The nations speak: general debate, 1986.

Each year, the General Assembly conducts its annual "general debate", during which Member States express their views on the full range of problems on the world agenda.

During the 1986 general debate, (22 September-10 October) 149 speakers came to the Assembly podium, among them, 19 Heads of State and Government, 7 Deputy Prime Ministers, 1 Vice-Chancellor and 103 Foreign Ministers.

The majority of speakers from all regions of the world expressed concern over the United Nations financial crisis and the need for reform of the Organization's functioning; the growing arms race, the threat of nuclear war and the urgent need for disarmament measures; the state of East-West relations; tense situations in southern Africa and the Middle East; and the continuing international economic crisis.

The consequences of the Organization's present financial crisis was a dominant theme. "We must now find solutions that ensure a sound financial basis for the United Nations", Swedish Foreign Minister Sten Andersson said.

Singapore Foreign Minister Suppiah Dhanabalan called the money needed to support the United Nations for one year - in 1987, some $735 million - "just a drop in the ocean compared to the world's combined income of about $ 13 trillion", more accurately "it is only 0.006 per cent of that income" he stated. "If our world is not able to squeeze out this small amount to keep the United Nations functioning, it is a clear sign that the international community has lost faith in the United Nations."

|An excellent foundation . . .'

Broad support was given the 71 recommendations of the Group of High-level Intergovernmental Experts to Review the Efficiency of the Administrative and Financial Functioning of the United Nations (the Group of 18), aimed at streamlining the Organization. The need for States to fulfil their financial obligations under the Charter as an international treaty was underlined.

Barbados Foreign Minister J. Cameron Tudor said the report of the Group of 18 "represents an excellent foundation on which to develop a series of reforms with a view to cutting the fat, tightening the belt, firming the muscle and generally improving the health of the Organization".

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Petar Mladenov observed: "Today we are all responsible for keeping alive and consolidating trust in the United Nations, which like a living organism develops and breathes in a changing political climate."

Disarmament continued as another major concern of almost every nation, as did the state of East-West relations. United States President Ronald Reagan said that exchanges between the United States and the Soviet Union in the summer of 1986 might well have marked "the beginning of serious, productive negotiation on arms reduction". Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze said his country was ready "at any time and anywhere" to sign a total nuclear-weapons test ban, and to make "realistic concessions" on reduction of strategic offensive weapons and medium-range missiles.

Support was voiced for the latest five-continent initiative for halting the arms race, launched by the Heads of State or Government of Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden and the United Republic of Tanzania at Ixtapa, Mexico in August 1986. An end to the militarization of space was asked for. Western nations tended to stress the need for verification in disarmament measures. Eastern States underscored the importance of measures to strengthen global and regional peace and security.

|Progress for millions . . .'

The link between disarmament and development, the subject of an international conference to be held in New York under United Nations auspices (August/September 1987), was cited. Cypriot President Spyros Kyprianou said that the level of global military spending was more than $900 billion annually, a fraction of which "if devoted to development would lead to the realization of economic and social progress for millions", he added.

A number of speakers described activities in their countries during the observance of the International Year of Peace in 1986. Some speakers said that the occasion provided by the Year presented a unique opportunity to all Member States to reaffirm their support for and dedication to Charter purposes and principles.

Almost every speaker focused on the various economic problems plaguing the international community. The Group of 77 developing nations were preoccupied with their bleak economic situations, citing structural imbalances in the world economy and the widening gap between North and South - rich and poor countries.

|Factors hampering development . . .'

Factors hampering development efforts of third world countries included: intensified protectionism, sharply declining prices of commodity exports, deterioration in the terms of trade, rising interest rates and a growing debt burden. The reverse transfer of resources, from the developing countries to the developed countries, was viewed as another major factor having a negative impact on developing countries. Calls were made for the establishment of a new international economic order. The current economic situation made the launching of global negotiations on international economic co-operation for development particularly urgent, it was stated.

Africa's continuing continent-wide economic crisis, its massive refugee problem, and the situation in southern Africa, including independence for Namibia and the end of apartheid, were also discussed. A large number of speakers called for the immediate imposition of comprehensive mandatory sanctions against South Africa, the immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and other imprisoned political prisoners, and the lifting of the ban on black political parties. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Goshu Wolde said: Much as the Pretoria Foreign had never seriously entertained the idea of leaving Namibia, it would be foolhardy to expect that regime to evict itself from Namibia when the most powerful nations in the West give it the assurance, loud and clear, that its refusal to implement the provisions of Security Council resolution 435 (1978) entails no retaliatory enforcement measures."

