At the outset of this statement before the forty-third session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, we extend our respectful greetings to the President, Mr. Dante Caputo, Minister of Foreign Relations and Worship of the Republic of Argentina, and we sincerely hope that, under his wise guidance, this session will be crowned with success and result in meaningful solutions towards international peace and security.
Similarly, we hail our Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, to whom we express our gratitude for his tireless and fruitful efforts for peace at a time when his worthy endeavours have brought the world lofty victories that lend this Organisation a role of universal leadership. Just recognition of these efforts is clearly expressed by the recent award of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations peace-keeping forces, to our great satisfaction.
Since 1945 the Republic of Paraguay has never doubted that the world needs an Organization respected by all States, based on international law and the noble principles of justice, peace and security, which would at all times guarantee the peaceful settlement of disputes, continuing social and economic development, respect for the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, and other no less important principles, such as the territorial integrity of States and the equality of all countries under the law.
We have never understood the position of those States which, forgetting their moral obligations to the Organization, do not take advantage of this forum for the settlement of international conflicts, thus depriving the United Nations of its leading role, which must be recognized because of the purposes for which it was founded.
Today our hopes are rising once more because the importance of the United Nations is being recognized with new understanding wherever problems of international law have to be solved, thanks to the productive work of the Secretary-General and his special representatives and to the change of attitude which at last seems to have occurred, so that States are  prepared to reach solutions to their disputes with the help of our Organization.
On behalf of the Republic of Paraguay, I wish to express our satisfaction at the good news that preceded the opening of this session of the General Assembly of the possibility of chronic conflicts being solved through the effective intervention of our Organization. We hope that time will prove that we are right, that what now presents itself as merely the glimmer of a solution will become an effective reality, to the benefit of all peoples, and that It may be said once  again that there was a moment in history when Governments gave the United Nations effective means of solving problems that had seemed insoluble. Such is the case with regard to the Persian Gulf war the gradual withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, the possibility that foreign soldiers will be withdrawn from Cambodia·, the possibility of a peace agreement between Angola, Cuba and the Republic of South Africa; and the beginning of a dialogue, in auspicious conditions, between the two communities in Cyprus.
I cannot do better than recall here certain passages from the statement made in this forum by the President of the Republic of Paraguay, General Alfredo Stroessner, at the third special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament. We said: “I am honoured to bring to this lofty forum the voice of the Republic of Paraguay, the thinking of a nation truly dedicated to peace, which shares universal ideals of security, freedom, justice and development. The Republic of Paraguay firmly upholds the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States, the legal equality o£ nations and the self-determination of peoples. In all international forums we maintain clear positions in favour of relations between nations based on fair legal principles of mutual respect and co-operation.
In the United Nations and in the Organization of American States (OAS), we uphold the principles of friendship and co-operation, with full confidence in the beneficial results that accrue whenever relations between States are established with goodwill and in a spirit of solidarity. At all international events, conferences and meetings we speak the constructive language of peace, thus projecting the reality being led by the Republic of Paraguay. Paraguayan constitutional law takes as its essential principles respect for international law; condemnation of wars of aggression and conquest and all forms of colonialism and imperialism, the peaceful settlement of international disputes by lawful means; respect for human rights and the sovereignty of peoples; and the aspiration to live at peace with all nations." (A/S-lS/PV,e, pp. 3, 4)
The desire of the peoples for a genuine peace that will improve their relations with each other is universal. Nations, without exception, cherish international law and view with concern the unilateral decisions taken by certain States in their relations with other countries, which damage not only the prestige of the United Nations but also the essential principles of its Charter, the purpose of whose adoption was to banish the evil of war, injustice, the predominance of brute force, foreign intervention in the affairs of other States, and all the other evils that affect the relations between peoples.
My country takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the whole United Nations system for the work it does in all areas, and especially for the efforts made on behalf of land-locked countries with a relatively low degree of development. We are grateful for the continuing assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has carried out and follows up so many projects all over the world to reset the need for technology to be at the disposal of less developed countries. At the risk of repeating ourselves, we must say that this victory of our times puts an inescapable moral obligation on the wealthiest countries at a time when extreme poverty robs men of their dignity in so many parts of the world. The poor in La tin America number 173 million. Of this number, in 1985, 61 million lived in extreme poverty. If this trend continues, the poor in Latin America will number 204 million by 1990, according to the UNDP. That body also says that there is a social debt of 3280 million - the sum that these countries would have to invest to eradicate poverty.
