Mr. President, on behalf of the delegation of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, please accept our whole hearted congratulations on your election as Resident of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. I wish you every success in the discharge of these difficult but highly responsible functions.
94.	I would also like to congratulate the representatives of the Republic of Seychelles on the proclamation of the independence of their country and on its admission to our Organization.
95.	The attention of world public opinion is once again focused on the work of this highly representative and responsible forum which is the General Assembly of the United Nations. The peoples of the world have good reason to expect that the world Organization will make an ever more tangible contribution every year to efforts designed to translate into practice in international relations the noble principles and lofty ideals in the name of which this Organization was created. We have all witnessed the dynamic and profound positive changes that have occurred in the world in recent years. At the present stage of the development of international relations the struggle for a lasting peace has become a cause of paramount importance for the broad masses of people in all countries and continents. Their peace-loving efforts have led to concrete and lasting results, to a decisive transition from the era of confrontation to the era of detente. This turning-point, notwithstanding the opposition of those who are nostalgic for the days of the cold war, has established itself as the prevailing trend in international life. That is why the nations welcome this turning-point as the most significant achievement of our times.
96.	We harbour no illusions that detente is accepted open-heartedly by all. There ate quite a number of those who are trying to use peaceful coexistence to further their own interests and to distort its essence. According to some, detente should mean that people should renounce their struggle for national and social liberation. Others would like the socialist countries to "pay" for peace by making one-sided concessions. Yet others consider that detente entitled them to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. In essence, these efforts are aimed at reaching by a roundabout way those same objectives which the "positions of strength" policy failed to accomplish in the past.
97.	These efforts, however, are in vain. The facts of life make it clearer with every passing day that the reduction of tension in international relations and the reaffirmation of the principles of peaceful coexistence correspond, to an equal degree, to the interests of all peoples and States, irrespective of their social systems, the degree of their social and economic development, the size of their territory or the number of their population. There is no doubt that the improvement of the international climate achieved so far is a result of the joint action and common will of all peace-loving, democratic and progressive forces, and of all sober, realistic people and statesmen.
98.	In all justice we must emphasize the exceptional-I would even say the decisive-role which the 'consistent policy of the member countries of the Warsaw Pact, primarily the Soviet Union, have been playing in removing the danger of war. To this very day, this policy continues to be the most important factor in the further deepening and broadening of the process of detente, and in promoting comprehensive and beneficial co-operation among all States.
99.	The current year has been rich in events which confirm that the countries of the socialist community will continue to do their best to make detente an irreversible process. In this respect I would like to stress in particular the historic significance of the programme of further struggle for peace and international co-operation and for the freedom and independence of the peoples, adopted at the Twenty-Fifth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. It is no accident that this Programme has met with such wide response and support on the part of all progressive, democratic and peace-loving forces in the world. The Bulgarian Government and people fully support this Programme and will do everything that lies in their- power to have it implemented.
100.	There are more than 120 items on the agenda of the current session. There is no doubt that many of them are very important and necessitate an urgent solution. Their just settlement will be a contribution to the strengthening of peace, understanding and co-operation among nations. There is no doubt either, that today, more than ever before, the problem of ending the arms race and of achieving effective disarmament, occupies the foremost place among them.
101.	If we analyse the reasons which led in the past and are still leading now to intensification of tension in the world, it is not difficult to see that in most cases they are primarily the result of the arms race. It is undeniable that immediately following the Second World War, certain major Western States began feverishly to rearm themselves. They turned the arms race into a basic policy of their own. It is this line of policy which led to the unprecedented piling up in the arsenals of States of a growing number of new types of lethal weapons, including increasingly dangerous types of weapons of mass destruction.
102.	Nowadays only short-sighted statesmen and politicians could maintain that the arms race might be considered compatible with lasting peace and security. It is hardly necessary to remind ourselves once again of the heavy burden which tremendous military expenditures place upon the shoulders of all States and nations with no exception whatsoever. It is high time to realize that this senseless policy is fraught with danger to peace, and that it is fatal to the vital interests of all countries and peoples, even those States which are not directly involved in the arms race.
103.	As the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and Chairman of the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, Todor Zhivkov, said recently:
"No one can doubt that a nuclear war on our planet is tantamount to suicide for humanity, and that the only alternative left to this suicidal course is peaceful coexistence. This is not just one of the roads open to man for his future. This is man's only road."
104.	Nobody denies that the problems of disarmament are difficult and complicated to solve. This cannot justify, however, the lack of political will to halt the arms race and to begin taking effective measures for disarmament. It would be difficult to dispute the fact that, if it depended only on the countries of the socialist community, the arms race would have long since been ended.
105.	This is shown by the numerous and important initiatives taken by the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries, which have found widespread support among the Member States of the United Nations. World public opinion insists on political detente being complemented by military detente as well. Indicative in this respect are the millions of signatures, collected for the Stockholm appeal of the World Peace Council.
106.	That is why the United Nations must direct its efforts to the implementation of a number of its important resolutions which have been adopted by an overwhelming majority.
107.	There can be no justification for the non-implementation so far of such decisions as the resolutions on the convening of a World Disarmament Conference, on the reduction of military budgets, on the total prohibition of all nuclear-weapon tests, and on the prohibition of the manufacture of new weapons and systems of weapons of mass destruction.
108.	The implementation of those and other resolutions is the most effective way to enhance the prestige of the Organization and to strengthen its role in the field of disarmament. It is precisely to this end that our efforts must be bent. The concern of the Soviet Government, reflected in its memorandum submitted to this session [AI31/232J, is therefore fully justified. In essence, this memorandum represents a broad programme for effective action by the United Nations, aimed at curbing the arms race and achieving disarmament.
109.	The Vienna talks on the mutual reduction of armed forces and armaments in Central Europe are another forum where it is possible to reach agreement on real measures in the interests of peace and security. There is no doubt that fruitful results can be expected only if all participants in the talks adopt the only realistic approach, which is the observance of the principle of equal security.
110.	Both the Charter of the United Nations and a number of fundamental documents of the General Assembly and the Security Council stress the importance of the principle of the non-use of force in international relations. Under conditions of the increasing application of the principles of peaceful coexistence among States with different social systems, the conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations assumes an ever greater importance. With the undertaking of international treaty obligations by all States, including all nuclear States, not to resort to force or the threat of force, new and extremely favourable conditions for the maintenance of world peace will be created. The conclusion of such a treaty will strengthen confidence among States, will facilitate the process of disarmament, and will promote the successful solution of the major and acute social and economic problems which are now confronting mankind.
111.	Therefore the Government of the People's Republic of Bulgaria fully supports the provisions contained in the draft world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations, submitted by the Soviet Union [A/31/243].
112.	The efforts of the peoples of the world to strengthen peace and reduce tension have brought about deep changes in contemporary international relations. The key task now is to consolidate the results thus achieved. In this respect, a movement forward has been launched in Europe. The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe creates the framework for participating countries to develop their relations on an entirely new basis. Faithful to their obligations, the countries of the socialist community adhere strictly to the principles and provisions of this historic instrument. They are putting forward concrete initiatives, the aim of which is to implement the decisions adopted in Helsinki. This is evidenced by the proposals for convening all-European congresses to deal with questions of co-operation in the field of energy, protection of the environment, and transport, as well as the establishment of equitable and mutually beneficial co-operation between the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance and the European Economic Community.
