UN General Assembly
1976

118. Papua New Guinea .is geographically very near to the island of Timor, which has seen some most unfortunate incidents during the course of this year. As a close neighbor we have been most concerned by these incidents and have watched them closely. We advocated for Timor a period of decolonization under the United Nations. But Papua New Guinea is a very small and new actor on the world stage, and it was clear from the outset that there was not any way in which Papua New Guinea could influence the events on Timor in one way or another. Papua New Guinea therefore has not played any active role in . the settlement of the Timor situation. We hope, however, that the people of Timor will be assured their rights and freedoms as outlined in the United Nations Charter. 119. Papua New Guinea has watched from afar the problems of the Middle East. We wish to commend the work of the United Nations in moving towards a peaceful solution.