The 1985 assembly: a message of solidarity and hope.

The 1985 Assembly: A Message of Solidarity and Hope

UNIVERSAL condemnation of international terrorism, adoption of an international convention against apartheid in sports, and the convening of world meetings on drug abuse, sanctions against South Africa and the critical economic situation in Africa were among notable achievements of the 1985 General Assembly--a session that reflected a more co-operative attitude than in recent years, it was widely observed.

"The united stand taken on such plagues as terrorism and illicit drug traffic testified to a sense of common interest in a civilized international life", Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar said in his year-end message.

The 1985 session, which marked the fortieth anniversay of the founding of the United Nations, seemed to reaffirm, he declared, that "in a world of interdependence, co-operation between nations is an inescapable necessity and that ]the[ Organization provides the best means to give structure and continuity to that cooperation".

Assembly President Jaime de Pinies, in a statement closing the three-month session (17 September-18 December), observed that debates in both the plenary and Main Committees had been characterized by an effort to "overcome differences and transmit to the world a message of solidarity in focusing on important and urgent questions". Perhaps, he speculated, "this can be attributed to the commemorative spirit of the session".

That spirit was reflected in the speeches of some 230 world leaders, including 35 Heads of State and 33 Prime Ministers, who addressed the Assembly during the three-week general debate (23 September-11 October) and the special fortieth anniversay commemorative period (14-24 October) (see UN chronicle 1985, Nos. 9 and 10/11).

"In congregating here", said the Secretary-General, "national leaders demonstrated their clear recognition that the concerns of the global society are every nation's concern and that no response to them will be viable if it is fragmented or racked by parochial considerations".

Not only was it the United Nations fortieth birthday, it was also the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The Assembly marked the occasion with a special commemorative meeting on 16 October.

"In the period marked by this dual commemoration, truly dynamic changes have taken place in world affairs as a result of decolonization", affirmed Assembly President de Pinies. Both he and the Secretary-General stressed, however, that peaceful settlement of the Namibian situation remained a foremost responsibility of the international community.

But the "most notable expression of international solidarity" during the session, according to the Secretary-General, was the Assembly's unanimous condemnation of terrorism "wherever and by whomever committed". In an action described by President de Pinies as "truly historic", the Assembly on 9 December called on the world community not to engage in or assist international terrorist activities, and to co-operate closely in the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for such acts.

Nine days later, the Security Council, also acting unanimously, condemned "all acts of hostage-taking and abduction" and called for the safe release of all hostages being held worldwide.

"At a time when the world-wides escalation of acts of terrorism in all its forms endagers or takes innocent human lives, it is particularly gratifying", said the Secretary-General, "that during this fortieth anniversary of the United Nations, all Member States have found it possible to agree on how to deal with an issue of such importance for the international community".

The resolution "brought to the surface the shared interest of all Member States in restoring stability to international life", Mr Perez de Cuellar told correspondents on 18 December.

On 24 October, at the end of its special fortieth anniversary commemorative period, the Assembly proclaimed 1986 as the International Year of Peace, affirming that "promotion of peace is the primary purpose of the United Nations" and calling on all peoples to join in "resolute efforts to safeguard peace and the future of humanity". The Year was to be commemorated "in the most appropriate forum", and States and international organizations have been asked to do their utmost to implement the provisions of the 12 November 1984 Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace.

Other action

Among the international meetings approved by the 1985 Assembly is a ministerial-level International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to be held in 1984 in Vienna--an idea initiated in May 1985 by the Secretary-General. The Conference is mandated to generate universal action to combat the drug problem "in all its forms at the national, regional and international levels" and to adopt a comprehensive programme for fighting drug traffic and abuse.

A special ministerial-level Assembly session on the critical situation in africa in May 1986 is to focus on solutions to medium- and long-range development challenges facing the African countries. The Secretary-General told the Assembly that despite an "almost unprecedented effort" over the past year to mobilize the international community in common action with the peoples and governments of Africa, "the emergency situation in Africa is not over". The drought emergency had highlighted the seriousness of the underlying development crisis on the continent, he said, calling on the international community to "attack the fundamental problem of long-term development with the same sense of collective urgency which characterized the response to the drought".

