Assembly calls for cessation of "armed intervention" in Grenada.

Assembly Calls for Cessation of "Armed Intervention' in Grenada

ON 2 November, the Assembly called for an immediate cessation of the armed intervention in Grenada and the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops from that country. The Secretary-General was asked to assess the situation and report back to the Assembly within 72 hours. He did so on 6 November (see below).

The Assembly acted by adopting resolution 38/7, by a recorded vote of 108 in favour to 9 against (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, El Salvador, Israel, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States), with 27 abstentions. Grenada voted for the text.

The Assembly, in a separate recorded vote of 71 in favour to 23 against, with 41 abstentions approved a Belgian amendment which added a provision requesting the organization of free elections in Greanda "as rapidly as possible to enable the people of Grenada to choose its government democratically'. A motion by Democratic Yemen not to consider the Belgian draft amendment was rejected by a recorded vote of 43 in favour to 63 against, with 34 abstentions.

Before voting on the resolution as a whole, the Assembly voted on each operative paragraph, at the request of the United States.

By the text, the Assembly deeply deplored the armed intervention in Grenada as constituting a "flagrant violation of international law and of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of that State' and deplored the death of innocent civilians resulting from the armed intervention. It also called on all States to show the strictest respect for thesovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Grenada.

Also on 2 November, the Assembly postponed consideration of a second draft resolution (document A/38/L.10), sponsored by Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. The text would, among other things, urge an early restoration of normalcy on Grenada based on: the immediate establishment of a broad-based interim civilian administration, whose primary function would be to hold early "free and fair' elections under international supervision; the immediate deployment of a "security presence' including elements from as many States members of the Caribbean Community and Commonwealth States as possible; and the establishment of a fact-finding mission, made up of "eminent nationals' from the Caribbean Community and Commonwealth States, which would report to the Secretary-General.

New Item

On 31 October, the General Committee without a vote requested the inclusion of an item on "the situation in Grenada' on the Assembly's agenda. On 1 November, the Assembly approved the item's inclusion, also without a vote.

Nicaragua, in a letter to the Assembly President (document A/38/245) said the United States, with the aid of "token forces' from six Caribbean countries, had invaded Grenada in an act of "naked armed aggression'. Those countries, it stated, had tried to justify that action by invoking the treaty establishing the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The majority of Member States rejected the military invasion and demanded the unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territory of the island nation, Nicaragua said. It also asked that the draft resolution--which the Security Council had failed to adopt on 28 October because of the negative vote of a permanent member, the United States--be approved by the Assembly. That text was appended to Nicaragua's letter. Nicaragua asked that the item be considered with priority in the Assembly.

The United States and the United Kingdom, in the General Committee, referred to rule 15 of the Assembly's provisional rules of procedure, which stipulates additional items should not be considered until seven days after their inclusion, unless the Assembly decides otherwise.

The United States said those calling for a debate were being hypocritical in stating an urgent situation existed in Grenada. Why had not the situation been considered urgent when revolutionary thugs had murdered the Prime Minister, other Government leaders, and women and children? The OECS had opposed the seizure of the Government and felt urgent steps had been required. The United Kingdom asked for clarification as to what "with priority' meant.

On 1 November, the Assembly decided, without a vote, that the matter would be considered the next day, on 2 November.

Secretary-General's Report

In his report (document A/38/568) of 6 November 1983, the Secretary-General says he sent Diego Cordovez, Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, to Grenada where he stayed for 30 hours, during which time he held a number of consultations. Mr. Cordovez reported that the country, at the present juncture, lacked the basic instrumentalities for the fulfilment of a State's internal and external functions.

The report says Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon estimated that the election of a constitutional Government would require from 6 to 12 months. The Governor-General said politicans would be excluded from the membership in the Advisory Council; that did not mean that political parties had been banned. The Governor-General felt that the activity of political parties should be welcomed and cited the fact that the New Jewel Movement had not been declared illegal.