Calls were made for peace in the Middle East and support expressed for a negotiated settlement as the only means of resolving the situation. There was broad agreement that a just and lasting peace in the region must be based on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories; acknowledgement of and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all regional States and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries; and a satisfactory solution of the Palestinian problem based on the recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination. Widespread support was expressed for holding an international conference on the Middle East. The deteriorating situation in war-torn Lebanon, with its consequent negative impact on the work of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), was referred to. Grave concern was expressed over the worsening of the six-year-old Iran-Iraq war. The use of chemical weapons and the escalation of attacks on shipping in the Gulf were condemned and an immediate cease-fire was urged.

Terrorism

vehemently condemned

Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, was vehemently condemned by many speakers as a serious menace to the international community. International terrorism was described by a number of speakers as a crime against humanity. A number of speakers, while condemning terrorist attacks against the innocent, stressed the need for drawing a distinction between terrorism and the legitimate right of the oppressed peoples to national liberation struggle. "State terrorism" was mentioned by some speakers.

There was widespread concern over continuing tensions in Afghanistan and Kampuchea. Calls were made for the withdrawal of foreign troops from those countries and for respecting the right of self-determination of those peoples. The need for a solution of the Cyprus problem was stressed by many speakers, who supported the island's unity, independence, territorial integrity and non-aligned status. Speakers called for the reunification of Korea through peaceful negotiations. Serious concern was expressed at the tense situation in Central America, as was wholehearted support for peace efforts of the Contadora Group. There was a widespread call to stop all intervention in the region and wide support for a negotiated political settlement of the problem. The continuing need to deal with the problems of drug abuse and illicit trafficking was stressed.

Self-determination and independence for the people of East Timor was called for by some speakers. A number of speakers said the proposed United Nations conference to make the Indian Ocean a zone of peace should be convened not later than 1988. Calls were made for a negotiated settlement of the Falkland Islands dispute, and for preserving the South Atlantic as an area of peace and co-operation.

At the conclusion of the general debate, General Assembly President Choudhury said he had been impressed by the "widespread recognition of the fact that our Organization faces a critical time and that Members must face the current challenge with seriousness of purpose and determination to ensure that this session leads to a more effective, credible and useful instrument to advance the purposes of the Charter".

African States

The deteriorating situation in southern Africa and a lack of progress towards the independence of Namibia were among the main themes cited by the speakers from the African region.

Continued and increased international assistance to Africa was urged, especially in the context of the adoption in June by the General Assembly's thirteenth special session of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery, 1986-1990. The devastating problems of hunger and massive numbers of refugees within the continent were also discussed, as was the need for a new international economic order. Proposed administrative and budgetary reforms within the United Nations was another major concern.

"In an international political system of increasing complexity, one feature of which is the growth of contradictory influences, it is more than ever necessary to affirm that the United Nations is an irreplaceable instrument in the service of man, peoples and States," said Colonel Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of Congo.

Major-General Justin Metsing Lekhanya, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho declared that the "apparent tendency to withdraw from multilateralism and resort instead to bilateral diplomacy has weakened the international consensus, with the result that many regional and global disputes no longer lend themselves to equitable solutions."

"Beyond interests and intentions whose motivations we question, beyond hard-to-conceal measures which seek to subvert the fundamental principles of the Charter, beyond proposals whose efficacy we question as a viable alternative to the present situation, is the unquestionable fact that adjustments, reforms in methods and institutions, elimination of some practices and procedures are all required," said Manuel Pinto Da Costa, President of Sao Tome and Principe.

Alsadig Al-Mahdi, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Sudan, stated: "Going beyond criticism of the functioning of the United Nations to questioning its value is an unfortunate trend that represents an attitude of despair and offers oblivion as an alternative to imperfection,".

Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, warned that southern Africa was "a region truly in crisis", adding that South Africa's refusal to grant independence to Namibia, despite clear, unequivocal decisions by the United Nations, "constitutes nothing less than a scandal".

Faith in UN: All speakers expressed faith in the United Nations and emphasized the need for maintaining, preserving and protecting it. There was no alternative to the Organization, it was said. A number of speakers expressed concern over the emerging tendency to downgrade the Organization's importance and even'to undermine its authority and effectiveness.

Senegal said that the larger States, which, unable to continue to control the decision-making process in the Organization, were trying to remove particularly important questions from its consideration, adopting a position of systematic obstruction in its agencies or trying to deprive it of any real meaning by systematically denigrating its procedures and continually violating its rules and principles.

Sudan proposed that the United Nations Charter should be revised to incorporate new provisions regarding economic rights, protection of the environment and outer space, and enhancement of the effectiveness of the means of maintaining peace and security.

