The nations speak: general debate, 1985.

The Nations Speak: General Debate, 1985

To reflect on events . . . And review the global agenda

THE "general debate', a three-week period at the beginning of each General Assembly session, gives United Nations Member States a chance to reflect on events of the preceding year and express their views on the full range of issues on the global agenda. The Assembly also customarily hears addresses by visiting Heads of State or Government at that time.

From the outset, the 1985 general debate (23 September-11 October) departed somewhat from form. It fell during the celebration of the United Nations fortieth anniversary. Some Member States, instead of speaking in the general debate, chose to deliver an anniversary address during the special commemorative period (14-24 October). There were others who opted to do both.

But although fewer delegates than usual--137 of the 159 Member States--spoke during the debate period, their speeches reflected a sharpened sense of global interdependency and awareness that peace and prosperity--even survival--demanded that the international community act decisively and in concert.

"The future well-being of this planet demands that we pull together', declared Father Walter Lini, Prime Minister of Vanuatu. "The United Nations may not be perfect, but it is all that we have. It is up to us, all of us, to make the next 40 years better than the first 40.'

And as Egypt's President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak put it: "We all, irrespective of our national loyalties, stand in the same trench in the face of dangers and challenges.'

Among the debate participants were six Prime Ministers, two Vice-Presidents, eight Deputy Prime Ministers, 95 Foreign Ministers and 16 other representatives. In addition, Heads of State of Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Egypt, Mozambique, Panama, Jordan, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela and Democratic Kampuchea delivered their fortieth anniversary addresses. (Summaries of those addresses, along with anniversary speeches heard by the Assembly during the special commemorative period, appear in the UN Chronicle, 1985, No. 9.)

How effective the Organization has been at meeting the challenges now threatening world survival was an underlying theme of many of their speeches. Opening the general debate on 23 September, Brazil's President Jose Sarney said: "The priority for the fifth decade in the life of the United Nations should be a programme of revitalization.'

There was a widespread call for renewed commitment to multilateralism, and for the political will to ensure implementation of United Nations resolutions. "The horizon of international relations can be cleared of all clouds only if all countries are active in the implementation of the principles of peaceful coexistence and the broadest possible co-operation', said Raif Dizdarevic, Federal Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia.

Multilateralism must be a reality, not just a concept, a number of delegates stressed. Said Ghana's Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Obed Asamoah: "We cannot create obstacles within the Organization and then stand outside it to point an accusatory finger at it. We are either internationalists or we are not'.

Despite some shortcomings, delegates agreed that the world was better off with, than without, the United Nations. "Many a time when the international barometer has forecast a storm the United Nations has raised its voice in warning and has been able to take practical steps to reduce the threat', affirmed Eduard Shevardnadze, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.

George Shultz, Secretary of State of the United States said: "The men and women who set up this Organization 40 years ago (knew) full well that the world's nations probably would fall short of those standards, but (knew) also that the setting of high goals is a necessary precondition to their pursuit and attainment.'

In "conflicts prevented, in disputes mediated, in the eradication of diseases, in world-wide development progress, in the saving of countless human lives, the United Nations has enriched human existence', declared Canada's Secretary of State for External Affairs, Joe Clark, noting that it had done all that "on a budget of less than $1 per year for every inhabitant of the planet'.

"A study in chiaroscuro'

The portrait of world affairs painted by the delegates was a study in chiaroscuro. On the darker side were persisting crises--poverty, hunger, debt, inequities among individuals and nations, and the spectre of nuclear

annihiliation. On the brighter side was a thin ray of hope--for improved East-West relations, measures to restore economic balance, elimination of military threat and relief for peoples in distress.

International terrorism loomed large among current concerns. The recent wave of kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings of civilian installations and innocent people was almost universally decried. Many States called for a commitment to combat terrorism in all forms. "There are acts which are so barbaric, so heinous, and so contrary to society that nothing can justify them', said Leo Tindemans, Belgium's Minister for External Relations. "Unless we acknowledge these, the fight against international terrorism will be completely paralysed.'

East-West tensions and super-Power rivalry continued to be a major source of concern to most speakers. "The confrontation between East and West encourages political submission and imposes alignments that stand in the way of peace and world democracy', said Bernado Sepulveda Amor, Mexico's Minister for External Relations.

Renewal of dialogue between the United States and the Soviet Union-- particularly the forthcoming summit meeting between United States President Ronald Reagan and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev --was viewed by many speakers as an important step towards reducing tension and bringing about detente.

In the area of disarmament, arms reduction remained a top priority of the international community. "Future generations are entitled to inherit something better than a world daily dangling over the precipice of nuclear extinction', asserted Alex Sceberras Trigona, Foreign Minister of Malta. "A breakthrough in arms control must be made now before the technology on both sides becomes too sophisticated to allow for verification procedures', stressed Robin Mauala of Samoa.

Expressing a view shared by many delegations, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Geoffrey Howe, said "Our overriding objective must be to obtain security at the lowest level of armaments.'

There was general satisfaction at the outcome of the Third Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with a number of countries affirming the Treaty's contribution to multilateral arms control and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. A few countries, however, objected to what they saw as the "selective application' of elements of the Treaty and called on nuclear weapon States that had not yet signed it to do so.

Many speakers pressed for limits on nuclear testing. There was support for the Soviet Union's moratorium on nuclear tests through the end of 1985, with some speakers urging the United States to act in kind. It was noted that the United States had invited the Soviet. Union to view forthcoming American nuclear tests, which the United States felt would significantly improve confidence in the verifiability of proposed treaty limits on underground testing.

But the United Republic of Tanzania's President, Julius K. Nyerere, expressed the frustration of many non-nuclear States when he asked: "What is the use of watching nuclear tests? What humanity needs is an end to all nuclear-weapon testing everywhere.' For most delegations, a comprehensive test-ban treaty remained the ultimate objective.

Nuclear States were urged to pledge non-first use of nuclear weapons. It was noted that China and the Soviet Union have already done so. Some countries supported the conclusion of an international convention prohibiting use of nuclear weapons. There was also widespread support for establishing nuclear weapon-free zones.

Conclusion of a chemical weapons convention was another priority, with a number of speakers calling for increased efforts to that end in the Conference on Disarmament.

Prevention of an arms race in outer space was particularly important to many debate participants, a number of whom expressed concern over the United States Strategic Defense Initiative (its so-called "Star Wars' programme). The USSR put forward this year a proposal it dubbed "Star Peace' that calls for international cooperation in space exploration and in using the fruits of space research.

The United States, however, claimed that the Soviets "have the world's most active military space programme' and the "world's only extensively-tested and fully operational anti-satellite system'.

Many countries favoured non-militarization of space, wanting space technology placed exclusively at the service of the entire human race. Bohuslav Chnoupek, Czechoslovakia's Minister for Foreign Affairs said: "It must not be monopolized as a destructive force, as happened in the mid-1940s with nuclear energy.'

Many speakers were hopeful that bilateral talks between the United States and the Soviet Union, resumed in Geneva in early 1985, would lead to agreements on space weapons and offensive and defensive weapon systems. Others saw little possibility of concrete agreements. Bilateral disarmament talks must be complemented by increased multilateral efforts, a number of delegates contended.

Reducing military expenditures and reallocating those resources to development were stressed by a number of debate participants, particularly those from the developing world. "Disarmament and development must be linked', said Roland Dumas, Minister of External Relations of France. "The deterioration of the security conditions in the world is a check to development when it does not wipe it out altogether.' There was support among both developed and developing countries for the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development, scheduled to be held in Paris in mid-1986.

An uncertain recovery

Like disarmament, the world economic situation continued to be a major preoccupation of the international community. Although some delegates saw signs of improvement, full recovery was still uncertain, others observed. Moreover, the pace of recovery was slackening, according to many developing countries. Commodity price drops, increases in prices of manufactured goods, protectionism, worsening terms of trade and rising interest rates made the outlook for third world economic progress dim, they said.

Multilateral negotiations and revisions in the international monetary system were imperative to rescue the world economy, many speakers said. The burden of adjustment must be shared equally by developed and developing countries.

"In a highly interrelated world, the economic stability and growth of the developed countries cannot be based on the stagnation and poverty of the developing countries', asserted Wu Xueqian, China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister. "It is imperative . . . to take effective measures in favour of the developing countries by alleviating their debt burden, lowering interest rates, opening markets and providing them with funds and increased economic assistance.'

The foreign debt problem, which had severly strained North-South relations, could not be resolved through debt rescheduling alone, many delegates said. "Creative co-operation' between borrowers and lenders, including international financial institutions, was needed to achieve the sustainable economic growth essential to reduce the burden on debtor countries.

Not charity, but solutions

"We are not looking for charity, but for the concrete will to find solutions which would be to our mutual advantage and which could put an end to this world recession', emphasized Dante M. Caputo, Foreign Minister of Argentina.

Said Spain's President Felipe Gonzalez: "The debt problem demands effort and discipline on the part of the debtor nations, but also requires from the industrial nations clear-cut, intensive co-operation far exceeding mere financial agreements on the renegotiation of liabilities.'

An open trading system was crucial to bring about recovery, most speakers felt. Protectionism must be resisted, it was agreed. "Stubborn protectionist measures in time of depression turn the markets of the developed countries into impregnable fortresses, in violation of international agreements', stated Jose Augusto Vega Imbert, Secretary of State for External Relations of the Dominican Republic.

There was support for a new round of negotiations on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and for increasing the World Bank's capital for third world development assistance. Among delegates from both industrialized and developing nations were those recommending an international monetary conference to define new guidelines to stabilize money fluctuations.

Many developing countries reiterated the call for a complete restructuring of international economic relations.

Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture, Randhir Subba, said that the "dynamics of time' had generated in the peoples of the third world aspirations for a better life. But they remained bound to an economic system not conducive to the attainment of those aspirations.

The critical economic situation in Africa remained a major concern to most speakers. The response of the international community in terms of emergency aid was widely acknowledged. But what was needed now, the African countries stressed, was assistance in tackling the serious problems underlying the crisis, such as food and agriculture, drought and desertification, the need for development aid and heavy external debt.

"We view with enormous concern the reluctance of the international community to deal with the fundamental problems of economic development faced by African countries', stated A. Bolaji Akinyemi, Nigeria's Minister for External Affairs. "No serious and co-ordinated effort has been made to interface the current global response to the emergency situation with the longer-term development needs of the African continent.'

A number of speakers called for co-ordinated action by the industrialized countries, multilateral financial institutions and the international community at large to bring about African economic recovery. In that context, there was broad support for convening a special General Assembly session on the critical economic situation in Africa during the first quarter of 1986, and for holding an international conference to agree on measures to resolve the region's external debt problems.

There was also support for the decision to establish a special assistance fund for Africa within the World Bank.

Major issues

Southern Africa: Grave concern at what was widely perceived as the "explosive situation' in southern Africa was nearly universal among speakers and regions. "The issue is not whether apartheid is to be dismantled, but how and when', said United States Secretary of State George Shultz. True peace would come when South Africa negotiated with, rather than locked up, representative black leaders, he said.

There was a widespread call for the South African Government to lift the state of emergency imposed in July, release all political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, and start a dialogue with black leaders aimed at abolishing apartheid and establishing equal rights for all population groups.

Many speakers urged the imposition of mandatory economic sanctions against South Africa. The policy of "constructive engagement' with South Africa endorsed by some Western States was criticized by some. Others expressed the fear that sanctions might hurt the black population most. A call for joint efforts by parties concerned to constitute a just form of government was made.

A majority of speakers called for an immediate end to illegal occupation of Namibia and the granting of its independence in accordance with the United Nations plan for Namibia in Security Council resolution 435 (1978). "Linkage' of Namibian independence to such "extraneous issues' as the removal of Cuban troops from Angola was rejected by many delegations. That linkage, according to Mozambique's President Samora Moises Machel, was a "thinly veiled disguise intended to protect the political, economic and strategic interests of South Africa and some Western countries'.

Middle East: Most speakers continued to see the question of Palestine as the core of the Middle East problem. "The Palestinian issue and the United Nations are twins born out of war, twins which emerged, grew and suffered together', said Jordan's King Hussein.

It was widely agreed that a just and lasting peace in the region could be reached only through a solution recognizing the Palestinians' inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and to create their own homeland under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Israel's right to exist must also be assured, many speakers also insisted.

Many States urged withdrawal of all foreign troops from the occupied territories, including Jerusalem, and called on the major Powers to stop political, economic and military assistance to Israel.

As to how a solution could be reached, States remained divided along previously established lines. A majority supported holding an international peace conference on the Middle East under United Nations auspices, with the participation of all parties concerned. Western States felt that a solution must come through direct negotiations between Israel and the Arab countries.

A number of speakers expressed support for a peace initiative, put forth in February 1985 by Jordan's King Hussein, aimed at finding a new approach that would permit PLO participation in the peace process.

Many States urged an immediate cease-fire and a negotiated settlement to the Iran-Iraq conflict. There was concern that continuing hostilities between the two threatened free navigation in the area. Iraq's acceptance of peace initiatives put forth by the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement was commended by a number of speakers, who urged a similar response from Iran.

The independence, territorial integrity and unity of Cyprus was affirmed by many delegations. Particular importance was attached to the Secretary-General's continuing efforts to effect a solution through talks between the parties.

Latin America: The situation in Central America remained of concern to nearly all debate participants. There was widespread support for a regional settlement based on a verifiable treaty implementing the 21 objectives of the Contadora Group (Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela). In that context, States were urged to ratify the final draft of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America. The text calls for a halt in the arms flow to the region and for withdrawal of all foreign military advisors and bases, with signatories also agreeing to refrain from destabilizing activities towards Governments in the region.

There was universal sympathy for the people of Mexico, in the aftermath of earthquakes there in September. The Assembly's first action of the fortieth session, in fact, was a unanimous resolution (40/1) calling for emergency assistance to the nation.

Afghanistan: There was a widespread call for a negotiated political settlement of the situation relating to Afghanistan, with support for the Secretary-General's efforts in that regard. The need for respect for the Afghan people's right to self-determination and an end to all foreign intervention in Afghanistan, was urged.

Afghanistan stressed that the Soviet presence on its territory was by invitation, to help "repel outside interference and aggression'. The Soviet Union said its troops would return home when outside interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs ceased and there were guarantees it would not be resumed.

Kampuchea: Many speakers drew parallels between the situation relating to Afghanistan and that of Kampuchea, calling for withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Kampuchea and restoration of freedom and self-determination to the Kampuchean people. There was concern over military attacks on Kampuchea earlier in the year, which had led to a fresh influx of refugees into Thailand. Such action undermined chances for dialogue to solve the conflict, some speakers observed.

Recent talks between Viet Nam, representing the Indo-Chinese countries, and Indonesia, representing the Association of South-East Asian Nations, were viewed as a positive step by some speakers. The Indo-Chinese countries said that if a political solution could be reached guaranteeing security and sovereignty to all peoples in the region, including Kampuchea, total withdrawal of the "Vietnamese volunteer forces' would be completed before 1990. International recognition of the "People's Republic of Kampuchea', including its representation in the United Nations, would help resolve the situation, according to those countries.

Korea: The need for a dialogue aimed at the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula was underscored by most countries. There was widespread support for granting United Nations membership to both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea in the meantime, as a step towards reconciliation.

Other matters

Various social questions were also of concern to participants in the general debate. Human rights issues were raised by most speakers, with some objecting to what they saw as a "selective approach' among the international community in dealing with human rights violations. The adoption of uniform criteria was urged. As in past years, there was some support for establishing a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as a way of strengthening the Organization's ability to deal with human rights violations.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was noted by a number of speakers, some of whom hailed the Declaration as one of the United Nations greater achievements.

Women's issues were of interest to many debate participants. There was broad support for the objectives of the "Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women', adopted by consensus at the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women in July 1985.

Speakers also acknowledged activities at the international, regional and national level to observe International Youth Year (1985).

Other topics raised in the general debate included the environment and drug control. There was support for the Secretary-General's proposal to hold a high-level international conference on drug trafficking and abuse.

Various regional and bilateral issues raised by speakers are summarized in the sections that follow.

AFRICA

Speakers from Africa expressed concern about the continuing global economic crisis, especially as it affected their region. Better terms of trade, effective commodity agreements, reduced protectionism, debt relief and increased development assistance were seen as vital to Africa's economic recovery and development.

Many countries reiterated the Organization of African Unity's call for a special session of the General Assembly on the critical economic situation in Africa. The convening of an international conference on the external debt of the African countries was also urged. In that context there was regret that global negotiations to restructure international economic relations had not yet been launched.

The link between disarmament and development was highlighted by speakers who drew attention to the enormous consumption of resources which could otherwise be devoted to economic and social development.

The situation in southern Africa was viewed as critical. There was a wide-spread call for economic sanctions against the Pretoria regime, to end apartheid. Nearly all speakers urged firm and collective action by the international community, especially by those who maintain close relations with South Africa. Malawi, however, said that sanctions would "cause more hardships to the majority of black people than to the minority white population'.

South Africa was condemned for its military incursions into neighbouring countries, which were viewed as part of a deliberate destabilization policy by South Africa against adjacent independent States.

There was a demand for immediate independence for Namibia under the terms of Security Council resolution 435 (1978). Attempts to link Namibia's independence to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola were rejected as extraneous and irrelevant. The recent installation of an "interim government' in Windhoek was seen as one more obstacle to Namibia's independence.

Other regional issues discussed included the question of foreign interference in Chad and the situation in Western Sahara. Support was expressed for holding a referendum to enable the Sahraouri people to decide freely on their future.

ALGERIA: Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the United Nations had had the burden of bringing "some semblance of order and justice to international relations'. Palestine, Namibia, South Africa and Western Sahara were among the Organization's unfinished tasks. The crimes of apartheid in southern Africa recalled those of zionism in Palestine and in the Middle East. It was a United Nations concept that had led to the present martyrdom of the Palestinian people. Genocide against the Palestinian people was being carried to the furthermost corners of the countries in which Palestinians had found refuge. An international peace conference under United Nations auspices was "the only valid framework for a lasting solution' to the Middle East crisis and the question of Palestine.

"The present system of economic international relations is obsolete', which was proof of the many tasks the United Nations had been unable to accomplish. The United Nations had brought "solace to Africa in its distress', but present levels of assistance were not commensurate with the scope of Africa's needs. A consistent and integrated economic recovery programme was essential for Africa.

The United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the Non-Aligned Movement had taken a common stand to define a framework for the peaceful solution of the Western Sahara conflict, involving direct negotiations and a referendum. Algeria was convinced the conflict was "a decolonization process' that remained to be completed, and encouraged the Secretary-General to ensure strict application of the settlement plan. His country was dedicated to a united Maghreb "through reconciliation between all brotherly peoples'.

The need for collective security had given way to "a stunning accumulation of armaments'. Security through disarmament had been replaced by a "distorted form of security based on deterrence', as if there were no choice between the imposition of power and collective suicide.

(1 October, A/40/PV.16)

ANGOLA: Ismael Gaspar Martins, Minister for Foreign Trade, said his country had been invaded yet again by South Africa, which made incursions to areas of Angola that had never sheltered Namibian refugees. Pretoria was doing everything possible to extend violence across the whole region to divert attention from the situation in South Africa. The Reagan administration must demonstrate on whose side it stood: that of the States of southern Africa or that of the apartheid regime.

There was no civil war in Angola; rather, there had been aggression orchestrated by Pretoria. South African troops were illegally occupying Namibia. The Cuban presence in Angola--which South Africa considered an obstacle to peace--was "a guarantee of stability and peace against Pretoria's expansionist designs'. Chad's crisis was caused by "multiple acts of foreign interference'. In Western Sahara, direct negotiations and a referendum were the instruments for settlement of that dispute.

Israel's aggression against Tunisia once again had shown "its true terrorist nature'. A just and lasting peace could not be achieved in the Middle East without the establishment of an independent state for Palestinian Arabs.

International tension was created by "militaristic policies and the belligerent practices of imperialism', which sustained the arms race--increasing the risk of nuclear war. Nuclearweapon States should negotiate immediate reductions in their arms expenditures. Specific disarmament measures should save considerable resources that could improve the economic and social situation in developing countries.

(7 October, A/40/PV.25)

BENIN: Frederic Affo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said international political problems had worsened because of the duplicity and diabolical manoeuvres of some countries. Continuous acts of aggression against Angola, Mozambique and other front-line countries illustrated South Africa's mad desire to destabilize the region. Only strong sanctions would put an end to the racist regime. South Africa continued its colonialist policy in Namibia, a policy based on total disregard for black peoples, supported by neo-colonialists who wished to subjugate third-world countries.

The misfortunes of the South African people could be compared with those of the Palestinians, who were "hunted down and persecuted' on their own land in the Middle East. Israel must acknowledge that the settlement of the Palestinian question included its unconditional withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied since 1967. Western Sahara has continued to be a victim of aggression by those who did not "shrink at any crime whatever to satisfy their imperialist designs'. The General Assembly should do everything to ensure that United Nations and OAU resolutions on that subject were carried out.

The economic order prevailing was that of imperialist domination. Developing countries--suppliers of cheap raw materials--continued to feed developed countries' factories and provide an enormous market for their finished goods. Dependence on the North increased every day in developing countries as a result of their external debts. Benin hoped that the international community would simply defer payment on all third-world debts.

The people of the world expected the United Nations to find a solution to the most crucial problem of our time, the cessation of the arms race and prevention of nuclear war. The United Nations must exert all its influence to combat any plans to militarize outer space. Disarmament must be dealt with objectively, with common sense and realism.

(7 October, A/40/PV.25)

BURKINA FASO: Basile Laetare Guissou, Minister for External Relations and Co-operation, said that life expectancy in his country was 40 years, which explained why it was the deepest aspiration of the Burkinabe people to see the United Nations develop and contribute to making a better world for everyone.

Hunger--a weapon as deadly as the nuclear weapon--every year killed 30 million people, particularly in Burkina Faso and the African Sahel. That weapon made possible effective forms of political blackmail, by enabling the world's powerful to pour out food aid to quiet and lend moral comfort to their domestic public opinion, and to convince the starving that their only salvation lay in the humanitarian gestures of the powerful. Thus, to demand the means to produce food instead of accepting humiliating aid could be presented as rejection of human solidarity in the face of people dying of hunger.

The external debt problem should be considered in relation to development requirements. The current debt burden prevented any true economic recovery. Debtor countries must present a common front to the organized, united partners harrying them. Only such unity would enable the poor to secure the suspension, if not the cancellation, of payments.