These really shocking figures must, of course, be seen in relation to the foreign debt problem of the countries of Latin America, at a time when development demands new investments, and the prices of raw materials from the developing world are not remunerative. Although the Republic of Paraguay, fortunately, is not in the same situation as many other countries of the region, we feel complete solidarity with all those who see their future jeopardized by this problem, which is so radically bound up with development and the improvement of living standards. This problem requires not only economic but also political solutions which recognize the moral obligation of the super-industrialized world to the less developed countries. In 1987 the regional foreign debt amounted to $410 billion, and in the last five years the continent has remitted 3150 billion to the international banking system just for debt servicing, amortization and interest, without reducing the capital debt, which in fact has increased because of new loans, in a dangerous race between attempts to improve the life of the majority of our peoples and the unfair distribution of income between North and South.
The problem of the foreign debt is so serious that recent United Nations reports advise creditors to reduce the amounts owed by up to 30 per cent, because otherwise there will be no possibility of fulfilling commitments or resolving satisfactorily the problems deriving from this troubling question. Highly specialized Latin American technical organizations have expressed the opinion that solution of the foreign debt problem is very closely related to an increase of trade in the region and a substantial improvement in the prices for commodities at which the debtor countries sell to the industrialised world.
The Secretary-General's report on the work of the Organization deserves our praise. We ate familiar with the Secretary-General's commitment to fulfil his difficult and noble responsibilities as a man of peace, conciliation und dialogue at the international level. There are always factors which undermine world order and peace and which are not precisely within the area of competence of the United Nations, but time has shown that selfish, unilateral decisions are becoming more rare, especially in the light of what is happening at the present time, which shows that the work of the Organization and the Secretary-General is having positive results, despite the many difficulties on the thorny path of peace, justice and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The Republic of Paraguay is experiencing an encouraging growth in its economy. For example, the rate of growth of our gross national product, which was 4.3 per cent in 1987, has reached almost 6 per cent this year as a consequence of good prospects, basically in the agricultural sector. Therefore, despite the adverse world economic conditions, the Republic of Paraguay - according to a report by the World Bank - is among the countries with the highest average rate of growth during the past two decades. Sources in the Economic Commission for Latin America confirm that the cumulative growth rate of the gross national product from 1980 to 1987 was 16.9 per cent - one of the highest rates among the Latin American non-oil-exporting countries.
This forward movement of the Paraguayan economy is the result of putting into effect a plan to give an impetus to the economy, that has been done with discipline and austerity, in a climate of peace and serenity.
The economic and financial strategy and the great efforts that have been exerted have had and still have the objective of achieving continuing development, to counteract the adverse trends in the terms of trade, the burden of amortizations and interest payments, and the low investment inflow. Those factors compel all the developing countries to take strong economic adjustment measures.
Nevertheless, despite the unsteady evolution of the world economy owing to restrictions on international trade and the Latin American external-debt problems, the Republic of Paraguay continues its efforts to promote a better quality of life, education and public health within the country; it also continues to encourage agricultural and industrial development as well as doing a great deal of work on the basic infrastructure. On the other hand, because of the brotherly ties of friendship between my country and its neighbours, we have in mind large-scale integration projects which will have a broad and favourable impact on development within Latin America. In that regard, it should be noted that, with the beginning of the commercial operation of turbines 12 and 13, envisaged for the end of this year, Itaipu - the largest dam in the world, built jointly with the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil - will generate 9,100,000 kilowatts. Similarly, there has been no interruption in the construction of the Yacireta hydroelectric dam on the Parana River, with a power of 4,050,000 kilowatts, or the construction of an international 2,600-metre bridge, which is now nearing completion. Both projects are being carried out in conjunction with the Argentine Republic. These large undertakings have already had the following positive effects·, the availability of abundant electric power·, possibilities for electro-intensive industries and the export of the energy from those industries·, the electrification of villages and towns in the interior of the country, from which 289 communities have so far benefited.