A conference on the interrelationship between disarmament and development--another issue of major concern to developing, as well as developed, countries--is scheduled for 15 July-2 August 1986 in Paris. The Assembly also decided that at its 1986 session it would set the date for a third special session of the Assembly on disarmament.

In addition, the Assembly called for the convening of the Conference on the Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace in Colombo, Sri Lanka, not later than 1988. It had previously asked that it be held in 1986.

Sports convention: The adoption on 10 December of the 22-article International Convention against Apartheid in Sports, under consideration since 1977, was widely hailed as another important action of the 1985 session. Submitting the text to the Assembly, Ernest Besley Maycock of Barbados said: "It is particularly timely ... that we have been able to reach agreement on the draft convention at this stage when the evil system of aprtheid is under such diverse pressure".

But support for the Convention, by which States Parties agree not to permit any sports contact with a country practising apartheid, was not unqualified. Some of the 24 delegations which abstained in the vote--125 in favour to none against--said that although they vehemently opposed apartheid and maintained a policy of banning sports contacts with South Africa, they could not endorse the infringement on certain freedoms which the text implied.

Youth, women: In honour of International Youth Year (1985), which had as its theme "Participation, Development and Peace", the Assembly convened for four days (13-15 and 18 November) as the World Conference of International Youth Year (1985). That event, like the fortieth anniversary, gave the world community a chance to "reaffirm our commitment to multilateralisms and international co-operation in a peaceful world", said Mr. de Pinies, "and to reinforce our recognition of the invaluable contribution that youth can make in shaping the future of mankind."

The results of another global meeting held in 1985--the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women (1975-1985)--were endorsed by the Assembly, which approved a series of recommendations for implementing the "Forward-Looking Strategies" to the year 2000, adopted in Nairobi for bettering the situation of women everywhere.

Budget: The 1985 Assembly approved a $1.663 billion budget for the 1986-1987 biennium and took steps to avert a financial crisis. It considered the possible consequences of recent legislation by the United States that would reduce its annual assessed contribution from 25 per cent to 20 per cent of the budget beginning in 1986 unless weighted voting were instituted by the United Nations on all budgetary matters.

"If the amount withheld is of the size foreseen in the legislation in question it will place the financial viability of the United Nations under enormous strain", the Secretary-General told the Assembly, observing that unilateral decisions to reduce assessed contributions went against the principles of the United Nations Charter. "Such withholding would inevitably have a political effect on the strength and potential of the Organization", he said, indicating that unless the aforementioned legislation were rescinded, it might be necessary to reconvene the Assembly and the Fifth Committee early in 1986.

An 18-member high-level group of experts was established to review the administrative and financial affairs of the Organization with an eye to improving its functioning in areas "which would contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations in dealing with political, economic and social issues".

Session suspended: Concern over the continuing global economic and financial crisis was reflected in the Assembly's decision on 17 December to reconvene its Second Committee for one week immediately prior to the first regular 1986 session of the Economic and Social Council (29 April-23 May). It was envisaged that the resumed session would give "in-depth consideration to ways in which international co-operation in the interrelated fields of money, finance, debt, resource flows, trade and development can be promoted effectively", and deal with unfinished business, including the external debt crisis and a proposed international conference on money and finance for development.

The fortieth Assembly session was suspended on 18 December, after it concluded consideration of all but 13 of the 149 items on its agenda. The items deferred until the session resumes--at a date to be announced-- include the situation in Central America, the question of Cyprus, the Iran-Iraq conflict, the launching of global negotiations on international economic co-operation for development, development and international economic co-operation, trade and development, the observance of the quincentenary of the discovery of America, and the implementation of United Nations resolutions.

Agenda

The 1985 Assembly considered a record-length agenda of 149 items--six more than in 1984 and three more than the previous record of 146 items in 1983.