The search for international peace and security remained the major imperative of the United Nations on the eve of its fortieth anniversary. Each Member State's role in safeguarding that mission of the Organization had been rightly emphasized in the Secretary-General's annual report. Burkina Faso, a Security Council member, endorsed the Secretary-General's proposal to make that major United Nations body a true guardian of peace rather than an arena of confrontation between ideologies and policies. The United Nations should once again be the true forum for multilateralism. (23 September, A/40/PV.4)

BURUNDI: Laurent Nzeyimana, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said his country's main concerns were world-wide conflict and tension, the critical economic situation and the threat which the arms race posed to development.

Of the many areas of concern in international politics, the most important were in Africa--denial of human rights in South Africa and incomplete decolonization of Namibia and Western Sahara. The international community should at the current session require Pretoria to end repression, bantustanization, and the banning and harassing of black leaders struggling for independence. Namibia would soon mark the twentieth anniversary of South Africa's illegal occupation. During that time foreign economic interests had obstructed the independence of Namibia and accelerated the plunder of its natural wealth.

In July, the OAU had adopted a five-year emergency programme for the recovery of African economies. Africa counted on the support of the international agencies to implement that programme, particularly in increasing agricultural output, providing liquidity at levels compatible with the needs of developing countries and providing flexible loan conditions. But Africa's major problem would remain untouched without establishment of fair and stable commodity prices to increase export earnings and limit deteriorating terms of trade.

The threat to mankind's survival presented by nuclear and chemical weapons was a concern of the entire world. Constant pressure must be exercised for a freeze in the development, production, storage and deployment of such weapons, leading to the reduction and total destruction of stockpiles. The human and material resources freed could then be developed for the well-being of mankind.

(23 September, A/40/PV.5)

CAMEROON: William Eteki M'Boumoua, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that disarmament would remain elusive if the attitudes of the most powerful States remained characterized by coercion, suspicion and the obsession to accumulate weapons of mass destruction. Disarmament agreements concluded thus far had not met their objectives to reduce nuclear arsenals. Instead, there had been a "dizzying spiral' of military expenditures-- $1,000 billion a year--in addition to new military doctrines that accepted the concept of localized nuclear war. Proliferation of nuclear weapons-- despite the Non-Proliferation Treaty--had become almost uncontrollable. Some Member States continued to assist in strengthening South Africa's nuclear capability--a flagrant violation of the 1964 Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa.

Developing countries' efforts to create a more equitable international economic order had been frustrated by the selfishness of the rich countries, which could be held responsible for sidetracking the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States; global negotiations; a common fund for commodities; and an international conference on currency, finance and development.

Although the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority had made encouraging progress, Cameroon condemned the actions of some developed countries which had engaged in blackmail by demanding that the Commission grant a mining regime favourable to them. It also deplored the recent decision by one State to grant licences to its consortia in violation of Sea Law Convention provisions.

African countries were aware that the solution to their problems rested primarily with themselves. But they could not confront the crisis alone. Cameroon had supported a special General Assembly session devoted to the economic crisis in Africa.

(10 October, A/40/PV.31)

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Michel Gbezera-Bria said there was a genuine crisis of multilateralism. "Customs, events, interests and privileges of yore' continued to frustrate the Charter's spirit. "Blackmail, intimidation, subversion, terrorism, the division of the world into blocs, the absence of democracy in relations between States, the unbridled arms race and unequal development' had become a permanent threat to peace.

Two thirds of mankind were virtually deprived of the right to development and thus the right to life. Hunger, sickness, malnutrition and illiteracy continued to be the daily lot of the majority of the third world's people. The various strategies adopted to achieve a minimum of development had been derailed in many cases by the combined and cumulative effects of the international economic crisis, the unjust and inappropriate structure of the present economic system, the decline in export revenue, the difficulty of access to sources of financing and the stagnation of official development assistance.

Developed countries must sustain development in the least developed countries by increasing their aid, and by supporting United Nations activities of interest to the third world. If nothing was done about foreign indebtedness, the third world--Africa in particular--would have no hope of participating in development. An international conference should be convened. It would reaffirm the principle of repayment of private debts and envisage the possibility of transforming into grants the public indebtedness.

When the international community celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the decolonization Declaration, it was as if, with respect to the fate of Namibians and South Africans, "the international community should merely confine itself to a ritual condemnation of the absurdity of occupation and apartheid practised by the Pretoria regime'. Namibia must gain independence unconditionally. "The courageous action being carried out at present can promote the democratization of South African society and the emergence of racial equality.'

(11 October, A/40/PV.33)

CHAD: Gouara Lassou, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that despite the September 1984 agreement by France and Libya to withdraw their troops from Chad, Libyan troops were still occupying almost half the country. There was systematic "Libyanization' of northern Chad, where the people were forced to carry Libyan identity cards, the French language had been banned and the Libyan dinar was the only accepted currency. Chad called upon the international community to induce Libya to withdraw from its territory.

Chad had not only to cope with military aggression but also to rebuild its economy, which had been ravaged by war, drought and desertification. Famine had killed several thousand Chadians in 1985; others owed their survival solely to international aid and the help of fraternal countries. The rains had returned in recent months but a single rainy season could not overcome a prolonged famine. Priority objectives of the reconstruction phase of Chad's economy would be to increase agricultural production, develop human resources, fight desertification and restore roads and industrial infrastructure. An interim development plan would be considered by aid donors and financial institutions in December.

The white minority regime in Azania aimed to exterminate the black majority. To stop that, the international community should impose sanctions to pressure the Pretoria regime to abandon apartheid, grant equal rights to blacks, and end its illegal occupation of Namibia.

The task of combating their crises and restructuring their economies was that of African States themselves. But their efforts would have no impact without assistance from the international community. On this fortieth anniversary lessons should be drawn from the shortcomings of the United Nations to enable it to become an effective instrument for co-operation, respect for the principles of independence, non-intervention in the domestic affairs of States and for their territorial integrity.

(19 October, A/40/PV.29)

COMOROS: Said Kafe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that every time the question of the Comorian Island of Mayotte had been debated in the international community, it had been affirmed that Mayotte was an integral part of the Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros. "As such, it must be restored to the Comorian entity.' The Comoros made a pressing appeal to France to take definite steps towards the problem's settlement.

Most United Nations Members, particularly the least developed countries, were suffering from the unfavourable economic situation, watching the circle of poverty, famine, disease and malnutrition tighten around them. The Comoros, as a least developed country and an island country of very limited resources, was suffering from a continued fall in export earnings. Without increased and sustained assistance from the international community, it would be unable to attain the development objectives it had set itself.

South Africa had inflicted bloody repression on its black population and had launched punitive expeditions against neighbouring States. Its army persisted in illegally occupying Namibia despite relevant United Nations resolutions. The Comoros supported the Namibians' struggle to recover their independence under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization. Only the full implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) would lead to a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the problem.

The Comoros, like other States of the region, was concerned at the growing military presence in the Indian Ocean. Such a situation created "a climate of explosive tension causing apprehension to the coastal States'. The Comoros had spared no effort to promote the creation of a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean and hoped at last to see the international conference planned for that purpose in Sri Lanka.

(10 October, A/40/PV.30)

CONGO: Antoine Ndinga Oba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that the United Nations fortieth anniversary was being observed when famine, hunger and poverty were raging in numerous countries. Almost 30 million Africans were caught in a crisis.

Only global negotiations could correct the international economic situation. Protectionism by dominant Powers prevented any equitable redistribution of the planet's resources, as it was based on an unpredictable monetary system and arbitrary interest rates. As the Congo now had no regular flow of financial resources nor any remunerative market for its raw materials--its only source of revenue--it was difficult to avoid indebtedness and debt servicing.

The struggle in South Africa, in spite of oppression by the minority in power, confirmed the determination to destroy apartheid rather than reform it, as those in Pretoria imagined they could do. As a ward of the United Nations, Namibia, whose case had been on the agenda since the inception of the Organization, had the right to be freed, in keeping with the United Nations plan for independence. To maintain conditions of peace elsewhere in Africa, a general attitude of non-interference should be encouraged.

Sharing responsibility at the world level could fill the gap existing between the spirit of the Charter and the dangerous reality that a minority of States held the fate of all nations in their hands, distorting any approach to a system of collective security.

(2 October, A/40/PV.19)

DJIBOUTI: Moumin Bahdon Farah, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that the international community should create a climate of mutual understanding to reach agreement on restructuring international economic relations. Economic conditions in developing countries had deteriorated. Indebtedness had forced many African countries, including Djibouti, to adopt rigorous austerity measures, dramatically curbing their development. Drought and desertification had also dealt a heavy blow to Africa, diminishing food production, destroying the means of subsistence of millions, and threatening millions of others with famine and total deprivation.

Djibouti, a least developed country, did not have the monetary, financial and technical means to bear the burden of economic development without outside help. Its precarious position was characterized by the absence of agricultural and industrial activities and by a lack of natural resources and skilled professional manpower. The situation was worsened by the presence of refugees and by the effects of the devastating drought in the region.

On its fortieth anniversary the United Nations should evaluate the situation of the Palestinian people since 1947 when the Assembly had adopted a resolution foreseeing the creation of a Palestinian Arab State. Since then the Arab nation had undergone four wars which had threatened international peace. Such conflicts were inevitable when fundamental human rights were violated.

In southern Africa, Pretoria repeatedly attacked front-line States in order to intimidate them. It was time to eliminate the heinous system of apartheid and support the struggle to establish a democratic society in South Africa. Military and economic sanctions leading to disinvestment and to a complete embargo should be considered. The presence of South African armed forces in Namibia and the brutal repression of the Namibian people should be firmly condemned. The United Nations Plan for Namibia remained the only basis for a settlement of the problem.

(2 October, A/40/PV.19)

ETHIOPIA: Goshu Wolde, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that in South Africa, "the fury of the masses has exploded into popular action'. The United Nations had failed to dislodge South Africa from its illegal occupation of Namibia, where the forces of racism and imperialism had blocked independence. In South Africa the beginning of the end of the racist regime was under way. Unless the international community acted now, much blood was bound to be spilled. Ethiopia felt discouraged by the token sanctions and selective morality of certain Western Governments, and called on those Governments to join in imposing comprehensive mandatory economic sanctions against South Africa.

Blood-letting in the Middle East could only end with Palestinian statehood and Israel's withdrawal from all territories occupied since 1967. Another ingredient for Middle East peace was respect for the sovereignty of States in the region.

"Every step in the sophistication of nuclear weapons continues to accelerate man's journey to doomsday.' No single issue had more completely failed to meet the minimal aspirations of the world than disarmament. Imperialism's desire to achieve military superiority under the guise of nuclear deterrence had exposed mankind to the nuclear holocaust. The so-called strategic defence initiative would undoubtedly increase the risk of nuclear war. Ethiopia favoured a treaty on the denuclearization of Africa.

Failure to achieve global international economic co-operation would result in a grim alternative--more rigid, fragmented and powerdominated economic relations. The situation of the least developed countries had further deteriorated. The volume of assistance had been insufficient to those countries and as a result they had been unable to achieve a minimum degree of performance in economic and social development. Ethiopia was grateful for all the assistance given to combat the effects of the drought. Attention must now focus on rehabilitation and long-term development. (4 October, A/40/PV.22)

GHANA: Obed Yao Asamoah, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that Namibia's independence was being sacrificed on the altar of so-called linkage and constructive engagement. South Africa's repeated attacks against neighbouring States were matched only by the treatment routinely meted out to its black population. The international community must intehsify its support to hasten the final demise of apartheid.

On its fortieth anniversary, the United Nations should "rededicate itself to launching a final assault on the citadel of apartheid in South Africa and on the last major stronghold of colonialism in Namibia'.

Africa continued to be caught in the throes of an economic crisis. Developed countries bore special responsibility to complement the efforts already made by African and other developing countries to facilitate a restoration of financial flows, alleviate the debt burden and improve commodity prices. Piecemeal solutions would not resolve the economic problems confronting the world. The fates of developed and developing countries were linked; over-abundance and deprivation could not continue to live peacefully side by side.

But for the involvement of the United Nations, some of the disputes and conflicts of the last 40 years might have engulfed the world in a conflagration. The Organization mirrored the difficulties encountered in global co-operation. Solutions were within grasp if the necessary political will to achieve them was summoned.

(3 October, A/40/PV.21)

GUINEA: Facine Toure, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that almost two thirds of the world's population suffered from ignorance, disease and hunger. All nations, particularly the most advantaged, should help end these scourages and ensure mankind's survival. Agriculture and energy development were among Guinea's priorities; efforts were focused on methods to develop its vast natural resources.

Pretoria had stepped up its defiance of the international community by its systematic oppression of South Africa's black people, aggression against neighbouring countries and refusal to grant independence to Namibia. Western countries that had imposed sanctions against South Africa were to be commended. The President of the OAU and the Secretary-General of the United Nations should join efforts to find a solution to the painful conflict in the Western Sahara.

Peace and security could not be achieved without the establishment of a new international economic order. The persistent economic recession, which was increasing the difficulties of the poor countries, required more awareness on the part of the international community; otherwise efforts to safeguard peace would be doomed to failure.

As the arms race extended into outer space, the disarmament question had to be resolved in a universal framework where all nations could contribute to preserving mankind from possible self-destruction. The United Nations must assume its full role in that delicate undertaking.

(4 October, A/40/PV.23)

KENYA: Elijah Mwangale, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said Africa's situation was not just an economic crisis, but a tragic human crisis. Five million children had died in 1984 alone as a result of famine; 150 million people faced serious food shortages in the same year. Since 1970, per capita food production had decreased by 11 per cent and per capita income had been steadily declining.

"We in Africa have not just been sitting idle amidst the crisis.' While African Governments recognized that arresting the crisis was basically their own responsibility, national efforts had to be complemented by international action. The devastating effects of the world recession had "virtually crippled' development momentum. Growth in the developing countries must be self-sustained and mutually reinforcing--not merely a by-product of growth elsewhere.

Apartheid was a threat to international peace and security, a crime against humanity and an affront to the foundation of international law. The Security Council should impose mandatory sanctions against South Africa as provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter. Kenya called for a halt to economic, military and technical support to South Africa from some United Nations Members.

Resumption of the Soviet-American arms control talks was an encouraging sign pointing away from the destruction of the human race by nuclear armaments on Earth and in outer space. The parties involved should negotiate openly, faithfully and constructively. Zones of peace should be established. Kenya endorsed the draft of the South Pacific nuclear-free zone treaty and eagerly awaited a conference to establish a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean. (11 October, A/40/PV.33)

LIBERIA: Sylvester Jarrett said that South Africa had killed indiscriminately because of its sole interest: the perpetration of apartheid. Adjacent States had been invaded "in utter contempt of the international community'. Africans questioned the motives of countries which pontificated about human rights on the one hand and gave comfort to South Africa on the other.

Except for a Security Council warning regarding future consideration of mandatory sanctions, South Africa was permitted to defy international opinion on Namibian independence. Linking Namibian independence with the withdrawal of troops in Angola had only been put forward by South Africa in 1981 when obstacles to implementing the United Nations Plan for independence had been overcome by all participants, including South Africa. How long would the international community permit that obstruction?

The cessation of the nuclear arms race was imperative and should be followed immediately by a substantial reduction in nuclear forces. The two major nuclear-weapon Powers should implement in good faith their undertaking to produce significant results from their Geneva negotiations.

The United Nations had been an "incomparable force' and indispensable factor in international relations over the past 40 years. From the outset it had been encumbered by great-Power rivalry and conflicts; its effort to promote social progress had often been hampered by discord and strife. Although the Organization had not lived up to expectations, it still represented the best hope for the survival of the world community.

(8 October, A/40/PV.26)

LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA: Ali Treiki, Secretary of the People's Bureau for Foreign Liaison, said that as the United Nations celebrated its fortieth anniversary, the time had come to review the Charter, which had been laid down for a handful of peoples and had become an instrument against freedom. Small nations, including Libya, had begun to lose faith in the United Nations. It had become "incapacitated because of the lust for power of some major States'. Imperialist Powers threatened and practised aggression in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and had set up racist "Trojan horse' regimes in the Middle East and in Africa.

The "Zionist entity' had celebrated the Organization's anniversary by its aggression against Tunisia. The United Nations had been unable to act--as in the case of South Africa's recently attacking Angola--because one super-Power used the veto to "frustrate' international efforts and resolutions. "We are not inimical to Jews. Jews are our brothers; we are of the same race. But we are against zionism as a movement, a racist movement.' No peace could be achieved in the Middle East and the Arab region as long as the Zionist ideology imposed itself on and threatened Arab nations.

The war in the Arab Gulf continued because American imperialists had a vested interest in that war. Both killers and killed were victims. The time had come to end that war. Libya supported the United Nations call for a plebiscite in Western Sahara. The solution to that problem would be a major step in unifying the Arab Maghreb. The problem of Chad was still outstanding despite OAU resolutions on that subject.

Libya hoped the meeting between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States would lessen tensions and lead to arms reductions. "We cannot allow one or two States to shape the destiny of the world.' The United Nations must be a "partner in the achievement of peace'.

(3 October, A/40/PV/20)

MADAGASCAR: Blaise Rabetafika said that in times of political crisis, development had been "relegated to second place' and "overshadowed by the emphasis phasis nations place on strengthening their military security either individually or in the framework of existing alliances, which naturally implies recognition of the failure of the collective security system envisaged in the Charter'.

The experience of the past 40 years "has put us to the test with regard to the question of the Middle East and the situation in South Africa, matters on which world public opinion has judged and continues to judge us rather harshly'. The situation in South Africa had deteriorated because of indecision and appeasement of the apartheid regime.

Two major challenges before the United Nations were the critical economic situation in Africa and the problems of indebtedness and financing for development. In Africa 21 countries and 205 million inhabitants were still affected by drought. Serious balance-of-payments difficulties still existed and debt servicing alone jeopardized development and stability. African Heads of State and Government had proposed a conference on the economic situation in Africa, a conference on African debt and the establishment of special funds for Africa.

The scandal of the century was that the world debt was approximately $900 billion, whereas military expenditures amounted to $820 billion for 1984 alone. Development, disarmament and security were aspects of the same situation and were the concern of all. The right place for finding a solution to those problems was the United Nations.

(27 September, A/40/PV.12)

MALAWI: S.C. Hara, Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism, said that "despite their best efforts, the pace of development has been seriously set back in many developing countries and, indeed, reversed in the least developed and poorest among the poor, where deprivation and abject poverty remain the daily plight of hundreds of millions of people'. Malawi's primary development goal was to raise the standard of living of the entire population, especially those in the rural areas. It had no exploitable minerals but was self-sufficient in food production, its economy being largely based on agriculture and agro-based light industries.

The critical economic situation in Africa and many other developing countries called for immediate action. Developed nations should provide developing countries with more technical and financial assistance to overhaul their economies, hard hit by high interest rates, indebtedness and low prices for export commodities.

Malawi supported the call for Namibia's self-determination, which should not be linked to issues not specified in Security Council resolution 435 (1978). Proponents of disinvestment and mandatory sanctions against South Africa should "reconsider the matter on the grounds that economic sanctions are bound to be detrimental and are bound to cause more hardships to the majority of black people than to the minority white population'. Also, as South Africa itself had predicted, economic repercussions would adversely affect neighbouring countries.

Huge sums of money were spent on nuclear weapons, and Malawi appealed to the developed nations to channel those funds to other developmental activities in the developing countries in order to improve the health, education, nutritional status, and the general standard of living of their peoples. (9 October, A/40/PV.29)

MALI: Alioune Blondin Beye, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said "The enormous consumption of natural, technical and human resources for potentially destructive ends stands in grim contrast to the urgent need for the economic and social development to which those resources could otherwise be devoted.' The international community had to find solutions to the tragic plight of Africa, resulting from drought and the unfavourable international economic situation. Peace was largely dependent on finding solutions for serious imbalances in the world economy. Dialogue and consultation were urgently needed to establish the new international economic order.

Within the context of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the decolonization Declaration, it was of the highest priority to condemn the regime of apartheid that trampled the rights of the African and defied the international community with impunity. Mali called for an immediate halt to support for that regime, without which the people of Namibia would have been present to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations.

Only the absence of outside interference in Chad would permit resolution of that crisis. A solution must also be found to the question of Western Sahara. The fact that the parties concerned had accepted the principle of a referendum on self-determination should be supported by a reconciliation of hearts and minds.

Mali hoped that the manifesto that would emerge from the fortieth anniversary celebrations would focus attention on the struggle of the developing peoples for elementary justice and fundamental human rights.

(9 October, A/40/PV.29)

MAURITANIA: Lt.-Colonel Ahmed Ould Minnih, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that the peoples of the Sahel did not lack determination--theirs was a constant struggle for survival. Drought had killed more than 75 per cent of the animals in Mauritania and had turned fields into deserts. Farmers had been forced to migrate to the cities, which were not prepared to provide them with food, water and energy. Mauritania had mobilized all its resources to cope with drought and desertification. In order to avoid the defeatism that food aid could create, it had started a programme based on the principle of assistance in return for work.

Most peoples of the continent had achieved their independence. However, Azania and Namibia languished under occupation and racial discrimination. The racist regime in South Africa--like Israel--has practised terrorism against entire peoples, and Mauritania condemned such aggressive policies. North-west Africa has suffered from tension because of the problem of Western Sahara. Mauritania hoped that peace and stability would return to that region.

The rights of the Palestinian people--self-determination, independence and creation of their own state--must be taken into consideration. Israel must withdraw without pre-conditions from all the occupied Arab territories, particularly Jerusalem.

At a time when the international financial and economic crisis was spreading--and when many people were suffering from hunger--billions of dollars were being spent on weapons of destruction. In 1984 alone, the world spent more than $130 for each person on Earth for weapons. An end to armament was the way to development and promotion of the security of mankind. (11 October, A/40/PV.33)

MAURITIUS: Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth, said that deep-rooted prejudices, the will for total power and ideological confrontation had hindered prospects for negotiated settlements in Iran-Iraq, Cyprus, Afghanistan, Kampuchea, and North and South Korea. The risk that one of the so-called regional or local conflicts might erupt into a general and total war haunted the world today as never before since 1945.

Powerful voices had been raised in defence, if not of apartheid, at least of the regime that perpetuated a situation that was "clearly illegal, inequitable and immoral'. Mauritius offered its good offices for talks between South African authorities and representatives of the majority.

"In today's politically and militarily polarized world, delusions about socalled chosen peoples or manifest destinies and the policies they generate can lead to consequences too frightening to contemplate.'