113.	Despite attempts in certain circles to distort the results of the Conference, the spirit of Helsinki is already being confirmed in our continent. This, however, is only the beginning. It is necessary for all the 35 States participating in the Conference to show consistency, so that what was agreed upon in Helsinki can be fully implemented.
114.	The People's Republic of Bulgaria is a small country which cherishes lasting peace, security and co-operation among nations. By pursuing an active peace-loving policy, it makes its contribution to the further promotion of die process of detente. Along with the other fraternal socialist countries, Bulgaria works untiringly to turn peace and co-operation into a natural mode of international life. These lofty objectives inspire our policy in the Balkans too. Our policy there is aimed at building this part of the old continent into a region of good-neighborly relations, understanding and co-operation. This has been demonstrated by Bulgaria's latest initiatives.
115.	The positive changes in Europe transcend the boundaries of that continent. It is necessary to extend the spirit of Helsinki to other parts of the world as well. In this respect we are pleased to note the high appreciation accorded to the European Conference by the non-aligned countries, which was only recently reaffirmed at then- Conference in Colombo.
116.	It is in conditions of detente that it has also become possible to bring to the fore the problems of restructuring international economic relations, of doing away with under-development, left by imperialism and colonialism, and of accelerating the development of the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. An important prerequisite for the economic and social progress of these countries is the consolidation of their economic independence, the struggle against the encroachments of multinational corporations, the securing of sovereignty over their natural resources and the elimination of all forms of neo-colonial exploitation.
117.	The decisions of the Fifth Conference of non-aligned countries  reaffirmed their determination to seek the attainment of the above objectives. These countries can rely on the support of the socialist community of nations, which has always fought for the establishment of just international economic relations and for the eradication of all manifestations of inequality, diktat and discrimination.
118.	The Government of the People's Republic of Bulgaria attaches great importance to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which is to work out a comprehensive convention governing relations among States in the use of the world's ocean and its resources. The problems which exist in this field at present must be resolved on the basis of the just respect for the legitimate rights of all countries, in the interest of peace and international co-operation.
119.	It is enough to glance at events in recent years to become convinced of the exceptionally beneficial impact of detente in international relations upon the settlement of a number of major problems. Some of these problems have plagued the international atmosphere for years and have seriously jeopardized world peace. In this respect I would like to emphasize the historic victory of the heroic people of Viet Nam and the peoples of Laos and Kampuchea. The triumphant end of the struggle of the people of Angola is a great success for the forces of peace and progress.
120.	I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate wholeheartedly, on behalf of the delegation of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the representatives of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and of the People's Republic of Angola. Regrettably, for reasons well known to all, these two countries were unable to take their rightful place in the United Nations, which they won through their valiant struggle against foreign intervention and for freedom, national independence and social progress. I would like to stress our deep conviction that the admission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the People's Republic of Angola to the United Nations will be an act of wisdom and justice, a confirmation of the purposes and principles of the Charter and of the universal character of the United Nations.
121.	The process of the elimination of colonialism, which has now entered its decisive phase, is also favourably influenced by the positive changes in international life. The victorious course of this process is the result of the struggle of colonial peoples for self-determination and independence, which from the very beginning has enjoyed the unswerving and over-all support of the countries of the socialist community. We are deeply convinced that the eleventh hour is striking for the racists and neo-colonialists in southern Africa. They are sitting on a smouldering volcano which may erupt at any time. This is well understood by their sympathizers and supporters, who resort to last minute attempts and various schemes in order to gain time, to stop the national liberation struggle, to prevent the complete and irrevocable elimination of colonialism and neo-colonialism. But they shall not succeed, for the oppressed peoples have already learned how to tell their friends from their enemies.
122.	Faithful to its international duty, the People's Republic of Bulgaria supports unreservedly the struggle of peoples for national independence, for the complete elimination of colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, racial discrimination and apartheid.
123.	In the present international situation, the reactionary and aggressive forces find it increasingly difficult to pursue their policy of expansion and to impose such decisions as are profitable to them. The attempts of these forces to preserve their domination, to restore their lost positions, are meeting with a growing and decisive resistance of the peoples. Yet, we note with grave concern that in various parts of the world there still exists the danger of military conflicts with far-reaching consequences.
124.	Those who still hope to turn the world back to the days of confrontation spare no effort to thwart the just and lasting solution of a number of acute international issues, which require immediate settlement.
125.	One of these issues is the crisis in the Middle East. In order to settle it, Israel must withdraw from all the Arab territories occupied in 1967; the legitimate rights of the. Arab people of Palestine must be fully restored, including their right to create their own State; and the rights of all peoples and countries in the region must be guaranteed to enable them to live in genuine peace and security. As the development of events shows, the establishment of a just and lasting peace in this region can be achieved only by means of an over-all political settlement of the conflict within the framework of the Geneva Peace Conference on the Middle East.
126.	The Government of the People's Republic of Bulgaria follows with concern the growing aggravation of the situation in the Lebanon. The developments in this country have resulted in heavy suffering for the people and represent a serious threat to peace in the Middle East. It is imperative to find a political solution of the crisis without delay through peaceful democratic means, without foreign interference, while preserving the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.
127.	We are also concerned over the problem of Cyprus, which generates dangerous tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Cyprus problem can be resolved only by ensuring the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, in the interests of the people of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
128.	For more than 30 years now, the Korean people have not been able to see their sacred aspirations realized, namely, the reunification of their country. Bulgaria fully supports the efforts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea aimed at peaceful reunification, without any intervention by foreign forces. The resolution of the thirtieth session of the General Assembly, which provides for the dissolution of the so-called United Nations Command and the withdrawal of all foreign troops stationed in South Korea under the United Nations flag [resolution 3390 (XXX)], furnishes favourable conditions for a political settlement of this problem. This resolution must be implemented.
129.	World public opinion continues to be profoundly indignant at the brutal and massive violations of human rights by the military junta in Chile. New and energetic efforts are needed in order to put an end to the cruel and arbitrary persecutions of the Chilean patriots and to release all political prisoners immediately.
130.	The capacity of the United Nations to discharge its fundamental mission, which is the preservation of peace and the strengthening of security, is now considerably greater than before. Today, the United Nations can and must become a real unifying center for the efforts of all peace-loving and democratic forces against the attempts of the enemies of peace and understanding to reverse or to stop the development of the positive processes which are taking place in the world now.
131.	For more than three decades our Organization has trodden a difficult path. Hard though it may be, that path is illuminated by noble ideals; it is the path of international co-operation. The Organization's activity has been accompanied both by encouraging successes and by a number of setbacks. There is no doubt, however, that the contribution of the world Organization to the realization of these goals will continue to depend directly on the policies of its Member States and on their adherence to the highly humane principles which inspired the very creation of the Organization. We are deeply convinced that the strict compliance with the principles and provisions of the United Nations Charter is the safest guarantee for the future of this Organization, for the affirmation of its prestige and for the enhancement of its role in the settlement of the key issues of our times.
