Security Council — Session 37

Most active countries

• Israel
  44
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  34
• Jordan
  32
• United States of America
  26
• Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
  21
• Ireland
  17
• Syrian Arab Republic
  15
• Japan
  13
• Panama
  12
• Poland
  11
• Uganda
  11
• Iraq
  9
• China
  8
• Argentina
  7
• Lebanon
  7

Top agenda items

• The situation in the Middle East: reports of the Secretary-General
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• Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives: report of the Secretary-General State of signatures and ratifacations of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of intemational armed confticts (Protocol I) and the protection of victims of .non-intemationaa armed confticts (Protocol 11)
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• Progressive development of the principles and norms of international law relating to the new intemational economic order: report of the Secretary-General Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization: (a) Report of the Special Committee; (b) Updating of the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council and the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs: report of the Secretary- General
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• General debate l. Sheikh AL-THANI (Qatar) (interpretation from Arabic): On behalf of the State of Qatar, it gives me great pleasure, Sir, to express to you warm felicita- tions on your election as President of the current session of the General Assembly. I also wish to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Kittani, who presided over the past session and conducted its proceedings with exemplary competence and objectivity. I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to the Secretary- General. I wish him, on behalf of my country, full success in all his efforts and activities aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the Organization in the service of the international community. I also wish to thank his predecessor, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, for the praiseworthy and sincere efforts that he made through- out his term of office as Secretary-General. 2. Thf: deteriorating political conditions which have recently dominated the entire world are a grave indicator of the incompetence of the Organization in contributing to international peace. Is it not true that the Organization, despite all its great and merito- rious endeavours, has not been able to resolve the problems before it and has not brought about the peace for which our world longs? 3. I do not believe that we are the only ones that pose this question. In his report on the work of the Organization [A/37//] the Secretary-General, with commendable candor and objectivity, warns of the emergence of indications of such a sad state of affairs. Undoubtedly, the Secretary-General reveals the heart of the matter and puts his finger on the root malaise when he states tht\t, as a result of the breach of the provisions and principles of the Charter by certain States, the Security Council clearly all too often finds itself unable to take decisive action to resolve inter- national conflicts. This feeling of incompetence is intensified by the fact that Security Council resolu- tions, which include resolutions adopted unanimously, are increasingly defied and ignored by those who feel themselves strong enough to do so. That strength may be their own or may be derived from the absolute support given them by a super-Power. 4. This phenomenon did not emanate from a vacuum. It is surely the corollary of certain policies that have recently emerged on the international scene to resolve conflicts and problems on the basis of unilateral initia- tives outside the effective framework of the United NEW YORK Nations, which is the only international organ qualified to solve such conflicts by peaceful means. As such practices and unilateral initiatives have increased, it is natural that the effectiveness of the role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security not to mention the very credibility of the Organization, has diminished.. . 5. The question ofPalestine is a genuine embodiment of the aforementioned fact. Hundreds of resolutions have been adopted on this question, but Israel, with its customary tyranny and intransigence, has persi~tentIy rejected all those resolutions. It has gone so far as to violate them daily, cutting the whole world to the quick by trampling on its most noble human sentiments, propped up by States that shower it with financial and military aid. This aid is coupled with the individualistic political stand that opposes all the peacealoving voices concerned with the general good of man and which seek to impose sanctions on the aggressor in such a way as to preserve the human rights and dignity of the victim. 6. Israel is an anomalous phenomenon in the inter- national community. It came into being through oppres- sion and aggression. It murdered and rendered home- less thousands ofArab Palestinians for its selfish ends. This is its persistent policy and immutable creed: murder, murder and more murder. The most recent manifestation of its barbarism and racism was its genocidal onslaught on the camps ofSabra and Shatila in Lebanon, which claimed thousands of vic- tims-women and children who had lived in peace in those camps, suffering from alienation and disposses- sion. They have been driven there by Israel itself since 1947. 