We should also emphasize the facilities that are granted to us by brotherly countries in free ports such as Paranagua and Rio Grande do Sur in Brazil, Rosario and Buenos Aires in Argentina, Nueva Palmira and Montevideo in Uruguay, Antofagasta in Chile, and Matarani in Peru·, the latter two are on the Pacific coast.
I mention those examples of growth, efforts and sacrifices in order to demonstrate the vigour of a Government that is aware of its responsibilities and is seeking a quality of life for its people that is in keeping with the progress of our civilization.
On 15 August this year, a new period in the life of the Government began, in conformity with the national Constitution. That Constitution was promulgated in 1967; it was the undisputed product of the National Constituent Assembly, made up of four political parties. The elections for the five-year period 1988 to 1993 were free and direct, in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law. The right to vote was exercised, as usual, with many options and within the specific time-limit established by the law. The three branches of State power are functioning freely, and the nation is moving towards the attainment of better goals of progress and development in a multi-patty environment open to all democratic political trends that are in keeping with legal rules that are the same for everyone.
The Persian Gulf war has been and still is a matter of concern to the Republic of Paraguay. It appears that the war has come to an end, thanks to the skilful negotiations carried out by the Secretary-General and to the moral authority of our Organization. We applaud the good spirit shown by the parties involved, who have rejected intolerance and chosen, instead, conciliatory dialogue. The Republic of Paraguay hopes that these efforts will succeed, so that world peace may be strengthened.
Another cardinal subject among the International conflicts threatening international peace and security continues to be the thorny question of Afghanistan. That question can be summed up as armed intervention by a super-Power that shows contempt for the principles of the self-determination of peoples and non-intervention in the internal affairs of nations. The news about the gradual withdrawal of the occupying troops indicates another extraordinary achievement by the United Nations. That is a source of satisfaction to the international community and a sign that international practice is again moving towards respect for the sovereignty of States, in accordance with another principle, the juridical equality of nations. We hope that the withdrawal of all the troops will soon be a fact, for the sake of the institutions on which the ethical order of international life and respect among nations is based.
We note with interest the developments in the informal talks that were held recently, at the request of Indonesia and other members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, to consider the serious problem of Kampuchea in the context of the search for a long-term political solution in keeping with the resolutions of our Organization. The withdrawal of the foreign military forces remains the pre-condition for the restoration of Kampuchea's sovereignty, independence and self-determination.
The problems of the Middle East and Lebanon persist. There has still been no positive response to efforts by the international community to restore peaceful and tolerant coexistence to that region. In response to the call for a peace conference concerning the region, dissident voices have been raised alleging that such a peace conference would be useless; but no suggestions have been made for an alternative under which the parties could give up their radical, conflicting positions. The Republic of Paraguay repeats that any arrangement that is reached must be in accordance with the provisions of Security Council resolution 242 (1967), and that two fundamental principles must be respected in any resolution that may be adopted full recognition of the sovereign existence of the State of Israel, and the Palestinian people's right to exist and to have a homeland. The problem of Lebanon continues to be of concern to all men and women in the world. It is time to end this irrational war that has destroyed a country which was a centre of peace and progress but in which today these is an ever-increasing spirit of belligerency and destruction.
The recent events with regard to the Cyprus question open up encouraging prospects for the solution of the problem, as the Secretary-General points out in his report. The parties have resumed their talks, and with the good offices which the Security Council has requested the Secretary-General to exercise, commitments to co-operate have been made. The Republic of Paraguay very much hopes that through direct dialogue between the parties, and with the Secretary-General following up the progress achieved in the preliminary stages, the fundamental objective desired by the international community can be achieved - that is, to see the people of Cyprus living in peace and harmony within the concert of nations.