There was an overwhelming demand for the imposition of comprehensive mandatory economic sanctions against South Africa. Nigeria maintained that such sanctions, "applied faithfully by all Member States", would offer "the last hope for a peaceful solution to the situation in southern Africa". The argument that sanctions would hurt blacks in the region was rejected by many speakers. "Opposition to sanctions is based on fear of loss of material interests and on solidarity with persons of a common racial origin" Ghana stated.

Demands were made for the unconditional and immediate release of Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners and detainees in South Africa, the immediate lifting of the state of emergency and other oppressive measures, and the lifting of the ban on the liberation movements.

Calls were made for dialogue between South African Government leaders and "the genuine and authentic leaders" of the African people. Speakers stressed that apartheid could not be reformed; it had to be dismantled. They stated that political and economic pressure must be increased on Pretoria. Some speakers blamed support for South Africa by its Western allies and major trading partners for stubbornly resisting an end to apartheid.

Regarding Namibia, there was unanimity that the problem was one purely of decolonization, and could not be looked at in the context of the East-West conflict. All speakers underlined the need for the immediate and unconditional implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978), containing the United Nations plan for Namibian independence. That resolution was described as the sole valid basis for a peaceful settlement of the question. Speakers said that Namibian independence could not be linked to any extraneous issue, such as withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola.

That the international community should show solidarity with Africa in its economic development was a common theme of all speakers. Referring to the thirteenth special session of the General Assembly, they were of the opinion that pledges of assistance made at that session must be honoured at the earliest possible time.

Zaire announced that its President, Mobutu Sese Seko, had launched the idea of creating a league of black African States that could serve both as a rallying point for the "black diaspora around the world" and as an appropriate framework for co-ordination and discussion of problems peculiar to the black race.

Sierra Leone declared that the major industrialized countries should offer "greater, more reliable, constant and effective assistance without very harsh conditions" whose implementation could cause severe hardship. Many participants in the debate pointed out that it was extremely important to grant relief from debt to Africa, which had the largest number of least developed countries of any continent.

The |only path': The call for the introduction of a new international economic order ran throughout all the speeches. Algeria emphasized that such an order was "the only path assuring the stable and orderly development of world relations and leading to a universally shared prosperity". Some speakers said the existing order was exploitative.

Calls were made for commencement of global negotiations on international economic co-operation for development. Togo stated it would be "an illusion on the part of some developed States to wish to build their prosperity on the ashes of the poor nations". Egypt was of the view that "an end must be put to the practice of bringing financial pressure to bear on the Organization, and to the attempt to channel reforms towards predetermined goals that express only short-term interests".

The two other regional issues that were of concern to all the African countries were those of Chad and Western Sahara.

The sentiment for national reconciliation in Chad was insistent and the hope was expressed that all Chadians would regain control over the whole of their territory within internationally recognized borders. The need to respect Chad's independence and territorial integrity was emphasized by a number of speakers. It was also said that there should be no outside interference in that country's affairs, and that foreign troops should leave its territory.

A peaceful solution to the situation regarding Western Sahara was urged, as were direct negotiations between the parties concerned - Morocco and the POLISARIO Front - on conditions for a cease-fire and for a referendum on self-determination.

Asian States

The continuing turmoil in the Middle East, in particular in Lebanon, the continuing war between Iraq and Iran and issues relating to Afghanistan, Kampuchea, and Cyprus were major regional concerns of speakers from Asia.

The continuing arms race and threat of nuclear war, the deteriorating economic situation in developing countries, and crises in southern Africa and Central America were focused on, as was the United Nations role in world politics and its financial crisis.

"As the leader of a country which has this year enjoyed the sweet taste of freedom, let me reconfirm our support for what the United Nations at its best stands for: the peace, freedom, dignity and partnership of mankind", said President Corazon Aquino, President of the Philippines, one of four Asian Heads of State to address the Assembly during the general debate. "But let me also at the same time serve warning to those denied freedom and digity: do not look beyond yourselves to find them", she said.

Spyros Kyprianou, President of Cyprus, said the inability of the United Nations to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions on the Cyprus problem was an "example of the weakness" of the Organization. "If the Cyprus problem is to be properly and reasonably solved the implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations constitute an absolute necessity. There is no alternative", he added.

Prince Norodom Sihanouk, President of Democratic Kampuchea, said the General Assembly was "the only place in the world where all countries, from the biggest to the smallest, from the most powerful to the weakest, can freely speak of their problems in the certainty of being listened to, and sometimes heard". Prince Sihanouk reiterated his call to Viet Nam to accept his Government's eight-point proposal for a political settlement of the problem of Kampuchea.

Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia said that for the small developing nations "a world without the United Nations is almost unthinkable. . . . To us, the United Nations transcends mere symbolism. In the United Nations lies our hope for a better tomorrow, for justice, peace and stability and for prosperity for all mankind".

Middle East: Most countries considered the situation in the Middle East a serious threat to world peace and many continued to see the question of Palestine as the crux of the problem. It was widely agreed that a comprehensive, just and lasting solution could be achieved only through the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and to establish their own independent state. A number of speakers stressed that the right of all States in the region to live in peace, within secure and recognized borders, must be assured. Support was expressed for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Most speakers urged a total and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied territories, including Jerusalem.

Speakers also called for the restoration of Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. A solution based on national reconciliation was considered essential, many said.

There was wide support for the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East, with the participation of all interested parties, including the USSR, the United States and the PLO, as well as the States of the region.

Iran-Iraq: The war between Iran and Iraq was widely viewed as another major source of tension in the region. Continuing hostilities threatened free navigation in the area, said some. Most speakers called for a speedy end to the war and for a settlement of the conflict through peaceful means.

There was wide support for the mediation efforts made by the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement. A number of speakers commended Iraq's acceptance of various peace initiatives and urged a similar response from Iran.

Afghanistan: There was a widespread call for a negotiated peaceful settlement of the situation relating to Afghanistan through the withdrawal of foreign forces from its territory, non-intervention in the country's internal affairs, respect for its sovereignty and repatriation of Afghan refugees. There was support for efforts made by the Secretary-General and his Personal Representative, Diego Cordovez, in the search for a peaceful settlement of the problem. It was hoped that the proximity talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan would soon produce positive results.

Kampuchca: Many speakers called for a negotiated political solution of the question of Kampuchea, based on the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops and on the exercise of the right of self-determination of the Kampuchean people. There was also support for negotiations among the countries in South-East Asia to bring about a reduction of tensions in the area. The efforts of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in that regard were commended by some speakers. Others endorsed the proposals of Viet Nam, Laos and the People's Republic of Kampuchea for turning South-East Asia into a zone of peace, stability and co-operation.

Some support was expressed for the eight-point plan of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea for a political settlement of the Kampuchean question, a proposal rejected by Viet Nam.

Cyprus: There was a widespread call for a comprehensive political solution of the problem of Cyprus on the basis of the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island and full respect for its sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and non-aligned status. Any lasting solution to the problem must take into account the legitimate aspirations of both the communities in the island, some said.

Support was expressed for the Secretary-General's efforts to reach a negotiated solution to the problem. President Kyprianou of Cyprus supported a Soviet proposal to convene an international conference under United Nations auspices.

Other issues: There was wide support for the reunification of Korea through negotiations between North and South, without outside interference. Admission of both North and South Korea to the United Nations was advocated by some as a step towards reconciliation while others wished admission for a unified country. Support was also expressed for tripartite talks, withdrawal of United States troops from the Republic of Korea, and creation of a nuclear-free zone in the Korean peninsula.

There was a call for the implementation of a 1971 United Nations declaration on establishment of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace. There was support for the convening of the United Nations Conference on the Indian Ocean without further delay and the Ad Hoc Committee veas urged to complete the preparatory work as soon as possible. Some speakers expressed concern over the growing military presence of great Powers in the area.

A number of countries reiterated their commitment to promoting peace, stability and co-operation in South Asia and stressed the important rqle of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) in that regard. A few speakers favoured creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia.

The situation in the South Pacific was discussed. Some nations said the peoples of Micronesia had exercised their right to self-determination, and urged the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement. Other speakers expressed concern over what they called the persistence of colonialism in the region and opposed what they described as attempts to partition and annex Micronesia.

A number of speakers expressed support for the self-determination and early transition to independence of the peoples of New Caledonia. Several member States of the South Pacific Forum reiterated their call for reinscription of New Caledonia on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Those same countries recalled that the 13 States comprising the Forum at their meeting injuly 1985 had adopted the South Pacific Nuclear-Free-Zone Treaty, and reiterated their demand that France halt its nuclear-weapon testing in the region.

Serious concern was expressed over the growing danger of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, and calls were made for concerted national, regional and international efforts to combat the problem.

Eastern European States

The 11 speakers from Eastern Europe expressed deep concern Tabout continuing international tension due, in their view, to an escalation of the arms race, a growing danger of its extension into outer space and the threat of nuclear war. What they referred to as the critical state of international relations was attributed by most to the policies of the United States and its NATO allies. Albania's Minister for Foreign Affairs Reis Malile put the blame for the worsening international situation on the "two super-Powers". Maintenance of international peace and security, East-West relations, disarmament and European security were other major concerns of countries of the region, as was the future of the United Nations.