Increased arms production was matched by efforts to expand arms exports, and was marked by intense competition among suppliers to provide more sophisticated weapons to willing clients. The tragic irony of the Iran-Iraq war was that many of their weapons were identical--made and provided by the same suppliers, to whom the war was nothing more than an "occasion for business as usual'.

The economic situation--even without the constraints of military expenditures--was grim. International economic relationships were threatened by the disorder in currency and capital markets. Recovery was hampered by unmanageable debt and high interest rates. Growth was crippled by the drying up of funding; commodity prices were low. Development in the 1980s in most third world countries-- where it had not gone into reverse-- had been halted. There was a strong case for global negotiations with the objective of increasing market access for developing countries' exports.

Every year 15 million children in developing countries died from famine and malnutrition. More than two thirds of the world lived in a twilight economic zone--condemned to unemployment and hunger in the margin between life and death. "The challenge that we face, therefore, is to harness the intelligence and imagination at our disposal in the struggle for a peaceful and prosperous world.'

(11 October, A/40/PV.33)

MOROCCO: Abdellatif Filali, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that in 1963, on Morocco's initiative, the United Nations had first considered the "question of Western Sahara'. Morocco had accepted the holding of a referendum in the territory. When the OAU had admitted a "fictitious republic', Morocco had sadly decided to withdraw from it. Only the United Nations could solve the problem of the Sahara, now at an impasse at the African level. Morocco was ready to assist the Secretary-General in holding a referendum under United Nations auspices.

As for the international economic crisis, the South was suffering from a technological handicap and the reappearance of famine and epidemics, thought to have vanished. The North, with its technical, financial and human resources, was experiencing an upswing in economic activity. Radical change was needed in the institutional framework of international co-operation.

Forty years after the United Nations had decided on creating two States in Palestine, the Palestinian people were still being denied the right to self-determination. Morocco supported the struggle for recovery by the Palestinian people of its territories and the establishment of a sovereign State. Redoubled efforts were needed to achieve the total emancipation of the Namibian people and to mobilize all means at the Organization's disposal to eliminate apartheid.

The preventive function of the Security Council and of the Secretary-General, as an impartial third party, should be developed in defusing conflict situations through such procedures as inquiry, mediation, good offices or the sending of observer missions. (3 October, A/40/PV.21)

NIGER: Mahamane Sani Bako, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that the survival of apartheid in southern Africa posed imminent danger to world peace and security. Africa would urge public opinion to intensify pressure for adopting economic sanctions and other appropriate measures against the Pretoria regime. South Africa's occupation of Namibia seriously challenged the authority and credibility of the United Nations.

Potentially explosive situations also persisted in Chad, Western Sahara and the Horn of Africa. OAU efforts to solve those conflicts should be supported by the United Nations.

In most countries the world economic crisis took the form of rising inflation, serious recession and worsening social tensions. In developing countries there could be added worsening terms of trade, difficulties in access to financial markets, burdensome debt servicing and decreasing development assistance. The debt problem--more than $170 billion for Africa along--was particularly urgent.

Implacable drought had gripped Africa for almost 17 years. African leaders at the national, subregional and continental levels had tried to take steps towards a solution by redefining agricultural strategies, preserving soil, and developing water resources, food crops and livestock. Yet Africa could not cope alone with the enormous challenge of nature. International solidarity must be directed to saving millions of people in the short term and enabling Africa to be self-sufficient in food in the long term. Measures must be consonant with those taken to reconstruct Europe after the Second World War.

(9 October, A/40/PV.28)

NIGERIA: A. Bolaji Akinyemi, Minister for External Affairs, said that the United Nations role as a universal forum for economic problems was continuously disrupted, bypassed and ignored, and he called for a resumed North-South dialogue on international economic co-operation for development. The debt burden had become unbearable for many developing countries. How could a country like Nigeria spend about 45 per cent of its export earnings on debt servicing and still satisfy its population's basic needs and achieve sustained economic growth?

Donor response to Africa's emergency had been commendable although requirements of more than $1.5 billion were still unmet for 1985. No effort had been made to interface that response with Africa's longer-term development needs. Nigeria supported convening an international conference on Africa's debt and a General Assembly special session on Africa's critical economic situation.

"The accumulation of nuclear weapons has become the greatest source of global danger.' Man could annihilate many times over the whole of life on earth. Nuclear disarmament was a global issue which should not be left exclusively in the hands of the two super-Powers. Apartheid was another major threat to international peace. All United Nations Members should support mandatory economic sanctions against South Africa, bearing in mind that the alternative would be a blood-bath of unspeakable proportions.

The United Nations at 40 was now at a crossroads. Its Members could continue to render the Organization increasingly ineffective or make it live up to the hopes of its founding fathers. Survival dictated the second option.

(9 October, A/40/PV.29)

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: Guilherme Posser da Costa, Secretary of State, said that apartheid continued to be the chief obstacle to peace in southern Africa. The arrogance with which South Africa defied the international community's collective will, violated neighbours' territorial integrity, and trained, financed and armed groups working against legitimate Governments, called for action that should lead to apartheid's abolition. Measures specified in Chapter VII of the Charter must be instituted against Pretoria. The installation of an "interim government' in Namibia was one more obstacle to the process of implementing Security Council resolution 435 (1978).

With regard to Western Sahara, the OAU had opted for a dialogue between the Frente POLISARIO and Morocco as a first step. It had called for a peaceful outcome that would lead to a cease-fire, which was indispensable to the holding of a referendum on self-determination. Peace in Chad would be attained only by national reconciliation and by the recognition of the right of Chadians to decide for themselves, without foreign interference, on the way that would best guarantee the defence of their national identity.

Sao Tome and Principe was grateful to the Secretary-General for calling the international community's attention to the economic crisis in Africa and for the many actions that followed the adoption by the General Assembly in 1984 of the Declaration on the Critical Economic Situation in Africa. The OAU, recognizing the primary responsibility of African countries in overcoming the crisis, had identified some measures to revitalize African economies and had called upon the international community to provide assistance.

As an island country in Africa on the list of least developed countries, Sao Tome and Principe had not been spared the adverse effects of the world economic crisis, which had forced it to redefine its priorities and to devise a programme of economic recovery and revitalization that relied on the maximum utilization of existing potential.

(11 October, A/40/PV.33)

SIERRA LEONE: Abdul Karim Koroma, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said despite its vicissitudes the United Nations remained the main instrument for the attainment of international peace and security and for the economic and social progress of all peoples. Erratic exchange rates, trade imbalances, heavy debt burdens, increased population, food problems and the policies of certain institutions and Governments had eroded the optimistic expectations fostered by new technologies. The economies of developing countries had stagnated and even yielded negative growth rates over the last few years.

Certain institutions prescribed specific policy reforms for developing countries that imposed undue hardship on their populations, producing social and political instability. Those conditions made the achievement of sustained economic growth impossible.

Disturbing levels of illiteracy, high infant mortality, poor intellectual and technical skills and inadequate and ineffective research techniques still prevailed in many developing countries. No meaningful socio-economic and political development could take place without further development of human resource potential.

The apartheid regime in South Africa had aggressively employed its military strength against its neighbours and continued its oppression in Namibia. It had brutalized its black citizens, restricted their movements, deprived them of their rights and concentrated them into tribal homelands--all with the tacit support of some of its Western allies. "We implore all those nations which are still ambivalent on the issue of sanctions to conform to the realities of the South African problem.'

(27 September, A/40/PV.13)

SOMALIA: Abdurahman Jama Barre, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said peace continued to be threatened in the Horn of Africa as a result of unprovoked attacks by Ethiopia against Somalia. Ethiopia's persistent violations of international law should be strongly condemned.

The presence in the region of a super-Power and its surrogate forces had raised the level of conflict and drawn the region into the arena of cold-war rivalry. The region's population had suffered, not only from drought and famine but also from fear and terror generated by Ethiopia's political repression. Somalia had the largest political refugee population in Africa, a crippling burden on its fragile economy.

The critical economic situation in Africa merited consideration by a special session of the General Assembly. Millions of Africans were threatened by a combination of natural and manmade disasters. In Somalia, drought, desertification and a catastrophic refugee influx had been superimposed on a weak economy and infrastructure. Adverse terms of trade and intolerable debt burdens had imposed additional constraints.

In South Africa the inevitable confrontation was being seen between the black majority--whose frustration could no longer be contained--and the powerful racist minority. The imposition of mandatory economic sanctions by the Security Council was the only peaceful means to prevent a bloody racial conflict. The need for sanctions was heightened by South Africa's continued occupation of Namibia in defiance of Security Council resolutions.

(4 October, A/40/PA.23)

SUDAN: Ibrahim Taha Ayoub, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said Sudan was doing its best to shoulder the burdens of drought, starvation and an influx of refugees. Relief operations in Africa have proved "a living example of the effectiveness and success of the United Nations in the vital field of relief'. Sudan hoped for support of the African States in moving from the relief phase to that of rehabilitation and development--the main challenge for Africa and the international community.

Several factors, including an unjust international economic order and natural disasters, had driven developing countries in Africa into increasing indebtedness, devastated their economies and trapped them in a vicious circle of instability. Although Sudan fully respected its commitment to repay its debts, "we simply cannot, on the one hand, repay them and, on the other, continue to provide even the basic means of survival for our peoples'.

The terrorism practised by the white minority Government in South Africa would not succeed in extinguishing "the heroic resistance of the courageous people' there. The policy of "constructive engagement' had proved that it could not effect the desired change--rather, it had contributed to increasing the intransigence and arrogance of Pretoria. The lack of a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine--the core of the Middle East conflict--continuously aggravated the situation there, especially in view of Israel's persistence in illegally occupying Arab territories.

Nuclear weapons--through increased stockpiles and increased destructive power--threatened mankind with extinction. Sudan urged implementation of the special Declaration of the 1980s as a Disarmament Decade and reaffirmed the need to respect nuclear-weapon-free zones. "The continued building and development of military arsenals will only provide an ephemeral peace based on fear and terror.' (30 September, A/40/PV.14)

SWAZILAND: M.M.P. Mnisi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said many nations were indifferent to General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. Should that trend persist, Armageddon would soon befall the world, and peaceful development and good-neighbourliness would be things of the past. Violence never benefited anybody but left its "sinister legacy' of counter-violence. "One may well shudder at the idea of a world without the United Nations, even given its fair share of omissions.' Therefore, all should renew their dedication to the "noble purposes and principles of the United Nations'.

After the Security Council terminated Namibia's colonial mandate 14 years ago, resolution after resolution had been unanimously passed by the Assembly, appealing to South Africa to relinquish Namibia. Security Council resolution 435 (1978) had been approved unanimously. However, international efforts remained thwarted by certain Member States in utter disregard for the independence of the Namibian people.

South Africa's problems must be solved peacefully; that country should unconditionally release all political prisoners and begin negotiations with all genuine black leaders. Swaziland viewed with shock and dismay the deterioration of peace and security in southern Africa. Disturbances in neighbouring countries had an "overspill effect' on Swaziland, which had to share its meagre resources with an uncontrollable influx of refugees.

As a small land-locked country, Swaziland's development depended on the goodwill of natural forces and external trade. Unprecedented declines in commodity prices had been a blow to its fragile economy. Swaziland was an ardent believer in the spirit of multilateralism. (11 October, A/40/PV.32)

TOGO: Atsu-Koffi Amega, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that "40 years without a new world war is not synonymous with 40 years of the absolute peace, serenity and profound harmony' of which the founders of the United Nations dreamed. Peace could not be the subject of any kind of monopoly, because it was the "precious possession of mankind and the primary aim of the United Nations'.

Turmoil in Africa was the result of greed, external interference and geopolitical calculations. Reducing and eliminating those tensions was an urgent task which Africa and the international community must tackle. Togo supported Organization of African Unity and United Nations resolutions and appeals for negotiations to end the Western Sahara conflict peacefully. Efforts aimed at direct negotiations between the legal Government of Chad and all opposition factions should be supported.

South Africa's repression of its black majority and its destabilization of neighbouring countries bore witness to the panic of the racists in power. Togo welcomed the measures taken by France, Canada and the Scandinavian countries as a serious warning to South Africa.

Renewed economic growth within the past two years in some developed countries had not had the expected beneficial effect on developing countries. Their economic problems had become even worse. Developed countries continued to pursue protectionist policies, and markets for developing countries' products had thus become scarcer. Togo supported holding a new round of GATT trade negotiations, which would take account of the special problems of developing countries. Repayment of debt was linked to an improvement in the economic situation of developing countries-- particularly in Africa.

(11 October, A/40/PA.32)

TUNISIA: Beji Caid Essebsi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the Middle East "is a fire with numerous flash-points which threatens to spread even further if we continue to fail to pay it the necessary attention'. The region presented a heart-rending spectacle of death and destruction. The central issue was the Palestinian problem. The United Nations 1947 partition plan was the basic document that could bring a lasting settlement. As far as the Arabs were concerned, the Fez Plan provided a realistic basis for such a settlement.

Never before had Pretoria aroused so much indignation as a result of its racist policy. The United Nations should take strong measures to induce South Africa to negotiate with the legitimate representatives of its people "on the immediate accession by the latter to the status of a free people'. It was more necessary than ever to set a definite date for Namibian independence. Security Council members must give practical effect to resolution 435 (1978).

There should be national reconciliation in Chad as a prelude to the reconstruction of the country in unity, brotherhood and peace, free from all outside interference. Tunisia supported efforts being made to that end. The situation in Western Sahara remained a source of instability in the region. Tunisia was committed to a summit meeting of the Maghreb countries, with that problem ranking first among its concerns.

Africa--with 26 of the 36 poorest countries and nearly half of the refugees in the world--was most seriously affected by the deterioration in international economic relations. Important initiatives had been taken by the United Nations, resulting in an "impressive surge of international solidarity'.

(30 September, A/40/PV/15)

UGANDA: Sam K. Kutesa, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, referring to the military coup d'etat in July 1985, said the new Government's policies would be dominated by a desire for lasting peace in Uganda and the region and would provide for resettlement of refugees and displaced persons.

Within South Africa the time for cosmetic reforms had passed. "The volcano of discontent, which has been rumbling for a long time, is finally erupting. No amount of repressive measures can stem the tide of the march to equality and freedom in South Africa.' The Pretoria regime should initiate meaningful dialogue with leaders of the black community. Setting up the "interim administration' in Namibia was yet another plot to perpetuate its illegal occupation.

Prolonged drought in Africa, together with accelerated desertification, had led to considerable loss of life and displacement of populations. African economies were also being suffocated by crippling debt servicing, dwindling income from commodity exports, high interest rates and declining development assistance. Developed countries should not adopt policies counter to the goals of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade or which frustrated the establishment of the new international economic order. Uganda hoped that donor countries could move a stage further from supplying food aid to providing long-term assistance for improving food production in Africa.

Uganda noted with concern the escalation of the arms race and opposed the militarization of outer space. International peace and security could be maintained only through general and complete disarmament. "It is a sad reflection of our values that we should be prepared to spend billions of dollars annually on the refinement of our destructive capabilities instead of directing these resources to the solution of the world's economic, social and humanitarian problems.'

(9 October, A/40/PV.28)

ZAIRE: Mokolo wa Mpombo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said that more than 150 conflicts had arisen since the Second World War, many of them in third world countries. The collective security system established by the Security Council and General Assembly should be reviewed and adapted to the wars between Member States. It was regrettable that the Military Staff Committee, which was supposed to act as policeman in all cases of threats to peace, had not been able to function, "thus cutting off the system sounding the alert and ensuring the collective security' provided for in the Charter.

The condemnation by the international community of the organized massacres and humiliations which were the daily lot of the black people of South Africa proved that the threshold of tolerance of that regime had long been passed. The absence of political will on the part of South Africa to negotiate with representatives of the black people of South Africa was further proof of its refusal to move away from its apartheid policy. The time had come for the United Nations to take specific action to speed the liberation of Namibia.

A programme of economic, financial and social recovery had been established in Zaire, in agreement with the International Monetary Fund, to permit repayment of its debts at a satisfactory rate. Zaire was committed to meeting its financial obligations, but repayment should not prejudice the standard of living of third world peoples and the investment necessary for their progress and development.

The economic crisis affecting the third world, and Africa in particular, resulted from the present inadequate economic and monetary system. Member States should show more solidarity and co-operation in making a better world for all peoples. Wealthy nations involved in competition in outer space, in the nuclear arms race and in "star wars' should devote their surplus resources to the urgent needs of humanity.

(27 September, A/40/PV.13)

ZIMBABWE: Witness Magunda Mangwende, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that in Africa, a combination of the economic crisis and adverse climatic and man-made factors had generated catastrophic conditions with horrific consequences. The OAU could not pull Africa out of its tragedy without more support and the creation of conditions conducive to economic growth. The international community should support the OAU call for a special session of the General Assembly devoted to Africa.

Fresh liquidity had to be injected into the world economy by enlarging the capital base of the World Bank, casing IMF conditions, and cancelling and rescheduling debts. No durable economic recovery could take place unless incomes of primary commodity producers were safeguarded. Responsibility for resolving the debt crisis had to be shared equitably between debtor and creditor countries. The General Assembly should support the non-aligned call for an international conference on debt.

In South Africa nearly a thousand people had been killed in the streets in the last year and the carnage continued. The racist regime also exported violence against its neighbours by launching attacks in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The over-delayed independence of Namibia was a glaring failure of the United Nations. The United States bore special responsibility for that delay because of the concept of linkage between Namibia's independence and the presence of Cuban troops in Angola. The struggling Namibians should not be penalized for matters irrelevant to their demand for freedom.

"Peace is in the interest of all of us.' A first step would be to reduce military budgets and use the savings to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, cure the sick and educate the ignorant. The Soviet Union and the United States should seriously negotiate to end "the made race for armament'.

(7 October, A/40/PV.24)

ASIA

For most of the speakers from Asia, the continuing turmoil in the Middle East remained a serious threat to world peace. Israel was urged by many to withdraw from southern Lebanon and territories it had occupied since 1967. There was support for holding on international conference on peace in the Middle East.

The Iran-Iraq war was another source of tension in the region. Several countries commended Iraq's acceptance of proposals made by the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, and expressed the hope that Iran would respond to peace initiatives. Some countries said the interception of commercial vessels in the Gulf violated the principles of free navigation. The need for peaceful negotiations to end the war between the two parties was stressed.

There was a widespread call for withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan and Kampuchea. However, a few countries called for elimination of the "Pol Pot clique' in the United Nations and expressed support for the Government of Afghanistan. Several countries also called for the peaceful and independent reunification of Korea without foreign interference.

A number of speakers urged a peaceful and lasting settlement to the question of Cyprus. Also, many wanted implementation of the 1971 Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, including convening a conference in Colombo in 1986. There was also support for establishing a zone of peace in South-East Asia. A few countries expressed regret at continued nuclear testing in the South Pacific.

As in other developing regions, there was concern over the fragile economic situation, which remained severly affected by high interest rates, external debt, reduced export earnings and protectionist measures. There were calls for global negotiations and greater South-South cooperation, as well as increased loans by financial institutions to developing countries.

AFGHANISTAN: Shah Mohammad Dost, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that in conformity with the Afghan-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-neighbourliness and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Afghanistan had requested and had received from the Soviet Union friendly military assistance to help the Afghan people and armed forces repel outside interference and aggression. Afghanistan had made it clear on various occasions, including in May 1980 and August 1981, that the Soviet limited military contingent would return to their country, by agreement with the Government of the Soviet Union, once causes for their invitation ceased to exist and valid international guarantees were offered for their nonrecurrence. By pouring hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of weapons and ammunition into the hands of counter-revoluntionary mercenaries, imperialism, hegemonism and other reactionary forces had unleashed a "dirty undeclared war against the people, the Government and the revolution of Afghanistan'.

The Charter represented the transcendent interests of all Member States. The lack of political will on the part of some Member States to fully implement the Charter had led to "the continued failure of efforts to bring about a better life in conformity with the vision of its authors and signatories'. The frequent exercise of the veto in the Security Council by the United States and some of its allies had resulted in deliberate disruption of increasingly emerging consensus on some issues, such as Palestine, Namibia and South Africa.

In Latin America a combination of imperialist policies had provided a spectrum of direct military aggression and occupation, as in Grenada and Guantanamo; of mercenarism, armed interference and sabotage, as against Nicaragua; of political and economic coercion and blockade, as in Cuba and other countries; of sustaining unpopular oppressive regimes, as in Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and others; of turning countries into military outposts or launching-pads of aggression, as in Honduras and Costa Rica; and of colonial occupation, as in Puerto Rico and the Malvinas Islands.

The crisis in the capitalist economies and its devastating impact on developing countries' economies were no mere cyclical phenomena, but a symptom of deep-rooted structural imbalances and disequilibrium characterizing international economic relations. Afghanistan hoped the mid-term global review of the Substantial New Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries would result in specific action towards effectively implementing the Programme.

(27 September, A/40/PV.12)

BAHRAIN: Mohamed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the cold war between the super-Powers had created state blocs which weakened collective international cooperation. Non-implementation of United Nations principles and goals was primarily the failure of some great Powers to abide by their obligations under the Charter, and their recurrent use of the veto in the Security Council to promote their own private interests.

The danger and scope of the Iran-Iraq war were so extended that navigation in the whole Gulf region was endangered. Commercial ships had been attacked outside the zone of military operations although they did not belong to parties of the dispute. The countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council of Arab States deployed and exerted tireless efforts to settle the dispute between Iran and Iraq. Iraq had responded to all initiatives to settle the dispute through negotiations. Bahrain hoped Iran would respond so that peace might return to the countries of that region.

Since 1947, Israel had carried out its expansionist policy. It still subjected Arab inhabitants to injustice, murder and dispossession and applied against them "the same terrorist and racial measures used by the Government of Pretoria against the people of South Africa'. The Security Council had not been able to prevent Israeli aggression due to United States support. The prestige of the United Nations could not be restored except by due respect for its resolutions. Israel preferred the occupation of Arab lands to the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region.

The racist Pretoria Government tried to contain international pressure by introducing formal reforms which did not deal with the actual policy of racial discrimination in South Africa. That action "has not deceived the international community' which had reaffirmed the conviction of the black majority that a "continuous struggle against that despicable policy is the only way in which it can regain its freedom and put an end to the policy of racial discrimination'.