The Government of the Republic of Paraguay, in accordance with a tradition that has not varied since it participated in the founding of the United Nations, will lend its solidarity and co-operation to any initiatives that obtain the required consensus to be put into effect, for the good of the Organization and the international community - initiatives ranging from the financial strengthening of the institution to the peaceful solution of the various problems with which it is confronted. The position of Paraguay on human rights has always been one based on justice without giving offence, with a view to maintaining the highest levels of coexistence between Governments and nations. Similarly, the right to life, liberty and property are and will continue to be guaranteed by the terms of the Constitution and by law, in keeping with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Republic of Paraguay has in all forums always rejected both the nuclear and the conventional arms race, since it entails wasting billions of dollars while there is an urgent need for economic and social development. International security, the process of development and peace based on respect for the dignity of all nations, law and the right to life can be achieved only by the cessation of the arms race both in the rich industrialized countries and in countries that need these resources to promote their development.
Another scourge on mankind that negatively affects the very structure of human life is terrorism. This practice continues to undermine the moral order of human existence and its fatal consequences have shocked nations that cherish peace, order and respect for human life without distinction of any kind, such as nationality, colour, origin or opinion. It is time to be frank and ask ourselves whether our countries and our Organization have done enough to put an end to this horrendous scourge, for there is nothing so cowardly in the world and in the history of mankind as the murder of innocent human beings under the pretext of calling attention to certain issues that cannot be resolved in this way, by destroying man and his social institutions. The Republic of Paraguay, which has not experienced this madness that is terrorism or armed violence, urges all Member States which usually blame the existence of this evil on underlying causes to change their attitude and unreservedly support all initiatives to eliminate terrorism from the world. There is only one alternative for our Organization; either all countries agree to combat this cruel and bloody practice with all the force of morality and law or the Organization will lose its prestige and credibility before the peoples of the world, who see in the United Nations a valuable and irreplaceable instrument for putting an end to international terrorism.
My country's Government is combating the scourge of drugs with all its legal and moral strength. As the President of Paraguay, General Alfredo Stroessner, said before the General Assembly.
"With the Constitution and the laws, we are confronting those who are trying to weaken our free institutions, the detestable agents of that social cancer, the drug traffic." (A/S-15/PV.8, p. 11)
Our country has joined world efforts to terminate this pernicious activity. It took part in the last Vienna Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and is giving full effect to the Declaration and broad plan of action which emanated from that international conference. Our legislative branch is currently engaged in preparing a new law to suppress drug trafficking, for we know that our legislation must reflect this sad moment for mankind which is destabilizing its free institutions and corrupting the human person.
Vie firmly believe that our Organization has now readied a high point in its activities for international peace and security. We trust that its valuable co-operation with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Latin American Economic System (SBLA) will continue to increase in the quest for a better future for our region and for all the world, for no one doubts the need for the existence and activities of regional organizations. The Republic of Korea has always been a country under international strict juridical order, respecting the law, ethical norms and international law. My Government understands that there is no obstacle standing in the way of its admission to the Organization, while keeping open the possibility for the People's Republic of Korea to do likewise. This request is justified by the fact that the United Nations must become increasingly universal, without any exceptions.
We fully appreciate what the law of the sea means to the world in the context of an increasingly interdependent and participating international community where countries are seeking agreements on improving the use of the resources of the sea without discrimination. My country firmly believes that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is proof of the progress made by mankind towards fairer goals. The Republic of Paraguay ratified that international instrument and will support its applicability in all forums of the world.
The world is closely following the work of this session of the General Assembly in this crucial time for the peaceful coexistence of peoples, when the media are reporting the activities of the Organization with regard to well-known hotbeds of conflict, death, desolation, misery and pain.
It is necessary to redouble our efforts in order to promote peace and security and overcome understandable differences and existing ideologies, united in our desire to serve mankind, making sure that the terror of war and the next war could indeed be the last if nuclear weapons are used - will never again grip the world. Let us continue together in the search for a future of love and understanding between men and peoples where no room is left for the hatred that kills, the hunger that undermines the dignity of the King of Creation, the terror that petrifies and converts us into wild beasts, and the intolerance that denigrates the moral quality of life in society. That is the only hope left to us in view of the arsenals that have been built up in the world. It is up to us, through conciliation, to convert this aspiration into reality.
We trust that the Supreme Creator will enlighten us and give us the necessary moral strength to continue to work for a world of peace and justice.


On behalf of the delegation of Thailand, and on my own behalf, I should like to convey to Mr. Dante Caputo our warmest congratulations on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its forty-third session. As relations between Argentina and Thailand have been and continue to be very close, his election to his high office is a source of gratification for my country. We are confident that his great wisdom, vast experience and proven diplomatic ability will ensure that the Assembly will conduct its work in an effective manner, leading to the fruitful conclusion of this important session.
