S/PV.2901 Security Council

In accordance with the decisions taken at the previous meetings on this item, I invite the representative of Nicaragua to take a place at the Council table; I invite the representatives of' Cuba, El Salvador, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Peru to take the places reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber. At,the invitation'lof the President; Mr;-Serrano Caldera. (Nicaragua) took a place at the Council. table; Mr; Oramas.Oliva (Cuba);Mr;~Castaneda~Cornejo (El Salvador);.Mr;,Treiki.(Libyan~Arab Jamahiriya).and,Mr;Luna.(Peru),took,the places reserved for them at the side of-the Council,Chamber. The,PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): a the basis of prior ._ . consultations among members of the Council, it is my understanding that numbers of ite Panama to participate in the discussion of the ibam on the Council-wish to inv the agenda, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. If there is TY) objection, If there is TY) objection, I shall take it that the Council decides to invite I shall take it that the Council decides to invite Panama to participate in the discussion. Panama to participate in the discussion. I Call on the representative of the United States. I Call on the representative of the United States. Mr. PICKERING (United States of America): I would like to ask that this question be put to the vote.

The request by the representative of the United States of America is noted. The council will therefore vote on the proposal that the Council invite Panama to participate in the debate without the riqht to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and of rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour.; Algeria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Malaysia, Nepal, Senegal, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, yu<oslavia Against: None Abstaining: United States of America The.PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): The proposal has been adopted by 14 votes to none, with one abstention. Mr. PICKERING (United States of America): I would like to say a few brief words to explain my vote. The United States abstained, but obviously we have no objection to the State of Panama being represented in the debate on this particular question. Our only problem with this vote is that we are being asked to decide on the issue in a way that does not permit us to consider the question of precisely who will be the participant for Panama on this very substantive issue. We obviously have our own ideas and feel it is important that before we can decide this particular issue we should know who will be representinq Panama before the Council. Mr. RICHARDSON (United Kingdom): My delegation voted in favour of the participation of Panama in the current debate on the situation in that country. Clearly, the views of Panama should be heard. My vote, however, should not be interpreted in any way as prejudging the question of who should represent Panama. Mr. BLANC (France) (interpretation from French): The French delegation is in favour of hearing the representative of Panama. Thus, it voted in that sense in the vote under rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. Of course, our approval is meaningful only to the extent that agreement will subsequently be reached on the appointment of a legitimately validated representative to speak on behalf of the Panamanian Government. Mr. FORTIER (Canada) (interpretation from French): My delegation also voted in favour of the question just put to the vote. Nevertheless, our favourable Vote should not be interpreted as maning that we would agree to hear any representative of Panama. It is without prejudice to whatever decision the COUnCil takes once the question of one identity of the Panamanian representative has been decided.

Since no other members of the Council desire to make statements in explanation of vote, I wish to inform members that I have received by letter two requests to participate in the Council's debate. I understand that the Council wishes to ask the Secretary-General to ‘lprepare a report on credentials under rules 14 and 15 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. It is so decided. The next meeting of the Security Council to continue consideration of the item on the agenda will be fixed following consultation with members of the Council.