132.	As for our country, Bulgaria will continue as it has done so far to pursue its fundamental foreign policy line, which is aimed at strengthening co-operation and understanding among nations. This policy was reaffirmed at the Eleventh Congress of the Bulgarian Communist Party, held last March. We shall continue to work together with the fraternal countries of the socialist community and with all peace-loving and democratic forces, for the full implementation of the noble purposes and ideals of the United Nations.


The delegation of the Republic of Guinea- Bissau, which it is my single honor to represent in this General Assembly of the United Nations, welcomes the election of Mr. Amerasinghe to direct our work. We are pleased to join in the congratulations which have been addressed to him and to the other representatives of Member States who have been elected to serve on the General Committee of the General Assembly. We wish them every success in their mission. No one can have any doubt about the skill, experience and selflessness of Mr. Amerasinghe, who has constantly worked for the fulfillment of the noble principles of the great family of the United Nations.
159.	We should also like to pay a tribute to his predecessor, the Prime Minister anMinister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, Mr. Gaston Thorn. Mr. Thorn successfully carried out his difficult task in the defense of the supreme and vital interests of our various countries.
160.	We should also like to take this opportunity to welcome the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations. We extend to it our congratulations and best wishes and assure it of our fullest co-operation.
161.	It is clear that the work in which the President is now leading us is very important and that the decisions that we are about to adopt on the problems before us will not only affect the immediate future of the peoples of the world but will also have an influence on the march of events, on a world-wide scale.
162.	On this historic occasion, as the thirty-first session of the General Assembly or our Organization gets under way,' it is a pleasure for me, on behalf of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and its Council of State, to thank all the States Members of the United Nations, the Secretariat and the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, for their tireless efforts to ensure the survival of this great international body.
163.	I should like to pay a special tribute to that dear-minded and lucid diplomat, who has such a penetrating understanding of the burning international problems of the day. Mr. Kurt Waldheim is a great friend of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and a companion in arms of the peoples of the third world. We wish to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General, who has always placed his competence and devotion at the service of mankind. The people and Government of Guinea-Bissau consider themselves his great friends and we wish him every success in his career as a statesman and diplomat. We wish to reassure him of our confidence, our support and our unfailing solidarity.
164.	The United Nations already has to its credit a number of significant changes which have taken place in the development of international relations. The prospects for peace in the world strengthen our conviction that people must come together and talk if they are to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of all the countries of the third world to independence and sovereignty. In the circumstances, we must once again reaffirm our position on certain localized events and conflicts which are absorbing all the energies of the peoples engaged in the struggle and obstructing their normal progress towards peace and well-being.
165.	For a clear definition of the pressing problems of the world whose solutions we have gathered here to seek we must, without delay, but with courage and directness, recall to this Assembly the characteristic features of the international situation today; the intolerable facts and events which disturb our existence and the lives of our peoples and States. Thanks to the determination of the international community, reason has finally triumphed in support of the principle of universality, which is one of the fundamental principles of the Organization.
166.	In considering objectively the ways and means to be adopted to give effect to our action we must try to define a code of consistent, courageous and determined conduct for ourselves if our presence here is to have any positive meaning, a meaning that must constantly be renewed, and if those whom we represent nationally and internationally are to be satisfied of our trustworthiness and efficiency.
167.	The people of Guinea-Bissau, who for centuries suffered under foreign domination and who, in order to win freedom and independence, fought a long war that cost the lives of thousands of their best sons, cannot today remain indifferent to international problems. The commitment of the people of Guinea-Bissau in their struggle to bring peace to the territory allows us to affirm that our country will spare no effort and no sacrifice in making its modest contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of our Organization's Charter.
168.	That is why the people of the Republic of Guinea- Bissau, now completely rid of colonial domination, resolutely commit themselves on the side of their brothers in southern Africa struggling for national liberation. In our opinion, there can be no development without liberation and, consequently, no guarantee for world peace. It is the duty of all peoples who love peace and justice, in accordance with the various resolutions of our Organization on decolonization, to give effective assistance to the peoples that are still oppressed, in order to hasten their liberation and to struggle by all possible means against those who have still not accepted the objectives which we have set for ourselves.
169.	South Africa and Rhodesia, united in their evil scheme to maintain the African peoples under their domination through the disgraceful practices of racial discrimination and colonial oppression, are continuing With impunity to defy international opinion and morality. Nevertheless, we shall not cease to encourage and unstintingly support the struggle of the national liberation movements, which are row the only legal and legitimate representatives of these problems. The significant progress made by the freedom fighters in Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa must lead us further to increase again, in a general and concrete manner, our assistance to all those struggling to free themselves from foreign domination and imperialism in all its forms.
170.	We must therefore make clear our active solidarity with the struggling peoples of southern Africa and stand ready to act at any moment upon their request. The unspeakable massacres of the defenseless populations of Soweto, Johannesburg and Cape Town by Fascist forces are a tragic reminder of the urgent need to ensure the implementation of the resolutions adopted by our Organization against the Government of South Africa. No African people, mo peace-loving, justice-loving people will ever tolerate the massacre of black populations in South Africa. That is why the Republic of Guinea-Bissau firmly supports the liberation movement in South Africa in its struggle against apartheid and for social justice, democracy and an end to all racial domination.
171.	The Government of South Africa must not be allowed to continue illegally to occupy and plunder Namibia, that Territory which the League of Nations had earlier placed under its administration. While we hail the earnest efforts of the Secretary-General to bring Pretoria to its senses, we must at the same time continue to encourage the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, to put an end to South Africa's imposture.
172.	The brother peoples of Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana, who are victims of the racist regime of South Africa and of the economic aggression of the Ian Smith clique, must be able at all times to count on our sympathy and our effective assistance in the defense of their territorial integrity and the pursuit of their economic development protected from all criminal threats from Rhodesia and South Africa.
173.	The Republic of Guinea-Bissau wishes, in accordance with its options and commitments to the people of Angola and their pioneering movement, MPLA, to express its indignation at the refusal to admit the People's Republic of Angola to the United Nations. It is inconceivable that the People's Republic of Angola, already recognized by nearly all the Members of this Organization, should not be allowed to participate here as a fully fledged Member in formulating decisions pertaining to the international community.
174.	We are following also with particular interest events in so-called French Somaliland, and we reaffirm our solid support for the liberation movement in that Territory. The results obtained for the decolonization of that African Territory are undoubtedly a victory for the Somali people. Consequently, a solution must be found in the very near future so that the oppressed people may achieve autonomy and national independence.
175.	We could not fail here to refer to the situation prevailing in the independent Republic of the Comoros.
That African country, which has just attained national independence, still has part of its territory under occupation, thus depriving it of its territorial integrity, which is in flagrant contradiction with the fundamental principles of our Organization's Charter. The delegation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau can only reaffirm its unswerving support for the people and Government of the Comoros in their just, struggle for territorial integrity.
