S/PV.2832 Security Council

I thank the representative of Italy for the kind words he addressed to me. Mr. de ALENCAR (Brazil): First of all, I should like to express to you, Sir, my delegation's satisfaction at seeing you presiding over the work of the Council for the month of December. -1 am sure that your experience and dexterity in the art of diplomacy, coupled with the international prestige and importance of Japan, will enable you to discharge your duties as President in the most efficient manner, (Mr. Starace-Janfolla, Italy) It also gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to your predecessor, tiassador Migliuolo, and to the distinguished representation of Italy for the efficient manner in which they conducted the business of the Council during the month of Novenber. Iet me also thank you, Mr. President, for having conveyed to the delegation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , on behalf of the menbers of the Council, our grief and our solidarity with regard to the tragic canseque.nces of the earthquake whi& occurred in Soviet territory. ~a fully associate ourselves with your thoughtful words. As the Security Council meets to consider the 9 December Israeli military attack against Lebanese territory, the Brazilian Government once again joins in strongly deploring this latest violation of Iebanese sovereignty an.d territorial integrity, -which completely disregards the basic principles of the Charter of this Organization as well as accepted norms of international conduct.. We consider that the perpetration of su.ch acts:.makes internal.reconciliation in Lebanon a more difficult goal to be attained, thus exacer.bating tensions in the Middle East region. It also inflicts heavy suffering an the Lebanese populat.ion, something which is catlSe for’grave concern TV my country.. . J Brazil remains convinced that peace and stability can return to %ebanon only : as a-result of the unreserved compliance with the relevant-resolutions of this Council.. This would also represent an important step -towards peace in the whole .o-f the Middle East. ‘. ” We therefore strongly feel that all attacks> aga.:inst kbanese.territory must cease immediately . The. Brazilian delegation is thus prepared to give its SUPPort to the draft resolution nw before us , which was introduced by Senegal on behalf of . its sponsors, and we hope it will be fully complied with. : (Mr ;. de. Alencar ;. Brazil) ThegPRGSI&T: I thank the representative of Brazil for the kind words he adtiessed to me. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on- the -draft resolution before it (S/20322). Unless I hear any objection, I shall put-the draft resolution to the vote now: There being on objection* itis so-decided. A,vote.was taken.by show of hands.. In.faoour: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, China, France, Germany; Federal RepciblLc of, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Senegal-, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and ‘Northern Ireland, Yugoelavia, Zambia Against% United States of America The’PRES IDENT: The result of the voting is as follows: 14 in favour, one against and no abstentions.’ The draft resolution has not beenadopted, owing to the negative vote of a permanent metier of the Security Council. I ghall now call on members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting. ,.. Miss BYRNE (United States of America)% I should like firstof all, Sir, to congratulate you on your assumption.of.the presidency of the Council and to express our totalJconfidence gn your’wisdom and skill in guidihg our work. I should like also to fliankmost sincerely the Permanent Repres-entative of Italy for his fine work in leadinq the Council through the month of November. The United States.r~-~ins-:c6ihm~tted to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and’territorial fntegrity. Consistent with Security Council resolution 425 (19?8), &~h&ve’cailed repeatedly for the withdrawal of all foreign fo'rces from Eebanon, and the- extension of central government authority throughout the country. This remains our policy. We have opposed the draft resolution considered by the Council today because it cr iticizes the actions of one party while ignoring the attacks and reprisals that have originated on the other side of the border. It is precisely this cyclical pattern of violence that has perpetuated the suffering in this troubled area. lubreOVer, in requesting that Israel cease all attacks against Lebanese territory regardless of provocation this draft resolution would deny to ILsrael its inherent right to defend itself. This we cannot accept. So long as extremist elements continue to use the area as a base for launching hostile attacks against Israel , southern Lebanon will not enjoy a return to stability. What is needed are practical measures to curb terrorist activities, not more unbalanced resolutions that achieve nothing. The United States remsins ready to work with all parties towards ending the violence in southern Lebanon and towards restoring peace and security to the area. These efforts will mntinue. The. PRES DENT: I thank the representative of the United States for her kind words addressed to me. The representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has asked to make a statement ; and I nw Cal.1 on him. Mr;‘SEWC?@V (Ulsion. of Suviet Socialist ~&pub~ics) (interpretation from Russ ian ) : Since this is my first opportunity to speak in the &curity Council in December, I should 1 ike first of all to convey- to you, Sir, my congratulations on your assumption of the presiden.cy of the Security Cduncil for t&is month. We have already had occasion to see how skilfully you have been conducting the proceedings of the Council, and we wish you further success. in your important post. I also want to avail myself of this opportunity to express my gratitude to your predecessor as President of the Security Council, the Permanent Representative (Miss Byrne, United States) of Italy. November was a difficult month; hence I should like in particular to express my pleasure at the fact that Ambassador Giovanni Migliuolo so skilfully coped with his difficult task and with his illness , especially since he once again has the opportunity to participate in the work of the Council. : ._ (Mr. Belogonw, USSR) Mr. President, the Soviet delegation is deeply moved by the words Of condolence you expressed in connection with the great disaster ,of the earthquake in Armenia that has afflicted the Soviet people. The earthquake has caused tremendous suffering. The number of dead is estimated today at 55,000, and more than 500,000 people are homeless. An enormous amount of material damage has been done. The attention of the whole of the Soviet people is nw focused on AnCrenia. For two days, Mikhail Sergeiyevich Gorbachev was in the area, and the President of the Council of Ministers of the USSR is directly involved in the rescue operation. Everything possible is being done to save the 1 iving , to prwide medical assistance to the injured and to help women and children and all who have suffered from the earthquake. Our country grieves over the loss of life, but it is determined fully to restore the devastated regions Over the next two years. A tremendous amount Of work remains to be done. In these tragic days help is arriving for those who suffered in the region, not only from every corner of the Soviet Union, but from many foreign countries as well, from Governments, from various public organizations and from thousands upon thousands of individuals. We are profoundly grateful to all who have taken our grief and suffering to hear.t, who have expressed their solidarity and sympathy and who are taking practical steps to help the survivors. We are grateful to all the members of the Security Council who have expressed their condolences and sympathy at today Is meeting and on other occasions. On behalf of the Soviet delegation, I should like to thank you, Sir, for the statement you made today as President of the Security Council with regard to the earthquake in Armen ia. Your message will be transmitted to the Government of my country. (Mr ; Belonogov, TESR) The.PR'&IDENT: I thank the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the kind words he addressed to me. '> There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the agenda item. .’ The meeting.rose-at.12.25 p.m.