(7 October, A/40/PV.24)

BANGLADESH: Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the explosive situation in the Middle East was a direct consequence of a historic injustice, when the Palestinian people were "forcibly uprooted from their hearths and homes and an alien people was imposed on the Arab world' through the creation of Israel. Bangladesh supported its Palestinian brothers in their legitimate struggle for restoration of their inalienable rights to self-determination, freedom and independence, under the leadership of the PLO. It condemned continued Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories, as well as establishment of settlements in the occupied lands. The Middle East problem could be solved only through the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian and Arab territories, restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, and the participation of the PLO on an equal footing with all other parties. The withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan and Kampuchea was an essential prerequisite for the just and lasting settlement of the problems in those two countries.

Half-way through the Third United Nations Development Decade, the situation in the least developed countries continued to be desperate: more than a third of the populations of the least developed countries was still undernourished; less than one in three had access to safe water; infant mortality was 10 times greater than in the developed countries; two out of three adults were illiterate.

From 1978 to 1982, the total outstanding medium- and long-term external debt of the least developed countries grew by 68 per cent and their debt service payment increased by 73 per cent during the same period. In absolute terms, that total debt might not be as large as some of the higher-income developing countries, but in terms of impact on their fragile economies, the "situation is certainly comparable'. Yet, during the same period resource flows for development dwindled.

Bangladesh believed effective action could be undertaken by accelerated implementation of the Substantial New Programe of Action for the Least Developed Countries; support for drought-affected people in Africa; comprehensive and effective measures to increase financial flows to developing countries; rollback of protectionism; and strengthening of the world trading system through full implementation of all previous commitments. That would also create conditions for initiating a new round of multilateral trade negotiations and convening an international conference on monetary and financial issues aimed at providing greater stability and a momentum for development.

(10 October, A/40/PV.30)

BRUNEL DARUSSALAM: Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said his country did not belong to the ranks of pessimists who judged the United Nations a failure. The United Nations had done well in humanitarian efforts, helping refugees, in the eradication of smallpox, and its work in child welfare. The world had not been struck by another disastrous global war. It was still a relatively safe world. "The preservation of world peace is the common responsibility of all nations, big and small alike.'

Vietnamese forces continued to occupy Kampuchea. Viet Nam continued to show no flexibility, while repeatedly claiming it sincerely desired to live in peace with its neighbours. Its words appeared to be different from its deeds. If Viet Nam was genuinely serious it should act in accordance with the United Nations principles and immediately implement the various resolutions on Kampuchea. Brunei Darussalam welcomed recent developments regarding North and South Korea. Direct contacts between them could lead to a reduction of tension in the peninsula and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Drug abuse had become a global problem and its security implications were serious. Drug use caused suffering to individuals, particularly the young, and weakened the social fabric of nations, representing direct and indirect economic costs to Governments. Brunei Darussalam supported convening a world conference on narcotic drugs in 1987.

The greatest peril facing the world today was the threat of nuclear war. Escalation of nuclear arms, both in amount and type, had heightened the risk of the outbreak of such a war, and had led to greater instability in international relations. As a "small nation mindful of our responsibility and conscious of our vulnerability', Brunei Darussalam welcomed bilateral negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union, and hoped the negotiations would produce concrete and effective agreements to prevent an escalation of the arms race and the beginning of an arms race in outer space.

(4 October, A/40/PV.23)

BURMA: U Chit Hlaing, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the United Nations growth from 51 to 159 Member States, while imparting greater strength and advantages to the Organization, also imposed heavier responsibilities for greater restraint, moderation, and respect for and tolerance of others' positions. "Without this, we can anticipate no break-through in the accumulating problems facing the Organization.'

Since the signature of the Charter, a limited peace affording limited security had been precariously maintained through a balance of power. While it might afford security, however illusory, to the major Powers and those who had sought their protection through military alliances, it had grievously failed to afford assured security to all, especially the weak and the small, the non-aligned and the non-armed, whose security continued to be exposed to all kinds of threats and pressures. The forthcoming summit would boost the morale of a world "beclouded with the ominous threat of nuclear war'.

The United Nations most outstanding achievement was in the field of decolonization. However, the last vestiges of the twin evils of colonialism and racism had persistently defied solution in southern Africa. The people of Namibia were still deprived of independence.

Developing countries--constituting three fourths of the world's population--still suffered from disparities. Export of their commodities and raw material prices were declining, while their role as markets for finished products and capital was increasing. That widening trade gap was one of the most "agonizing phenomena of the world today' and a concern of the entire international community. Burma supported the call for a conference on international monetary and financial reform. (27 September, A/40/PV.13)

CHINA: Wu Xueqian, State Councillor and Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that China proposed a four-point plan for nuclear and conventional disarmament: all nuclear States should unconditionally pledge not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear States or against nuclear-free zones; to avert possible escalation of a conventional war into a nuclear war, the two military blocs should reach an agreement as early as possible on the drastic reduction of their conventional weapons; the United States and the Soviet Union should immediately stop the arms race in all its forms in outer space; all countries capable of manufacturing and producing chemical weapons should stop testing, producing, transferring and deploying chemical weapons and should pledge not to use them.

China opposed Viet Nam's occupation of Kampuchea and any big Power's support for such acts of aggression. Viet Nam had resorted to political tricks by using "political settlement' as a means to split and destroy the Kampuchean patriotic forces one by one. "The so-called complete withdrawal of troops from Kampuchea by 1990 is a sheer hoax, the aim of which is to eliminate the resistance forces and perpetuate Viet Nam's control over Kampuchea.'

World economic development was characterized by growing imbalance and instability in recent years, resulting in a widening gap between developed and developing countries. Third world development was not a matter of concern to the third world alone.

China, the world's largest developing country, would never do anything detrimental to world peace. "We will not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, nor seek spheres of influence or practise hegemonism.'

(30 September, A/40/PV.14)

CYPRUS: George Iacovou, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said there was no excuse and no justification for 11 years of continuous military occupation of Cyprus. The occupation, in complete defiance of the Charter, and Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, constituted a sad reminder of flagrant violations of human rights and everything the Organization stood for, posing a direct challenge to its authority. "In this fortieth anniversary year, our people are bewildered and wonder how, despite the principles of the Charter, the occupation of 37 per cent of our territory is allowed to continue; why they were expelled from their homes and to this day are denied voluntary return in conditions of safety, as required by United Nations resolutions; why 50,000 settlers from Turkey were transplanted into their homes; why an occupation army is still allowed to remain on our soil.'

Cyprus reiterated its firm support for the Secretary-General's mission of good offices and his initiative at finding a just and viable solution to the problem. The solution must conform to Charter principles, relevant United Nations resolutions and the highlevel agreements. Turkey must abandon its partitionist designs and any other plans to control or dominate Cyprus, directly or indirectly. "To strive for a solution of the problem is a duty we owe ourselves, but, furthermore, to strive to reverse the effects of aggression is a duty that is owed to the world at large.'

The continued build-up of armaments held mankind hostage to the balance of terror and the threat of nuclear war. Increasing military expenditures were diverting valuable resources from development which could close the widening gap between the developed and developing countries. Cyprus hoped real progress towards disarmament would be made in 1985.

The developing countries' plight continued unabated. Developing nations were burdened with a multitude of problems, both structural and developmental, often compounded by natural disasters. Commodity prices, trade, financing and debt servicing required attention and urgent remedial action. A new international economic order should be established without delay. Otherwise, divergent economic and social conditions would exert pressure on the developing countries' social and political fabric with unforeseen consequences, including the possible undermining of democratic institutions.

(26 September, A/40/PV.11)

DEMOCRATIC YEMEN: Mohamed Ali Imayah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that the forces of imperialism exercised oppression, terrorism and political, economic and military blackmail. "We must fully realize the increased interdependence of States and the fact that there is no alternative to the policy of peaceful coexistence, detente and co-operation among States, on the basis of equality, regardless of their military and economic power, their social and political systems, their size and their geographical position.'

The United States demonstrated its intransigence and openly defied all international appeals aimed at bridling the arms race, achieving disarmament and easing international tension. It persisted in the militarization of outer space, disregarding the initiatives aimed at freezing the deployment of missiles, a commitment to non-use of nuclear weapons, unilateral halting of all nuclear-weapons tests and other constructive Soviet initiatives.

Palestine was at the Middle East problem. There could be no just solution without Israel's complete withdrawal from occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem. United States support strengthened Israel's policy of aggression based on racism and expansionism. Democratic Yemen hoped for peace, security and stability in Lebanon. It was concerned over the escalation of tension resulting from an increased United States military build-up in the Indian Ocean region.

Socio-economic crises were due to capitalist countries' colonialist methods. The foreign debt crisis had "created a paradox by transforming the developing countries into net exporters of capital to financial institutions and private banks in the capitalist industrial countries'.

(30 September, A/40/PV.14)

INDIA: Khurshed Alam Khan, Minister of State for Commerce, said a wide gap existed between public fears of nuclear war and statesmen's and strategists' calculations of the nuclear balance of terror. "Even a token reduction in arms expenditure can produce dramatic results if channellized into the development of the less affluent sections of the world.' All nations had a stake in the success of the Geneva negotiations. Such talks so far had not produced concrete results but the summit could give significant impetus to that process. The Non-Aligned Movement had wanted attention given to the prevention of an arms race in outer space and the early conclusion of a comprehensive test ban treaty.

South Africa's attempt to set up a puppet administration in Namibia had met with the universal contempt it deserved. Its defiance of the international community's will could not have persisted so long but for its allies' diplomatic and moral support and collaboration in economic, military, nuclear and other fields. The Security Council had been paralysed by the veto of one or more of its permanent members.

The fragile recovery in some industrialized countries was faltering because it had been based on unsustainable marco-economic policies. Developing countries' overall growth rates remained well below levels which would offset population growth, let alone secure development gains. "It is paradoxical that this should be happening when there is an increasingly wider recognition that the world economy has become more interdependent, calling for a greater need to sustain and further the international consensus in favour of development.'

India believed efforts should concentrate on rectifying the international monetary and financial system, adopting policies which widened the access to developing countries' exports and international trade, ensuring multilateral co-ordination of developing countries' macro-economic policies, increasing financial flows to developing countries and making the international adjustment process symmetrical and equitable.

(26 September, A/40/PV.10)

INDONESIA: Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the United Nations faced no greater challenge than the growing risk of nuclear war. The two major Powers' arsenals had reached levels "wholly disproportionate' to any possible national security requirement. Indonesia favoured nuclear-weapon-free zones as a regional approach to disarmament. As a maritime nation, it viewed with mounting concern the proliferation and geographical dispersion of nuclear weapons on the world's oceans and seas. It wanted nuclear disarmament and confidence-building at sea, and identification of ways in which naval organization and capabilities might contribute to establishing enhanced ocean management policies for the peaceful uses of the sea and its resources.

The situation in Namibia epitomized the "odious features of classical colonialism', including racist oppression and illegal plunder of natural resources. South Africa's "flouting' of accepted norms of international law and the dismal failure of the policy of "constructive engagement' had convinced Indonesia that "nothing short of comprehensive mandatory sanctions under Chapter VII of the Charter can bring South Africa to its senses'.

The situation in Kampuchea remained the principal barrier to peace in South-East Asia. Withdrawal of foreign forces and establishing a government of the people's own choosing must form the basis for any solution. Democratic Kampuchea had the continued support of the Kampuchean people. Indonesia hoped Viet Nam would respond positively to efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement leading to an independent, neutral and non-aligned Kampuchea.

International trade was increasingly being stifled. Indonesia was committed to "an open international trading system' based on the principle of differential and favourable treatment for the developing countries, and supported efforts aimed at dismantling protectionism. "Multilateralism is the only viable and responsible approach to the global realities of our time. The United Nations, as the embodiment of multilateralism, with all its weaknesses and shortcomings, represents the best available structure for this purpose.'

(26 September, A/40/PV.11)

IRAQ: Tariq Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that Iraq and other countries of its region were in greater danger of aggression than any other part of the world, and were therefore in greater need of peace, stability and implementation of the Organization's founding principles. In the region, "unrestrained by conscience, the Zionist and Iranian regimes have demonstrated a total lack of responsibility in their persistent disregard for the United Nations and their continual violations of its Charter'.

Iran's five years of aggression had characterized by its undisguised objective--"the toppling of the political and social systems in Iraq and other countries in the region, where the Iranians want to establish their own brand of backward and barbaric rule'. Iraq had no choice but to defend its sovereignty and security after Iran had shelled innocent civilian border towns. While Iran rejected Security Council resolution 479 (1980), Iraq had not only agreed to it, but also accepted the jurisdiction of the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement over the dispute.

Iran had also rejected Iraq's June 1983 proposal for an agreement between the two countries to protect civilian targets from attacks. Only after Iraq had foiled and destroyed Iran's major February 1984 offensive did Iran show interest in negotiation. Iran's acceptance of the Secretary-General's appeal to refrain from shelling cities had been a diversionary measure, "an attempt to neutralize Iraqi air strikes against Iranian military concentrations'. Regarding raids on ships, Iran understood the rules of international law and free navigation "only in so far as they serve its military objectives'. Iran had launched 19 raids against neutral vessels since September 1984, in addition to 45 other acts of piracy carried out since the beginning of that year. Iran treated Iraqi prisoners of war on the basis of "the political premise of Iranian expansionist territorial ambitions in Iraq', leaving them with the choice of treason or death.

Iraq supported the Arab Palestinian people and the PLO's political and non-political struggle to attain the Palestinian people's rights. "Just as the Iranian regime insists upon continuing its aggression against Iraq and rejecting all proposals for a just and honourable peace, the Zionist regime maintains its policies of aggression, repression and racial discrimination against the Arab people of Palestine.'

(27 September, A/40/PV.13)

ISRAEL: Yitzhak Shamir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said Israel had made every possible effort towards the achievement of peace and the normalization of relations with its neighbours. Face-to-face negotiations and direct dialogue were the most constructive and beneficial ways of achieving peace. Because the Camp David Accords had established a just and effective framework for the settlement of conflicts, Israel insisted on applying that framework to the further extension of the peace process. It was crucial that Israel's peace treaty with Egypt not remain the sole example of peace with its neighbours. Therefore, Israel earnestly sought to widen and deepen that peace by extending the process to include the rest of its Arab neighbours.

Israel urged King Hussein of Jordan to free himself from "the clutches of the PLO' and to enter into direct negotiations with Israel. An international conference was a means of evading direct negotiations. Israel stood ready to meet a Jordanian delegation, which might include Arab Palestinians from Judea, Samaria and Gaza, or other Arab Palestinians to be mutually agreed upon. There was no way to solve the region's problems except through negotiations and peace. Israel was firmly against any contacts or dealings with an organization whose declared purpose was Israel's liquidation. The removal of the various threats from Israel's northern border continued to be an important priority. The United Nations had been "sadly remiss in meeting the challenge of intermational and PLO terror'. Israel was willing to act with other free nations to "curb, if not stamp out', terrorism.

Israel totally rejected and repudiated apartheid, and was ready to renew relations with those African States with which it did not have them. Israel was ready to begin negotiations without delay or preconditions for "a freely and directly negotiated convention establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone' in the Middle East, "based on a system of obligations binding on all States'.

Israel also urged Soviet authorities to conform to international obligations in their policies towards Jews in the USSR, and wanted fair treatment for Jews in Syria, Ethiopia and elsewhere.

(2 October, A/40/PV.18)

JAPAN: Shintaro Abe, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the prime imperative was halting the nuclear arms race. "Yet at the same time it must be admitted that world peace and security is sustained by the balance of power which includes nuclear arms. In promoting disarmament, we must recognize these realities of the international situation and seek to achieve a balance at the lowest possible level of armament.' Japan favoured disarmament talks, strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a comprehensive nuclear-test ban, and a realistic approach to banning chemical weapons.

On peace-keeping, the United Nations must discharge its responsibilities more fully, the Security Council's functions must be enhanced, and the functions of the Secretary-General strengthened so that his quiet diplomacy could be more effective. The United Nations system might be losing the unwavering support of peoples around the world. The Organization must make a determined effort towards effective administrative and financial reform so that it could function more efficiently. Japan proposed that a "group of eminent persons for a more efficient United Nations' thoroughly review the administrative and financial operations of organizations within the United Nations system.

The threat to Asian peace and stability from Kampuchea would not be solved until foreign troops were withdrawn and the people's right to self-determination was restored. Japan had proposed the withdrawal of Vietnamese forces and self-determination for the Kampuchean people; promotion of dialogue between the countries concerned; reaffirmation of support for the coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea; and the provision of education and vocational training assistance for Kampuchean refugees.

In general, economic recovery was spreading from industrialized countries to the entire world economy. Yet, protectionist pressures had intensified to an unprecedented level against continuing high unemployment, global trade and current account imbalances and budgetary deficits. Japan was expanding bilateral grants, multilateral assistance and yen loans to bring its total official development assistance disbursement between 1986 and 1992 to more than $40 billion--"a renewed expression of Japan's determination to play its rightful role in the international community'.

(24 September, A/40/PV.7)

LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: Phoune Sipaseuth, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said imperialists had created hotbeds of tension including the undeclared war against Nicaragua, interference in the domestic affairs of the people of El Salvador and the pursuit of a hostile policy towards Cuba. The racist regime of Pretoria, with imperialist support, was intensifying its repression of the black people and its illegal occupation of Namibia. With imperialist support, Israeli occupation troops had intensified their barbaric repression of the Lebanese civilian population and carried out massacres of Palestinians in refugee camps.

Afghanistan continued to be the victim of an undeclared war waged from a neighbouring country with the support of international imperialist and reactionary circles. Laos condemned strongly armed interference and subversive acts against Afghanistan. It also demanded withdrawal of foreign troops from South Korea and supported proposals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the peaceful and independent reunification of their Korean homeland without foreign interference.

The Kampuchean people were now in control of all of their national territory and had become full masters of their homeland. The People's Republic of Kampuchea and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam had declared on 16 August that the partial withdrawal of Vietnamese volunteer forces from Kampuchea would continue annually and conclude in 1990. That proved Viet Nam's sincerity and respect for the independence and sovereignty of Kampuchea. The seat of Kampuchea in the United Nations and in other international bodies should be restored to the People's Republic of Kampuchea, the sole legal and genuine representative of the Kampuchean people.

Although Thai troops had been withdrawn from Laotian territory, they still occupied some parts of Lao territory and continued "criminal activities' against the local civilian population. Laos had asked Thailand to negotiate at governmental level, either in Bangkok or in Vientiane, to ensure the strict application of the joint Lao-Thai communiques of 1979, but had not yet received a positive response. (3 October, A/40/PV.20)

MONGOLIA: Mangalyn Dugersuren, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said new types of nuclear missile, chemical and other weapons were being developed. The deployment of American first-strike nuclear missile systems in some countries of Western Europe and Asia was being pushed ahead. A multi-billion-dollar "star wars' programme and anti-satellite weapon tests were being carried out. All that increased the war threat, and was caused by the action of "forces which disregard the realities of today's world'.

The socialist community was taking active steps to avert war, including maintaining military and strategic parity at a constantly decreasing level of armaments, achieving real measures of disarmament and strengthening the material, political and legal foundations of detente and peaceful co-operation. The Soviet Union had proposed a radical cut in strategic armaments, unilaterally suspended deployment of medium-range missiles in Europe and declared a moratorium on all nuclear explosions until 1 January 1986. It also declared a moratorium on the stationing of anti-satellite weapons in outer space as long as the United States and other countries refrained from doing so.

Mongolia hoped the USSR-United States summit meeting would help curb the arms race and ease international tension. All nuclear Powers should undertake an obligation not to be the first to use unclear weapons, following the examples of the Soviet Union and China. The Security Council could elaborate a document acceptable to all nuclear Powers envisaging such an obligation. Mongolia supported the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Balkans, northern and central Europe and the South Pacific and a chemical-weapon-free zone in Central Europe.

The United States was intensifying its efforts to realize its military and strategic plans in Asia. It had encouraged the revival of militarism in Japan and was taking steps to create a military and political grouping in the Far East and the Pacific with Japan, South Korea and a number of other States. "Imperialist and hegemonist forces continue their hostile intrigues against the countries of Indo-China.' Viet Nam, Laos and the People's Republic of Kampuchea "firmly rebuff such intrigues'. Mongolia supported efforts to establish normal relations with other States of South-East Asia and to turn the region into a zone of peace, stability, good-neighbourliness and co-operation. It welcomed dialogue between the countries of Indo-China and ASEAN. Mongolia also opposed attempts to perpetuate colonial rule in Namibia. The "alliance of the forces of imperialism, racism and zionism' blocked implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) and had resorted to different kinds of manoeuvres and intrigues. (7 October, A/40/PV.24)

NEPAL: Randhir Subba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said "It is through this world body today that small States can ensure their security and respect for their independence and territorial integrity, as well as promote their economic and social progress. It is also in this Organization that the true and long-term interests of the great Powers lie. Such a commitment alone will make the United Nations what mankind intended it to be: an effective instrument for securing peace and progress, and not merely a spectator of hopeful signs of easing of tensions, brought about by bilateral initiatives and agreements.'

A "no war, no peace' situation continued to plague the Middle East. A lasting solution to the problem could be achieved only when the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination was recognized in conjunction with the rights of all States in the region, "including Israel's, to live in peace within secure and defined boundaries free from threats or acts of force'.

Economic difficulties were seriously jeopardizing the pace of development for years to come. Africa's sombre economic situation was a symptom of the "impending global catastrophe' if present trends continued unchecked. States were unwilling to develop a global strategy to combat the effects of the present economic malaise. Implementation of the Substantial New Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the 1980s was disappointing. Nepal, as a land-locked country, appealed for effective implementation of the special measures adopted by the United Nations in favour of land-locked developing countries.

The arms race was a "most disquieting' challenge to the human race. Resources consumed by the "competition in accumulating weapons of destruction, whose potential for death and destruction is virtually limitless, stand out in stark contrast to the pressing socio-economic problems facing the nations of the world'. While welcoming the United States-Soviet negotiations, Nepal felt the maximum potential of both bilateral and multilateral negotiations in the context of arms control and disarmament had to be used. It also welcomed the decision of 13 Pacific nations to declare the South Pacific a nuclear-weapon-free zone. (4 October, A/40/PV.23)

OMAN: Youself bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the United Nations inability to find solutions for the problems it faced resulted from some countries' disregard of United Nations resolutions and recommendations. Palestine was a clear example. "Israel will not be able to achieve security and stability so long as it persists in denying the rights of the Palestinian people and so long as it continues to occupy the territories of the neighbouring Arab countries, thereby violating their sovereignty and stability.'