176.	One of the regions of the world where tension threatening international peace still persists is the Middle East. The critical situation prevailing there is a source of concern, and it is not without anxiety that we have been closely following events. Hundreds of thousands of inhabitants in the area are experiencing untold suffering as the result of these ravaging conflicts. Haying most carefully considered the problem, we recognize its complexity but we believe, however, that it can be resolved.
177.	In order to arrive at a satisfactory and lasting solution, Israel must recognize the injustice it has committed against its Arab neighbors, especially against the people of Palestine. Israel must be willing to correct the situation in the area, so as to be able to open a new chapter in its relations with its neighbors. It should first of all, and without delay, withdraw from the Arab territories which it occupied in June 1967 and the territories assigned to the State of Palestine by the partition plan contained in the resolution (181 (II)] adopted on 29 November 1947 by the General Assembly by virtue of which the State of Israel was born.
178.	In the opinion of the delegation of Guinea-Bissau, the tension in the Middle East will be finally dispelled only if the people of Palestine have their national rights restored to them. Within this framework, the participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in all efforts to bring about a negotiated settlement of the problem remains the sine qua non of the success of this process. The delegation of Guinea-Bissau wishes to express its whole-hearted, solidarity with those fighting in the just cause of the Arabs, in particular the Palestine Liberation Organization, the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people struggling for the liberation of their usurped motherland.
179.	We are focusing particular attention on the question of Cyprus. We believe that in Cyprus, as in so many other parts of the world, the tension is caused essentially by interference of foreign forces in the domestic affairs of the country. In those circumstances, it is absolutely indispensable, if the situation in Cyprus is to return to normal, for all the foreign forces to respect the resolutions adopted by the United Nations-that is, by the General Assembly and the Security Council, respectively-and stop interfering in the domestic affairs of the island. The Cypriot community must be free to determine its own destiny and to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its country, in keeping with the policy of neutrality and non-alignment.
180.	Although we have been gratified to note the success registered in the period that has elapsed in regard to the maintenance of peace and security, we remain concerned by . the problem of an artificially divided Korea. That division creates a threat to international peace and security. That is why the Republic of Guinea-Bissau supports the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in its just struggle to put an end to foreign interference in Korea's domestic affairs and to speed up the peaceful reunification of the country.
181.	With regard to Viet Nam, today reunified after a long liberation struggle, an exemplary and triumphant struggle, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau from this rostrum salutes that heroic people which not only contributed to the restoration of peace in the IndoChinese peninsula, but was also the symbol of the resistance of the peoples of the third world. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam must take its proper place in the United Nations, in accordance with the principle of universality of our Organization.
182.	The Latin American peoples are increasing their action to strengthen their national independence; they wish to recover their natural resources and play their proper role in international life. The assertion of their independence requires the immediate liquidation of colonialism in all its forms. To that end, the independence movements in Latin America must be encouraged and supported by all of us, through active solidarity with Panama in its struggle for the full exercise of sovereignty over the Panama Canal. We firmly support the Chilean democrats also. It is our duty to help the peoples of Panama and Chile in their struggle for territorial integrity, independence and the restoration of democracy.
183.	Two major problems are of concern to the delegation of Guinea-Bissau: what is happening now in Western Sahara and East Timor.
184.	It is obvious that since the signing in Madrid, on 14 November 1975, of the tripartite Agreement  no solution to the problems of Western Sahara has been found. The Saharan people, who have demonstrated their desire for self-determination, have had no choice but to resort to arms. The situation prevailing today in that part of our continent poses a grave threat to international peace and security. That is why our delegation believes that the urgency of the Saharan problem requires more detailed consideration by the Assembly, in order to avoid the worst.
185.	At the time when fascism was overthrown in Portugal, the Frente Revolucionaria Timor Leste Independente [FRETILIN] was preparing finally to assume the leadership of the country and the exercise of national sovereignty. But Indonesia, with annexation as its objective, seized that occasion to jeopardize the independence, territorial integrity and future of the country. We are today witnessing a process designed to eliminate the resistance of the people of Timor. The delegation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau therefore urgently appeals to the former colonial Power, Portugal, which has the moral and legal duty to ensure the accession of that country to interna¬tional sovereignty, to discharge all its responsibilities and guarantee independence for the people of Timor. We therefore specifically request that the problem of East Timor be considered at this session of the Assembly, so that we may find solutions that will enable the people of Timor freely to express their views on the future of their country.
186.	We see in the present international situation a crystallization of the efforts of our peoples not only to improve their standard of living but also to establish new bases for closer and more effective economic co-operation among peoples. In that regard our Organization's role is to polarize the solidarity which binds us, so that we may constantly seek new ways of establishing a more realistic and more just, I would even say humanitarian, economic order.
187.	The Colombo Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries took note in its Political Declaration [A/31/197, annex I] of the profound changes in the over-all balance of forces in the world as a result of the development of the forces of peace, independence and progress. At the same time, it welcomed the efforts and initiatives to strengthen detente. The Conference stressed that peace is far from being achieved in the world, because of the persistence of colonialism, racial discrimination and apartheid; imperialist aggression and foreign occupation; and the policy of the big Powers, foreign domination and economic exploitation. Furthermore, the Conference declared that peace is indivisible and that it cannot be reduced to the mere transfer of confrontation from one region to another, nor can it resign itself to the persistence of tensions. Detente will be precarious if it does not take into account the interests of other countries. The Conference stressed also that detente must lead to the dissolution of military alliances born of the cold war.
188.	The Colombo Conference once again emphasized the limited nature of the process of detente, although it did welcome the results of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. It drew attention, also, to the close relationship between security in Europe, in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East, and invited the participants in the European Conference to undertake to settle the problems of development in the interests of all countries. It is precisely detente that was responsible for placing on the agenda the reorganization of economic relationships in the world. We have to eliminate inequality and discrimination, and effectively guarantee the sovereign right of all States to dispose of their own natural resources. The seventh special session of the General Assembly called strictly to account those who for centuries have been exploiting the work and resources of others. That session of the General Assembly, followed by the fourth session of UNCTAD held at Nairobi, traced a course for the liquidation of economic oppression. That is why the Republic of Guinea-Bissau firmly supports the claims of the developing and non-aligned countries, a group of which we are an integral part.
189.	Having set forth the views of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on various international problems which are of concern to our Organization, I should like now to make a brief reference to my own country. The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, a member of most international organizations, which has opted for the policy of non-alignment in its struggle for peace and development, is deeply committed to the course of co-operation with all States in the international community without discrimination, except in the case of two States which still pursue the disgraceful policy of apartheid and colonial and Zionist domination. The Republic of Guinea-Bissau has established diplomatic
relations with almost all countries of the international community, and today has every intention of developing co-operation at all levels with those States without any discrimination.
190.	Every deterioration in the international situation is caused either by blows delivered against the freedom and independence of the peoples or by the unbridled arms race, and that is why we must combine our efforts to consolidate and make irreversible what has already been done for the sake of the independence and sovereignty of all peoples, peace and international solidarity.
191.	In conclusion we should like to reiterate here our firm determination to work tirelessly for the maintenance of international security and our solidarity with those peoples who are struggling for just causes.