7. As if the displacement it caused them were not enough and as if their agonizing plight, living in inhuman conditions in shanty towns, did not satiate it, Isra~1 did not renounce the principle which brought it into ~ing-that genocidal principle to which it had previously had recourse in the Palestinian villages of Deir Yassin and Kafr Qasim, as wen as in other mas- sacres of the Palestinian people. Israel is well aware that wherever the Palestinian people exists, its right to its homeland and the right to return will remain unshaken. 8. The fact that Israel ravaged west Beirut and forced its way into civilian quarters after the forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO] had with- drawn, under a guarantee from the United States Government that Israel would not intervene or harm the civilian population there, is irrefutable and is proof ofthe wanton Israeli practices that flout all covenants, values and instruments. In this connexion, we affirm to the entire world that fraternal Lebanon, its territorial integrity and the security of its people should not be 23. The State of Qatar wishes to stress in this inter- national forum its conviction that the task ofgrappling with and resolving the economic problems of the developing countries rests, in the first place, with the Governments and individuals of those countries. However, as we are all weli aware, because of their nature the solution of these problems requires, in addition to the efforts of the developing countries, the consistent and collective efforts of the inter- national community with regard to debts, the flow of financial and technical aid and the laying ofthe founda- tions of modem technology. 24. We look forward to a sincere and constructive international dialogue in which all nations ofthe world participate to consid~r solutions for curient inter- national economic problems: world recession, cur- rency fluctuations, deterioration ofthe terms of trade, increased indebtedness in the developing countries and chronic disequilibrium in the balance of payments of the least developed countries. 25. As a Member of the United Nations, the State of Qatar pledges that it will co-operate fully with the rest ofthe Member States, sparing no effort to preserve the principles ofthe Organization, which are aimed at achievingdignity, security and stabilityforall mankind.
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• General debate (colltinued) I. Mr. GOMA (Zambia): I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your election to the presidency of the thirty- seventh session of the General Assembly. I am con- vinced that with your vast knowledge and experience in international relations you will ably steer the Assembly towards a successful conclusion. I assure you of my delegation's full co-operation. I wish on this occasion to commend your predecessor, Mr. Kit- tani of Iraq, for having ably presided over the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session. I wish also to commend the Secretary-General for the impressive manner in which he has discharged the responsibilities of his office. We wish him every success. 6. Allow me now to turn to the problems relating to the state of affairs in the international economy. When the developing nations called for the establish- ment of a new international economic order way back in the mid-1970s, their aim was not to redistribute the existing wealth throughout the world, thereby scaling down the level of affluence in the developed communities. On the contrary, their primary concern was to create conditions that would anow them to develop their material and human potential to the full and consequently eradicate poverty, hunger9 disease and ignorance which are rampant in their own coun- tries. Accelerated development of the developing countries poses no threat to the ecnnomies of the developed countries. It can only lea,d to the attainment of better condiiions of Jiving for an mankind and an equitable sharing and utilization of the resources of our one world. However, our concerted attempts to bring about a fair and just economic system have foundered at every turn. Past negotiating conferences such as the Paris talks, the fourth and fifth sessions of UNCTAD, the third conf~rence of UNIDO, the Committee Established under Resolution 32/l7( on the preparations for "the .launching of the global negotiations, and many others have not yielded tangible results. Today th~ international community is in a much worse condition.than it was a few yeat~r ago. 2. We are meeting once again to continue our col- lective efforts to find solutions to world problems. Since the last regular session, there is very little that we can point to in the direction of progress that we have achieved. Indeed, the year has been one of the most turbulent in recent times. 3. The international community has witnessed not only the perpetuation of tensions and rivalries, which have now become the order of the day, but has also watched with horror and apprehension as some of these tensions and rivalries have flared into open warfare, resulting in loss of human life and occa- sioning untold misery for surviving victims. The c{lntinuing armed conflict between the Islamic Repub- lic of Iran and Iraq, the conflict in the South Atlantic, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and subsequent mas- sacre of Palestinian civilians in the Shatila and Sabra refugee camps in Beirut, the grave situation insouthern Africa and the deterioration in the relations between the super-Powers, among others, have been of great concern to the international community. 