Four new items were inscribed. One on the peaceful exploitation of outer space, proposed by the Soviet Union, was assigned to the First Committee (Political and Security). Another, proposed by Romania and considered in the plenary was entitled: "Solemn appeal to States in conflict to cease armed action forthwith and to settle disputes between them through negotiations, and to States Members of the United Nations to undertake to solve situations of tension and conflict and existing disputes by political means and to refrain from the threat or use of force and from any intervention in the internal affairs of other States".

An item on disaster relief to the people of Mexico was added following earthquakes there in Septermber 1985; another on relief to Columbia was inscribed in November, after a volcanic eruption and mudslide caused extensive loss of life and property.

At the request of the Netherlands, the Philippines, Sweden and Venezuela, the Assembly added a fifth item in October, on a draft declaration on social and legal principles relating to the protection and welfare of children, with special reference to foster placement and adoption. The draft declaration has been on the agenda since 1980, and has been considered briefly by the Sixth Committee (Legal) over the past three years. In 1984, the Assembly asked Member States to consult on the draft in order to find areas of agreement. Consultations were held in New York from 16-27 September 1985.

An item on East Timor was deferred to the 1986 session.

Action

What the Secretary-General in his year-end address called the "looming dangers" that persisted worldwide led to far-reaching action by the 1985 Assembly in the political, economic and social spheres. The plenary and Main Committees adopted a total of 346 resolutions and 96 decisions.

Grave concern over the situation in southern Africa led to the Assembly's decision to hold the three global meetings in 1986 on various aspects of that subject. A world conference on sanctions against South Africa, organized by the Special Committee against Apartheid in co-operation with the Organization of African Unity and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, is to be held in June 1986 in Europe, probably in Paris. A special session of the General Assembly on Namibia has been tentatively scheduled for 3-12 September in New York. Directly preceding the special session on Namibia will be an international meeting at a yet-to-be-determined locale in Europe devoted to attaining the Territory's "immediate independence".

In other action relating to South Africa, the Assembly called for an immediate end to the continuing collaboration of certain countries with the apartheid regime, and decided to intensify the international campaign for comprehensive mandatory sanctions against South Africa.

In connection with the situation in the Middle East and the question of Palestine, the Assembly again demanded Israel's immediate withdrawal from all occupied territories, expressing the view that the 1981 United States-Israel agreements on strategic co-operation and continued military and economic aid to Israel encouraged that country's continued aggressive policies and undermined efforts to establish a just and lasting peace in the region. The Assembly also demanded that Israel rescind its illegal decision to impose its laws and administration on Jerusalem and on the Syrian Golan Heights.

The call for convening an international peace conference on the Middle East with the participation of all parties concerned was reaffirmed. In addition, all Governments and organizations were invited to co-operate with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights.

The Assembly again called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and Kampuchea; deferred action on the question of peace, stability and co-operation in South-East Asia to 1986 after a debate on that subject in plenary; and asked for negotiations towards a peaceful solution of problems relating to the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Comorian sovereignty over the island of Mayotte was reaffirmed, and the opening of negotiations was urged, "with a view to ensuring the effective and prompt return" of Mayotte to the Comoros.

After considerable debate on Central America, the assembly decided to delay further consideration of the question until its resumed fortieth session, to allow time for further consultations.

All States were urged to co-operate in carrying out the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and in ensuring the effectiveness of the Agency's safeguards system. Countries were asked to co-operate in preparations for the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in The Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, postponed from 1986 to March-April 1987 in Geneva.

All States that had not ratified or acceded to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea were urged to do so as soon as possible, to allow its effective entry into force. States were asked to desist from taking actions to undermine the Convention, and to observe its provisions in enacting national legislation. The Assembly also urged early adoption of the registration rules for pioneer investors.

Under a text on the return or restitution of cultural property to countries of origin, the Assembly appealed to Member States to co-operate closely with the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to Its Countries of Origin or Its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation, and to conclude bilateral agreements for that purpose.

Committees

Most Assembly decisions were taken on the recommendation of its seven Main Committees. Highlights of Committee action on political and disarmament items, economic and development issues, human rights, social concerns, decolonization and legal questions follow.