I am greatly honored to transmit to the General Assembly the warm congratulations of His Excellency Jean Bedel Bokassa, the President for Life of the Republic, President for Life of the Movement of Social Evolution of Black Africa, President of the Council of the Central African Revolution and Marshall of the Central African Republic, on its happy choice in electing Mr. Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, President of the thirty-first regular session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Central African delegation, which participated at the fifth session of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, has appreciated the tact, wisdom and authority he evinced in guiding the sometimes stormy debates of that Conference, and we note the great sympathy representatives to this lofty international Conference have displayed towards him. We therefore expected him to be promoted to President of this thirty-first regular session of the General Assembly, an expectation which has been fulfilled. His competence and his qualities as a seasoned diplomat presage that the work of this regular session will be successful. My delegation pledges its sincere co-operation during his present term of office at the head of the United Nations General Assembly.
2.	From this lofty rostrum I greet Mr. Gaston Thorn, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the exemplary manner in which he acquitted himself of the most delicate task of presiding over the thirtieth regular session of the General Assembly.
3.	I cannot resist the pleasure which I feel in paying a sincere tribute to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr, Kurt Waldheim, for his indefatigable efforts to find, in this troubled world with hotbeds of tension throughout, conciliatory solutions for the maintenance of peace and fruitful co-operation among States. If at times because of the difficulties encountered he was able to offer only palliatives, we must nevertheless be grateful to him because so far, through his remarkable diplomatic skills, he has spared the international community the worst.
4.	The Council of the Central African Revolution enthusiastically welcomes the admission of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations. This one hundred and forty-fifth State Member of our Organization has joined us because of the determination, dynamism, courage and wisdom of its leaders and has thus attained international sovereignty with peace and dignity.
5.	Before going further in my statement, I should first of all wish to bow respectfully before the memory of the most regretted Chairman Mao Tsetung, the great helmsman who, because of his courage, his philosophy based on justice and freedom, has succeeded in the task of creating modern China. Our century might be described as a century of contrast because we have had men living who were the forces of evil incarnate and men whose calling was precisely to destroy the forces of evil, to break the chains of oppression and to spread justice and liberty. Chairman Mao was in the second category and his immense political action has transcended the frontiers of great China and made a major contribution to changing the political geography of the world. The oppressed of the world will be forever grateful to him.
6.	A prospective analysis of the present political and economic situation clearly proves that mankind is prey to serious difficulties as regards its survival, difficulties which require concrete and urgent solutions.
7.	In fact, we are bound to note that the United Nations, despite its successes here and there, has not yet fully shouldered its mission, which is to establish peace, justice and security and to eliminate hunger, disease and illiteracy throughout the world in accordance with the spirit and letter of the San Francisco Charter.
8.	Indeed, while the United Nations has achieved considerable results in consolidating peace and security through-out the world, while it has gained decisive successes in eliminating the colonial system and made important progress in promoting co-operation on a footing of equality among peoples and States, While it has almost attained universality -even though some States have been unjustly prevented from joining it- and while it has made considerable progress in bringing about the relaxation of international tensions, peace and security, unfortunately, are not yet accessible to all peoples.
9.	What is more, our disquiet about the human species is evident from the fact that, despite the many accords or negotiations on disarmament, the infernal and terrifying arms race in the most sophisticated and deadly weapons engulfs amounts of energy and capital which could have served to nourish thousands of men, women and children who are dying of hunger throughout the world. This arms race is also spreading to other regions of the world.
10.	Major victories have been won, and historical successes achieved in the struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism and all other forms of foreign domination; yet many peoples are still compelled to struggle bitterly for their right to self-determination, independence and freedom.
11.	The Central African Republic through me expresses its condemnation at the persistence and perpetration of these vile and abject forces which run against the trend of history.
12.	The international community as a whole has registered that existing economic international relations cannot be maintained and that the situation of the developing countries has become more and more serious. Nevertheless no substantial progress has been made to speed up.the development and prosperity of these countries.
13.	In accordance with the decisions of the sixth and seventh special sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, action to establish a new international economic order was taken and pursued consistently by the developing countries. Proof of this are the conferences held at Manila, Nairobi, Colombo and Mexico. But this action did not meet with corresponding willingness among certain more developed countries which might lead to the adoption of specific measures. On the contrary, we witnessed new attempts to continue to settle international problems at the level of a limited circle of countries so as to preserve the privileges inherited from the past.
14.	Faced with these contradictions or paradoxes, my delegation cannot fail to say here that the world is in a state of crisis-a political, economic and social crisis, as well as a crisis of conscience. Yet we do not lose hope, that the United Nations, which has become a regulating organ of our society, will be able to master these calamities; that all the problems of Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East will be resolved; that a new international economic order will be established; and that the world will live in peace with more humanity, generosity and tolerance. It is therefore with this attitude that my delegation will consider with you all the disturbing problems which agitate the international community.
15.	Beyond any doubt Africa is a continent which is prey to difficulties the seriousness of which must, once again, demand special attention and which compels us to arrive at the best solution. The total emancipation of Africa, the protection of Africa against the rivalry of external Powers, and international co-operation for economic and social development are so many facts which should receive the most careful consideration by our Assembly. Accordingly, a priori, my delegation is bound to consider the situation now prevailing in southern Africa. In 'that part of our continent tensions and confrontations, of which our brothers in Zimbabwe and in Namibia are the victims, are increasing sharply, while the last stronghold of colonialism in Africa has just recently been defeated. I am speaking of territories which were formerly under Portuguese domination.
16.	The deprivation of the freedom of a people is always a source of struggle and confrontation resulting from a collective rebuff. This axiom is not the result of my imagination; it is universal. Therefore the just struggle of our brothers in Zimbabwe and Namibia proceeds from the fact that they do not have their freedom to put an end to the process of exploitation nor are they able to prepare a development strategy to control their own natural resources and fully attain their dignity as human beings.
17.	Thus in Rhodesia we are witnesses to stalling tactics by the rebels, who have defied international conscience for more than a decade. Their chief, Ian Smith, using palliatives to lull the African community, tramples underfoot the elementary principles of the civilization which produced him by assassinating thousands of defenseless blacks, whose only original sin is to be black and to aspire to freedom. And this is why we gave our complete support to the efforts being made by the heads of the five front-line States so as to find a humanly acceptable solution to the tragedy of our brothers of Zimbabwe, namely their accession to complete independence.
18.	Here in this very hall on 30 September last Mr. Kissinger, the Secretary of State of the United States of America, stated:
"Less than a week ago the Rhodesian authorities announced that they were prepared to meet with the nationalist leaders of Zimbabwe to form an interim government to bring about majority rule within two years. That is in itself an historic break from the past. The African Presidents, in calling for immediate negotiations, have shown that they are prepared to seize this opportunity. And the Government of the United Kingdom, in expressing its willingness to assemble a conference, has shown its high sense of responsibility and concern for the rapid and just independence of Rhodesia."
19.	My delegation therefore supports the initiatives of the United States Government and expresses the hope that the process of the transfer of power to the black majority may be carried out as rapidly as possible.
20.	While the situation in Rhodesia is one of concern, it is no less urgent for Namibia to accede to independence as a unitary State.
