The nations speak: crisis and hope.

Each year, during a three-week period at the beginning of the regular General Assembly session, United Nations Member States express their views on the full range of problems on the world agenda in the "general debate". Also at this point the Assembly customarily hears addresses by visiting Heads of State or Government.

During the period of the 1984 general debate, held from 24 September to 11 October, 150 speakers came to the podium of the General Assembly Hall. Among them were 16 Heads of States or Government, whose addresses are summarized on pages 00-00. The remaining 134 speakers included 128 foreign ministers.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam, addressed the Assembly on 21 September, the day his country was admitted to the United Nations as its 159th Member State (see page 3).

Despite differences in ideology and a diversity of viewpoints, many speakers in the 1984 general debate seemed to agree that the current world situation was one of crisis. They spoke of the "nuclear crisis"; the "crisis in East-WEst relations"; the "global economic crisis"; the "crisis in Africa"; the "crisis in multilateralism".

As Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, put it: "Unless we all, and especially the wealthy and the militarily more powerful nations, rise to out collective responsibilities in accordance with the trust which all mankind reposes in us by virtue of being Members of this Organization, this crisis now confronting world civilization will continue relentlessly until this civilization is brought to its extinction."

Reflecting on the United Nations 40th anniversary next year, a number of speakers decried what they saw as a trend away from multilateralism in resolving international problems, and called for a renewed commitment to the principles of the Charter. "We cannot conceive of a world without the United Nations", said Venezuela's President, Jaime Lushinchi. "However, serious obstacles weaken its effectiveness and credibility."

A number of speakers stressed the need to revitalize the United Nations role in halting conflicts and settling crises, and in supporting development and human rights. Specific proposals for strengthening the Organization included improving the efficiency of the Security Council and revising the veto power within it, as well as increasing co-operation between the Security Council and the Secretary-General, and giving him more flexibility of action.

East-West tensions, especially as reflected in the arms race, were widely viewed as a major threat to world stability. The United States and Soviet Union were urged by many speakers to resume arms talks. Overtures in that direction were viewed as positive signs. "After a long night of confrontation between the major Powers, we may well be witnessing the first light of a new dawn", said Sahabzada Yaqub-Khan, Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

None the less, most speakers acknowledged, the arms race remained a "sword of Damocles" hanging over mankind. "Let us be honest", stated Dawa Tsering, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bhutan. "There can be no such thing as a 'limited nuclear war', nor the chance for life, as we know it, after a nuclear holocaust. There can be no talk of the 'rationality' of such a situation, nor can we realistically speak of massive nuclear arms build-ups as a deterrent to war. History affords us few examples of weapons invented but not used. The choice before us is whether we are to have a future at all."

There was support for the five-continent peace initiative of 22 May 1984 in which the Heads of State or Government of Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Tanzania and Sweden declared that although the primary responsibility for preventing a nuclear catastrophe rested with the nuclear-weapon States, all States must take action to halt the arms race. They urged an end to testing, production and deployment of nuclear weapons; reduction in nuclear forces; arms reduction leading to general and complete disarmament; and measures to ensure the redeployment of resources from the arms race to social and economic development.

Agreements on non-first use of nuclear weapons, a nuclear-weapons freeze, and the importance of implementing the Non-Proliferation Treaty were also stressed by some speakers. Preventing the arms race in outer space was of concern to many States, and there was support among a number of countries for establishing regional nuclear-free zones. There was also pressure for agreements to reduce conventional weapons arsenals and to ban testing and production of chemical weapons.

The high cost of the arms race was of particular concern to developing countries who called for a transfer of those resources to development aims. "The cost of ... one single cruise missile would suffice to alleviate the sufferings and change the lives of a million peopple that are today the victims of adverse climatic conditions in the Sahel in Africa", said Frederic Affo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Benin.

"Where two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers'", affirmed Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Mugabe, quoting an old African adage. "Through armaments proliferation the least developed countries suffer most."

World Economy

Just as East-West tensions were seen to dominate the political arena, the widening gap between North and South--rich and poor countries--was viewed as a main cause of the continuing global economic crisis. Many speakers noted that the much-touted economic "recovery" in some industrialized countries had not reached the developing world. The current economic situation was attributed by a number of speakers to such factors as increasing protectionism, lowered commodity prices, deterioration in terms of trade and severe balance-of-payments problems, along with high interest rates and high rates of exchange.

The external debt crisis, it was widely noted, had produced a situation in which many developing countries were producing only in order to service their debts. Many speakers observed the efforts of the Latin American countries to resolve the issue. Most felt that any solution to the debt crisis would require joint action between creditor and debtor countries, with the help of international banking and financial institutions. Renegotiation of loans was regarded as imperative by some participants in the debate.

The need for a more equitable international economic order was reiterated by many speakers. Several developed countries joined developing countries in expressing the view that the current economic situation made the launching of North-South global negotiations particularly urgent. There was also support for the convening of an international conference on financial and monetary problems as a high priority. The need to revise the Bretton Woods institutions was emphasized by some.

Both developed and developing countries appealed for more official development assistance to developing countries, especially those in Africa.

African Crisis

The current crisis in Africa was of major concern to nearly every speaker in the debate. A number of States, particularly those in Africa, drew attention to the grim results of drought and desertification, and emphasized the need for increased assistance. Emergency food aid was stressed as an immediate priority.