First Committee

Plans for an international conference on the relationship between disarmament and development and for a third special session of the General Assembly on disarmament were among key recommendations of the First Committee (Political and Security) approved by the Assembly during its 1985 session.

The Committee forwarded 72 resolutions--a record number--to the Assembly. As in the past, most concerned disarmament matters.

The Assembly agreed that the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development should be held in Paris from 15 July to 2 August 1986, and adopted a provisional agenda for the meeting.

It decided that at its 1986 session, it would set a date for a third special session on disarmament and establish a preparatory committee for the event. The world body also called for the convening of the Conference on the Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace in Colombo, Sri Lanka, not later than 1988.

The Assembly President was asked "as a matter of urgency" to appoint a 54-member Ad Hoc Committee on the Implementation of the Collective Security Provisions of the Charter. The plenary also agreed to establish a United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Development in Africa as of 1 January 1986.

Close to 40 delegations, including a majority of the Antarctic Treaty Parties, announced they would not participate in the vote on three resolutions on the questions of Antartica. After the First Committee was unable to reach consensus on the item, it departed from established practice and submitted all three texts to the Assembly. The resolutions dealt with a move to exclude South Africa from participating in the meetings of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties; a call for "equitable sharing" of the benefits of any exploitation of Antarctica's resources; and a request to the Secretary-General to update and expand his 1982 study on Antarctica.

The Assembly expressed hope that the November 1985 meeting between United States President Ronald Reagan and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev would give a "decisive impetus" to bilateral disarmament negotiations in Geneva. It reaffirmed, however, that bilateral talks did not diminish the need to pursue multilateral agreements.

The Conference on Disarmament was urged to take a wide variety of action on diarmament and arms control, including setting up new ad hoc committees on a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty and on cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament. The Conference was also asked to establish an international seismic monitoring network, and to resume work on a comprehensive programme of disarmament and a draft convention on the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons.

Among other issues on which the Conference was requested to continue multilateral negotiations were radiological weapons, the prevention of nuclear war and the prohibition of new weapons of mass destruction. The Assembly stressed the importance of concluding a chemical weapons ban at the earliest possible opportunity, and urged the Conference to give priority to the question of preventing an arms race in outer space.

Measures to curb the naval arms race and encourage States to cut military spending were also approved by the Assembly.

There was an appeal for a nuclear weapons freeze in three separate resolutions adopted by the Assembly on the First Committee's recommendation. The Soviet Union and United States in particular were urged to freeze weapons stocks in a six-Power text and another sponsored by the socialist countries.

The Secretary-General was asked to carry out a study on the climatic and potential physical effects of nuclear war, including nuclear winter.

In other action recommended by the First committee, the Assembly condemned Israel's refusal to renounce possession of nuclear weapons and asked it to place its nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. All States and organizations were called on to stop co-operating with Israel in the nuclear field.

The Assembly condemned South Africa's "frenzied acquisition of nuclear-weapon capability", calling for an end to military and nuclear collaboration with the racist regime and respect for Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and South Asia as well.

The Assembly reiterated the urgent need for security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use nuclear weapons. Measures to prevent conventional-weapons use received support as well, with States being urged to become parties to the 1980 Convention prohibiting the use of conventional weapons "deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects".

Special Political Committee

Issues related to the Middle East and the situation of Palestinian refugees figured prominently in the deliberations of the Special Political Committee in the course of the fortieth Assembly. It also dealt with questions relating to outer space and information issues.

Seven resolutions were approved following consideration of the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories. The Assembly subsequently declared that Israel's "grave breaches" of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War were "war crimes and an affront to humanity", and condemned that country's "persistent violation" of the 1949 Geneva Convention and specific policies and practices in the occupied territories.

Other texts related to imposition of Israeli laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights; Arab detainees; closing of universities and other educational and vocational institutions in the occupied territories, and restricting and impeding the academic activities of Palestinian universities.