Sir Paul said preparation of general elections would not be easy in view of the absence of an electoral process in Grenada for many years. Administrative structures would have to be rebuilt. Major projects undertaken by Mr. Bishop's Government would be continued. The airport at Port Salines was a major developmental project and a key to the promotion of tourism, vital to the economy of Grenada.

Sir Paul indicated that although peace had returned to the island, Grenada's continued security would remain a major concern during the interim period. He saw no need, however, for any further influx of foreign troops, and felt that most foreign military personnel could be withdrawn in a very short period subject to making "the necessary peace-keeping arrangements'. Existing laws remained in force.

Mr. Cordovez was informed that the multinational force set up by the OECS numbered about 300 and was supported by a United States Task Force on land and off-shore. United States officials said the number of their forces on land in Grenada, which had reached 8,000, had been reduced to 5,000 by 4 November. Another substantial reduction was planned within a week. They stressed that, in principle, full with-drawal was intended to be completed by late December.

United States officials, the report said, stated that their forces continued to be engaged in efforts to apprehend members of hostile forces as well as in maintaining security and restoring law and order. Large quantities of arms and military equipment had been found. Members of the People's Revolutionary Army of Grenada, estimated to number berween 1,000 and 2,000, were responding to calls to report at a designated location. Once they were interviewed and screened, the majority were being allowed to leave, subject to recall, while some 10 per cent were being retained for further interrogation.

Certain "subversive' elements were being arrested. The mission had witnessed three persons being arrested and handcuffed. Members of the United States forces and the "Caribbean Peace-keeping Force' were manning checkpoints and patrolling the streets.

Mr. Cordovez said he was not permitted to meet with Bernard Coard, Deputy Prime Minister in the Bishop Government and General Hudson Austin, head of the Revolutionary Military Council, who were being held on a United States navy vessel. The mission was informed that major fighting had taken place near the Point Salines Airport and the beaches. As far as could be observed, war damage to inhabited areas appeared to be limited and day-to-day life seemed to be resuming.

The mission was informed that a number of Government buildings as well as the residences of Cuban personnel had been either destroyed or ransacked during the recent events. The mission was able to ascertain that the Radio Free Grenada and the police headquarters had been completely destroyed and that Fort Frederick and the mental hospital nearby had been partially damaged. A reliable estimate for civilian casualties among Grenadians was 25.

Although checkpoints were frequently encountered and strictly enforced, that did not seem to be resulting in serious delays or friction. The major irritant for the population appeared to be the unofficial curfew. Although Sir Paul said there was no official curfew but merely a call to comply voluntarily, the population seemed very conscious of it and streets were deserted at night. A number of logistical problems hampered the mission's activities.

The report stated that Grenada continued to maintain relations with Cuba. However, Sir Paul had declared all Cuban diplomatic personnel to be personae non gratae and ordered them to leave Grenada within 24 hours, with a Charge d'Affaires to take charge of the Embassy. Cuba maintained its diplomats would not leave until all other Cubans had been evacuated.

The repatriation of Cubans held under detention was under way, the report stated. According to Cuba, there were 784 Cuban nationals in Grenada before the events in question. United States officials considered that 20 to 30 individuals over the number given by Cuba might still be holding out in the hills. They also said that the bodies of 25 Cubans found so far were unidentifiable and had been buried. "The precise number of those killed and missing is regrettably still undetermined, and it is to be earnestly hoped that this matter can be settled soon in a humanitarian spirit', the report states.

The report said Ambassador Julian Torres Rizo of Cuba had made four requests which had been conveyed by Mr. Cordovez to Sir Paul Scoon and the United States Ambassador: to allow him or a number of his staff to be present at the airfield at the time groups of Cubans departed; to return to Havana, through the International Committee of the Red Cross, all the bodies of killed Cubans for possible identification; to allow the Cuban Embassy to be staffed by four diplomats; and to discuss the return to Havana of heavy construction equipment which was the property of the Cuban Government. Sir Paul Scoon and the United States Ambassador asked that the Cuban Embassy allow a former Minister of the Bishop Government, who was in the Embassy, to return to his home. He returned there on 4 November.