21.	All the political forces, in particular the South West Africa People's Organization fSWAPGJ, must participate in
preparing for independence through the exercise of the right to self-determination under United Nations control. Here again, the international community is bound fully to assume its responsibilities. It is its duty to bring about detente and to restore peace and security in that part of the world.
22.	Parallel with the situation in southern Africa there is another problem on which we should not have dwelt were it not jeopardizing peace and security in the area. This is the question of Western Sahara, which is being exacerbated by the champions of disorder and agitation and by those who will never resign themselves to seeing Africa living in concord and brotherhood. On the basis of resolution 3458 B (XXX) of the General Assembly, the relevant United Nations resolutions on decolonization and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice,  the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, after democratic consultations with the populations concerned, peacefully settled the problem of the transfer and exercise of sovereignty in the former Spanish possession. We maintain our view that, in accordance with the unanimous decision of the chiefs of State at the summit meeting on the island of Mauritius,  confirmed by the decision taken at Colombo,  only a special summit conference, enlightened by African wisdom, can find a judicious solution to this fratricidal struggle. The Council of the Central African Revolution, for its part, will continue to support the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
23.	The problem of the Middle East is in every way a permanent threat to world peace and security. The Central African Republic approves all the resolutions adopted on the subject by the United Nations and continues to believe that the solution to the Palestine problem remains the only condition for the restoration of a just and lasting peace in that part of the world.
24.	My country's position, which is well known, has not altered since-namely, that peace in the Middle East is based on three fundamental principles: the right of the Palestinian people to their own homeland; the right of all the States of the region, including Israel, to live within universally recognized frontiers; the withdrawal of Israel from all the Arab territories occupied since 1967. As in the past, my country supports our brother Arab countries which spare no effort to recover their occupied territories. Once again we reiterate our appeal to the international community to persevere in its efforts to ensure that, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), a just and equitable solution may be found to the Arab-Israeli crisis.
25.	'Close to the Middle East there is another hotbed of tension-Cyprus. Because of its geopolitical situation, Cyprus is and remains the object of greed, of competing foreign interests, and of unwarrantable foreign interference in its internal affairs. It is our hope that this situation may be settled as soon as to stole. It is high time that measures be taken to implement General Assembly resolution 3212 (XXIX) and Security Council resolutions 365 (1974) and 367 (1975). We fully support continued negotiations on the basis of equality between the Cypriot communities-Greek and Turkish-under the auspices of the United Nations. In our opinion the withdrawal of foreign forces would make it possible finally to arrive at a settlement in accordance with law and justice, that is to say, a settlement preserving the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus that is acceptable to all Cypriots.
26. My delegation cannot remain silent on the problem of the divided Korean people and the seriousness of the tension prevailing in that peninsula. The Korean people, which for practically 30 years have known only the turmoil and torment of war, aspire to the peaceful and free reunification of their territory. We believe that the inter-national community should again encourage the continuation of the dialog. It should urgently call on all the parties concerned to do everything possible to facilitate a resumption of discussions and the negotiation of lasting arrangements for the maintenance of peace on the Korean peninsula and the achievement of reunification in accordance with the joint North-South communique of 4 July 1972.4
27.	We are aware of the threat to the security of the States of the region resulting from the concentration of naval and air forces in the Indian Ocean. The group of non-aligned countries meeting at Colombo renewed its appeal that the Indian Ocean be declared a zone of peace [see A/31/197, annex IV, resolution 11]. My delegation, on behalf of the Council of the Central African Revolution, reaffirms its conviction that the implementation of this declaration on the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace would be a positive contribution to settling international tensions in that part of the world.
28.	My country warmly applauded the admission of the Seychelles to the United Nations. However, we strongly deplore the rejection by the Security Council of the applications of two brother countries, Angola and Viet Nam, for membership in our Organization. Some will support the legality of this decision, taking refuge in Article 4, paragraph 2, of the United Nations Charter, but the very ones who invoke that argument to justify such rejection must agree that legality is not always the same thing as justice.
29.	Since its entry into force on 24 October 1945, the Charter has undergone many amendments, but the right of veto, which has remained unchanged, seems to have lost its original purpose and has become, in the hands of some of those who are authorized to wield it, a power enabling them to make a selection among countries applying for admission to the United Nations solely on the basis of their ideological background. The resultant flagrant injustice must be abolished and accordingly the Council of the Central African Revolution associates itself with the Governments of the very many States who are calling for a revision of the Charter of the United Nations, so as to adapt it to current geopolitical realities.
30.	I have just reviewed the political questions which are of the greatest concern to the international community.
31.	It is nevertheless the case that during the Second United Nations Development Decade on which we are embarked, the basic issue, as defined at the seventh special session of the Assembly, is, and remains, the establishment of a new and more just economic and social order. Our planet has heterogeneous socio-political and politico- economic systems which, unless we are vigilant, may bring about very serious, indeed catastrophic, conflicts. That is why, both politically and economically, the international community must avoid confrontation in seeking conscientious and responsible solutions to the problems it faces. This quite naturally leads me to speak with some feeling of the cruel and tragic situation prevailing in our world, in which 70 per cent of mankind share only 30 per cent of world income, while a small group of privileged States lives in opulence and waste. This being so, how can one fail to draw attention to the poverty, disease, destitution, need and illiteracy-with all their socio-economic implications- which constitute the sorry fate of the populations of the third world? We can never say enough to arouse a responsible collective world conscience to this tragedy. But we still have hope because by persistently raising our voices in all international forum, even the most backward nations are beginning to think of the inevitable consequences which may be engendered by such a tragedy. For its part, the third world has chosen the course of agreement and dialog, so as to devise platforms on the basis of which equitable solutions may be found so as to achieve the objective of establishing a new and more equitable economic and social order. Both at Lima, where the non- aligned countries met to consider economic development, and at Manila and Colombo, important documents were drafted which are the warhorses of the third world. Paradoxically, we note that in recent years many resolutions adopted by various international organizations and conferences concerning the establishment of the new economic order have not been followed by practical action, and the socio-economic situation of the developing countries, especially the land-locked and island countries whose geographical situation places them at a disadvantage, is deteriorating further. Most, if not all, of the third-world countries live off exports of raw materials and imports of manufactures, but the deterioration of the terms of trade, aggravated by an imported inflation, constitutes the backbone of a system of trade that has become obsolete. New formulas adapted to the present relations between independent and sovereign States must be sought.
32.	Be that as It may, what can we say of all the restrictions in the form of tariff barriers and tariff quotas which restrict opportunities for access to international markets for the developing countries? Of course, the instinct for survival has led certain countries of the third-world group which are by nature favored by the existence of certain raw materials, in this case oil, to set up openly a cartel to defend their interests. This position has unleashed a series of retaliatory measures encompassing the entire monetary and financial system. The low earnings of the developing countries have aggravated their balance-of-payments deficit to a tremendous degree. According to some estimates, this deficit was $US 40 billion in 1975 and may be expected to reach the record figure of $US 112 billion by 1980.