Efforts to find a solution to end the war between Iran and Iraq should be quickened. "Tension, confrontation, instability of relations between countries, conflicts of interests and international alliances may transform the Gulf war into a hotbed of international conflict threatening the security and stability of all the Gulf States.' Countries with strong relations with Iraq or Iran had not made enough effort to persuade those nations to negotiate the conflict before reconciliation became impossible.

Instability in the Horn of Africa was due to its continuous subjection to foreign intervention. Interference in the internal affairs of the region's countries should be ended. Oman supported the Namibian people's struggle for independence and self-determination, and denounced South Africa's policy of apartheid, "which runs counter to all noble aims, principles, divine laws and proper human behaviour'.

Developing countries were hardest hit by the present economic situation, characterized by the increasing imbalance in foreign trade, their indebtedness and their inability to service such debts owing to rising interest rates. "If the situation deteriorates further it will affect all of us, including rich countries.' Oman, along with the Group of 77, called for the establishment of a new international economic order based on justice for all countries of the world, rich and poor.

(25 September, A/40/PV.8)

PAKISTAN: Sahabzada Yaqub-Khan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the international environment was dominated by great-Power confrontation and a spiralling nuclear-arms race, which presented a grim and disquietening prospect for humanity. "Regional conflicts continue to tear at the fabric of international peace and the spectre of nuclear war threatens the survival of mankind.'

Six years ago, more than 100,000 Soviet troops had intervened in Afghanistan. Since then, more than three million Afghans had sought refuge in Pakistan. Repeated attacks from the Afghanistan side on Pakistani towns and villages had caused heavy loss of life and damage to civilian property. Pakistan "will never submit to pressure, nor will it ever resile from the principles that have formed the basis of our policy on Afghanistan'. Pakistan opposed foreign intervention in Afghanistan.

Increasing high-level contacts with India had moved the two nations towards a more co-operative relationship. Pakistan wanted a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir question, and was ready for joint commitments on mutual security to prevent a return to confrontation and to keep the area free of nuclear weapons. It proposed simultaneous signature with India of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; simultaneous acceptance of full-scope safeguards; bilateral inspection of each other's nuclear facilities; and a binding declaration by all South Asian States renouncing the acquisition or manufacture of nuclear weapons.

Developing countries were being pushed dangerously close to social and political upheaval. Higher interest rates, tougher commercial bank payment terms, the "harsh terms' of the International Monetary Fund, protectionism and deteriorating terms of trade had choked off finance for development. Domestic policies had been unjustly accused for developing countries' inability to pay their external debt. Immediate measures should include increased official development assistance, expansion of IMF quotas, new issues of special drawing rights, a roll-back of trade protectionism and a durable and equitable solution to the debt problem. (2 October, A/40/PV.18)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: John R. Giheno, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said his country, together with those of the South Pacific Forum, advocated a nuclear-free zone in their region. Despite several years of protests, the French Government continued nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll. Papua New Guinea strongly condemned that "arrogant attitude' and called on France to comply with the wishes of the people of the region.

Papua New Guinea believed small dependent Territories must not be denied self-determination simply because of their size, geographic location, population or limited natural resources. The United States should honour the originally agreed arrangements with the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia under the "compact of free association', pending ratification by the United States Congress.

Papua New Guinea criticized any attempts to circumvent the Palauan Constitution for reasons of political expediency, including "the provision in the Palauan Constitution which outlaws the entry of nuclear weapons into Palau'. It regretted France's plans to boost its military presence in New Caledonia and believed that the planned increase there proved France's intention to maintain New Caledonia as a colony indefinitely.

The United States was reluctant to recognize coastal States' rights over highly migratory species within their 200-mile economic zone. Coastal States faced a real threat of economic sanctions by the United States for exercising their rights over their 200-mile zone. Papua New Guinea appreciated changes in the United States attitude and looked forward to an early and favourable conclusion of an agreement.

(9 October, A/40/PV.28)

PHILIPPINES: Pacifico A. Castro, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, called for "strict non-interference in the problem of insurgency that has confronted our people since 1946'. The Filipinos were capable of settling the problem by themselves. "There is no danger whatsoever that the Philippines will become a flash-point of conflict, as has been the macabre wish of the Western media during the past two years.'

"The process of modernization has always been attended by instability, as old institutions are torn down and replaced by new ones. But in Central America this process has been complicated by the intrusion of big-Power rivalry in the process of change. It is time that the countries in that region were left alone to seek out their town solutions and their own approaches for the modernization of their respective societies.'

Developing countries' exports were hampered by tariff and non-tariff barriers in the developed countries. "The escalating war of protectionism among the industrial countries has literally crushed all efforts at economic modernization by the developing countries no matter how heroic they may have been . . . If the developed countries were to view the third world in the same manner as the depressed areas in their respective societies, investments made in the developing countries would then be entitled to the same incentives and investments as those made in those depressed regions.'

The Philippines was now heading towards complete national economic recovery, a "dramatic turn-around' achieved through a policy of fiscal restraint and monetary contraction. Inflation, which had peaked at 63 per cent in 1984, had been reduced to around 12 per cent. Recognizing the scarcity of foreign exchange, the Philippines had shifted the emphasis of its development strategy from capital-intensive heavy industries to a more balanced agro-industrial development. Its main goal was that of development which was another term for peace, and it would pursue that goal, relying on its resources, and the industry and "innate ability of our people, through self-reliance'.

(10 October, A/40/PV.30)

SRI LANKA: A.C. Shahul Hameed, Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed grave concern over the tragic conflict between Iran and Iraq; foreign troops in Kampuchea had hampered development of mutual confidence; and tension in South-West Asia loomed large because of the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka had worked hard for the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, "a vital measure of disarmament'. Seven principles of agreement to implement the 1971 Declaration had been accepted by the Indian Ocean States. Sir Lanka hoped that a conference on the Indian Ocean would take place in Colombo in 1986 as planned. Sri Lanka had also hosted the First Conference on Co-operation in Marine Affairs in July 1985, a conference "born of the conviction that regional co-operation was the best means of realizing the potential of the rich resources of the Indian Ocean'.

"Every year we deliberate and make pronouncements on the urgent need to achieve our common security through a well-charted process of disarmament. We are agreed that there is no alternative to disarmament.' Sri Lanka had taken an active part at the Conference on Disarmament in setting up an Ad Hoc Committee to prevent an arms race in outer space and was encouraged by agreements in the Final Document of the Third Review Conference on the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also supported the non-aligned initiative to convene a third special session on disarmament as "the challenging means of reaching a consensus on concrete and practical measures on disarmament and of revitalizing the multilateral process'.

In Sri Lanka, the President was dedicated to negotiating a political settlement to problems that had developed between one ethnic minority and other communities.

(23 September, A/40/PV.5)

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC: Farouk Al-Sharea, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said no one had learned the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki so long as the arms race escalated. "Likewise, no one can be optimistic and reassured about the future of mankind so long as the leadership of world imperialism rejoices in its nuclear potential and insists on militarizing outer space.' The major danger of that new development lay in its diverting the attention of both the Governments and the peoples of the world from serious disarmament efforts on this planet.

Israel's objective in the Middle East was "to occupy Arab territories, uproot the indigenous population and establish a greater Israel capable of imposing domination and hegemony over the peoples and States of the region'. Israel's recent attack against Tunisia, the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty and Israeli attempts to impose peace at gunpoint in Lebanon exemplified such aggression. Syria supported the Lebanese decision to abrogate the 17 May 1983 Israeli agreement imposed on Lebanon. Now Israelis were trying to stay in the border area they called a "security belt' and were refusing to implement Security Council resolution 425 (1978). Meanwhile, resistance against Israeli occupation continued and invigorated resistance in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights.

Syria strongly condemned all separate and partial solutions, such as the Camp David Accords and the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty. Syria regarded the current attempts to "market' the Amman agreement of 11 February 1985 "and put it in a public auction' as tantamount to denying the Palestinian people's inalienable rights. Israel's refusal to ratify the Non-Proliferation Treaty posed a real threat to the security of both the Mediterranean countries and the Middle East.

Syria backed the African peoples' struggle against the regime in South Africa. The alliance between that regime and the regime in Tel Aviv and their collaboration in all fields, in particular the military and nuclear fields, must be matched with better coordination and stronger co-operation among the Arab and African countries in various domains.

(1 October, A/40/PV.16)

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Rashid Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the Iran-Iraq war, entering its sixth year, had killed thousands and caused substantial material damage at the expese of the development of both countries. Peaceful negotiations to settle problems in a manner that would preserve the national rights of both parties were the only way to end the war. The United Arab Emirates commended Iraq's peace initiatives and hoped Iran would respond positively.

The Palestinian question continued to challenge the human conscience and test the effectiveness of the Organization which created it. Everyone was aware of the role some of the big Powers had in supporting and consolidating Israeli occupation through the supply of economic, military and technological assistance, by impeding General Assembly resolutions and by preventing the Security Council from adopting deterrent measures against the expansionist Israeli policies.

The super-Power negotiations should lead to laying the groundwork for arms limitation and disarmament. Disarmament, and the resulting savings for economic and social development, could be achieved only in an atmosphere of political stability and mutual confidence. "Events and experience have proved that peace cannot be attained through the stockpiling and development of arms.' The United Arab Emirates called for the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East and reaffirmed support for the declaration of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace.

The tremendous progress in technological capabilities had led to increasing impediments to economic development instead of lessening its burden. The developing countries were confronted with mounting external debts, their export earnings were decreasing and their national revenues were being eroded as a result of increasing inflation and the fluctuating rates of exchange. "This situation is occuring in an atmosphere of an increasing lack of confidence among the participants to the existing economic order and against a background of a marked decline in the spirit of cooperation and commitment, in particular on the part of the developed and industrialized countries, and also of attempts to reduce the role of multilateral co-operation agencies.'

(2 October, A/40/PV.19)

VIET NAM: Vo Dong Giang, Member of Council of Ministers, said that the struggle for lasting peace and the fight for independence, sovereignty and development of peoples had "grown more intense, given the self-evident fact that the imperialist reactionary forces will never willingly renounce their designs of domination and exploitation of the world's peoples'.

Renouncing the arms build-up and noting the Soviet Union's unilateral moratorium on all nuclear tests until the end of 1985, Viet Nam said that any action for peace, independence and sovereignty of nations, democracy, well-being and social justice was inseparable from the common struggle to prevent nuclear war.

In Central America and the Caribbean, the United States policy of aggression was directed especially at Cuba and Nicaragua, at maintaining colonialism in Puerto Rico and at suppressing El Salvador's revolutionary movement and other national move ments. That policy endangered peace and stability in the region and prejudiced Contadora Group efforts to negotiate a solution.

Viet Nam believed a framework for peaceful coexistence among States in South-East Asia was now possible. Should a solution guaranteeing the security and sovereignty of all States and peoples in the region, including Kampuchea, be reached, the total withdrawal of Vietnamese volunteer forces would be completed before the 1990 deadline unilaterally decided upon by the Governments of Viet Nam and Kampuchea. Kampuchea had declared its readiness to discuss national reconciliation based on the elimination of the Pol Pot clique and the organization of general elections after the total withdrawl of Vietnamese volunteer forces from Kampuchea. Recent talks between Viet Nam, representing the three countries of Indo-China, and Indonesia, representing the ASEAN countries, had paved the way for a process of substantive dialogue towards a solution to South-East Asia questions. Viet Nam, however, deplored that a great Power persisted in impeding that policy of dialogue.

(4 October, A/40/PV.23)

YEMEN: Abdulkarim Aleryani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, hoped the meeting betwen the super-Powers would pave the way for detente and curb the dangerous nuclear arms race. The proliferation of nuclear weapons was a comprehensive threat not only to the States concerned, but also to international peace and security. "It is regrettable that the enormous financial resources are being used to achieve supremacy in the arms race rather than to free peoples from hunger, disease and backwardness through economic and social development.'

The Middle East should be free of nuclear weapons. Their introduction there would only increase existing tension in that area and exacerbate the present situation "which is the result of the policies and practices of Israel'. Israel's continued occupation of Palestine and its expansionist, aggressive and racist policies against the Palestinian people and the neighbouring Arab countries threatened peace. Its conduct could not continue without the unlimited moral, economic and military support of the United States. Peace and security in the region would be achieved through recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to return to its homeland, to determine its own future and to establish an independent state on its national territory. The United States and other countries that stood by Israel should review their policy in the area "as well as their biased stand towards Israel', so that they could make a positive contribution to solving the Palestinian conflict.

The Iran-Iraq war could extend to neighbouring areas with terrible consequences and implications for the region and international peace and security. Yemen valued Iraq's positive position and its sincere response to peace efforts, and Iran should respond positively to those initiatives. The world economic situation and other crises resulted from the gap between developed and developing countries. Fluctuations of exchange rates and protectionist barriers impeded the growth of developing country economies. Industrialized countries should show more understanding of the new international economic order.

Non-alignment was the only way for third world countries to resist all forms of domination and hegemony on the part of the major Powers and support international peace and the promotion of detente and peaceful coexistence. "Our concept of non-alignment is based on understanding and mutual co-operation with other countries, whatever the political system and the philosophies and ideologies, within the framework of mutual respect and noninterference in internal affairs.'

(7 October, A/40/PV.25)

LATIN AMERICA

The foreign debt crisis and the situation in Central America were top concerns among States from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Many speakers said the foreign debt of Latin American countries could halt economic growth, erode the democratization process, threaten peace and destabilize the international financial system. Debtor and creditor countries, private banking and international financial institutions must all work towards finding a solution as they have equal responsibility, they stated.

A number of nations felt they should not be required to pay debts which had been created because of an unjust economic order. Other countries acknowledged their obligations to meet their debts despite "harsh' terms, but called for reasonable terms of payment through renegotiation.

Generally, speakers stressed that a permanent solution to the economic situation could come only from a restructuring of economic policies. Current policies, based on protectionism, were largely to blame for Latin America's current deficit in balance of payments, it was stated.

There was wide support for the efforts of the Contadora Group--Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela--to promote a peaceful solution in Central America. Parties concerned were urged to refrain from any action that would undermine that initiative. States were requested to ratify the Final Draft of the Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America. Calling for strong measures to combat terrorism, a number of speakers condemned the kidnapping of the daughter of El Salvador's President.

Several nations called on the United Nations to "depoliticize' the debate on human rights and to abandon the practice of selective treatment in this matter. They felt it was unacceptable to censure some countries and not others which may be engaged in flagrant violations of human rights.

A few countries noted their difficulties in sheltering refugees, due to their weak economies. They called on the international community to provide more effective assistance for programmes supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Bilateral issues discussed included the Guatemala-Belize territorial issue, and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) question. The United Kingdom and Argentina were urged to resume negotiations towards a settlement of the controversy over the Islands.

ARGENTINA: Dante M. Caputo, Minister for External Relations and Worship, said that "the Latin American experience has shown how much we are affected by the confrontation between the major Powers, which even limits our capacity to control our own affairs'. Argentina was determined to solve the controversy over the Malvinas Islands by peaceful means. Excessive British military presence in the South Atlantic not only posed a threat to Argentine territory but also affected the whole region. Argentina reiterated its invitation to the United Kingdom to resume negotiations to find a solution. "We need a substantial gesture on the part of the Government of the United Kingdom which would demonstrate a genuine wish to put an end to the controversy.'

In the field of human rights, the intervention of international organizations in Argentina had contributed to easing the situations of victims of political persecution and helped save others from "a grim fate during a recent dramatic period' of Argentine history.

Latin America was now affected by the grave situation in Central America. Argentina was "absolutely convinced' of the importance of the peace-making initiatives of the Contadora Group, which reflected the political will of Latin America to achieve a negotiated and lasting solution to the Central American conflict.

Latin America's external debt was related to floating interest rates. Over the last four years Argentina's debt had increased by 50 per cent. Many countries maintained an attitude of short-sightedness reflected in protectionist policies, reduction of development financing and deterioration in the terms of trade. "We are not looking for charity, but for the concrete will to find solutions.' In order to take action at the national level in keeping with international obligations, Argentina had substantially reduced its military expenditures and had reaffirmed its determination to use nuclear technology exclusively for peaceful purposes.

(23 September, A/40/PV.5)

BAHAMAS: Clement Maynard, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, said the international financial system had failed to respond effectively to the plight of poor countries. Adjustments necessary for long-term solutions could be achieved only through North-South co-operation. "We must bolster the adequacy and efficiency of the international monetary and financial systems with a view to stabilizing international financial conditions and rendering them less capricious.' Consultations were needed between creditors and debtors, as was international assistance to developing countries on debt management, and multi-year debt rescheduling.

Many small States, particularly those in the Caribbean, faced the threat of exclusion from international development aid on the grounds that they were not among the most needy. The World Bank's "graduation' process was one that ignored the real needs of such States.

"The Bahamas is not and has never been a producer of drugs nor a major consumer.' It was fully committed to eradicating international drug trafficking and drug abuse. The Bahamas was "in the unenviable position' of being located between the major producer and consumer countries, and its geographical configuration made it "a haven for drug traffickers'. A direct and systematic campaign to reduce drug consumption would diminish production and trafficking. Developed consumer countries, with their superior resources and scientific expertise, could play an especially catalytic role in combating drug trafficking and abuse.

The Bahamas was committed to the realization of human rights. Apartheid "degrades and tramples on the dignity of human beings'. International outrage was surely justified in response to South Africa's unilateral decision to install a so-called interim government in Namibia. The Bahamas favoured mandatory sanctions against South Africa and commended those who had taken steps in that direction.

(30 September, A/40/PV.15)

BARBADOS: Nigel A. Barrow, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said "We all know that as long as injustice exists, there will be no peace. As long as there is an unfair distribution of this world's resources; as long as one race dehumanizes another; as long as innocent men, women and children remain homeless and stateless; as long as one country exploits another; as long as one half of the world is free and the other shackled, whether it be by hunger, by disease or by terror of arms, there will be no peace. As long as the large and the strong regard the small and the weak with contempt there will be tension in this body and disorder in the world.'

Regardless of the paucity of a country's natural resources, of the fragility of its economy, any country that made the mistake of managing its affairs with a modicum of prudence was in grave danger of being excluded from access to most forms of concessional financial aid.

Barbados, concerned about the situation in Central America, reaffirmed support for the Contadora process and called on all parties to refrain from any action which would undermine that vital initiative. The problems of the region should be resolved peacefully through co-operation among countries immediately concerned.

Results of the North-South dialogue had thus far been "disappointing' due to the lack of willingness on the part of some Governments to redress inequities in the international economic system. Barbados hoped that recent efforts by the richest nations to solve problems among themselves would result in a greater appreciation of the difficulties of poorer nations and the need for a new international economic order. (3 October, A/40/PV.21)

BELIZE: Dean Oliver Barrow, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Development, said his country continued to face a decline in both the markets and prices offered for its primary products--mainly because of protectionist policies in developed countries. Access to international financial assistance had become more limited with difficult--and at times socially unacceptable--conditions for borrowing and repayment. Belize favoured reduction of the debt burden, and linking repayments to export earnings.

A pillar of Belize's economic development was the free enterprise system. But it was difficult to believe in that system when the industrialized world withheld assistance; when financial institutions injected political considerations into eligibility criteria; and when Governments were told they must accept externally imposed economic prescriptions or face intolerable contractions in financial flows. "Free enterprise should serve the interests of development, not challenge the bases of our fragile economies.'

Over the past five years--spurred by the phenomenal market provided by the United States--Belize had become a large-scale producer of and trafficker in marijuana. Within the limits of its resources it had made "Herculean efforts' to stamp out that trade. That was why it was so distressing when the claim was made that Belize had failed to eradicate any of its drug crop. Belize preferred manual eradication to aerial spraying of chemical herbicides onto marijuana plantations, and rejected the threat of an implied aid cutoff designed to force it to move prematurely and in an undesirable way.

Belize could not ignore attempts being made by outside Powers to exploit conditions in Central America to gain advantage in the East-West struggle. A regional political solution through the Contadora process was the best means to deal with that situation. Belize was committed to finding a diplomatic solution to Guatemala's unresolved claim to its territory. A preclude to harmonious relations was the recognition that two separate, sovereign entities shared a common border.

(8 October, A/40/PV.27)

BOLIVIA: Julio Garrett Aillon, Vice-President, said that "the 1980s may end as a lost decade for development, unless major economic measures are taken to relieve the crushing burden of external debt on the economic and social structure of many developing nations'. Debt-service in Latin America represented twice the war reparations imposed on Germany in 1919. Latin America's interest payments on that debt had mounted to more than $100,000 million a year. The dimensions of the situation made clear the urgent need for a reappraisal of future policies.

Longer repayment time-limits and lower interest rates were imperative. Restaggering Latin America's debt and relating debt-service to international price performance were also necessary for any solution. However, any measures taken would be insufficient if increased funds for development were not made available. The only way to prevent economic and social disarray in Latin America was to provide for its development. Either the rules of the economic game would change or "the world will be dragged into a financial holocaust.'

Trade in illicit drugs was an international crime, but it was unreasonable to place the primary responsibility on producer countries for the fight against the drug trade. Responsibility lay with the international community and the major contribution must be made by the consumer countries. Bolivia supported convening a conference in 1987 to consider aspects of illicit international drug traffic.

Every day the world squandered more than $2 billion on the arms race. The suffering and poverty that could be spared by the diversion of such a sum to development needs was incalculable. The most frightful thing was the "lack of moral awareness' on the part of those who gambled with people's hunger and mankind's survival.

(8 October, A/40/PV.27)

COLOMBIA: Augusto Ramirez Ocampo, Minister for External Relations, said that to make sure that "Earth will not be annihilated by the demented games of the great Powers', Colombia favoured more denuclearized zones like that established in Latin America by the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

On Latin American debt, he urged a political dialogue between debtor and creditor countries, noting that Colombia had reached agreement with its own creditors and had adopted a "process of self-discipline' monitored by the International Monetary Fund. "The debt bomb has not yet been deactivated.' The countries of the region "cannot commit their income from exports beyond the levels required for their productive activity'.

Colombia was committed to combating the scourge of drug trafficking. The Andean Group had signed an agreement to strengthen international action against the narcotics trade, which would bear the name of Colombia's former Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Lara Bonilla--murdered in his struggle against drug trafficking.