Nevertheless, many speakers saw some encouraging trends in world politics. "We see a glimmer of light in the fact that at a time so crucial for mankind the peoples of the world, and an increasing number of Governments, are becoming aware of the need to adopt a new way of thinking in line with the realities of the nuclear and space age", said Eduard Shevardnadze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR.

Bulgaria's Minister for Foreign Affairs Petar Mladenov stated that in the modern world the security of any State could not be ensured by military-technical means only. "The problem of security has taken on a universal character and a comprehensive political meaning ... Peace is indivisible ... There can be no security for some which would endanger others." Oskar Fischer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the German Democratic Republic, felt that "nuclear weapons rule out thinking or acting on out-dated patterns, with old concepts of war, military superiority and deterrence. Today's world has become too fragile to sustain a policy of strength."

International peace and security: There was a widespread call for the establishment of a comprehensive system of international peace and security, as proposed by the group of Eastern European States. It was pointed out that such a system would embrace all spheres of inter-State relations - military, political, economic and humanitarian. Czechoslovakia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Bohuslav Chnoupek said a system would "presuppose the adoption of material, political and legal, as well as moral and psychological guarantees precluding the use of force, and make it possible to achieve equal security for all by political means".

Such a system, many speakers argued, could ensure a durable and stable peace and would be in utmost harmony with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. The idea of such a system was described by a few speakers as an alternative to the doctrine of "neo-globalism", which, in the words of Mr. Chnoupek, continued to rely on "military force, aggression, economic extortion and the imposition of its will upon other countries and peoples".

East-West relations: East-West relations were discussed by nearly every speaker in the region. The view was expressed by many that East and West should overcome political and ideological differences and unite their efforts in joint pursuit of stable peace and security. "The East-West, North-South polarities can and must be expunged from the political vocabulary", stated Mr. Shevardnadze. He was echoed by Mr. Chnoupek who said "diverse, often conflicting, interests must be reconciled in a way that enables both individuals and entire nations to live in peace without fear for the morrow".

It was hoped that the International Year of Peace would be marked by a long-awaited shift from a policy of confrontation to the relations of cooperation and peaceful co-existence. Mr. Fischer announced that his country would submit to the current session of the General Assembly a draft resolution entitled "Need for result-oriented political dialogue to improve the international situation". He also appealed to the Security Council to meet as soon as possible on a high level to decide on measures to deal with the basic problems of safeguarding peace.

Most speakers stressed the importance of improvement in Soviet-American relations. "We, together with other nations, are interested in a constructive development of the Soviet-American dialogue, since it deals with questions of concern to all mankind", said Marian Orzechowski, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland.

Mr. Shevardnadze said the Soviet Union was far from regarding its relations with the United States as holding no promise. "We could move forward fairly smoothly, if that is what the United States side wants", he said.

Disarmament: Disarmament questions remained a top priority for Eastern European countries, many of which stressed that it was the cornerstone of a comprehensive system of international security. There was universal support for gradual and mutual reductions of nuclear weapons and their total elimination. Most speakers endorsed a three-stage programme for the complete elimination of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction bv the year 2000, as set forth in January 1986 by Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Countries of the region also welcomed the USSR's unilateral moratorium, valid since 6 August 1985, on all nuclear-weapon tests and called on the Uriited States to follow suit. There was widespread support for a treaty on the total prohibition of nuclear-weapon tests. Mr. Shevardnadze declared that the Soviet Union was ready, "at any time and anywhere", to sign such a treaty.

There was strong opposition to any measures designed to bring about the militarization of outer space and widespread support for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes only. A number of speakers supported the idea of convening a world conference on the question of the peaceful uses of outer space. The United States' Strategic Defence Initiative, referred to as the "Star Wars" plan, was criticized. "The so-called defensive space shield is being designed to carry out a first strike with impunity", said Mr. Shevardnadze. "Space weapons, like nuclear arms, do not recognize national boundaries, and they do not choose whom to spare and whom to destroy."

Some speakers pointed out that verification should not be used as a pretext to block concrete disarmament steps. Mr. Shevardnadze declared that there was no longer any problem of verification. "In the conviction that there can be no trust without verification, the Soviet Union is open to any form or method of verification", he said.

The accident in April at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine was viewed by many as a tragic result of human error and as another grim warning of the unforeseeable dangers inherent in the nuclear age. The lessons of Chernobyl, speakers felt, called for a great sense of responsibility with regard to the problem of nuclear ;afety and a new approach to the scientific, technological and political realities of the modern world.