There was widespread support for the Secretary-General's appeal earlier in the year for assistance to alleviate the crisis. Some countries also supported the suggestion that a special fund be set up to release Africa from what has been called a "permanent state of emergency".

The need to implement the recommendations of the International Conference on Drought and Desertification, held in Dakar, Senegal in July 1984, was also emphasized.

Major Political Issues

Middle East: The question of Palestine was viewed by most speakers as the core of the problem in the Middle East. It was widely felt that any just and lasting solution in the region must involve recognition of the Palestinians' inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and to create their own homeland within secure borders, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

A number of speakers stressed that Israel's right to exist must also be assured.

Israel's policies in the occupied territories and Lebanon were criticized by the majority of participants in the debate, many of whom called for the immediate withdrawl of Israeli troops from those areas. Others said withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon was essential to national reconciliation. A number of countries supported the holding of an international peace conference on the Middle East under United Nations auspices, with the participation of all parties concerned, including the PLO.

There was a widespread call for an end to the war between Iran and Iraq, and support for the Secretary-General's initiative in that regard. Many speakers urged a negotiated settlement and the withdrawal of forces to internationally recognized borders. The use of chemical weapons in the hostilities was condemned by many speakers. There was also concern over the threat to free navigation in the area posed by the ongoing war.

There was broad support for the Secretary-General's continuing efforts to bring about a solution to the Cyprus problem, particularly the recent round of talks held under United Nations auspices in New York.

Southern Africa: The apartheid system was denounced by virtually every speaker as a crime against humanity calling for elimination, not reform. Many saw the recent "so-called constitutional reforms" in South Africa as a means of perpetuating institutionalized racism, and there was abroad support for Security Council resolution 554 (1984), rejecting the new constitution.

The "sham elections" in August 1984 were decried by a number of speakers as yet another form of "tinkering" which continued to deny the rights of South Africa's black majority.

South Africa's continued illegal occupation of Namibia was also denounced by many speakers. Attempts to link the Territory's independence to "extraneous issues", such as withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola, were almost universally condemned.

Some expressed regret at the failure of the Western Contact Group to ensure implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978), containing the United Nations Plan for Namibian independence. A number of speakers urged sanctions against South Africa under Chapter VII of the Charter if it failed to comply with the resolution.

Central America: Nearly all speakers in the debate discussed the situation in Central America. Many stressed that the region must not be used as a stage for East-West confrontation. Recent steps towards dialogue between the United States and Nicaragua were viewed as encouraging.

There was widespread support for the efforts of the Contadora Group (Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela) to achieve a regional settlement. In that context, many lauded the revised "Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America". Countries of the region stressed, however, that for the Act to be successful, all States wishing to contribute to peace in Central America must sign the Additional Protocol, agreeing to refrain from activities that would frustrate the objectives of the Act.

(The revised text, which emphasizes non-use of force, noninterference in the internal affairs of States and respect for the sovereign rights of the countries of the region, calls for a halt to the flow of arms and withdrawal of foreign military advisors and bases, and outlines a verification process. Signatories to the Act would also agree to refrain from activities aimed at destabilizing other Governments in the region and to promote national reconciliation through democratic systems with popular participation. Other sections concern economic and social development, and respect for human rights.)

Afghanistan: There was a widespread call for a negotiated solution in Afghanistan, with many speakers supporting the Secretary-General's efforts in that regard. There was concern by some speakers over what was seen as a widening of the conflict through the bombing of civilian targets in Pakistan.

A number of speakers urged an end to all foreign intervention in Afghanistan. Western speakers expressed concern that military occupation of that country had intensified and called for the withdrawal of all Soviet Forces, Afghanistan, however, denounced what it called an "undeclared war" against it carried out by the United States from the territories of Pakistan and Iran. The Soviet Union said the solution in Afghanistan lay in preventing infiltration of "anti-Government elements" into that country.

Kampuchea: Many speakers likened the Kampuchean situation to that of Afghanistan and called for withdrawal of Vietnamese troops and the granting of the right of self-determination to the Kampuchean people. A smaller number said the proposals of the Indo-Chinese countries for turning South-East Asia into a zone of peace represented the "appropriate framework" for resolution of the problem. International recognition of the "People's Republic of Kampuchea" would help the situation, according to those speakers.

Korea: A number of countries stressed the need for reunification of the two Koreas, calling for dialogue towards that end. Admission of both North and South Korea to the United Nations was advocated in the meantime by many, as a step towards reconciliation.

Other Issues

Human rights were of concern to a number of speakers, many of whom expressed support for the draft convention on torture submitted by the Commission on Human Rights. There was also a call for more efficient machinery within the United Nations to safeguard human rights, including the appointment of a High Commissioner for Human Rights.

A number of States stressed the need for international action to curb drug production and trafficking.

Some speakers expressed concern at the proliferation of bilateral and multilateral agreements outside of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, decrying what they saw as efforts by some industrialized countries to keep the sea-bed resources to themselves.

Other issues raised by speakers in the general debate included "the scourge of terrorism", energy and the environment, as well as various regional and bilateral matters, summarized in the sections that follow.