Eleven resolutions were approved which related to the situation of Palestine refugees, including texts on the financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, guaranteeing the legal and human rights of the refugees, their resettlement and housing, compensation for lost property, education, and restoring the general ration distribution.

The Assembly held Israel responsible for the security of the Palestine refugees in the occupied territories, and called on it to fulfill its obligations as the occupying Power in that regard, in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949; release all detained Palestine refugees, including UNRWA employees; and compensate UNRWA for the damage to its property and facilities resulting from the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Israel was asked to take immediate steps for the return of all displaced inhabitants to their homes or former places of residence in the occupied territories and to refrain from the removal and resettlement of Palestine refugees in the West Bank and from the destruction of their camps.

The Secretary-General was asked to take appropriate steps for the protection and administration of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel, and to establish a fund for the receipt of income derived therefrom, on behalf of the rightful owners. Israel was also called on to remove the "hindrances which it has put in the way" of establishing the University of Jerusalem, "Al-Quds".

The Assembly also requested the Secretary-General to monitor any new developments related to the proposed canal linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea and decided to resume consideration of the item in case activities by Israel relating to the canal were resumed.

On outer space, the Assembly urged all States, in particular those with major space capabilites, to "contribute actively to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space as an essential condition for the promotion of international co-operation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes". The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was asked to continue to consider, as a matter of priority, ways to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes. States not yet party to international treaties governing the uses of outer space were invited to consider ratifying or acceding to those instruments.

Two resolutions were approved on questions relating to information.

By one, to which 70 recommendations from the Committee on Information were annexed, the Assembly asked for continuing efforts to promote the establishment of a new, more just and effective world information and communication order and the dissemination of "more widely objective and better balanced information" about United Nations activities. A call was made for access by developing countries to communication technology, and strengthening of information and communication infrastructures of developing countries to enable them to develop their own information and communication policies freely and independently. The use of the mass media to desseminate false or distorted reports as an instrument of hostile propaganda against the sovereignty of other States was rejected.

The second text dealt largely with the role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in the field of information. The Assembly strongly supported UNESCO's efforts to further enhance its capabilities with a view to promoting the establishment of a new world information and communication order; appealed to the mass media worldwide to explore all avenues for more equitable international co-operation in the field of information and communication; and appealed for a reduction in telecommunication tariffs for news exchanges.

In another text, the Assembly asked the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to continue to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources, and commended the Scientific Committee for the valuable contribution it had been making over the past 30 years.

The mandate of the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations war renewed and that the Group of Governmental Experts on International Co-operation to Avert New Flows of Refugees was extended, with the Group being asked to submit its report to the 1986 Assembly.

Second Committee

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) suspended its work for the fortieth session of the General Assembly on 17 December. It will reconvene in late April in order to consider proposals on an international conference on money and finance for development and international co-operation in the interrelated areas of money, finance, debt, resource flows, trade and development. Other unfinished business in connection with the external debt crisis and development, commodities, and debt and related issues will also be considered. The possibility of holding a conference on African external debt was discussed but not acted upon.

On the recommendation of the Second Committee, the agreed conclusions on the review and appraisals of implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade were endorsed by the Assembly, as were the conclusions and recommendations of the Intergovernmental Group on the mid-term global review of the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries. A global review of implementation of the Substantial New Programme of Action is to be undertaken "at a high level" in 1990.

The Assembly also approved the "Agreement between the United Nations and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization", which defines their relationships since UNIDO became the United Nations newest specialized agency.

The Assembly asked the Secretary-General to undertake a study on mutually beneficial international economic relations, which would contribute to the economic well-being of States and to the establishment of a new international economic order. Development interests of developing countries are to be stressed. The Secretary-General will also report to the Assembly in 1989 on the implementation of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States.

The Assembly outlined the issues to be included in the 1986 policy review of operational activities for development system and invited the United Nations system to provide views on system-wide issues affecting operational activities. "Deep concern" was expressed regarding the shortfall of resources of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and all countries were urged to continue and increase their support.

The Assembly asked the Secretary-General to update the world survey on the role of women in development on a regular basis beginning in 1989.