"We are now experiencing a new wave of attacks against human dignity which have gravely jeopardized' today's world. Terrorism was the "dirty war' because of its "cowardice and unfairness'. The United Nations should undertake to sign a convention against terrorism. Argentina and the United Kingdom should resume talks that would enable them to reconcile Argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands with the interests of the islanders. (23 September, A/40/PV.4)

COSTA RICA: Carlos Jose Gutierrez, Minister for External Relations and Worship said there was an urgent need to make a radical attack on the problem of terrorism, which was becoming alarmingly widespread. The recent kidnapping of the daughter of the President of El Salvador constituted "another dramatic link in this bitter chain of barbarism'. The use of terror as an instrument of political action could not be justified.

Costa Rica sheltered 200,000 distplaced persons and refugees, most of whom were Nicaraguan. As they represented some 10 per cent of the population, it was a difficult burden to carry. It was vital that the international community should provide more effective assistance for the programmes developed by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees.

Latin America had the most serious economic problems in the world. The crisis had various causes and the debtors were only partly responsible. "We are debtors not because we wish to be so, but because an unjust international economic order has compelled us to become such.' The solution also lay with the industrialized countries, the lending banks and international financial institutions. Costa Rica was attempting to meet its debt despite the harsh terms set, but it needed reasonable terms of payment so that it could "consolidate its political, economic and social democracy'.

Costa Rica supported the Contadora initiative. The time had come "for us to see the fruits' of that process. The loss of credibility of that initiative would have "tragic and disastrous' consequences. Steps should be taken to subscribe to and ratify the new version of the draft Contadora Act on Peace and Co-operation in Central America. Costa Rica hoped that through the machinery to be established pursuant to the Contadora Act, it would be possible to solve the problem of border aggressions committed against Costa Rica by Nicaragua.

(25 September, A/40/PV.9)

CUBA: Isidoro Malmierca Peoli, Minister for External Relations, said United States imperialism was promoting the escalation of the arms race, even though that practice endangered the very survival of mankind. Cuba condemned all attempts to militarize outer space--especially the United States' so-called strategic defence initiative--and supported the Soviet Union proposal concerning international co-operation in the peaceful exploration of outer space. It welcomed the holding of talks at the highest level between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The "abysmal inequality' separating developing from developed countries had to be eliminated. The world must struggle to eradicate poverty, hunger, sickness and illiteracy from which hundreds of millions of persons still suffered. Cuba aspired to a new world order, based on justice, equity and peace. The achievement of unity in Latin America and the Caribbean was more urgent than ever before. The region was one area of the world which had suffered most directly from acts of aggression by colonial and imperialist Powers. Cuba supported the Contadora Group initiative and demanded that the United States end its military, economic and political acts of aggression against Nicaragua.

The Cuban people, which had been constructing socialism 90 miles from the strongest imperialist Power for the last 26 years and had managed to "withstand every blow' and defend its independence and national sovereignty, was still ready to defend itself and defeat whoever attempted to conquer its territory.

Cuba denounced the "pressure and blackmail' that had been applied against the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other specialized agencies, which constituted an attack on multilateralism and on the United Nations system itself. Such campaigns were not aimed at increasing the efficiency of the system, but sought to destroy it. Cuba would always oppose any attempt to reduce, weigh down or prevent the work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

(25 September, A/40/PV.9)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Jose Augusto Vega Imbert, Secretary of State for External Relations, said the recovery in the major industrialized economies had not had a beneficial effect on developing countries. "Stubborn protectionist measures in time of the depression turn the markets of developed countries into impregnable fortresses, in violation of international agreements.'

Latin America's $370 billion debt could no longer be ignored by those who demanded traditional economic policies to recover their loans. Latin America devoted more than 35 per cent of its annual exports to paying interest on foreign debt. Debt payment was made more difficult by the lack of opportunity to increase exports. "A region cannot develop by exporting capital when it most needs to retain it.' The developing countries were not opposed to programmes of adjustment, but believed that the International Monetary Fund's stabilization programmes did not eliminate the structural imbalances and in practice led to political pressures and greater social costs, such as increased unemployment and reduction of domestic demand.

The Cartagena Consensus had helped consolidate Latin American solidarity and produce positive effects in rescheduling debt. The Dominican Republic rejected the formation of a "debtors' club' of global and collective negotiation of Latin America's external debt. It advocated a set of principles and common parameters that would serve as a point of reference to each country's separate negotiations.

Tensions in Central America resulted from struggles among brothers. Only a peaceful, negotiated settlement could resolve the conflict. The Dominican Republic supported Contadora activities and called for support from the United States and Cuba to effectively implement the Contadora Act. (7 October, A/40/PV.24)

ECUADOR: Edgar Teran, Minister for External Relations, condemned atomic explosions for military purposes. Those carried out in the South Pacific were of particular concern to Ecuador, given its position within the region. Ecuador supported the South Pacific Forum's recommendation that a treaty establishing a nuclear-free zone in the South Pacific be negotiated and adopted.

Terrorism recently had caused an international upheaval which deserved the international community's condemnation. The daughter of President Duarte of El Salvador had been kidnapped. Ecuador strongly condemned that attempt to exert pressure on him.

The debt problem must be the shared responsibility of debtors and creditors. Ecuador had an open attitude to negotiations with the industrialized countries and the financial organizations. But renegotiation was needed to allow the essential leeway for the survival of debtor countries as well as for their progress. While Ecuador had brought to a successful close the process of debt renegotiation, in terms which allowed for an acceptable development of its national economy, the only effective and permanent solution would have to come from a restructuring of the economic policies which, having been based on an ill-advised protectionism, were largely to blame for Latin America's growing current account deficit in the balance of payments.

The serious breach of the peace which afflicted the Central American region was of continuing concern to Ecuador. The enjoyment of true democracy in Central America was a sine qua non for the restoration of peace. Disarmament of the region was a necessity, since the imbalance of forces between States carried with it continuing thereats to peace. The time had come to resume the conversations between the Government of El Salvador and the rebel forces. Ecuador approved the proposal of United States President Reagan to encourage a dialogue between the Sandinista Government and its opponents.

(26 September, A/40/PV.11)

GUATEMALA: Fernando Andrade Diaz-Duran, Minister for External Relations, said the Government had held informal, exploratory talks with the United Kingdom, with the participation of representatives of Belize, to find a just solution to the question of Belize which would satisfy the rights of the parties involved. A sincere dialogue must be pursued to promote understanding between the parties. Guatemala reserved its rights over the territory of Belize as long as the dispute was not resolved and, consequently, did not recognize either the independence of Belize or the State of Belize, or its "alleged' sea or land frontiers.

The process of democratization in Guatemala was bringing about a more open society. For the first time in its political history, there were eight presidential candidates, all of them civilians. In the November elections, the people of Guatemala wanted to choose freely their future leaders without outside interference. They denounced any attempt by minority totalitarian sectors, supported from the outside, to obstruct the voting procedure by means of destabilization, violence, intimidation and terrorism.

Guatemala had held talks with Mexico with a view to implementing agreed procedures to facilitate the return of some 46,000 Guatemalan refugees, mostly women and children.

Guatemala, continuing its "open door' policy with agencies interested in promoting human rights, had provided facilities so their representatives might visit the country and ascertain directly the true situation. The United Nations should "depoliticize' debate on human rights and abandon the practice of selective treatment. It was "absurd to single out for censure some small countries, while others which are engaged in flagrant violations and are involved in military or economic alliances with powerful nations are left alone'.

(3 October, A/40/PV.21)

GUYANA: Rashleigh E. Jackson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the prospect of nuclear annihilation was a major international concern. "In some Kafkaesque manner the existence of this common threat has not yet produced the unity of response that such a process demands.' The sad reality was not only that the arms race continued on earth but also that concrete actions had begun which would make outer space an arena of military competition. Guyana urged that the forthcoming Geneva summit talks be purposeful and constructive.

In Central America and the Caribbean one could see the most poignant manifestation of ideological intolerance. The social and economic situations of the peoples of the region had been "exploited and manipulated by external forces in the name of protecting them'. The result was tension, instability and a situation where peace and security were gravely imperilled. Guyana believed the Contadora process deserved real and practical support from all members of the international community.

Prospects for progress in establishing a new international economic order were diminished by a retreat from multilateralism, and by the reluctance to engage in global negotiations. Although the reality of interdependence had become more obvious with the lingering economic crisis, its requirements were being ignored by some rich and powerful States seeking to exert greater control over international economic relations. Guyana would not retreat from its commitment to internationalism.

An obvious legacy of colonialism was the pervasiveness of underdevelopment and the instability which it caused. What could not be negotiated were the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement--"the bedrock' of its solidarity. (1 October, A/40/PV.17)

HAITI: Jean-Robert Estime, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that by 1990 there would be 900 million people living in absolute poverty. "Need we point out that this is a scandalous attack on the dignity of the human person?' It was cause to question the significance and effectiveness of international co-operation mechanisms, as well as the institutions acting in the name of the moral and intellectual solidarity of mankind. "A world in which developing countries face simultaneously a fall in their standard of living and the draining away of their capital is by definition volatile.' For most African and Latin American nations, real per capita income was no more than it was 10 years ago.

Haiti stressed the serious social and political consequences of debt, the need to take account of the effective reimbursement capacity of the countries concerned and the need to guarantee their investment programmes. The rate of investment had slowed, objectives of the Third Development Decade remained illusory, and official development assistance achievements had regressed. Haiti had doubts about the fate of the Common Fund for Commodities, the World Bank's energy affiliate and, indeed, other global negotiations.

Haiti supported Contadora Group efforts to restore, through dialogue and consultation, peace and security in Central America. The situation in the Malvinas Islands was a consequence of an "anachronistic colonial order', and the parties concerned should renew negotiations for a just solution, taking into account Argentina's legitimate aspirations.

Haiti had established the legal and constitutional framework for developing Haitian democracy, which would guarantee fundamental freedoms and organize the operation of Haitian political parties and the Prime Minister's role after the elections envisaged for February 1987. (2 October, A/40/PV.19)

HONDURAS: Edgardo Paz Barnica, Minister for External Relations, said the world could not continue to allow arms expenditures to grow in inverse ratio to the decline in international development aid. "We should not be too confident that the worst will not in fact come to pass.' There were political, strategic and security conditions so dangerous they had become an appeal to common sense and compromise. "Economic and social conditions . . . like open wounds, are clamouring not just for compassion but also for justice and equity. Let us not commit the error of relying unduly on our development and underestimating our weakness.'

The true essence of democracy lay in respect for and promotion of human rights. "In those States where the systematic violation of those rights tarnishes our primordial commitment to the Creator we shall find the most cruel expression of offensive and degrading absolutism.' Honduras said "international injustice is the greatest threat to international peace and security'.

The United Nations should establish an international development strategy with precise plans and goals which would require a commitment from "the most privileged countries to contribute a sufficient quantity of material and human resources'. Poorer countries could not remain major capital exporters despite heavy burdens resulting from servicing foreign debt. Massive efforts to develop production in the developing world could not continue to be frustrated by restrictions imposed by international trade which were designed to protect advanced economies.

"We cannot continue to allow delays in the necessary reforms in the international monetary system that should permit greater participation by the developing countries in decision-making that directly affects them, a participation that should become particularly evident in the processes of adjustment of their economies but which will not mean greater social sacrifices that might destabilize their political and economic systems.'

(3 October, A/40/PV.20)

JAMAICA: Oswald G. Harding, Minister without Portfolio, said although fighting in Central America continued, Jamaica was encouraged by the perseverance of the Contadora Group. The regional commitment to finding a solution to Central America's problems had been reinforced by the initiative to establish a four-nation Support Group to further Contadora objectives and by agreement on a timetable for negotiations on the Draft Act on Peace and Co-operation.

A consensus for international action was emerging in relation to the situation in South Africa, where killings, mass arrests, bannings and detentions had not stemmed the tide of resistance. That regime had begun to "feel the squeeze' from uprisings within and from sanctions without. "Apartheid cannot be reformed--it must be destroyed.' South Africa's bad faith and duplicity with regard to Namibia had frustrated every effort for a negotiated solution.

Jamaica expressed concern at disturbing trends that avoided a multilateral approach to problems. Under some States' national legislation, licences were being issued to exploit parts of the international sea-bed--in defiance of the Law of the Sea Treaty. That was "totally unacceptable'. Jamaica urged States which had not yet done so to ratify the Convention.

The first half of the 1980s had been the most difficult period for developing countries since the depression of the 1930s. In Latin America and the Caribbean, per capita product was nearly 9 per cent lower in 1984 than in 1980. The World Bank had estimated that an increase in protectionism large enough to produce a 10 per cent deterioration in the terms of trade of Latin America and the Caribbean was equivalent to the real interest costs of the region's entire debt. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 35 per cent of export earnings were needed to make interest payments on debt in 1984. That could not be sustained. It was precisely because of such problems that there could be no retreat from multilateral co-operation.

(8 October, A/40/PV.27)

MEXICO: Bernardo Sepulveda Amor, Secretary for External Relations, said the slow-down in the international economy had created mounting tensions. The threat persisted that the world economy would become fragmented as protectionist pressures that would harm developing countries increased. An international trade system which gave rise to protectionism and relegated developing countries to providing raw materials was not acceptable.

Latin America's foreign debt problem could not be solved through rescheduling that would grant only temporary relief to debtor countries. "If we are to pay, we must have growth.' What was required was a global strategy to achieve the reactivation of world trade, eliminate protectionist barriers and reconvert industry. "Dialogue and negotiation, not confrontation, are the basic elements for seeking solutions.'

Latin America also demanded negotiated solutions to the tensions that were endangering peace in the region. The efforts of the Contadora Group were a Latin American response to Latin American problems. The cessation of foreign interference was a decisive condition for achieving any peaceful settlement in Central America.

The stockpiling of arms "squanders resources that could satisfy the basic needs of the majority of the world's people'. Modern arsenals of war were the product and instrument of political decisions--technology itself was powerless to eliminate the threat hanging over civilization. From now on "the continuity of history depends on agreement and disarmament'.

(25 September, A/40/PV.8)

PARAGUAY: Carlos Augusto Saldivar, Minister for External Relations, said that the developing countries' foreign debt--"which weighs on them like an unredeemable mortgage'--was today's most striking issue. The problem of debt repayment was no longer a purely economic question that could be resolved through normal banking channels. It involved social and political factors that required the active participation of the United Nations in order that debt rescheduling could be accomplished without infringing the rights of the developing countries or retarding their development process.

There was dramatic deterioration in terms of trade between countries that produced raw materials and industrialized countries. Tariff barriers against exports from commodity producers remained an obstacle to the growth of less developed countries.

Paraguay welcomed the Convention on the Law of the Sea as a "victory for all mankind', and trusted that its provisions would always benefit the less developed land-locked countries. To resolve its land-locked situation, Paraguay wanted free navigation of international rivers on the basis of accepted principles of international law.

The most serious and pernicious aspect of the arms race was the involvement of not only the great Powers and the industrialized countries but also the developing countries, to the detriment of the basic needs of their peoples.

(1 October, A/40/PV.17)

SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS: William V. Herbert said that perhaps because of its geographic situation, the people of Saint Christopher and Nevis understood the significance of a multilateral approach to issues. "We who are committed to the lofty ideals of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, must never allow any of our member States to be manipulated and destabilized by external pressures.'

Saint Christopher and Nevis had signed the Law of the Sea Convention. As a nation of islands, it had to ensure that no one would be allowed to deplete the resources of its maritime economic zone. Regional bodies like the Organization of American States were of supreme importance to the vigour and vitality of the global framework of the United Nations and must be "sustained in full bloom'. The OAS was critical to maintaining development through peace and must not languish "on the sick-bed of financial constraints' as it was now doing.

Saint Christopher and Nevis had taken many mixtures of race and made them one. With such a setting at home, it faced the despicable situation in South Africa with revulsion and shock. It had called on the United Nations to take a principled stand against apartheid, appealed for an end to the state of emergency and demanded that the people of Namibia and Angola be allowed to enjoy their right to freedom and independence.

Because of the "tremendous significance' of the United Nations fortieth anniversary, Saint Christopher and Nevis would establish a United Nations educational complex--a centre of higher education and a national library--to emphasize the history and function of the Organization.

(30 September, A/40/PV.15)

SURINAME: Erik L. Tjon Kie Sim, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the current economic order had left the developing countries with continuously declining growth rates. Terms of trade had deteriorated and had further been affected by exchange-rate fluctuations, while the prices of raw materials were continually falling. High interest rates, protectionist measures and rising debt burdens had heavily undermined the developing countries' economies. That posed a serious threat to their economic, social and political stability, and hence to international peace and security. Global economic growth could be achieved and sustained by the co-operation of developed and developing countries in a partnership that was mutually beneficial.

The North-South dialogue could yield positive results only if South-South co-operation was strengthened. The international community could not be assured of durable peace so long as the economic disparities between nations kept widening. Political freedom and economic progress were inseparable. Suriname condemned the use of economic measures by some developed countries as a means of exerting political coercion. It urged Member States to develop effective ways to prevent embargoes, sanctions or any other coercive actions incompatible with Charter provisions.

South Africa's apartheid regime was using new, refined forms of oppression to thwart the struggle for freedom of the vast majority of the people, while polarization in the country was growing. That regime was "doomed to be buried in the dark pages of the history, of mankind'. South Africans had the legitimate right to carry out armed insurrection against "that form of modern slavery'. Suriname condemned the complicity of a number of Western countries that maintained economic, commercial and military relations with South Africa. In Namibia, Security Council resolution 435 (1978) must be implemented "without qualification, amendment or the introduction of extraneous and irrelevant issues of linkage, parallelism or reciprocity'.

The people of Central America had the right to determine their own future without any external political, economic or military interference. Suriname condemned the economic embargo against Nicaragua, "the officially approved military aid to counter-revolutionary groups, and the so-called humanitarian aid that is, paradoxically, given to inhumane forces'. Suriname supported the Contadora Group's efforts to achieve a peaceful solution. The Caribbean and Central American region should be declared a zone of peace. Repayment of the astronomical Latin American debt must be related to the export earnings and the repayment capacity of the debtor countries.

(8 October, A/40/PV.26)

EASTERN EUROPE

The escalation of the arms race, its extension into outer space and the threat of nuclear war were dominant themes in the statements made by representatives of Eastern European States. Most speakers said the primary responsibility for the critical state of international relations rested with the United States and its NATO allies.

There was strong opposition to the United States' Strategic Defence Initiative, widely known as the "Star Wars' plan, and support for the new USSR initiative on international co-operation in the peaceful exploitation of outer space in conditions of non-militarization. Calling on the United State to follow suit, speakers welcomed unilateral pledges by the Soviet Union not to be the first to use nuclear weapons; to suspend the deployment of medium-range missiles in Europe until November 1985; not to place anti-satellite weapons in space as long as other States acted in a similar manner; and to cease nuclear-weapon tests until the end of 1985.

There was wide support for a comprehensive nuclear-weapon test ban, a freeze on existing nuclear arsenals, a chemical weapon ban and the reduction of nuclear arms. Several speakers recalled that in April 1985, the Warsaw Treaty countries had reaffirmed their readiness to dissolve their alliance if the NATO bloc was willing to do the same.

Most speakers favoured the normalization of Soviet-United States relations and welcomed the resumption of bilateral disarmament talks in Geneva. Many stressed the importance of the impending Soviet Union-United States summit meeting.

Continuing concern about European security problems was expressed. The United States was urged to halt deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Western Europe. Most speakers favoured the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Balkans, and in Northern and Central Europe. The Stockholm Conference on Security and Confidence-Building Measures in Europe was widely viewed as an important forum paving the way to a treaty on the mutual non-use of force, the maintenance of peaceful relations and the adoption of confidence-building measures. Many speakers stressed the need for breaking the deadlock in the Vienna negotiations on the reduction of armed forces and armaments in Central Europe.

ALBANIA: Reis Malile, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the super-Powers had "fabricated and put into effect' various theories, such as "interdependence' and "limited sovereignty', which in reality meant dependence and subjugation. They had responded to demands for disarmament with a "frenzied arms race' accompanied by such fraudulent slogans as "arms control' and the "preservation of the balance of power'. They sought to find temporary solutions through a so-called dialogue directed towards what had been termed "competitive coexistence' or "controlled rivalry'. But that could not be regarded as real security.

The "hegemonist policies and militarist course' of the super-Powers were leading mankind towards a new world war. The war budgets of the United States and the Soviet Union had reached "astronomical figures'. Military bases and nuclear weapons had been placed in every corner of the earth. Now they "want to suspend a sword of Damocles above our planet in outer space, thus making mankind a kind of hostage'.

The super-Powers wanted the "threat of star wars to cloud the vision of the peoples so that they will not see Grenada or Afghanistan, nor think about Lebanon or the fate of the Palestinian people, and forget Hiroshima and Viet Nam forever'. In the Middle East, it was clear they wanted "to keep this sensitive region in a state of permanent tension as each strivers to hold a dominant position'.

In the Balkans, "national resentments and chauvinistic passions' were being stirred up and that created tensions. The Balken peoples were capable of deciding in full sovereignty on the relations between them without falling victim to the intrigues of imperialists. Albania, due to its policy of good-neighbourliness, had established friendly relations with Greece, Turkey and Italy. (30 September, A/40/PV.15)

BULGARIA: Petar Mladenov, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the strengthening of peace and international security, the curbing of the arms race, the reduction of armaments and the lowering of the level of military confrontation could only be achieved through constructive negotiations aimed at producing effective and mutually acceptable agreements based on principles of equality and equal security.

The new Soviet-American talks in Geneva had given rise to hopes for the effective solution of the whole complex of space and nuclear-weapons issues. The Soviet Union had proposed an agenda item on international co-operation in the peaceful exploitation of outer space. The United States response had been the first military testing of an anti-satellite weapon. The contrast between the actions of the two sides was obvious. With goodwill and persistent efforts by all States a total ban on chemical, radiological and some other weapons could be achieved. Another matter of serious concern was the escalating race in naval armaments.

The elimination of hotbeds of tension and conflict in the world was also important to peace. "Certain imperialist circles, for the sake of their selfish strategic goals', continued to flout the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination and independence, interfered flagrantly in the internal affairs of sovereign States, resorted to political pressure and economic blackmail, and employed the methods of state terrorism.

Tensions in the political area were accompanied by intensification of negative processes in international economic relations. Sanctions, blackmail, threats, diktat, embargoes and trade restrictions were being used for essentially political purposes. The question of restoring confidence in international economic relations and of solving existing grave economic, financial and social problems in the developing countries had become an urgent matter. (30 September, A/40/PV.14)

BYELORUSSIAN SSR: Anatoly Gurinovich, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the United Nations Charter had successfully stood the test of time, despite some sharp turnabouts in the international situation. The Organization had some achievements to its credit, but its work was not free from shortcomings. Attempts were being made to use the United Nations for interference in the internal affairs of sovereign States or to impose decisions which did not take into account the legitimate interests of all groups of Member States.