I should also like to pay a tribute to His Excellency Mr. Peter Florin, President of the Assembly at its forty-second session, for the skilful and able manner in which he performed his tasks during his tenure.
During the forty-first session of the General Assembly, in 1986, I stood at this rostrum and voiced my deep concern about problems and conflicts around the world. I said then with deep regret that it was hard to remain an optimist. I declared that we needed a new world order of peace and justice within which all nations could co-operate peacefully with one another and live in harmony. But today, two years after my somewhat pessimistic observation, the world appears to be a different place. In contrast to 1986 it is now easier for me to be an optimist. This year, 1983, has marked a new and more encouraging trend in international relations  a trend towards peace and accommodation·, a trend towards co-operation and even consensus among the permanent members of the Security Council·, a trend towards a world in which peaceful relations between States is no longer an abstract dream but is gradually becoming a part of reality. My Government welcomes these new trends and this new momentum with enthusiasm.
It is apparent to all that this momentum owes a great deal to the success of multilateral diplomacy. It owes a great deal to the dedication, perseverance and tireless efforts of the United Nations and its able Secretary-General.
Thailand's faith in the United Nations has never been shaken. Over the years, even during less optimistic times, commitment to the United Nations has always been a cornerstone of Thailand's foreign policy. Now, with seemingly increased political will for accommodation and peace around the world, the United Nations chances for success in achieving its noble tasks have become greater.
Events of recent months testify to the enhanced value and effectiveness of the United Nations when it is able to function in an environment of international accommodation between the super-Powers and of closer co-operation among the permanent members of the Security Council. The Afghan peace accords bring closer to reality the total withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and the exercise by the Afghan people of their right to self-determination, as has been called for by successive General Assembly resolutions. The cease-fire in the Iran-Iraq war offers renewed hope for peace in the Persian Gulf. Recent talks between the two Cypriot communities provide the basis for lasting peace and stability on that island. The acceptance by Morocco and the POLISARIO Front of the Secretary-General's peace plan could bring to an end the conflict in Western Sahara. The recent breakthrough in the Namibian question offers hope for the attainment of self-determination and Independence by the Namibian people.
My delegation hopes that the breakthrough with regard to the Namibian question will have a spill-over effect on the prospects for the realization of peace and justice in the southern African region. We hope that this breakthrough will mark the beginning of the end of South Africa's apartheid system. Peace and justice in southern Africa will be possible only after the eradication of apartheid.
It is expected that progress towards peace in the Persian Gulf and in other regions of the world will help revitalize the peace process in the Middle East. For a permanent peace in the Middle East to become a reality, the question of Palestine must be resolved. It must be resolved in such a way as to take into consideration the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people as well as the legitimate security concerns of all States in the region. My delegation hopes that all these encouraging trends towards peace and harmony in the various regions of the world will gain momentum in the days and months ahead.
On the question of Kampuchea, this year also witnessed some movement towards a comprehensive political settlement of the problem. The most recent development was the Jakarta Informal Meeting held in Indonesia in July this year. It brought together for the first time the conflicting parties, including Viet Nam, the occupying Power. Representatives of other countries concerned in the region were also present.
However, in spite of those new developments, many obstacles still remain. The main objectives of the United Nations concerning Kampuchea, as reflected in repeated United Nations resolutions on the subject, remain implemented. As we meet here today, Vietnamese troops remain in Kampuchea. The restoration and preservation of Kampuchea's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity has yet to be achieved. The Kampucheans have not been allowed to exercise their right to self-determination.
Thailand and the other members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) would like to see a comprehensive political settlement of the Kampuchean problem as soon as possible. Ito this end, we are again submitting a draft resolution on the item "The situation in Kampuchea", in which we have included elements which we believe are necessary components of such a comprehensive political settlement. We believe that it is a fair and balanced draft resolution worthy of the full support of the members of the Assembly.