33.	These few examples unequivocally prove to what an extent the economic, monetary and financial system governing trade among industrialized and developing countries is outdated and obsolete, because it was conceived in another era to serve relations among States whose status was based on philosophical concepts which are now outmoded. The third world, when it calls for a review of that system, hopes to see more equitable rules applied under the concept of human solidarity and also by virtue of the fundamental principles laid down by the Charter of the United Nations. This is why the Council of the Central African Revolution, presided over by His Excellency, Jean Bedel Bokassa, President for Life of the Republic, President for Life of The Movement of Social Evolution of Black Africa, President of the Council of the Central African Revolution, Marshal of the Central African Republic, reaffirming its support for the United Nations Charter and for that of the Organization of African Unity [OAUJ; and reaffirming its membership in the non-aligned movement and in the Group of 77, strongly supports all efforts to set up new structures so as to establish a new and more just economic and social order. We accordingly support the following measures.
34.	First, there should be a re-examination of the inter-national monetary system, developed at Bretton Woods. The new system must respond to the development requirements of the third-world countries; it must enable States, large or small, rich or poor, to participate on a basis of equality in the decision-making process and guarantee the stability of the flow and conditions of international financial aid, recognize the conditions and specific needs of the less-developed countries on the basis of preferential treatment, in accordance with the Declaration and Pro-gramme of Action of Manila,  the Action Program for Economic Co-operation which was adopted by the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non- Aligned Countries, which was held last August at Colombo (see A/311197, annex III).
35.	Secondly, there should be an integrated program for commodities at remunerative prices.
36.	Thirdly, a common fund for financing buffer stocks of raw materials, which was advocated by the Group of 77 at Manila, should be established. Concurrently with the solutions to be sought and encouraged within the frame-work of the United Nations, the Council of the Central African Revolution endorses the recommendations to strengthen solidarity among the third-world countries on the basis of the principle of self-reliance. This concept is furthermore in accord with that of "Operation Bokassa" , our national and original development strategy which aims at mobilizing all live forces of the nation so as to bring it out of a state of underdevelopment.
37.	Fourthly, Arab-African co-operation, which is a concrete contribution to co-operation among the countries of the third world, should be developed.
38.	Fifthly, an international bank for the third world-an idea stated at Colombo by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Bandaranaike, at the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries-should be established.
39.	Sixthly, economic co-operation among developing countries-the bases for which were established at the last conference of the Group of 77 in Mexico, held last month -should be developed.
40.	Other initiatives are also under way, such as the one launched by the founder and President of the Republic of Zaire. The Chief of State of Zaire proposed the convocation, within the framework of OAU, of a special ministerial meeting on economic co-operation among African countries at Kinshasa in November 1976. My country, the Central African Republic, pays a particularly well-deserved tribute to that happy initiative and endorses it whole-heartedly.
41.	On the international chess-board, however, rich and developing countries meet time and time again so as to arrive at a modus vivendi on the important questions concerning raw materials, energy and the monetary system. The fourth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [ UNCTAD], which met at Nairobi, enabled the world to note that the will to arrive at positive approaches had crystallized, and it is our hope that common sense, universal solidarity and collective goodwill will prevail over selfish interests. We hope that the North-South Conference which has been meeting at Paris since 1975, will lead to a positive and encouraging dialog, because we are grateful to countries which strive to give these meetings a perspective for dynamic co-operation.
42.	From this rostrum I appeal to the sense of humanity of the affluent countries which prefer to spend vast amounts of money to build engines for the conquest of outer space simply for prestige, while there is so much extreme poverty to be alleviated on our planet.
43.	Convinced of the considerable technological backwardness of the third-world countries, we. hope that the industrialized countries will do everything in their power to enable us to accelerate our rate of growth and accordingly facilitate the transfer of technology adapted to the national realities of the developing countries. The drafting of an international code of conduct for the transfer of technology, which is envisaged in the Program of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order [see resolution 3202 (S-VI), sect. IV], should enable the deprived countries to have access to those modern techniques that are essential for their economic development.
44.	There is still another alarming problem for the survival of mankind and that is the arms race, the economic impact of which is not negligible. That is why the view expressed by most countries, condemning the use of large financial resources to build an arsenal of deadly weapons and to satisfy some kind of thirst for hegemony while at the same time millions of human beings struggle in poverty and die of hunger and disease, is fully shared by the Central African Republic. It goes without saying that the resources thus released would make it possible to supply the International Fund for Agricultural Development, to satisfy the needs of countries such as the Central African Republic, 90 per cent of whose population is employed in agriculture.
45.	I feel bound to mention the vital rote played by the transnational companies in the economies of the developing countries. That role, need I recall, in many aspects conceals activities which often run counter to the strategies and development objectives of the third-world countries. Accordingly, my delegation unreservedly supports the development, adoption and early implementation of a code of conduct for the transnational companies.
46.	The problem of the law of the sea is of paramount importance. Seeking a new international economic order based on equity was one of the reasons for convening the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. This gigantic legal undertaking-were it to achieve the desired ends-would remain the most grand endeavor of all times, since it is a planetary undertaking.
47.	This Conference is intended, first of all, finally to resolve problems that have been in existence for a long time and then to create new maritime rights. I am not telling the members of this Assembly anything new when I say that the Conference must finally decide on the breadth of the territorial sea, the outer limit of the continental shelf; it must define what is the exclusive economic zone, reaffirm the free use of the international maritime zone, and, particularly, specify the prerogatives of the international authority which will be responsible for conducting activities in the international zone, namely, prospecting, exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed and also the settlement of possible disputes among States. For, while every right resulting from law is in essence intended to settle disputes, it is, by its very existence, a source of litigation. In other words, any new right creates a new type of dispute. It might be believed that when exploration is carried out the major problem is resolved. Not at all. Regrettably, we suffer from a chain-reaction system. Any solution to a problem carries within it the seed of a new problem. When the sea-bed is exploited, what is to be done with the products extracted? Among whom, and how, will they be distributed Here appetites are whetted, interests are in confrontation, and the law of the sea could lead to results diametrically opposite to those for which it was established, which was the improvement of living conditions for the "have-nots". For if, out of the net income and I emphasize, "out of the net income"-of sea-bed mining resources, the lion's share goes to those who already have more, because of some special procedure or incongruous criterion, or if the minerals extracted from the sea-bed compete with similar minerals offered on the market by the under-equipped countries, thus disturbing the already shaky economy of the latter, one need not be an expert in economics to conclude that the gap between the rich countries and the deprived countries, far from narrowing, will become greater still, and the economic order thus created by the introduction of new factors of wealth will be but a perpetuation of the economic order now prevailing.
48.	It follows that, to establish a really new economic order which will make a substantial improvement in the situation of the disinherited countries, the international authority which will be the product of this new law of the sea being drafted should constantly be guided in its activities by the spirit of the preamble of the United Nations Charter.
49.	Let us assume that the problems that I have high-lighted so far in my statement were to be equitably solved because of the wisdom, indeed, altruism, of certain members of the great international community, the world would not yet be at peace because other key issues will subsist, the settlement of which at present would be a delicate matter. These issues are centered on the geographical position of States in relation to the sea. While some countries have, so to speak, their feet in the water, others less fortunate, can only reach the sea after exhausting use of their legs.