Countries favoured the strengthening of the international nuclear safety regime within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Several speakers shared the view of Vladimir Kravets, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR, who said that security became meaningless if the main danger was not eliminated. "What happened at Chernobyl is but a pale shadow of the threat posed by thermonuclear weapons. Nuclear safety on earth is inconceivable without a cessation of the concrete preparations for nuclear war and without the total elimination of the means of waging nuclear war", he said.

European security: The crucial importance of preserving peace and security in the European continent was stressed by many speakers. They favoured the continuation of the Helsinki process and the development of relations between European States along the lines of peaceful coexistence and co-operation. The agreement on confidence- and security-building measures reached in September at the Stockholm Conference was widely praised as a significant contribution to the reduction of tension and the amelioration of the political climate in Europe.

Disarmament questions in the European context were discussed by nearly every speaker in the region. There was broad agreement that in Europe, disarmament must be approached in a comprehensive manner, combining the elimination of weapons of mass destruction with a considerable reduction of conventional armaments and armed forces. There was wide support for a significant reduction in the level of military confrontation between the Warsaw Pact and NATO. It was recalled that in June at Budapest the Warsaw Treaty member States had put forward a large-scale programme for reducing armed forces, conventional armaments and operational tactical nuclear weapons from the Atlantic to the Urals. There was also a call for implementing the proposals of the socialist countries on the mutual non-increase in military spending, non-use of armed force, and the maintenance of peaceful relations between Warsaw Treaty member States and NATO countries. Several speakers expressed disappointment at the lack of progress at the Vienna talks on the reduction of armaments and armed forces in Central Europe.

Many speakers favoured the total elimination of intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe and the creation of nuclear- and chemical-weapon-free zones in the Balkans, and in Central and Northern Europe.

Latin American and Caribbean States

The severe external debt crisis and the situation in Central America were major concerns of Latin American and Caribbean countries participating in the general debate. Among the global problems seen to have a strong impact on the region were terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.

Iniquitous trade relations, the flight of capital from Latin America and the extension of super-Power rivalry to the region were other focal points of statements as was concern over the future of the United Nations.

In their addresses to the Assembly, leaders of six Latin American countries-colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Suriname - reflected the common concerns of the region, and called for support from the world community in resolving the serious problems facing Latin America and the Caribbean.

"I would ask the international community to reaffirm its commitment to the total eradication of poverty", said President Virgilio Barco-Vargas of Colombia. "No other problem requires swifter or more urgent action."

President Eric Arturo Delvalle of Panama told the Assembly: "For those Governments currently grappling with the dilemma of meeting their countries' international financial commitments, it is appalling to make a comparison between the amount of the external debt of the least-advantaged countries and the volume of the military budgets of the major Powers."

"Some things must change", declared President Oscar Arias-Sanchez of Costa Rica. "Countries with heavy debt burdens should be given the opportunity to grow, so that they can pay eventually rather than be forced to pay now, with complete disregard for their continued impoverishment."

On the political front - in Central America in particular - what was needed from the international community was non-interference by the super-Powers and support for negotiated settlement of conflicts, regional leaders said. "We cannot supersede the will of the parties directly involved, but neither can we remain indifferent to situations that not ordy jeopardize regional stability and our common future but also violate the dignity of the peoples of Latin America and harm our legitimate national interests", observed President Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado of Mexico.

President Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo of Guatemala, noting that he had proposed the creation of a Central American parliament, said the Governments of the region must "shoulder the tremendous responsibility for causing or preventing a holocaust which may occur if we do not act with caution in the face of the historical juncture in which we are living".

Commander Desire D. Bouterse, Head of Government of Suriname, called for the demilitarization of the Caribbean region, noting that it was composed primarily of small States that were highly vulnerable to economic and military threats. There was a growing danger, he said, that the region would be victimized by "well-financed terrorist groups belonging to a growing sinister international underworld ... bent on overpowering such small and vulnerable States in order to find a safe haven for large amounts of money acquired by illegal means in other countries".

Economic crisis: It was widely noted that most of the region, like the rest of the developing world, was undergoing the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. Speakers expressed frustration at the failure to launch the global negotiations proposed to improve North-South relations.

It was agreed that the major problems stemmed from high interest rates and difficulties in renegotiating external debt; increased protectionism blocking international trade; restrictions on the transfer of technology; and the flow of capital away from developing countries.

A number of speakers expressed grave concern over new and more serious forms of protectionism, especially in the high-technology field, that were creating obstacles to developing countries' efforts to increase production even for their own domestic markets. There was widespread support for the consensus reached at the latest ministerial meeting of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in Punta del Este, Uruguay, to hold further negotiations aimed at more open trading.