The Cuban Embassy, the report said, had United States troops stationed outside the compound. They were joined by troops from the Caribbean contingent on 4 November. The Cuban nationals in the Embassy were not permitted to leave the compound, but were not prevented from speaking to anyone outside. Ambassador Torres Rizo was able to move outside under escort and held regular meetings with United States officials. The United States Ambassador gave Mr. Cordovez assurances that all efforts were being made in those meetings to settle outstanding matters.

Debate

A number of countries called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from Grenada, saying that it was necessary for that island country to get back to normal as soon as possible and to hold free elections. Some countries, however, said elections under occupation would not be free.

A number of speakers stated that although they did not condone the armed intervention, they understood it in view of the circumstances and the sequence of events leading to it. They noted assurances given for the quick withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, and stressed the need for looking to the future.

Some countries condemned the intervention, calling it an act of piracy and a naked aggression, and stating it was an encroachment upon Grenada's independence and territorial integrity. The intervention, which contradicted the Charter and the fundamental rules of international law, had been planned by the United States for a number of years, they said.

Some speakers stated that the intervention had been based on false pretexts, such as the defence of United States citizens. The real reason was to suppress the revolutionary process in Grenada and to establish in Central America and the Caribbean area the interventionists' own "imperialist and colonialist domination'.

States of the Region

Antigua and Barbuda said a gang of men had held an entire nation under house arrest at the point of guns. They had gunned down the Head of the Government and several cabinet ministers. Foreign troops were responsible for the slaughter of innocent Grenadians. The OECS invited other friendly Powers to assist it in protecting "our people at home and in Grenada from further threat by a tyrannical regime'. The United States would withdraw from Grenada as soon as the island was fully secured. After that, the country would be turned over to a broadbased civilian government to prepare for general elections and Grenada would have democracy restored.

Barbados said it did not consider its participation in the operation to enter Grenada and restore order as an act of armed intervention or aggression, nor as a violation of international or any other kind of law. It was a response to the sole remnant of legal authority in an otherwise chaotic and rapidly deteriorating situation. Barbados would continue to respect Grenada's sovereignty. The actions of the Caribbean Governments had shown that West Indians had a view of their future that was democratic, peace-loving and devoted to constitutional, and not arbitrary, government.

Cuba said the Assembly had rejected the "illegal and cowardly action' by the United States, which had invaded and occupied Grenada. The attack was the latest example of the brutal interventions of the United States marines in the Caribbean and Latin America. The United States had lied in order to hide from its people the true reasons for its aggression, Cuba said. The United States President had lied when he said that Americans in Grenada were threatened; that the decision to invade was the result of the request of a group of countries; that hundreds of Cuban military personnel were on the island; and that a military airport was being built.

El Salvador said the root of the Grenada problem lay in Cuban intervention and expansionism. That intervention was reflected in a regime which was at the Soviet Union's beck and call, and which would have converted Grenada into a base for expansionist action in the Caribbean region and in Central America with the collaboration of the present Nicaraguan regime. Grenada had lost its autonomy and had compromised its sovereignty. The presence in Grenada of hundreds of Cuban advisers disguised as workers and technicians constituted a typical act of intervention. The international community should guarantee Grenada's self-determination and prevent any future action against duly constituted Governments. El Salvador deplored the events in Grenada before, during and after the intervention of forces which were there as a result of OECS action.

