimated at between 200 million and 500 million‘dollars yearly. That is in addition to the political, economic, cultural and other co-operation between " ~ : Tel Aviv and Pretoria, because both regimes maintain a racist policy that is I. oppressive to the indigenous peoples and deprives them of their legitimate rights . . ._ ., ..', .- ,. . by every means. : i i ., Two of the most serious problems threatening international peace and security - ', .i . . . are the question of Namibia and its counterpart, the. cuestion of Palestine. ..r ' . Namibia continues to be a moral and political responsibility to be shouldered by the Security Council. The Security Council should begin by taking decisive measures to ensure the independence of the people of.the Territory without further ( delay. The only path open to the Security Council toUay,is the implementation of binding sanctions in accordance with the provisions of Clbpter~W~ of the Charter ,. in order to Compel South Africa to implement resolution 4~iS (l978) and adhieve ., (1 -. Namibia’s immediate accession to independence by ending South Africa’s occupation of that Territory. Continued oc&pation means a continuation of the pillage of .i:: ‘. Namibia’s wealth and natural resources that is currently ,taking place in co-operation with a number of States Members of the United Nations. That was made crystal-clear in the report of the United’Nations Council for,Na&bia dated ‘. . i 9 June 1986, paragraph .lg”in part&at. ’ I ‘ ‘. In conclusion”we wish to det&e’.the full solid&y and support of the Syrian Arab Republic for the Namibian people and its liberation movement, SWAPO. We urge . . ‘. the Security Council to uphold its authority by imposing binding,‘comprensive . : ,. .’ sanctions in accordance with the’provisions of Chapter.VIf of,the Charter until the ,: I racist r&ime is forced to open the way to Namibian.indein’nU~ncc, ,I .. Victory is always the ally of peoples fighting’ior. inde&!nde&e and freedom. The PRRSIURNT (interpretation from French) r ‘i. t&k the’ representative of the Syrian Arab Republic for the kind words he aUilri?saeid‘~to he. ! ’ I. .* ( The next speaker isth& iepresentative of Elango&.’ :* ‘. I invite him to take a . .,.‘. place at the Council table and to make his statement. ’ ‘: : ., Wr. DOLJINTSRR& (Mongolia) (interpretation: fron%ssian) t First allow i. - me to express my gratitude to ali members of the Security Council for giving me , - _ this opportunity to speak on the item before us. i . . ‘. . . The Mongolian delegation is very happy to see‘ you; Sir, the representative of .- ,.‘: fraternal Bulgaria, in the’lofty post of President’& ‘the &urity Council for this . month. Bulgaria is a oountry with which Mongolia has &y close fraternal ,“ relations. We are sure that under your able, wise and experienced guidance the Security Council will successfully discharge its duties for this month. I should also like to pay tribute to your predecessor, the Ambassador of Argentina, for his skilful guidance of the Council's work last month. The Security Council is once again discussing a question whose solution brooks no delay. As is known, Namibia is the last major colonial Territory where the indigenous population suffers from colonial oppression and racial discrimination. Despite the many decisions taken by the United Nations, and the universal condemnation and demands of world public opinion, the racist regime in South Africa not Only COntinUeS its OCCUpatiOn of Namibia, hut has spread to that Territory its inhuman system of apartheid, which has been condemned by our Organisation as a crime against humanity. The recent news from Namibia has &own that there is continuing, inCteaSi3g repression in that country , as well as terror and the murder of completely innocent people. For a long time now the lOO,OOO-strag racist South African army has been comi tting outrages. All this is a serious challenge to world public opinion and our Organization. MOreOVer, the South African racists have turned Namibia into a base for attacking Angola, Botswana and other neighbouring independent countries of Africa. This is borne out, inter aria, by the fact that for 10 years now Pretoria has been waging a war against the People's Republic of Angola and has occupied part of its Territory. All this clearly demonstrates that the criminal actions perpetrated by Pretoria in South Africa are a direct threat to international peace and security within and outside the region. The People's Republic of Mongolia again expresses full solidarity and support for the struggle of Angola and the other front-line