The Secretary-General was asked to report on economic measures taken by developed countries "for coercive purposes". Such measures, it said, included trade restrictions, blockades, embargoes, and other economic sanctions. It also expressed regret at "the recent trade embargo and other measures imposed against Nicaragua" and asked for their revocation.

A number of texts were adopted on assistance for the "occupied Palestinian territories". By one, the Assembly called for lifting Israeli restrictions on their economies and for help in establishing a seaport and a citrus plant in the Gaza strip, and a cement plant in the West Bank. The Secretary-General was also asked to convene in 1986 a meeting of a representatives of the United Nations system to consider economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people.

Resolutions were approved calling for assistance to 25 nations--Djibouti, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mozambique, Vanuatu, Nicaragua, Guinea, Democratic Yemen, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Chad, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Benin, Comoros, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, Uganda, Zaire and Bangladesh.

The Assembly also noted progress made in reducing tarriffs among member States of the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern African States. Donor Governments were invited to provide assistance to the Trade Area with a view to accelerating its development into an economic community. International financial institutions were called upon to provide immediate assistance to the Trade Area.

Recognizing the particular problems faced by land-locked developing countries, the Assembly urged the international community to provide financial and technical assistance to those countries and asked the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to report in 1987 on action taken related to their needs and problems.

The Assembly noted the Trade and Development Board's report; UNCTAD was asked to intensify its role in revitalizing and strengthening international trade and international economic co-operation for development. Governments and international organizations were called on to begin preparations for the seventh session of UNCTAD. UNCTAD's Secretary-General was requested to consult with regional groups and Governments on issues outstanding in the drafting of an international code of conduct on the transfer of technology.

The UNCTAD Secretary-General was asked to prepare a study on international migration of skilled personnel from developing countries and to convene a meeting of experts on the problem. The United Nations Conference on Conditions for Registration of Ships is to reconvene in early 1986, and consultations are to begin on reconvening the United Nations Conference to Review all Aspects of the Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices.

The Secretary-General was requested to convene by 30 April 1986 a pledging conference for the United Nations Financing System for Science and Technology for Development. Governments were urged to provide maximum support for the financing and operations of the System.

A report was called for on patterns of consumption and related socio-economic indicators. Countries were encouraged to undertake efforts to regularly publish accurate and current data on consumption and living standards for different population groups. Reporting will continue on the overall socio-economic long-term perspective of the world economy to the year 2000, with a report due by 1987. A report on the role of qualified national personnel in the social and economic development of developing countries is also due in that year. Studies of trends in energy exploration and development are to be reviewed by the Assembly in 1986 in connection with development of the energy resources of developing countries.

The assembly asked countries that had not already done so to establish official national focal points for the 1987 International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, to formulate national programmes and plans of action, and to designate projects aimed at improving access to land, financing, building materials, training and employment.

The Secretary-General's report on the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990) was noted and Governments were encouraged to implement the recommendations contained in the report. A further report was requested for the end of the Decade, 1990, on progress achieved.

Governments were invited to observe annually, on 5 December, an International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. The Secretary-General was asked to continue to promote world-wide publicity on important role of volunteer service.

The Assembly, in noting the report of the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), recognized that tourism, when seen in the wider context of travel, could make a positive contribution to economic development. The United Nations system was requested to co-operate with WTO and the Secretary-General was asked to report in 1987 on progress achieved, particularly on the contribution of world tourism to regional development and the preservation of the cultural heritage of developing countries.

The Assembly stressed the need for a final decision on the long-term financing and future of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. The Secretary-General was requested to prepare "comprehensive specific plans "for its future" based on the options of closing down or of restructuring the Institute.

The Second Committee in 1985 also dealt with matters related to technical co-operation among developing countries, science and technology for development, human settlements, food and agriculture problems, environment issues and the United Nations Children's Fund.

Third Committee

The convening of an international conference on drug abuse in 1987 and the adoption of a 10-article declaration on the rights of non-citizens were two major results of the work of the Third (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) Committee in 1985.