Saint Lucia rejected allegations designed to portray the "pre-emptive action' on Grenada as either ultra vires or contrary to international law. It had grown increasingly alarmed as the regime in Grenada which followed the 1979 coup there failed to hold free and fair elections within a reasonable time, tightened its grip, muzzled the press and imposed an authoritarian modus vivendi upon Grenadians. Grenada had built up its armed forces to unprecedented levels in the Eastern Caribbean with the aid of both regional and non-regional totalitarian States. Grenada's microcosmic territory was becoming far too small to contain both its revolutionary zeal and the mounting tons of military hardware.

Uruguay said it adhered to the principle of non-interference and the non-use of force in international relations. The Assembly, in its resolution, had not fully taken into account the very complex situation which had evolved in Grenada over the past few weeks. Events in Grenada pointed to the need for strengthening the United Nations to make it more effective in its primary aim of ensuring peace throughout the world, in order to prevent the occurrence of critical situations such as the present one. The commitment of the States involved to withdraw as soon as possible and to respect the right of self-determination of Grenadians should be encouraged.

Other Views

The USSR said the Assembly had clearly condemned the armed United States intervention in Grenada. The United States and its henchmen had been fully exposed as having committed aggression against a small, non-aligned country, in gross violation of Charter principles, posing a serious threat to international peace and security. Peace-loving Grenada had threatened no one. The fate that the occupiers were preparing for Grenadians could be judged from certain published photographs, showing barbed wire in the concentration camp, a hospital bombed into ruins, and people held at gunpoint. Such was the democracy that the occupiers were implanting in Grenada. The United States Administration was trying to cover up its gross act of international terrorism, exalted to the level of State policy.

The USSR said the United States had arrogated to itself the right to intervene in any country where in its view there did not exist a responsible Government, or where events were occurring which, so it was alleged, affected the security of American citizens or affected the United States' "vital interests'. To justify its crimes, Washington was lying and was fabricating fallacious arguments which, however, "disintegrate when they come into contact with reality'. There had been "naked aggression' in Grenada aimed at overthrowing the existing system and social order there and ensuring the establishment in that country of a regime subservient to the interests of the United States.

The United States said an understanding of the facts would support its actions. The use of force by the task force was carried out in the service of values of the Charter. Grenada had been rescued from "murderous elements' threatening its people and neighbouring States. Maurice Bishop, his deputies, ministers and supporters had been murdered. Captured documents disclosed secret military assistance agreements between Grenada, the Soviet Union, Cuba and North Korea for the training of Grenadian soldiers in Cuba and the Soviet Union and the assignment of Cuban and Soviet advisers and trainers in Grenada. There were agreements, too, for the free delivery of millions of dollars of military supplies.

There was a parallel between Grenada and Afghanistan, the United States said. Just as Maurice Bishop had been murdered because he tried to free himself from the Soviet stranglehold, so too were Mohammad Daoud and Hafizullah Amin murdered in Afghanistan. They too had discovered that the only thing more dangerous than embracing the Soviet bear was trying to break loose from its deathly grip. But Grenadians had been spared the cruel fate of Afghans. The United States was proud to have participated in the liberation of Grenadians.

Grenada's Credentials

The Credentials Committee met briefly on 7 November to consider an objection raised by the United States to the credentials of the representatives of Grenada to the current Assembly session, pending consultations.

Circulated at the meeting was a memorandum by the Secretary-General which noted that up to 12 October, Grenada had not submitted formal credentials for its representatives to the current session and therefore was not covered in the Credentials Committee's first report.

However, the Secretary-General had received a letter from the Permanent Representative of Grenada, Caldwell Taylor, listing the persons authorized to represent Grenada at the current session. As of 7 November, the Secretary-General reported he had still not received formal credentials in respect of Grenada's representatives to the current session.

Among the four letters annexed to the memorandum was one dated 31 October 1983 from Sir Paul Scoon, Governor-General of Grenada, informing the Secretary-General that Mr. Taylor had been recalled and relieved of all diplomatic, consular and other official duties as the accredited Ambassador of Grenada and that the same applied to all other staff members of the Grenada Mission.

Photo: GRENADA