Central America: There was universal concern about the situation in Central America, with a widespread call to stop all intervention in the region.

There was continued support for the Contadora process as a valid solution to the conflicts in Central America, particularly among countries in the Contadora Group (Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela) and Support Group (Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay). According to that process, the conditions necessary for peace include: exercise of the right to self-determination, no foreign troops or advisors in the region and no support for destabilizing factors.

Views differed as to the main obstacles to the Contadora peace efforts. Some felt continued "acts of intervention" were the major problem. Others indicated the Contadora Act had not been adopted in june 1986 because it had not offered adequate guarantecs on security, democratization and national reconciliation, and because negotiations on arms limitation had been deferred.

Negotiated settlements of the conflicts in Nicaragua and El Salvador were urged, as was support from the Security Council to secure a comprehensive, verifiable agreement for peace in the region.

Falklands (Malvinas): Strong support was expressed for Argentina's claim of sovereign rights to the Falklands (Malvinas) Islands, with most countries calling for resumption of talks between the parties involved. Several speakers agreed with Argentina that the United Kingdom's military presence in the South Atlantic posed a serious risk to Argentina and also affected the whole region.

Terrorism: What was called the "two collective threats" of terrorism and drug traffic were widely viewed as being among the most serious problems facing the global community. There were renewed appeals to declare both "crimes against humanity" and acknowledge the link between them.

Speakers urged conclusion of agreements to condemn terrorist activities, punish terrorists and promote the extradition process. Jamaica proposed a convention on the suppression of international terrorism. Costa Rica suggested that the United Nations consider forming an international brigade to counter terrorism.

Drugs: There was strong support for the convening of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking, scheduled to be held in June 1987 in Vienna, with the hope it would be the foundation for more effective international co-operation. "If the community of nations does not become aware of this global curse, we will be jeopardizing the ethical bases of contemporary civilization and allowing the financial strength of the mafias to enslave our institutions, our way of life, our families and our very human ethic", said Guillermo Bedregal, Minister for External Relations of Bolivia.

Many States called for international action to prevent illegal drug use and illicit traffic, rehabilitation of users, and conclusion of an international convention against drug trafficking.

Antigua and Barbuda proposed that the United Nations provide developing countries with a trained international team to investigate and detect drug traffickers, and to police territorial waters. The Secretary-General was also urged to create a global plan to eliminate illicit narcotics production.

Some nations called for effective measures in consuming countries. "Demand in those centres is primarily responsible for the existence of the narcotics traffic, in accordance with the old economic laws that demand creates its own supply", claimed Foreign Minister Mr. Allan Wagner-Tizon of Peru.

Others assigned responsibility at all levels. "Only effective regional and international action taken by producing countries, by transit countries and by consuming countries acting in concert can best address this problem", argued Dean O. Barrow, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Economic Development of Belize.

Other concerns: Brazil proposed that the South Atlantic be declared a zone of peace and co-operation.

Guyana and Venezuela were urged to continue their efforts, with the Secretary-General's co-operation, to find a peaceful solution to their territorial dispute.

Several speakers stressed the importance of human rights issues. El Salvador expressed concern at the international community's attitude towards its human rights situation, voicing hope that in view of the "sincere measures" it had adopted, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to review the rights situation in El Salvador would not be renewed.

Western European and Other States

The need for improxed East-West dialogue and progress in bilateral disarmament negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States were among the main themes cited by speakers from the Group of Western European and Other States.

Steps to end international terrorism, improve trade relations, and eradicate apartheid were also preeminent concerns, as were administrative and budgetary reforms within the United Nations.

Only two heads of State from the region addressed the 1986 Assembly - King Juan Carlos I, the first Spanish monarch to visit the United Nations, and President Ronald Reagan of the United States, addressing the Assembly for the fifth time. Both spoke at the opening of the general debate on 22 September.

President Reagan expressed the hope that exchanges between the United States and the Soviet Union in the summer of 1986 had marked the beginning of serious, productive negotiations on arms reductions. "The ice of the negotiating stalemate could break, if both sides intensify their effort in the new round of Geneva talks and if we keep the promises we made to each other last November."

Mr. Reagan also declared that the United States, which had always given the Organization generous support, remained committed to the United Nations and would continue to play a leading role in efforts to achieve its noble purposes.

King Juan Carlos assured delegates that despite common activities and institutions, Western Europe could not "confine itself to the cultivation of its own garden nor content itself with the preservation of an enviable quality of life when other regions of the world find themselves strangled by stagnation, by the diminution of international trade and by the negative interplay of commercial and financial factors". The Western allies contributed to common security and "sought to help make the dialogue between the super-Powers come to fruition and the negotiating forums intensify their work", he emphasized.

Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister of Norway, drew attention to the "growing interlinkages between issues and interdependence between nations", which created problems that transcended national systems and required global solutions.

Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister of France, said that while the world was tending to become a single entity, it had not been able to overcome threats and collective challenges. "Conflicts and violations of human rights are increasing, while the cancer of terrorism is spreading." The arms race continued, spurred on by technological progress, the benefits of which ought rather to be shared throughout the world.

East-West relations: East-West relations remained a top priority of the Western Group. "For us in Europe, as for the rest of the world, better relations between the two super-Powers are of the greatest importance", said Sir Geoffrey Howe of the United Kingdom on behalf of the European Economic Community. A number of speakers fr-om the region, including the Twelve, were optimistic about improved East-West relations.

Many speakers said the accident in April at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Ukrainian SSR had underscored the need for better East-West relations and shared responsibility. It was essential, they felt, to devise international machinery under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to respond to such a crisis. In that regard, countries welcomed the recently concluded IAEA conventions on nuclear safety and supported the adoption of international standards for nuclear-power use.

The final document adopted at Stockholm in September by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe was widely hailed as a significant contribution to reduced tensions in Europe and improved East-West relations. It was hoped it would have a positive effect on the new phase of talks in Vienna.

Disarmament: Disarmament questions remained a high priority for countries in the region. There was continued widespread support for gradual and mutual reductions of nuclear weapons to the lowest possible levels, accompanied by the balanced reduction of conventional arms.

Prevention of nuclear war and of an arms race in outer space were stressed by some countries, and States of the region also called for the earliest possible conclusion of a comprehensive global ban on chemical weapons.

A number of speakers stressed that until a new agreement was signed by the super-Powers, existing agreements, including SALT II and the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, must be honoured.

A total ban on nuclear testing remained an ultimate goal for countries of the region, but they were divided on how best to approach it, and when.

A few countries held that nuclear weapons remained an important factor in deterrence of war.

Terrorism: Efforts to eradicate the "universal scourge" of terrorism must be intensified, speakers agreed, calling for international co-operation to apprehend, prosecute and punish terrorists.

There was universal' support for United Nations resolutions condemning terrorism, but many speakers stressed that resolutions must be supplemented with concrete action. All States were urged to co-operate in strengthening air and maritime safety Initiatives by Italy on shipping safety and Canada on airport security were noted in that regard.

It was suggested that measures proposed at the Tokyo economic summit in May would be a good basis for international accords.

A few speakers, while condemning terrorist attacks, cautioned that care should be exercised in how countermeasures were carried out.

UN reform: The United Nations financial crisis and the need for administrative and budgetary reform was also a key issue to countries in the region.

Streamlining and personnel cuts were not enough; there must be a more compact, efficient programme, several speakers stressed.

The political nature of the Organization's financial crisis was emphasized by many speakers.

Southern Africa: There was serious concern about the deteriorating situation in southern Africa. The Twelve reported on new sanctions they had just agreed on, including a ban on new investments in South Africa and on the import of iron, steel and gold coins from that country, as well as the establishment of an aid programme for apartheid victims.

Economic issues: There was continued concern over the world economic picture, with a number of speakers observing that despite recovery, growth was unevenly distributed and growth rates remained low. There was wide support for restructuring the international economy through correction of trade imbalances and disorders in the international financing system, increased financing for the developing countries, and adjustment measures by those countries themselves.

The need to remove trade barriers was underscored by many speakers; protectionism was characterized as "destructive" and "self-defeating".

Social questions: There was concern among speakers about the discrepancy between talk and action in human rights matters. "Perhaps in no other area of United Nations activity is the gap between promise and performance more evident than in that of human rights", said Peter Barry, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland. Several speakers said the international community should now focus on implementing existing rights instruments.

Drug problems were of concern to most speakers in the region, many of whom urged close co-operation by the international community to ensure a successful outcome of the International Conference on Drugs, to be held in 1987 in Vienna. There was also support for the draft convention against drug traffic.

Several countries expressed concern about the refugee situation. Denmark proposed a mechanism for solving the world refugee problem through such measures as voluntary repatriation, regional integration, increased United Nations presence in various regions, and allocation of quotas based on a United Nations scheme.

Environment: Austria proposed establishment of a global environmental emergency fund - "possibly in the form of a new |window' of the World Bank" - to provide more resources to meet ecological threats.

Belgium., noting it would preside over the "European Year of the Environment" in 1987, expressed concern about the effects of acid rain on European forests and the disappearance of forests in Africa, America and Asia.

A number of speakers urged international action to combat desertification in Africa.