50.	The sea, the extent of which is three times greater than that of the land which has surfaced, will forever remain the surest and less costly means of commercial communication. This is in itself sufficient to show the great commercial advantage possessed by coastal States in comparison with the coastless or land-locked countries and the advantages in mining resources which the coastal States with a limitless ocean spreading out before them will have when the new law of the sea enters into force, as compared with countries with a very narrow coast on which, because they face another State, cannot benefit either from a broad territorial sea or from a continental shelf under the rules which will be adopted.
51.	All States unanimously agree that the international maritime zone and its resources are the common heritage of mankind. This principle has been reaffirmed in the first paragraph of the resolution on the international zone which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of OAU when it met at its twenty-seventh regular session in the capital of Mauritius only three months ago [see A/31/196 and Corr.l, resolution 522 (XXVII)].
52.	An important detail on which States seek consensus is the outer limit of that international zone, that is to say the high seas. Since this will be the same as that of the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone and of the continental shelf, it follows that any change in the breadth of the exclusive.economic zone and of the continental shelf causes ipso facto an opposite change in the extent of the international zone which is to be considered as the common heritage of all mankind.
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53.	It will suffice for me to recall here that the Central African Republic, my country, is more than 1,000 kilometres from the coast at the nearest frontier point. The importance my delegation attaches to arriving at a consensus at the Conference on the Law of the Sea which will not be at the expense of the continental States can therefore readily be understood. The distance separating continental States from the sea is already a cause of backwardness in their development and this will only cease to operate when the rights which I regard as natural, because they are inherent in the situation of being land-locked, will be unconditionally recognized.
54.	We all know what these rights are, namely, the right of land-locked countries to have access to the sea and the right of transit through the territory or territories separating them from the sea. Naturally, we do not preclude that transit States may take the necessary measures so that this international service will be as little detrimental to them as possible. But these rights of access to the sea and of transit, the full exercise of which should be left completely to the beneficiary State, should not be subordinated to any right of reciprocity in favor of the coastal States which rendered this service. My country, because of its geographical situation in the heart of the African continent, is both a land-locked country and a transit State, and it is prepared to meet its obligations as a transit State. I cannot but note with bitterness that certain coastal States, although they, too, wish for the establishment of a new international economic order that would alleviate the ills from which the developing countries suffer in varying degrees, have so far proved intransigent in the matter of recognizing the natural right to the sea, without condition of reciprocity, and its corollary, the right of transit, which the land-locked countries wish to enjoy without restriction. Intransigence in this position can only delay the advent of this new economic order and even jeopardize the successful outcome of the Conference on the Law of the Sea. That is why, like Nepal and other continental countries, I urge the coastal States which are still in opposition to soften their positions.
55.	I have dwelt on the land-locked status of my country because this problem is at the heart of the concern of the Council of the Central African Revolution. That is why His Excellency Jean Bedel Bokassa, President for Life of the Republic, President for Life of the Movement of Social Evolution of Black Africa, President of the Council of the Central African Revolution, and Marshal of the Central African Republic, in a solemn statement made in January 1974, decided that 1974 should be the year for ending the disadvantages of the Central African Republic's land-locked position. On that occasion he made an appeal to the international community in these terms:
uWe give our friends our constant political support; in return, we ask them to help us by practical and effective action to solve our problems of economic, technical, cultural and social development, in the forefront of which is the anguishing problem of the land-locked position of the Central African Republic."
It should also be pointed out that the Head of State determined that the highest priority of our five-year development plan, 1976-1980, should be to overcome our land-locked position through the building of a Bangui- Atlantic Ocean railway.
56.	Actually, this great national project could not have been undertaken if a major step had not just been taken. This was the decision at the summit meeting of heads of State of the Central African Customs and Economic Union, comprising the Congo, the United Republic of Cameroon, Gabon and the Central African Republic, held in Bangui in December 1975, to make the building of that railway a regional project. This is a striking example of regional solidarity and co-operation, and on behalf of my Head of State, on behalf of the Council of the Central African Revolution and on behalf of the Central African people, I wish to pay a sincere tribute to the Heads of State of those brother countries for the remarkable spirit of solidarity and understanding which they have evinced.
57.	Once again my delegation urgently appeals to the international financial bodies, and to countries sympathetic to the Central African Republic, to assist the Central African Customs and Economic Union by providing it with the necessary funds to carry out this railway project. Once completed, and accompanied by the building of the Bangui-Cameroon sector of the trans-African Mombasa- Lagos route, it will certainly lead to a net improvement in the economic and social conditions of the people of the Central African Republic. This will naturally make it possible to exploit enormous agricultural, forestry and game resources, as well as great mining deposits which have recently been discovered by satellite in the Central African subsoil, known since 1975 as the "Bangui anomaly".
58.	My delegation is concerned about the question of the mass media. The developed countries have gigantic means of threat and intimidation to support their political and economic action. As proof, I shall quote from an article which appeared in the monthly publication, Le monde diplomatic No. 269, of August 1976, by German Carnero Roe v entitled "Information in the Third World":
"The third world, in the specific area of information, and more generally as regards communications, suffers from an acute dependence similar at all points to its dependence in the political and economic spheres. This dependence is an integral and decisive part of the system of imperialist domination. It is also one of the conditions for its survival. It is indeed impossible to conceive of lasting mechanisms of economic and political domination in the third world without the formidable support offered by a system of sophisticated and efficient subjection in the matter of information and communications
"As regards news as such, it is almost totally manipulated by transnational press agencies presented as 'international' agencies. It is through these channels that events in the developing countries are transmitted to the world and that the peoples in those countries are 'informed' of what is happening abroad. But the selection criteria are such that ultimately it is not information but rather systematic distortion-or disinformation- concerning the facts that is presented with particular virulence when it comes to news about peoples who have undertaken a revolutionary course for their emancipation. The most significant aspects of their struggle, and the deep-seated causes of that struggle, are generally not mentioned, or else distorted."
59.	Accordingly, the Central African Republic, my country, is pleased at the recent establishment of a pool of press agencies for the third world so as to modify their situation and to end decolonization in regard to information and set up a new international order in this realm. We are all the more pleased since the establishment of such a press organ will better serve the cause of the developing countries, among them the Central African Republic, which have frequently been the object of systematic denigration, carried to the point of aggression against the authorities and valiant people of Central Africa, who love peace and justice. We believe that such a baseless campaign, that threatens the sovereignty of our States, deserves the full attention of the international community.
60.	I should like to recall, in concluding, that man is the purpose of our action and of the United Nations action. Man's progress has encountered many obstacles and many barriers. It will suffice to refer to the reasons that led to the establishment of the League of Nations and of the United Nations and other forms of joint action as evidence of this. How many catastrophes and scourges of all kinds has the human species survived along its course to come today to a stage where everybody agrees that we must live in peace and security with material and moral well-being.
61.	As in the opinion of my delegation, all countries large and small have always insisted that the United Nations is an important factor as an effective instrument to promote international peace and security and to establish a new international economic order so as to reconcile the interests and objectives of States Members. Within this context we consider that the activities of the specialized agencies of the United Nations system represent a co-ordinated attempt to prepare a future providing better living conditions for mankind on our planet.