The threat of nuclear war had to be eliminated; that would require preventing an arms race in space and ending it on Earth. The threat of nuclear war was growing as a result of militaristic activities which were eroding the foundations of peace. States should unite in efforts: to prohibit nuclear-weapon tests by all countries; to freeze existing nuclear-weapon potentials and start their reduction, eventually leading to their complete elimination; to renounce chemical warfare arsenals; to prevent the appearance of new types and systems of weapons of mass destruction; and to pursue general and complete disarmament under strict international control.

Joint, active efforts were needed to counter the intention of certain circles in the United States to achieve military superiority and impose their will on others. "Malicious rhetoric' about "communist danger' and the "Soviet threat' was not convincing.

Developing countries were justifiably critical of policies of Western financial and economic institutions, which had brought them to the brink of economic catastrophe. The West concealed the fact that all its wealth had been acquired as a result of the "unashamed plundering of the natural and human resources of other peoples and the exploitation of its working people'. It was time to remove the barriers and difficulties created by the Western Powers and get down to genuine restructuring of international economic relations on a just and democratic basis.

(8 October, A/40/PV.26)

CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Bohuslav Chnoupek, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said Europe played an "irreplaceable role' in promoting peace, international security and peaceful coexistence of States with different social systems. European countries unquestionably preferred revitalizing detente to paralysing it. All States participating in the Helsinki process should redouble their efforts to extend detente to the military sphere.

Czechoslovakia advocated formulation of effective confidence- and security-building measures, including a treaty on the renunciation of the use of military force in relations among States. Positive movement could be achieved in the talks on the reduction of armed forces and armaments in Central Europe, if Western participants considered seriously compromise proposals by socialist countries.

Czechoslovakia supported the proposal for a nuclear-free corridor in Central Europe, which directly involved its territory. It advocated a world-wide ban on chemical weapons. Czechoslovakia and the German Democratic Republic had proposed to the Federal Republic of Germany to conclude an agreement on establishing a chemical-weapon-free zone that would include, at the initial stage, the territories of those three States.

Czechoslovakia actively participated in peaceful space programmes and fully supported the idea of "star peace' as opposed to the threat of "star wars'. Space technology must be placed exclusively at the service of all mankind. It must not be monopolized as a destructive force, as had happened in the mid-1940s with unclear energy.

(2 October, A/40/PV.18)

GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: Oskar Fischer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the danger of war since 1945 had never been as threatening as it was today. The inviolability of frontiers and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all European States in their present boundaries was a basic condition of peace. Unqualified recognition of the existence of two sovereign German States independent from each other and normal relations between them, based on international law, were corner-stones of peace in Europe.

The way towards ending the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament should be paved through a pledge by all nuclear-weapon States to forgo the first use of nuclear arms, as the Soviet Union and China had already undertaken; a freeze on existing nuclear arsenals; and an immediate, complete and general prohibition of nuclear-weapon tests. At the Geneva Conference on Disarmament, negotiations on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, the avoidance of nuclear war, a complete and general prohibition of nuclear-weapon tests and nuclear disarmament should commence without delay. Negotiations on the prohibition of chemical weapons should be finally brought to a successful conclusion.

The German Democratic Republic favoured nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Balkans and in Northern Europe. It renewed its readiness, recorded in connection with the Swedish initiative concerning the creation of a zone in Central Europe, free of battlefield nuclear weapons, to make its entire territory available for inclusion in such a zone.

Many developing countries were suffering from the disastrous impact of the persistent monetary and financial crisis in the capitalist world, which was due to a policy of high interest rates and the diversion of capital to finance the course of super-armament. The German Democratic Republic approved the proposal of the non-aligned States to convene an international conference on money and finance, with universal participation, within the United Nations framework.

(27 September, A/40/PV.12)

HUNGARY: Peter Varkonyi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the impending summit meeting of the leaders of the United States and the USSR and Soviet-American talks at Geneva, where it was possible and also necessary to make progress in limiting strategic weapons. Hungary also welcomed Soviet actions such as the unilateral suspension of deployment of medium-range missiles and the moratorium on nuclear explosions for a definite period. International security would be greatly enhanced by a similar response by the United States to the Soviet initiative.

States parties to the Warsaw Treaty had appealed to the NATO countries in May 1984 to conclude a treaty on the mutual renunciation of the use of armed force and on the maintenance of peaceful relations. The most effective way of protecting the results of detente and strengthening European co-operation lay in implementation by all participating States of the Helsinki Final Act.

Hungary supported Soviet proposals to the current Assembly concerning the development of international co-operation in preventing the militarization of outer space and promoting its peaceful uses. Every nuclear Power that had not yet done so must undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons.

Several countries, including Hungary, were confronted with great difficulties as a result of the widespread policies of discrimination, embargo and protectionism. There was only one way to recovery--developing co-operation and creating conditions for it. Such co-operation would require recognition of and respect for the legitimate interests of all parties concerned. (1 October, A/40/PV.16)

ROMANIA: Stefan Andrei, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that the arms race continued at an ever more frantic pace; military expenditures had increased; efforts to develop and manufacture new weapons had been intensified; and attempts were being made to militarize outer space. Romania welcomed the start of Soviet-American negotiations in Geneva. However, halting the nuclear arms race required that European countries should not wait passively for the outcome of those negotiations.

The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in various parts of the world was important to disarmament and security. Romania favoured transforming the Balkans into a zone of good-neighbourliness, co-operation and peace, free from nuclear weapons and foreign bases.

Romania proposed that the General Assembly address a solemn appeal to all States involved in military conflicts to cease hostilities immediately and to solve their problems through negotiations. The Security Council should appoint special representatives for negotiations. All States should make a solemn commitment not to resort to force or threat of force, not to interfere in any way in the internal affairs of other States and to resolve all conflicts and tensions through negotiations. Romania had also proposed establishing within the United Nations a commission for good offices, mediation and conciliation.

Real negotiations should be organized within the United Nations between the developed and developing countries, aimed at agreement on specific principles and arrangements for the global solution of the problem of the external debt of the developing countries. All States should abstain from adopting for political or other reasons economic restrictions and sanctions. Romania favoured the convening of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations aimed at the reduction of customs tariffs and the dismantling of non-tariff barriers.

(27 September, A/40/PV.13)

UKRAINIAN SSR: Vladimir Kravets, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the Assembly session was taking place against a background of sharp deterioration in the international situation caused by the actions of imperialist forces. The United States, supported by its closest NATO allies, continued to whip up the arms race, to pursue a course aimed at achieving military superiority, and to interfere blatantly in the internal affairs of sovereign States. "In the NATO camp, and above all in the Federal Republic of Germany, revanchist forces, trying to cast doubt on the results of the Second World War and the post-war structure', were provocatively calling for a return to the 1937 frontiers and for the creation of some future Europe of "free peoples', in which there was to be no room for the socialist States.

The Soviet Union had repeatedly emphasized that in reducing any type of arms it would go as far as its negotiating partners were prepared to go. It was ready for the most radical measures to prevent an arms race in outer space and to end it on Earth. "Instead of inventing so-called "means of defending' oneself from nuclear warheads, would it not be better and safer to agree to reduce and then to eliminate altogether the very means of such attack?'

The time had come to put Soviet-American relations on a normal track. The United States apparently did not wish to reach agreement with the Soviet Union in Geneva; otherwise it would have made use of the Soviet proposals. Instead, it was "feverishly carrying out a gigantic programme of accelerated development' of new types of weapons of mass destruction, and embarking on large-scale production of the so-called binary chemical weapon.

Developed capitalist countries were resorting to unilateral, self-serving actions that disorganized the entire system of international economic relations and had a particularly harmful impact on the developing countries. The programme of action proposed by the socialist countries could usefully serve the purpose of improving international economic relations.

(4 October, A/40/PV.22)

USSR: Eduard Shevardnadze, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the greatest peril facing the world was that the nuclear arms race had "made a fresh start' and was forging ahead, threatening to spread to outer space. There was a great possibility of the arms race acquiring an uncontrollable and irreversible character. In the final analysis, "this is the road leading to a nuclear catastrophe'. Not a "single twist in the arms race spiral' had been initiated by the Soviet Union. As early as 1946, it had proposed that all nuclear weapons be banned.

It was not the Soviet Union's fault that local conflicts were raging. It was "guilty' only of having always been on the side of peoples threatened by imperialism. The United States and some of its closest allies were responsible for the current critical state of international relations. A political settlement of the situation around Afghanistan was possible. Everyone should recognize the right of the Afghan people to build their life as they wished and all forms of outside interference in the internal affairs of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan should be ended. Then it would become possible to withdraw from Afghanistan, by agreement with the Afghan Government, the Soviet military contingent. The proposals of Viet Nam, Laos and Kampuchea provided a good political framework for building good-neighbourly relations among all the States of South-East Asia.

The idea that the "two super-Powers' should stop competing for influence in the world stemmed from "ignorance or malicious intent'. The Soviet Union had "no intention of placing itself above other States and peoples', nor was it seeking opportunities to dictate its will to them. Further, it was "not involved in any competition whatsoever, whether for markets, natural resources, control over sea or air routes, or the possession of outer space'.

The Soviet Union would not permit military superiority over it. Those who might expect that the Soviet economy would fail to stand up to the strain of a new stage in the arms race being forced on it were profoundly mistaken. However, the higher the level of military confrontation, the "more shaky and less secure' became the foundations of world peace. The Soviet Union wanted to build normal, stable relations with the United States. It did not believe that the current tensions in Soviet-American relations resulted from an inevitable clash of national interests. The forthcoming Soviet-American summit meeting should focus on preventing an arms race in outer space and ending the arms race on Earth, limiting and reducing nuclear arms and enhancing strategic stability.

(24 September, A/40/PV.6)

YUGOSLAVIA: Raif Dizdarevic, Federal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that some basic Charter principles had been in serious jeopardy over the past 40 years. The world had been living in a state of permanent uncertainty, faced with confrontations, local wars and conflicts, bloc rivalries and the arms race. Four decades after "the most horrible of all wars', mankind was not sure that a new war, far more terrifying and devastating, would not break out.

Radical changes in all spheres of international relations were needed. The dialogue between the two great Powers should lead to easing tensions in their relations and in the world at large. However, all should be involved in the quest for solutions to the crucial problems of the world. It was not in the interest of a single country to remain on the sidelines of world developments, as their own independence and prosperity depended on those developments.

International economic relations were a main front in the struggle for stable world development and for further democratization of international relations. There could be no safe development and sure survival for anyone as long as there was an enormous and still widening gap in the level of development and affluence.

The situation had been dramatically aggravated by the developing countries' enormous debt burden. The non-aligned countries had invited international financial and banking institutions and Governments of creditor countries to take part in a constructive political dialogue to find a just solution to that problem. The United Nations should also take an active role in resolving the debt problem, such as convening an international conference on money and financing for development. (25 September, A/40/PV.8)

WESTERN EUROPE AND OTHER STATES

The resumption of East-West dialogue and concern about progress in bilateral disarmament negotiations between the two super-Powers were among the main thems of statements by representatives of the Western European and other States. As in past years, disarmament questions were of prime concern to speakers from this group of countries.

There was hope that the two super-Powers meeting in Geneva would resolve questions relating to outer space and intermediaterange missiles deployed in Europe. Many speakers stressed, however, that the conduct of bilateral negotiations could not diminish the importance of multilateral disarmament efforts at the international and regional levels. There was widespread support for balanced, verifiable reductions in nuclear and conventional arms. Some speakers urged a nuclear freeze aimed at achieving a nuclear test ban.

A number of speakers reaffirmed the significance of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; some suggested that the regime be strengthened and made universal.

Discussion of non-nuclear arms control focused on hopes for a substantive outcome to the Vienna talks on mutual and balanced force reductions in Central Europe in 1986. There was also a widespread call for the earliest possible conclusion of a comparehensive chemical weapons convention.

Expressing concern about regional security, many speakers reiterated support for the goals of the Helsinki Conference Final Document adopted 10 years ago.

Many speakers hoped participants in the Stockholm Conference, a part of that process, would agree on concrete confidence-building measures. The link between disarmament and development was also emphasized, and support was expressed for an international conference on the subject to be held in Paris in 1986.

Global economic issues continued to concern speakers in the region. Joint efforts by developed and developing countries to resolve third-world debt and promote development were widely urged. Speakers stressed the importance of strengthening multilateral development institutions and of continuing emergency assistance and food aid to Africa.

The need for an open international trading system to foster economic growth was underscored, with speakers decrying the deleterious effect of protectionist policies. Some urged a new round of multilateral trade negotiations within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The need to improve the functioning of the international monetary system in order to increase the flow of resources to developing countries and assist in their economic adjustment was also emphasized.

AUSTRIA: Leopold Gratz, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, said co-operation, not competition in military power, was the key to real security. Substantial arms control and disarmament agreements could be achieved. Arms control and arms reduction alone could not guarantee peace, which had to be built upon confidence between peoples and confidence in the goodwill and the peaceful aims of the other side. Austria was firmly committed to the process of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

A vigorous new beginning was urgently needed in the North-South dialogue to build a more equitable and just international economic order. Political will was needed to address the world's most pressing economic and social problems. As to the debt situation, crisis management on a case-by-case basis should be complemented by a comprehensive approach. Governments must improve access for developing countries to markets of industrialized States. All Member States should fight the spreading problem of youth unemployment by joint efforts.

In South Africa, "democracy, equal rights and the abolition of all kinds of apartheid should not be an act of grace but the result of a genuine dialogue with the leaders of the democratic black organizations'. Peace-keeping operations were a major achievement of the United Nations. Since 1960, almost 25,000 Austrian soldiers had, through participation in such operations, actively contributed to international stability. A sound financial basis for this vital activity of the United Nations had to be created.

Austria hoped that Italy would take the necessary measures, in agreement with the South Tyrolean German-speaking community, to achieve an early and full realization of the autonomy of South Tyrol. The United Nations could be greatly strengthened if Member States abided by their obligations under the Charter and made constructive use of the Organization. "The Organization has a vital role to play in promoting peace, justice, freedom and progress for all humanity. To this end, let us unite our efforts.'

(26 September, A/40/PV.11)

BELGIUM: Leo Tindemans, Minister for External Relations, said distrust was prevalent everywhere and paralysed attempts to resolve the world's many problems. At the Geneva negotiations on strategic arms, intermediate nuclear forces and space weapons, Belgium sought as sweeping a reduction as possible of the number of existing systems, with due consideration of the balance and stability of the strategic relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union. New technologies, particularly in outer space, could not be implemented unless they strengthened that stability.

The Conference on Disarmament must reach agreement on compliance with the 1925 Geneva Protocol banning use of chemical weapons and conclude a new international convention totally prohibiting their use, production, stockpiling and transfer. Verification was the indispensable element of any security and disarmament agreement. "He who rejects verification bears the responsibility for failure.'

Measures continued to be taken to meet the most urgent needs of the African peoples. Co-ordination of aid to Africa had been strengthened by various United Nations organs and by donor countries, an effort that must be supplemented through longer-term actions "geared towards the development of the populations'. Development aid to developing countries was the first duty of industrialized countries. South Africa should undertake forthwith the dismantling of apartheid, and all South Africans should move towards constructive dialogue. Equal rights had to be granted to all South African citizens, within a system of protection of minorities.

International terrorism could not be eradicated completely without an improvement in the political, economic and social situations which encouraged it. Nothing could justify terrorism, and universally recognized measures should be taken against those "criminal acts'. Multilateral efforts towards that end, within the United Nations, must be supplemented by bilateral agreements.

(26 September, A/40/PV.11)

CANADA: Joe Clark, Secretary of State for External Affairs, said that "in the complex process of arms control and disarmament, priorities must be set straight'. Deep and verifiable reductions in existing nuclear weapon arsenals were the highest priority, and the achievement of a comprehensive test-ban treaty continued to be a fundamental objective. The early conclusion of a chemical weapons treaty was now within reach in the Conference on Disarmament, and prevention of an arms race in outer space was now on the world agenda.

The remarkable consensus achieved at the first special session on disarmament in 1978 must be renewed. The spirit of international co-operation that characterized the review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty showed that the multilateral process could and did contribute effectively to strengthening world security. The relationship between disarmament and development must also be considered in greater depth. The current level of military expenditures--close to a trillion dollars--was unacceptable at a time when many parts of the world were experiencing destitution, poverty and famine.

The partnership of shared responsibilities and commitments between developed and developing countries must be enhanced. More adaptation was needed to meet the special needs of debtor nations, and protectionism, which threatened the prosperity of developed and developing countries alike, must be resisted.

United Nations activities in the human rights field must be expanded. Measures to make all South Africans equal within their State must be pursued to the end. South Africa's continued hold on Namibia in gross violation of United Nations wishes and international law could not be tolerated. The community of nations must continue to pressure South Africa to change its offensive policies. Terrorism, another violation of civilized conduct, must be dealt with in more detail by the United Nations.

(25 September, A/40/PV.9)

DENMARK: Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said "It is the responsibility of all of us in this Organization to work for reason, moderation, goodwill and justice. We must be constructive. If we base our efforts on unreliable and biased assessments we shall fail. Equally, if we choose self-righteous positions and inflammatory language we shall fail. On the premise that no one is perfectly right or perfectly just, we should in this Organization, with caution and perseverance, support those in the troubled areas who seek peace rather than those who seek victory.'

Compared to the situation prevailing in 1984, East-West relations now perhaps lent themselves to a slightly more optimistic assessment. Small and medium-sized countries should also contribute towards greater confidence between East and West or at least towards a reduction of mistrust, in order to achieve wider co-operation. Agreements or understandings already reached on arms control should be respected to preserve the prospects for further progress. "Disarmament is not achieved or implemented through resolutions and will come true only by political decisions.'

The situation in South Africa was deteriorating, and imposition of the state of emergency had only made matters worse. Increased oppression would not break the will but only strengthen the resistance of the oppressed. Pretoria was insensitive to the demands for change. No just and lasting settlement would come about in South Africa unless it was based on the total eradication of the apartheid system and the establishment of a free, united and democratic society in South Africa. Binding economic sanctions must be imposed against South Africa.

Invigorated efforts must be made to broaden the economic recovery in industrialized countries and to promote economic development in the third world. In that respect, the role of an open and truly international trade system was of paramount importance. Other important objectives were the achievement of a further reduction of international interest rates and a higher degree of exchange-rate stability. Strenuous efforts must be made by the industrialized countries to reach the aid targets agreed upon by the international community. A stable flow of funds must continue to multilateral development institutions, which played an indispensable role in providing aid to developing countries.

(24 September, A/40/PV.7)

FINLAND: Paavo Vayrynen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that there was reason to expect a positive change in the world situation. "Dialogue has been rediscovered', and Finland welcomed the Soviet-American Geneva talks as the "best chance of curbing the arms race'. The results of the Third Review Conference on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons had reaffirmed the Treaty goals.

Now that technologies were making the economic use of space more attractive, a comprehensive approach to the management of that resource should be considered under United Nations auspices. Asserting the close interdependence between economic development and the state of the environment, Finland urged adoption of unilateral and multilateral environmental protection measures.

Only the abolition of apartheid and recognition of the civil and political rights of all South Africans would provide the basis for a peaceful, democratic solution to that country's problems. The Security Council should call for mandatory sanctions against South Africa. In light of South Africa's recent armed invasion of Angola, the United Nations responsibility for Namibia should be re-emphasized.

United Nations peace-keeping operations were important for creating conditions for political solutions to conflicts. The incident last June in which Finnish soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon were taken hostage had underscored the need for "unambiguous and realistic guidelines' covering all aspects of United Nations peace-keeping operations. (24 September, A/40/PV.6)

FRANCE: Roland Dumas, Minister for External Relations, said peace through deterrence had so far prevented East-West conflicts from taking the form of direct confrontations between nuclear Powers. That armed peace must be maintained through a verifiable level of arms at the lowest possible level. The deployment of new types of antimissile or anti-satellite weapons on earth or in space would lead to a new arms race, with its risk of destabilizing effects. The Conference on Disarmament should set forth rules limiting anti-satellite systems. The main objective of all those measures should be a reduction of the offensive nuclear weapons systems of the United States and the Soviet Union.

Continuation of French underground nuclear tests was necessary to maintain the credibility of its forces. Limitation of tests would only be meaningful in the context of a deescalation by the most heavily armed Powers. A convention should be negotiated banning the manufacture of chemical weapons and providing for destruction of existing stockpiles under international supervision. Also, disarmament and development must be linked; France was ready to host an international conference on that subject.

Only by the speedy and total elimination of apartheid would there be salvation for South Africa. The opening of genuine dialogue between all communities and recognition of the same civil and political rights for all South Africans constituted the only possible and acceptable basis for change. Solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict must take into account Israel's right to exist and the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

There could be no lasting growth for the developed countries if the developing countries were excluded. It was essential to maintain the flow of official development assistance. The poorest countries deserved priority attention, particularly in Africa. The existing mechanism for debt management must be improved by providing developing countries with adjusted financing. There should be an international monetary conference that would seek to define new guidelines, thereby making monetary fluctuations more stable.

(26 September, A/40/PV.10)

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY: Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, said co-operation between the two German States merited the support of all States interested in stability and genuine detente in the heart of Europe. "The network of diverse connections developed between West and East in Europe has stood up in past years to serious strains. Our aim now must be to reach more extensive, more comprehensive results than in the seventies.' In the bilateral arms control negotiations, neither the United States nor the Soviet Union should try to achieve a level of security that meant less security for the other side. Distrust must be reduced wherever it existed.

The attempt to establish a universal prohibition of chemical weapons was being hampered by the outstanding verification issues, which must now be tackled with vigour. "We want to avoid any type of war, including war waged without nuclear weapons.' The Vienna talks on mutual and balanced conventional force reduction and other confidence-building measures were essential complements to Geneva negotiations.

The establishment of a truly peaceful world meant overcoming hunger and poverty in all regions. North and South must co-operate to bring about third-world development. The debt crisis continued to "tick like a time-bomb in the world economy' jeopardizing the growth and social stability of the developing countries, and the health of the banking system in the industrialized countries. Joint methods must be found for restoring credit flows to a normal level and enabling adequate resources to flow to the developing countries. Debtor countries must try to reform their internal economic policies and to fight inflation. Interest rates must be reduced further, and the markets of the industrialized countries must be opened wider to developing countries.