A first step in this process is the total withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Kampuchea. There must also be an effective international presence, perhaps including peace-keeping forces, to ensure the withdrawal of foreign forces and to help maintain law and order in Kampuchea. We also envisage the formation of an interim administering authority to oversee the transition period and to prepare for free elections, which we hope will lead to true national reconciliation among the Kampuchean people. We remain hopeful that the future Kampuchean nation will be neutral, independent and non-aligned, posing no threat to any of its neighbours.
My delegation would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the President of the International Conference on Kampuchea„ Mr. Leopold Gratz, for his continuing effort towards finding a lasting political solution to the Kampuchean problem.
My delegation would also like to express its deep appreciation of the continuous efforts of the Secretary-General to find a lasting political solution to the Kampuchean problem. We hope that the international community will give the necessary support and encouragement in this another important mission for peace undertaken by the Secretary-General.
In East Asia, my delegation maintains a deep interest in the Korean question. Thailand supports the proposal for detente between North and South Korea and my delegation hopes that both Koreas, through dialogues and political settlement, can realize their aspirations for eventual peaceful reunification.
The refugee problem in South-East Asia remains one of the most tragic consequences of the Indo-Chinese conflicts. With each passing year, the refugee problem has become increasingly complicated. Instead of genuine refugees, we have seen systematic migration of those seeking a better life. The alarming upsurge in boat arrivals from Viet Nam in 1987 and early 1988 and the unresolved dilemma of "long-stayers" warrant a more innovative and effective strategy to deal with this problem. When I met my ASEAN colleagues in Bangkok this past summer we called for the convening of a new international conference on Indo-Chinese refugees, under the auspices of the Secretary-General, by early 1989. Such a conference would provide an appropriate forum in which to set out such strategies. In this regard, the United Nations, in particular the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, should play a central role in persuading all concerned to participate in the common effort to meet this great and sad challenge to humanity.
On the question of disarmament; there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that genuine, symmetrical and verifiable arms limitation leading to general and complete disarmament is the means to achieve international peace, harmony and security. My delegation therefore welcomes the recent success in bilateral discussions and negotiations between the two super-Powers with a view to implementing a 50 per cent reduction of strategic weapons. My delegation also welcomes the ratification by the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Social is t Republics of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles. Those two events give a powerful momentum to the efforts to achieve general and complete disarmament. My delegation is hopeful that this momentum will provide a significant impetus to further progress in the multilateral disarmament process.
In our interdependent world, bilateral diplomacy must be complemented by multilateral diplomacy, and vice versa. My delegation therefore firmly supports United Nations efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons and all weapons o£ mass destruction. Although no immediate breakthrough was accomplished, the third special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament served a useful purpose. It brought the members of the international community together and focused their attention on disarmament. During the session extensive exchanges of views took place. Those exchanges will undoubtedly serve as building blocks for the future. In addressing ourselves to the question of general and complete disarmament we must always be mindful that this includes chemical and biological as well as conventional weapons. Thailand supports the tireless efforts of the United Nations and the members of the international community to reach a verifiable agreement to control and eliminate chemical weapons.
In regard to the question of disarmament in general, Thailand has always been concerned about the diversion of financial, material and human resources from development and welfare to armaments. My delegation therefore welcomes the growing recognition of the linkage between disarmament and development. We are encouraged by the success of the recent International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development.
Another serious problem for mankind is that of narcotic drugs. Thailand has always been in the forefront in the global war against narcotic drugs. Drug abuse is destructive to our generation, and will be to future ones as well. The United Rations campaign against illicit drugs must be strengthened and sustained. To fight this global menace we need to act decisively and in a concerted way. We need an increased world-wide commitment and co-ordination within the United Nations framework to combat the international drug problem.
Let us turn our attention to the question of human rights. A new world order of peace and justice cannot come about without universal respect for human rights. Indeed, faith in fundamental human rights is a corner-stone and a guiding principle of the United Nations. Lessons of history have shown us that disregard for human rights and fundamental freedoms has always been a major cause of international tension and conflict. As we mark the fortieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, let us reaffirm our commitment to honour all the provisions of the Declaration.
Turning to the subject of economic development, I cannot hide the fact that Thailand's economic growth rate of 7.1 per cent for the year 1986 to 1987 and expected rate of 8 per cent for this year are a source of gratification to my delegation. Although we are becoming increasingly industrialized, Thailand remains overall an agricultural society. The livelihood of approximately 80 per cent of Thailand's population depends on agriculture.