The General Assembly decided on 13 December to convene a ministerial level conference in Vienna to "generate universal action to combat the drug problem in all its forms" and adopt a comprehensive, multidisciplinary outline of future action to combat drug traffic and abuse. The idea for the conference was initiated by the Secretary-General in a May 1985 address to the Economic and Social Council, in which he called drug abuse "as destructive a threat to this and coming generations as the plagues which swept many parts of the world in earlier centuries".

Also on 13 December, the Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Human Rights of Individuals who are not Nationals of the Country in which They Live, which had been under consideration in the Third Committee since 1980. By the Declaration, aliens are assured a broad range of civil rights and protections, including the right to life and security of person, protection against abitrary arrest or detention, and "arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy, family, home or correspondence".

On the basis of other recommendations of the Third Committee, the Assembly established a United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, and gave a new name--the United Nations Development Fund for Women--to the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women.

The Third Committee also reviewed the results of three major world conferences held in 1985 on issues related to women, crime and youth.

The Assembly endorsed the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women adopted in July 1985 at the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women.

It adopted the United nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (Beijing Rules) and the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power emanating from the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in Milan in August 1985. The Milan Plan of Action and four other legal instruments approved at the Crime Congress were also endorsed.

During its fortieth session, the Assembly convened for four days (13-18 November) as the United Nations Wolrd Conference for the International Youth Year (1985), as a culmination of activities in observance of the Youth Year. It endorsed the Youth Year Advisory Committee's guidelines for follow-up in the field of youth, adopted in Vienna in April 1985, and called for measures to promote young peoples' rights and ensure their education and training.

The Third Committee also reviewed the 1985 Report on the World social Situation, which for the first time included a chapter on the effects of armed conflicts and the arms race on development. In taking note of the report, the Assembly expressed deep concern at the "continuing deterioration of the world, in particular in the developing countries", adn called on the international community to assist socio-economic development through "substantially enhanced multilateral and bilateral financial support and advanced technological assistance".

Continuing consideration was given in the Third Committee to a draft convention on the rights of migrant workers and to a study under way on the effects of racial discrimination on children of minorities, in particular of migrant workers; a draft convention on the rights of the child; a draft convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance; a draft declaration on the right to development; and draft guidelines related to the protection of persons detained on the grounds of mental ill-health.

Fourth Committee

"If peoples are still living under the colonial yoke, none of the independent States represented in the Committee can themselves feel truly free. The struggle against colonialism in all its forms and against racism, particularly apartheid, and foreign domination must continue." Addressing the Fourth Committee (Decolonization) at the conclusion of its work for the General Assembly's fortieth sessin, Chairman Javier Chamorro Mora (Nicaragua), expressed the mood prevailing during 1985 Committee deliberations.

Its work at the General Assembly session was highlighted by the observance of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. It also focused attention on the situation in the world's remaining dependent Territories--including Namibia and Western Sahara--and on foreign economic and military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers impeding the decolonization process.

In all, the Committee adopted 15 draft resolutions and 7 decisions, which were approved by the General Assembly on 2 December 1985. Thirteen texts were adopted by consensus. Concerning foreign economic and other interests impeding implentation of the Declaration on decolonization, the Assembly called on all countries, particularly Western States, to terminate collaboration with South Africa in political, diplomatic, economic, trade, military and nuclear fields. It also condemned the policies of Governments supporting or collaborating with foreign economic interests engaged in exploiting the natural and human resources of Territories. South Africa was condemned for its continued "exploitation and plundering" of the natural resources of Namibia.

In other Fourth Committee action, the Assembly condemned all military activities and arrangements by colonial Powers in Territories under their administration detrimental to the rights and interests of the inhabitants. It also condemned the "continued military, nuclear and intelligence collaboration between South Africa and certain countries".

The Assembly also condemned the persistent collaboration between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and South Africa and called on the IMF to put an end to such collaboration and not to grant any new loans to South Africa.