Human rights violations were especially depressing in South Africa. Pretoria must release all political prisoners, end forced resettlement, end arbitrary detention without trial and terminate the state of emergency. Only in negotiations with the authentic leaders of all groups of the population could a permanent solution be found.

(26 September, A/40/PV.10)

GREECE: Karolos Papoulias, Minister for Foreign Affairs, favoured a mutual and gradual reduction of nuclear armaments by both East and West to the lowest possible level and supported all necessary efforts to that end, such as the adoption of effective means of verification. Greece was firmly opposed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Their introduction into outer space could lead to great tensions with grave consequences for mankind. Greece had joined the six-Power initiative calling for a freeze on testing of nuclear and space weapons, and supported the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Balkans. A total ban on the production and use of chemical weapons as well as the complete destruction of existing stockpiles was also essential.

International economic disparities remained a serious concern. The only solution to the severe economic crisis in Africa was through long-term structural reform. The deterioration of the political situation in southern Africa made it imperative to establish real dialogue between Pretoria and the authentic representatives of the non-white population, aimed at peaceful abolition of apartheid. Any attempt by Pretoria to split the non-white majority, either by selectively granting nominal rights to parts of the population or through continuing the homelands policy, was unacceptable.

Greece continued to support the Secretary-General's good offices in the Cyprus question While the Republic of Cyprus had shown goodwill and great flexibility in the matter, making concessions which might have gone beyond safe limits, Turkey remained intransigent, raising completely unacceptable claims. Greece supported a just and viable solution benefiting all Cypriots, Greek and Turkish. Any solution must entail the complete withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops from Cyprus.

In the Middle East conflict, as in Cyprus, Greece condemned all efforts to impose faits accomplis. The withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories was a sine qua non to a just and lasting solution, which must benefit both parties to the conflict. Foreign troops must also be withdrawn from Afghanistan and Kampuchea so that those countries might regain their independence and non-aligned status.

(24 September, A/40/PV.7)

ICELAND: Geir Hallgrimsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said it was of utmost urgency that nations, not least the nuclear Powers, conclude agreements on reciprocal and comprehensive disarmament, compliance with which would be subject to international control and verification. It was mainly due to the fact that the Soviet Union had not agreed to an effective and mutual verification system that the efforts to establish arms control and disarmament had been so fruitless and agreements obtained so imperfect and limited. As the Secretary-General had pointed out, achievement of disarmament agreements might be easier if the "largely unexploited capacity of the United Nations to serve as an objective monitor' were explored.

The naval arms race was another matter of grave concern. Equal security for all States at the lowest practical level was the aim in that area, too.

The five Nordic countries since 1978 had followed a joint programme of action against the "inhuman, cruel and archaic' policy of apartheid. Such action programmes had also been adopted by other countries and would add to the growing pressure on Pretoria to abandon apartheid. Iceland supported efforts within the framework of the United Nations to further human rights elsewhere in the world, too. The success of the North-South dialogue in reaching a sensible solution to the world economic crisis was vital to human rights and welfare. Free trade was a requisite of such a solution.

Maintaining and expanding free trade within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was especially important now, in view of the delicate situation of the world economy. A new round of multilateral trade negotiations should be undertaken as soon as possible.

(24 September, A/40/PV.7)

IRELAND: Peter Barry, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the prospects for international peace and security had been enhanced by recent developments in East-West relations. An improvement in the super-Power relationship could not fail to have a profound and beneficial effect on the overall state of East-West relations. The States concerned should take the first step towards nuclear disarmament by working for the early conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty and should undertake a commitment to halt tests at the earliest.

Multilateral efforts to bring about detente were also essential. The Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe was a central element in developing more secure and humane relations between States. There was a need for reliable assurance that outer space would not become the arena for a new and highly dangeroud arms race. It was also urgent to conclude a convention banning the use of chemical weapons.

"If political and military security are indispensable to a just and civilized international order, so too are economic security and freedom from want.' Recovery and growth in the world economy could be sustained only if they included the weaker countries as well as the economically powerful. Protectionist tendencies in world trade must be resisted. Steps should be taken to improve the functioning of the international monetary system and tackle the debt problem. Increased multilateral and bilateral aid was needed to overcome structural difficulties and help relieve immediate needs. The efforts of development bodies and aid agencies should be co-ordinated.

The goal in South Africa must be the abolition of apartheid. The Security Council should impose "carefully chosen, graduated and mandatory sanctions' against South Africa. Pretoria should implement Security Council resolution 435 (1978), granting Namibia independence, and end its aggressive actions against its neighbours.

(27 September, A/40/PV.13)

ITALY: Giulio Andreotti, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said disarmament was a general problem, and both global and regional understandings must contribute to its solution. However, it was clear that the major Powers should play their role in defining a new offence-defence relationship. The Conference on Disarmament constituted another important stage in the strategy to achieve a general reduction in tension.

A complete and verifiable ban on chemical weapons should be a priority objective for the world community. The mental attitude of regarding measures of visibility and verification as secondary elements in disarmament agreements should be abandoned. Instead, it must be recognized that, in view of technological developments, those measures, together with the balance of forces, must be the "central and vital' components of any understanding on the control and limitation of weapons. The nuclear nonproliferation regime--"one of the pillars of international stability and security' --should be strengthened and made universal. In addition, agreement should be reached on establishing a control mechanism to ensure that trade in conventional weapons was open and visible.

The problem of external debt had rightly been given priority in discussions on the world economy. The question should be approached realistically to avoid the risk of bankruptcies which would disrupt the world economic system and dry up sources of financing and credit. Italy hoped that a greater spirit of solidarity would be given to the interventions of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The elimination of the intolerable system of apartheid and the full enjoyment of legitimate political and civil rights by all members of the South African population were becoming more and more urgent. Security Council resolution 435 (1978) should be fully implemented so that Namibia might achieve rapid and unconditional independence.

(25 September, A/40/PV.8)

LUXEMBOURG: Jacques F. Poos, Vice-President and Minister for Foreign Affairs, speaking on behalf of the 10 members of the European Economic Community, said the renewed United States-Soviet dialogue was grounds for hope of a "more positive phase in East-West relations'. However, difficult problems must be resolved before agreements on substantial, balanced and verifiable arms control could be achieved. The Ten regretted the persistence of obstacles to genuine detente, such as the continued Soviet presence in Afghanistan.

The Ten urged constructive dialogue to resolve international conflicts, calling the recent agreement between Jordan and the PLO to start peace talks a positive sign. They called on all interested parties to support the Secretary-General's efforts to bring about a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem and to avoid any action that could undermine dialogue between the two communities.

The EEC's objective in South Africa was the elimination of apartheid in toto, not just some of its elements. Pretoria should open a dialogue with the black population, end the state of emergency, release political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, and eliminate discriminatory legislation. The European Community had provided extensive food aid to Africa. However, emergency assistance must be accompanied by effective long-term development policies. The Ten supported the World Bank's decision to establish a special fund for Africa.

The lowering of international interest rates, adequate transfer of resources and the growth of international trade could all contribute to easing constraints on debtor developing countries. However, action to improve the functioning of the international monetary system was also required. In that regard, the Ten noted with satisfaction the positive approach at the Bonn summit meeting.

(24 September, A/40/PV.6)

MALTA: Alex Sceberras Trigona, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said there could be no peace and co-operation on the European mainland in the absence of peace and co-operation in the Mediterranean. Slowly but steadily, Malta was participating in a process that would eventually lead to a fruitful partnership of actions and initiatives between the neutral and non-aligned States of Europe, on the one hand, and of the Mediterranean, on the other, in transforming their region into a zone of peace and co-operation.

In the Mediterranean, the problems of Cyprus and of the Middle East were formidable challenges to "our collective endeavours'. Malta supported the right of Palestinians, under the sole leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, to a homeland of their own. It called for Israel's withdrawal from all occupied territories and urged that all regional States be permitted to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. All interested parties should engage in a process of consultation and negotiation, eventually culminating in an international peace conference.

Existing efforts towards disarmament must be supplemented by new and more energetic initiatives. More effective mechanisms were needed to promote a genuine and permanent global partnership for development, whether at regional level or the level of other groupings. That partnership should take account of both the structural problems of industrialized economies, where unemployment had become endemic, and basic needs of developing societies, where structures for economic progress were yet to be put in place.

The mechanisms governing the global flow of finance, trade and technology must deal effectively and simultaneously with the ills of recession and the plight of poverty. In that context, the United Nations system had a tremendous role to play. Renewed dedication by the United Nations to that endeavour would perhaps constitute the most appropriate manner of celebrating its fortieth anniversary.

(10 October, A/40/PV.31)

NETHERLANDS: Hans van den Broek, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the Netherlands' participation in deployment of intermediate-range nuclear missiles seemed to have become inevitable since its appeal to the Soviet Union to stop the increasing build-up of SS-20 missiles had remained unheeded. Nonetheless, it would not cease efforts towards a balanced and verifiable agreement on reduction of those weapons. It was also urgent that a comprehensive agreement prohibiting chemical weapons be concluded.

The United Nations deserved all the political support its Members could give. Terrorism and hijacking could be combated only in conditions of international solidarity and mutual co-operation. International solidarity was also the sole answer to the world-wide refugee problem. Over the years it had become increasingly difficult for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to give international protection to refugees. Continued threats to, and violations of, the safety of those who sought asylum, including armed attacks against refugee camps and settlements, were particularly disquieting.

The Netherlands would continue to exploit whatever opportunity might present itself to further the cause of human rights. The denial of basic human rights to the majority population in South Africa had brought the country to the brink of disintegration and chaos. The only hope for peaceful change was a broadly-based national dialogue.

Total isolation of South Africa would only strengthen the hand of the champions of apartheid and thus tend to be counterproductive. What was needed was a gradual build-up of pressure by selective measures, supported by as many countries as possible. Action by the Security Council remained the best route. (25 September, A/40/PV.9)

NEW ZEALAND: Geoffrey Palmer, Deputy Prime Minister, said the South Pacific so far had not been an area of great-Power confrontation. "It need never be; and our own security is best served by keeping it so.' The South Pacific nuclear free zone Treaty was not "some sort of disguised attempt to undermine existing military alliances', but a determined effort to ensure that the area was not "riven by the tensions which have overshadowed' so many other parts of the world.

One nuclear-weapon State continued to test nuclear explosives in the South Pacific, against the wish of all the countries in the area. New Zealand "does not seek to be part of any calculation that involves the accumulation of nuclear weapons', a stand fully consistent with its active membership in the Western community. New Zealand would expand its political, economic and defence activities in the South Pacific region and become increasingly active there. That new and strengthened regional approach should provide the basis for a continued, sound and stable relationship with Australia and the United States based on a clear definition of New Zealand's interests and a policy of self-reliance.

United Nations stewardship had often been instrumental in the peaceful achievement of self-determination by many countries. The rights and aspirations of the indigenous Kanak people must be met in the context of New Caledonia's multiracial society. New Zealand supported the plan for establishing regional councils and a congress, leading to a referendum on self-determination before the end of 1987, and welcomed the recognition by France, the administering Power, that independence was the logical outcome of that process. New Zealand looked to the United Nations and other international bodies to continue to help in overcoming the problems of economic security for very small island States, in support of the South Pacific region's own efforts to do so.

Pretoria must be persuaded to institute necessary reforms in South Africa before it was too late. It must realize that apartheid could not be maintained by force. It must talk unconditionally to the leaders of the black majority and must accept that racial partnership offered the only hope for South Africa's future.

(24 September, A/40/PV.7)

NORWAY: Svenn Stray, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the disarmament challenge was especially urgent in the areas of nuclear weapons and prevention of an arms race in outer space. Norway welcomed the resumption of talks between the United States and the Soviet Union and hoped they would result in agreements on nuclear arms reductions and removal of the most destabilizing weapons systems. The Third Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons had demonstrated the urgent need to halt the nuclear-arms build-up and begin disarmament.

Movement towards a comprehensive nuclear test ban was especially important, as was progress on conventional disarmament. Norway supported mutual and balanced force reductions. Confidence-building measures as laid down in the Final Act of Helsinki should be developed further. Chemical weapons must be eliminated. If present arms levels were reduced, resources could be released to benefit poorer nations.

Effective international pressure must be applied to South Africa to end apartheid by peaceful means. Norway advocated adopting mandatory and comprehensive economic sanctions against that regime. South Africa should lift the state of emergency, release all political prisoners and start a dialogue with black leaders aimed at abolishing apartheid and establishing equal rights for all groups.

Peace in the Middle East could be achieved only through a negotiated settlement based on existing resolutions. Norway, which contributes troops to UNIFIL, was concerned that the Force was still not in a position to fulfil its mandate. It must be allowed to deploy its troops to the international border. The most pressing human rights challenge today was the practical implementation of agreed standards. Norway supported the establishment of a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (23 September, A/40/PV.5)

PORTUGAL: Jaime Jose Matos da Gama, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that on joining the European Economic Community in January 1986, Portugal would be open to promoting and strengthening dialogue with other regions, particularly Africa and Latin America. Portugal had a special role to play in the North-South dialogue and in calling the attention of its European partners to concepts that had inspired the non-aligned movement. International conflicts and tensions had seriously impaired the socioeconomic situation of developing countries. Sub-Saharan Afrian faced particularly acute problems, exacerbated by continuing drought and desertification. All members of the international community must assume their responsibilities for pursuing sustained and vigorous economic growth and in promoting realistic multilateral co-operation.

All peoples were entitled to development. States could not use the non-existence of a new international economic order as a pretext for systematically derogating civil and political rights. In Afghanistan, human rights violations were caused by external interference, through the presence of foreign troops; in South Africa, through the internal pressure of apartheid. Portugal condemned apartheid and urged South Africa to open a dialogue with leaders of all communities in their country.

The solution to the crisis in Lebanon lay mainly in attaining peace throughout the region, by recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as well as Israel's right to exist. International efforts to persuade Iran and Iraq to end their serious conflict should be redoubled. A regional settlement was required in Central America, through dialogue among various factions in the context of the Contadora Group. A solution must include respect for territorial integrity, a decrease in arms levels and the establishment of free and pluralistic societies.

Portugal supported the Secretary-General's efforts to find a solution to the problem of East Timor. In talks carlier in 1985, it had stressed the importance of respect for human rights in the Territory. The question of self-determination was at the core of the East Timor question. Portugal sought a "dignified solution' allowing full respect for the religious and cultural identity of the people and improvement of humanitarian conditions.

(23 September, A/40/PV.5)

SWEDEN: Lennart Bodstrom, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the arms race knew no boundaries and was reaching to the oceans and out into space. Peaceful space activities were important for communications and security purposes, including early warnings and disarmament verification, but new developments in weapons technology, including anit-satellite systems, were increasing the risk of an arms race in outer space. The United Nations study on the naval arms race demonstrated the importance of disarmanent and confidence-building measures in that area. An agreement to ban sea- and air-launched long-range cruise missiles was critical.

It was regrettable that some nuclear-weapon States were not even prepared to negotiate on a complete nuclear-weapon test ban. "Issues of war and peace and international development cannot be left exclusively to the great Powers.' Bilateral negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States could not diminish the importance of multilateral efforts at the international and regional levels.

In southern Africa, "time is now running out'. Mandatory economic sanctions would be the most effective means to pressure the South African Government to end apartheid and to ensure implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibian independence. A lasting solution in the Middle East called for a negotiated settlement among all the parties, including the Palestine Liberation Organization. Negotiated solutions must also be found to the Iran-Iraq conflict, the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and Vietnamese occupation of Kampuchea. In Central America, the Contadora process must be given the opportunity to complete its work in a climate free of East-West tensions and increased militarization.

Imbalances in the world economy represented a continued threat to international development. The struggle against protectionism was of the utmost importance. A new round of multilateral trade negotiations would constitute a major step towards expanding and strengthening free trade.

(24 September, A/40/PV.7)

TURKEY: Vahit Halefoglu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said "We should all try to replace confrontation with conciliation and understanding, tension with dialogue, restrictive economic measures with a global and more responsible approach to the economic problems of the world. We cannot let poverty and hunger prevail. The collective wisdom of the international community should not permit those problems to fester. We owe it not only to this generation but also to the generations to come.'

Turkey supported the Secretary-General's good offices mission on the Cyprus question. A historic opportunity was missed at the January 1985 summit because of the intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side. A serious obstacle to the solution of the Cyprus problem was the basic attitude of Greece, which rejected the agreed premise on which the talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots were proceeding.

As the only neighbour of both Iran and Iraq, Turkey was exerting efforts at the bilateral level, and within the framework of the Peace Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to bring their war to an early end. Turkey had contributed, through the Turkish Red Crescent, to the exchange of prisoners-of-war between the two countries, which may have to some extent, alleviated the immense human suffering in the war.

"Lack of confidence has stood out for too long as the most salient feature of the international scene.' Turkey welcomed the United States-Soviet negotiations in Geneva on strategic and intermediate-range nuclear weapons and defense and space systems. Peace in the Middle East would continue to elude everyone until Israel withdrew from Arab territories. The common approach reached between Jordan and the PLO might provide an opportunity for peace.

Developing countries faced acute economic problems related to structural adjustment, international trade, money and finance. Growing protectionist policies must be reversed. Developed countries should stop such practices, which have had a "restrictive impact on the overall level of their economic activities and divert them to lower productivity areas.'

(4 October, A/40/PV.22)

UNITED KINGDOM: Sir Geoffrey Howe, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, said sustainable economic growth was essential if a reduction in the present crippling burden of debt in many countries was to be secured. Early agreement in principle to a general capital increase for the World Bank would be a helpful step. Supporting and strengthening the open trading system and creating greater stability in world currency markets were also essential to promote the expansion of world trade rather than increased protectionist pressures.

The United Kingdom supported the United States and the Soviet Union in their aim of preventing an arms race in space and terminating it on Earth. The overriding objective in the field of arms control must be security at the lowest level of armament. "The aim must be mutual balance.' Verification, one of the essential elements in any arms control agreement, required a measure of confidence on both sides in the good faith of the other. Those who remained outside the Non-Proliferation Treaty should accede to it as soon as possible.

South Africa's growing crisis and threats to its neighbours were of grave concern. Pretoria should end the system of apartheid and establish a system of government acceptable to the people of South Africa as a whole. Britain complied fully with United Nations arms embargoes against South Africa. However, it believed that mandatory economic and trade boycotts would diminish rather than increase effective pressures on Pretoria to introduce fundamental changes, and would bear most heavily on the weaker sections of the population and neighbouring countries. All countries with long-standing political, economic and diplomatic contacts with South Africa had a responsibility to use such links to promote fundamental change.

In an effort towards more normal relations with Argentina, Britain had pressed for the reciprocal lifting of trade restrictions, unilaterally lifting a ban on Argentine imports last July. It would continue to look for ways of improving relations with Argentina while maintaining firm commitments to the people of the Falkland Islands.

(25 September, A/40/PV.9)

UNITED STATES: George P. Shultz, Secretary of State, said "Much of the conflict in the world today stems from the refusal of some Governments to accept the reality that the aspirations of people for democracy and freedom simply cannot be suppressed forever by force.' The United States and the Soviet Union now had an "historic opportunity' to reduce the risk of war. In the forthcoming summit talks, any Soviet willingness to reach fair agreements would be "more than matched' on the American side.

An "unprecedented military build-up' by the Soviet Union had eroded the basis on which deterrence rested. Both parties must agree on significant, verifiable reductions in the numbers and destructive potential of offensive weapons. The Soviet Union, with the world's most active military space programme, was ahead of the United States in research on some technologies. Soviet propaganda about American programmes was "blatantly one-sided and not to be taken seriously'.

In South Africa, the issue was not whether apartheid was to be dismantled, but how and when, and what would replace it. Peace could only come through negotiations among South Africans of all races on constitutional reforms. The United States supported direct negotiations as the only means to a peaceful solution to conflicts in the Middle East, between Iran and Iraq and between the two Koreas. Soviet troops must be withdrawn from Afghanistan and Vietnamese forces from Cambodia, so that independence of those countries could be restored. In Central America, the United States supported a verifiable treaty based on the 21 objectives set out by the Contadora Group.

Increasingly, there was recognition around the world of the inescapable tie between freedom and economic progress; everywhere, there were efforts to enlarge the scope for producers and consumers to interact in the free market. Preserving and strengthening the trading system might well be the central economic issue of the day.

(23 September, A/40/PV.4)

Photo: The General Assembly heard 137 speakers during the general debate period, 23 September to 11 October.

Photo: S. Shah Nawaz of Pakistan, a Vice-President of the Assembly, with Under-Secretary-General William Buffum (right) during general debate.

Photo: United States Secretary of State George Shultz (left) with Foreign Minister of Norway, Svenn Stray, in Assembly Hall.

Photo: Delegation of Algeria

Photo: Delegation of Benin

Photo: Delegation of Central African Republic

Photo: Delegation of Chad

Photo: Delegation of Djibouti

Photo: Delegation of Ethiopia

Photo: Delegation of Liberia

Photo: Delegation of Malawi

Photo: Delegation of Morocco

Photo: Delegation of Nigeria

Photo: Delegation of Somalia

Photo: Delegation of Swaziland

Photo: Delegation of Uganda

Photo: Delegation of Bangladesh

Photo: Delegation of Brunei Darussalam

Photo: Delegation of China

Photo: Delegation of India

Photo: Delegation of Israel

Photo: Delegation of Japan

Photo: Delegation of Mongolia

Photo: Delegation of Oman

Photo: Delegation of Pakistan

Photo: Delegation of Papua New Guinea

Photo: Delegation of Syrian Arab Republic

Photo: Delegation of Yemen

Photo: Delegation of Argentina

Photo: Delegation of Bahamas

Photo: Delegation of Bolivia

Photo: Delegation of Cuba

Photo: Delegation of Ecuador

Photo: Delegation of Honduras

Photo: Delegation of Jamaica

Photo: Delegation of Suriname

Photo: Delegation of Albania

Photo: Delegation of Bulgaria

Photo: Delegation of German Democratic Republic

Photo: Delegation of Romania

Photo: Delegation of the USSR

Photo: Delegation of Yugoslavia

Photo: Delegation of Austria

Photo: Delegation of Belgium

Photo: Delegation of Finland

Photo: Delegation of Federal Republic of Germany

Photo: Delegation of Iceland

Photo: Delegation of Ireland

Photo: Delegation of Luxembourg

Photo: Delegation of Malta

Photo: Delegation of Portugal

Photo: Delegation of Sweden

Photo: Delegation of United Kingdom

Photo: Delegation of United States