Thailand's economic progress owes a great deal to the existence of a stable form of government, a sizeable domestic market and efficient economic measures as well as the endowment of a skilled and semi-skilled labour force. It also owes a lot to the practice of forward-looking planning. In all, hard work and responsible behaviour have contributed substantially to Thailand's economic success. It is hard-earned and indigenous.
Thailand remains concerned with rising protectionist measures. The existence of trade barriers, farm subsidies and other support programmes in developed countries has adversely affected the export earnings of developing countries and the well-being of their peoples. That directly hurts Thailand, the majority of whose population is dependent on agricultural earnings. We join the world community in urging those countries to reverse these protectionist trends. In this connection, Thailand attaches great importance to the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations, which should bring liberalization of and better discipline in the world trade system.
On agriculture in particular, Thailand, along with other free-agricultural trade advocates, especially the Cairns Group countries, is seeking comprehensive reform through liberalization. We also look forward to seeing tangible progress in negotiations on this important issue by the mid-term review at Montreal this December.
On the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990, my delegation feels that it is important for the countries in Africa to pursue and deepen their reform processes. Moreover, the international community should try to mobilize additional resources to assist African countries during the remaining term of the Programme of Action. Thailand, for its part, will continue to do its best to facilitate the comprehensive implementation of the Programme of Action.
The awarding of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations peace-keeping forces is another reflection of international recognition of the valuable contribution by the United Nations to the maintenance of international peace and security. I should like to pay a warm tribute to our Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar. His tireless efforts to ensure world peace and justice have clearly borne fruit. We have our full support in the continued performance of his noble and difficult task. I once again salute him and the able members of the United Nations Secretariat for their hard work and dedication.
Having reviewed the recent developments around the world, I can conclude that the general outlook is encouraging. It does seem that there is increased momentum towards a new world order of peace and justice. We must work hard together to keep this momentum alive. Each and every one of us must do what we can to contribute to the cause of world peace, justice and progress.


Mr. President, I have the honour to convey to you and, through you, to this assemblage of representatives greetings from my august sovereign. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, and his best wishes for the success of the forty-third session of the General Assembly.
On behalf of the Nepalese delegation and on my own behalf, I congratulate you most warmly on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly. Your election is as much a reflection of the high esteem that the Argentine Republic enjoys in the international community as it is of your well-known diplomatic skill and dynamism. My delegation feels confident that under your guidance the Assembly will achieve its goals.
On this occasion I should like to express my delegation's deep appreciation to Mr. Peter Florin, Deputy Foreign Minister of the German Democratic Republic, for the exemplary manner in which he guided the fifteenth special session of the General Assembly as well as the regular and resumed meetings of the forty-second session of the General Assembly.
I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to pay a richly deserved tribute to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, for his admirable endeavours in promoting the cause of international peace and co-operation in general, and, in particular, to congratulate him on the award of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations peace-keeping forces.
After years of frustration we meet today in an atmosphere of renewed hope. The restoration of peace on several fronts, as has been understood so well in the report 'of the Secretary-General, has been a source of satisfaction and encouragement to all. At a time when the United Nations is emerging as an effective instrument for peace we find it somewhat ironic that it should be subjected to financial commitment. It is our fervent hope that peace will be given a chance, while welcoming recent moves in some quarters to meet their financial commitments the United Nations, we urge all Member States to rise to the occasion by underwriting the costs involved in the ongoing and future peace-making and peace-keeping operations of the United Nations.
As a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, which has all along been working for the reduction of cold war tension, Nepal is naturally happy to note the recent signs of improvement in East-West relations, particularly those of the two super-Powers. Its ripple effects have wafted across the wide international horizon. The most visible manifestation of this change was reflected in the signing and ratification of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles - INF Treaty.
Nepal warmly welcomed this disarmament agreement as a landmark of historic dimensions, aimed as it is at the elimination of an entire category of nuclear missiles. We are hopeful that this will pave the way for serious negotiations and the early conclusion of an agreement on a 50 per cent reduction in their arsenals of strategic, offensive arms. Given the latest technological advances and innovative verification median isms incorporated in the INP Treaty and, more important, a continued climate of mutual respect and trust between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, we believe that such a disarmament objective is attainable.