States, which are defending their freedom, independence and sovereignty against the aggression of the forces of racism and imperialism. It is a well-known fact that the racist Pretoria regime has managed so far to persist in its criminal policies and arrogantly defy the international community only because of the universal support and assistance it is given by a nuxber of Western Powers. The most recent specific exaaaple of this open support of Pretoria by the West can be seen in the negative votes cast by three Wastern oountries last month in the Council cn the draft resolution to institute certain partial sanctions against the racist South African rbgime. In this oontext, our delegation, like other delegations, decisively calls upcn the Western Powers to stop supporting Pretoria and to renounce their cbstructionist policy cn the problems relating to (Mr. Doljintseren, Mongolia) (Mr. Daljintseren, Mongolia) ., ‘.. My delegation alto condemns the rutnless exploitation and plunder of the natural resources of Namibia’by South Africa and the transnational corporations of the imperialist Powers. .L ,’ AS has been stressed by previous speakers, .in decent years the racist Pretoria r6gime and its sponsors ha+? been using new ploys and tricks to delay their ./ withdrawal from Nunibia... These trick8 include, of &lrse, the s-alled liIk,qe of the solutiar to the Namibian’queeticn with ccmple~tely.extrareous matters, for ‘,_ example, the withdrawal from Angola .of C*an internationalist, f.orces. The Mcngolian People’s Republic@ like many other countries, fully rejects,, and strmgly condemns this arti-ficial so-called linkage as an ,attempt to prolcng, the presence of the racists in Namibia , ad at the same time to weaken Angola’s defence capability in the face of the increasing acts of aggression by Pretoria..... ., ‘. ,. It is hi@ time to takia decisive steps against. the racist Pretoria rdgime, and thus force it to withdraw ,from Namibia and eliminaa’ the criminal system of :,, ‘. apar theid. One effective measure would be t6 institute canprehens ive mandatory sanctions against Pretoria under Chapter VII of the ‘Charter. .) * In .this respect the : Mcngol ia delega ticn , _ 1 ike many,lo.ther ,,delega tions, . ’ * expresses the hope that the Securi,ty Council will institute these sanctions..against : I>_ I’ Pretoria without delay. ’ ,, I . . ’ My delegation also supports the demands of, previous s&akers that Council menbers which have i;&pted a negative attitude a\ these sanctions revise their, position and not stand in ihe way of the adoption by this body of effective measures against South Afri’ca: In the same COntekt we fully support the conclusion contained in the Political Declaration of the Eighth Ccnference of Reads of State or Gavsrnment of Non-Aligned . Countries, namely, that those who have refused to institute comprehensive economic sanctions against racist South Africa 'have beco& accunpli'ces in' this r&.&3's operations. I refer to document A/dl/697. ' 'Y.. As far as our country is concerned, the people and the Government of the Mongolian People's Republic,:b'asing ourselves on our position of' 'principle, have always had sincere feelings'of solidarity with all'peoples‘struggling for social and national liberation. Our country has always'supported the jus't cause of the Namibian 'Reople and the p&ople of:&uth Africa in' their struggle against the' racists for freedom ana indeper&nca.' The anera Secretary of the Central Committee of the M&olian People's Revolutiarary Party, Chairman-of the Presidium of the Great People's Hural, Comrade Janbyn Hatmunkh; in the report of the Central Comittee to the‘XXIXth Ccmgress of our party stressed% " I -"-'The Mongolian People%'Republic strongly supports the peoples of Namibia and south Africa who are itruggling for liberation from the yoke of ' colonialism and racism*. , I should like to take this opportunity once again "to voice warlh solidarity and support for tne Namibian p&cQ$e'and their'sole authen'tic representative; the South . *St Africa People's Organization (SWARD) in their struggle for liberationfrom colonial and racist enslavement. .' The PRESmDT (interpretation from French)% I thank the representative of Mcngolia for the kinh ~0th he'addressed to me. In view of the lateness of. the hour, I propose to adjourn the meeting naw, With the concurrence of the menbers of the Council, the next‘meeting of the Council to continue consideration of the Ztemon the agenda will .take place 'toxorr&, Thursday, 9 April 1987, at 10 a.m.- The meeting rcse at 6.10 p.m. ' (Mr, Doljintseren, Mongolia) .