UN General Assembly
1982

gained. But further progress is necessary to achieve definitive protection of all the rights of peo¬ples which, like that of Ecuador, have been exercising their rights over their seas without violating any of the norms of international law. 158. Similarly, in the face of the unacceptable claim by the space Powers that it is the right of the first occupant to place satellites in geostationary orbit, Ecuador has maintained that the special rights of the equatorial countries must be recognized for the benefit of the developing world and in view of the determina¬tion to keep outer space an area of peace and co-oper¬ation for scientific and technical progress in the service of all mankind, and especially the developing countries, was reaffirmed in the Declaration of Equatorial States, which met at Quito in April of this year. Ecuador will continue to maintain that position. 159. Disarmament is closely linked with the peaceful settlement of international disputes, which is an element essential to understanding among countries and the strengthening of world peace and security. In every forum of which it is