4. Of equal concern to us in Zambia is the fact that so many international and regional bodies whose essential purpose is to find peaceful solutions to world problems have been deadlocked. For example, the Organization of African Unity [OA U] and the countries of the non-aligned movement have not been able to meet at summit level this year as scheduled. Furthermore, the Security Council, an institution which the Organization established for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security, has been reduced to a mere debating forum and its resolutions are now honoured more in the breach than in the observance. We are thus drifting into a situation wher~ the United Nations will no longer be in a position to 7. The developed countries are experiencing least growth rates, persistentand rising unemployment and instability in their currencies~.For them the problem i~ how to rescue their economies from further recession and possible collapse. They have accordit'gly resorted to proteCtionism and restrictions in trade, investments and transfer of resources, ·mea~ureswhich themselves are exacerbating, tbe already fragile and declining economies. 33. The report'of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization [A/37/1], which is before the Assembly, is incisive, frank and objective. He has eloquently expressed the concerns of many people all over the world who believe in the United Nations and want the Organization to be strengthened so that it can meet the cha1lenges of the prese\~t-day world and fulfil its historic role in the maintenance of international peace and security. 34. My delegation welcomes the report of the Secretary-General. The events of this year above all 35. If we truly believe in the institution-the United Nations-we cannot and should not, as its Member States, merely give lip service to the Organization. nor should we seek to find solutions based on narrow national interests to important problems of universal interest and concern outside the United Nations framework. 36. Political will on the part of all Member States is of the essence if we are to strengthen the United Nations and revitalize its role in the maintenance of international peace and security. We need political will to implement and strictly adhere to the resolutions and decisions ofthe United Nations. We n~ed politicai will to engage earnestly in a constructive dialogue to examine and perfect the mechanisms for promoting the aims and objectives of the United Nations. 37. Let me say spec.:~-JcaHy that it lemains the con- sidered view of the Zambian Government that all Member States should do everything possible to support the work of. the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strength- ening of the Role of the Organization. No single issue should be considered sacrosanct. The Special Commit- tee should have the latitude to consider all issues relevant to the strengthening of the United Nations and enhancing its effectiveness in resolving the problems which trouble international relations. 38. The United Nations remains the only hope for mankind in the long search for lasting solutions to the multifaceted problems confronting our one world. Let us therefore rededicate ourselves to the purposes and principles of the United Nations and do all we can to ensure that the Organization lives up to the expectations envisaged by the founding fathers.
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• Policies ofapartheid of the Government of South Africa (concluded):* (a) Report of the Special Committee againstApartheid; (b) Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Drafting of an International Convention against Apartheid in Sports; (c) Reports of the Secretary-General
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• Draft Cod~ of Offences against the Peace and Security of Mankind: report of the Secretary-General
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• Question of Namibia : (a) Report of the Special Committee on the Situation .with regard to'the Implementation ofthe Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Coun- tries and Peoples; (b) R2port of the United Nations CouncD for Namibia; (c) Reports of the Secretary-General
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• Question of Namibia : (a) Report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Decla- ration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples; (b) Report of the United Nations Council for Namibia; (c) Reports of the Secretary-General
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• A/37/PV.I07 6. As regards agenda item 119, the report of the Sixth Committee is contained in document A/37/620. As indicated in paragraph 9 of the report, the Com- mittee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under draft resolu- tion I, which was adopted without a vote, the Assembly would call upon UNCITRAL, and in particular its Working Group on the New International Economic Order, to continue to take account of the relevant provisions of the resolutions concerning the new international economic order, as adopted by the General Assembly at its sixth and seventh special sessions [resolutions 3201 (S-VI), 3202 (S-VI) and 3362 (S-VII)]. Under draft resolution 11, which'was adopted by consensus, the Assembly would re- commend that, in the preparation or revision of inter- national conventions containing limitation of liability provisions, the unit of account provision adopted by UNCITRAL should be used. 7. With respect to agenda item 120, the report of the Sixth Committee [A/37/699] contains, in para- graph 8, the text of a draft resolution which the Com- mittee recommends to the Assembly for adoption. Under this draft resolution, the Assembly would, inter alia, strongly condemn acts of violence against diplomatic and consular missions and representatives as well as again,st missions and representatives to international and intergovernmental organizations and officials of such organizations. It would urge States to observe and to implement the