On Western Sahara, the Assembly requested the parties in the conflict, Morroco and the Frente Popular para la Liberacion de Saguia el-Hamra y de Rio de Oro (POLISARIO), to undertake direct cease-fire negotiations leading to a self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations.

Before adopting the draft, the Committee rejected a Morroccan proposal to adjourn debate on amendments to an alternative draft sponsored by Morocco and some other countries. Morroco then withdrew the draft, which would have called for the organization of a referendum, beginning in January 1986, to enable the authentic population of Western Sahara fully to exercise their right to self-determination. Morroco stated the Committee had reached "an impase" on the question of Western Sahara, and Morocco would no longer participate in any discussion or negotiation on the issue in United Nations bodies.

The Assembly also approved Fourth Committee recommendations on 13 of the 18 still-dependent Territories. It urged Spain and the United Kingdom to continue negotiations towards a lasting solution to the problem of Gibraltar; reaffirmed its conviction that the presence of military bases and installations in Bermuda and Guam could constitute a major obstacle to implementation of the Declaration on decolonization; and noted with concern the presence of military facilities on St. Helena's dependency of Ascension Island.

The Committee decided not to act on a draft on the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands regarding the participation of the Administrative Authority in the work of the Special Committee on decolonization. The Assembly again deferred consideration of East Timor to its next session.

The Committee also reviewed information from Non-Self-Governing Territories, the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa, and offers by Members States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Aware of growing world-wide concern over the recent escalation in politically-motivated violence, the Sixth Committee (Legal) focused its attention this year on measures to prevent international terrorism and combat violence against diplomats.

Acting on the recommendations of the Committee, the Assembly condemned as "criminal" all "acts, methods and practices of terrorism wherever and by whomever committed." It also condemned act of violence against diplomatic and consular missions and representatives, and called up States to co-operate to prevent such violence and to prosecute or extradite the perpetrators. "Terrorist and criminal acts" violating the security of missions accredited to the United Nations and the safety of their personnel were also condemned, and the host country, the United States, was urged to ensure their protection, security and safety.

The Sixth Committee approved a total of 20 texts on a wide variety of legal matters, which were subsequently adopted by the Assembly on 9 and 11 December 1985.

The Assembly decided that the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations should continue its work with the goal of drafting a world treaty on the non-use of force. The Special Committee was also asked, "at the earliest possible date, as an intermediate stage", to draft a declaration on the non-use of force.

In debate, support was expressed for the Soviet Union's call for such a world treaty; some countries, however, said such as instrument would merely duplicate, and thus weaken, the United Nations Charter. Still others called for further exploration of possibilities of enhancing the principle of non-use of force. The Soviet Union announced it would accept the adoption of a declaration on the non-use of force as an interim measure before the conclusion of a world treaty.

The Assembly also renewed the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Drafting of an International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, asking it to try to submit a draft in 1986.

The Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization was requested to accord priority to the question of international peace and security so as to strengthen the role of the United Nations, and particularly the Security Council, and to continue work on the question of the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Secretary-General was asked to continue preparation of the draft handbook on the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The Assembly also called on all States to observe and promote in good faith the provisions of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, which was approved by the Assembly in November 1982.

The Assembly also recommended that the 1986 United Nations Conference on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations adopt the draft rules of procedure worked out during informal consultations held in New York during 1985.

The International Law Commission (ILC) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) were asked to continue work on the progressive development and codification of international law. The ILC was invited to continue its work on elaboration of a draft code of offences against the peace and security of mankind. The adoption by UNCITRAL of the Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration was welcomed as a significant contribution towards fair and efficient settlement of international commercial disputes.

Work was also to go forward on: identifying and clarifying the elements of good-neighbourliness between States with the aim of elaborating a suitable international document on the subject; a draft body of principles for the protection of all persons under any form of detention or imprisonment; and on a draft declaration on social and legal principles relating to the protection and welfare of children, with special reference to foster placement and adoption, nationally and internationally.

Continuing consideration was given in the Committee to the draft articles on most-favoured-nation clauses; principles and norms of international law relating to the new international economic order; and the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law.