principles and rules of international law governing diplomatic and consular relations and, in particular, to take all necessary measures in conformity with their international obligations effectively to ensure the protection, security and safety of all diplomatic and consular missions, including practicable measures. to prohibit in their territories illegal activities of persons, groups and organizations that encourage, instigate, organize or engage in the perpetration of acts against the security and safety of such missions and repre- sentatives. The Assembly would further recommend that States co~operate closely in this area, and call upon States that 'have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the instruments relevant to the 10. The results of the Sixth Committee's consider- ation of agenda item 125 are reflected in document A/37/700. Two draft resolutions are recommended for adoption by the Assembly and are to be found in paragraph 9 of that report. Draft resolution I concerns the report of the International Law Commission on the work of its thirty-fourth session. It contains directives concerning the work to be accomplished by the Commission in general and more specific directives concerning its programme, procedures and methods of work and certain organizational matters. It may be noted that, under this draft resolution, the Assembly would recommend that, taking into account the comments of Governments, whether in writing or expressed orally in debate in the General Assembly, the,International Law Commission should continue its work aimed at the preparation of drafts on all the topics in its current programme. This draft resolution was adopted by the Sixth Committee without a vote. Draft resolution 11 concerns the Con- vention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations. Under this draft resolution, the As- sembly would decide that an international convention should be concluded on the basis of the draft articles on the subject adopted in final form by the Interna- 12. I now turn to agenda item 127. The draft resolu- tion which the Sixth Committee recommends to the General Assembly for adoption under this item is to be found in paragraph 17 of the Committee's report [AI37/722]. The report of the Fifth Committee on the administrative and financial implications of this draft resolution is contained in document A/37/739. Under the terms of this draft resolution, which the Sixth Committee adopted by a recorded vote of 99 to none., with 15 abstentions, the Assembly would, inter alia, after welcoming the adoption ofthe Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes [resolution 37//0] as a significant achievement or the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization, decide that the Special Committee should continue its work and should at its next session, to be held in April and May 1983, accord priority to the proposals regarding the question of the main- tenance of international peace and security~ to docu- ment A/AC.182/L.29/Rev.14 and to other proposals made in regard to this subject, including those relating to the functioning of the Security Council; continue its work on the question of the peaceful settlement of disputes by considering the remaining proposals contained in the list prepared by the Special Com- mitteein accordance with Assembly resolution 33/94;5 and consider proposals made by Member States on the question of rationalization of existing procedures of the United Nations, as agreed by the Special Com- mittee at its 1982 session,6 as well as any proposals under other relevant topics. 13. The report of the Sixth Committee on agenda item 128 is contained in document A/37/710. Para- graph 11 of that report contains the text of a draft resolution which the Committee adopted without a vote and which it recommends to the Assembly for adoption. The draft resolution cans for the submission 17. I hope that I have not unduly taxed the patience of the members of the General Assembly. The Sixth Committee had a heavy agenda this year and I felt duty-bound to give to the recommendations of the Committee the somewh&t detailed treatment which the importance of the subject-matter they deal with would seem to call for. 18. Before leaving the rostrum, I should like to express my profound gratitude to the members of the Sixth Committee for the honour they bestowed upon me by electing me Rapporteur of the Committee for the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. I express my admiration and high esteem for our Chairman, Mr. Philippe Kirsch, of Canada, for the vigour, vigilance and sense of leadership with which he guided the work of the Committee to a sL;cessful conclusion. I thank our two Vice-Chairmen, Mr. Dia- conu of Romania and Mr. Maynard of the Bahamas, for their team spirit and co-operation. I should also like to extend to the Legal Counsel, Mr. Erik Suy, my personal appreciation for the advice and expres- sions of encouragement ami support he addressed to me from time to time. To Mr. Romanov and the entire staff of the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs, I express my sincere gratitude for their tireless efforts and valuable support. 'The draft resolution Wllslldopted by 113 ,'otes to I, with 30 abstelltions (resolution 37/1lJ3). 23. The PRESIDENT: We turn now to the report of the Sixth Committee on agenda item 117 [A/37/750]. The Assembly win now take a decision on the draft resolution entitled "Observer status of national liberation movements recognized by the Organiza- tion of African Unity and/or by the League of Arab States" recommended by the Sixth Committee in para- graph 8 of that report. A recorded vote has been requested.
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