Like other Member States, Nepal attaches the highest urgency to nuclear disarmament concerning as it does the very survival of humankind. At the same tine, given the all-too-frequent resort to conventional warfare and the ever increasing destructive capacity of conventional weaponry, Nepal can hardly overlook or minimize the importance of conventional disarmament. My delegation is concern τ over the repeated use of chemical weapons in recent years and joins with other countries in calling for the complete and effective prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons, and their destruction.
Nepal shared the disappointment of the majority of Member States when the third special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, which convened here this summer, could not adopt a consensus document. There was solace, however, in the fact that it could generate an enhanced understanding of the triangular relationship between disarmament, security and development.
Appreciation of such a relationship, indeed, lies at the very core of Nepal's long-standing policy of support for initiatives that seek to promote disarmament through the establishment of nuclear-free zones and zones of peace, whether they relate to the Indian Ocean or the South Atlantic, the Mediterranean or South-East Asia, the South Pacific or the continents of Africa and Latin America.
The concept of an intimate linkage between peace and development and its corollary - that a durable peace is a prerequisite for meaningful development - is the foundation on which rests His Majesty Ring Birendra's proposal that Nepal be declared a zone of peace. I should add that the peace proposal is an effort on our part to give practical expression to the basic ideals of the United Nations and the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement. In this context, I am pleased to disclose that 97 Member States have thus far extended their valuable support, for which I once again express my deep appreciation. Similarly; it gives me great satisfaction to inform the Assembly that consequent upon a mandate from the forty-second session of the General Assembly, the United Nations Centre for Disarmament in Asla has been set up in our capital, Kathmandu. His Majesty's Government has extended all possible co-operation towards its establishment and hopes it will receive active support from interested countries and non-governmental organizations.
I have referred briefly to some positive developments with regard to the present international political climate. Among them must be mentioned, of course, the very welcome cease-fire and ongoing peace negotiations between Iran and Iraq following their acceptance of Security Council resolution 598 (1987). I assure the Secretary-General, and his Personal Representative, Mr. Jan K. Eliasson of Sweden, of the continued support and co-operation of Nepal in the Security Council in the urgent task of the speedy restoration of a lasting peace in the Gulf.
Since December last year, we have watched the developments in the Middle East with increased anxiety. These have created new political realities on the ground and completely altered a 21-year occupation imposed by military might. This has only reinforced our view on the desirability of convening an international conference on peace in the Middle East. The three essential elements of a durable peace in the Middle East, in our view, are a recognition of the right to an independent homeland for the Palestinian people, whose sole, legitimate representative is the Palestine Liberation Organization·, the withdrawal by Israel from territories occupied since 1967; and recognition of the right of all States in the region, including Israel, to exist within secure, internationally recognized borders.
Another area in the Middle East that has been caught in an endless cycle of violence and strife is Lebanon, which has been the unfortunate focus of competing foreign and sectarian interests for more than a decade. While recent events in Lebanon have increased our concern, Nepal is proud to be making a small contribution to the cause of peace in the southern part of the country by participation in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) operations. Аs a country that yearns to be universally recognized as a zone of peace, Nepal will naturally continue to endorse any proposal that ensures Lebanese sovereignty over all Lebanese territory and secures not only the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon but also acceptance by all concerned of commitment to non-interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.
Nepal was encouraged by the recent meeting in Geneva between the Cypriot leaders, under the auspices of the Secretary-General, which led to peace talks in Nicosia last month on all aspects of the unification of Cyprus, under the auspices of Mr. Oscar Camilllon, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. I take this opportunity to reaffirm Nepal's strong support for an independent, non-aligned, federal and bi-communal Cyprus.
Nepal warmly welcomed the signing in Geneva on 14 April 1988 of the Accords on ending the conflict in Afghanistan. Admittedly, the process envisaged in the Geneva Accords has yet to be completed and some uncertainties remain. Nepal is nevertheless heartened by the fact that the foreign military presence is withdrawing, thus preparing the way for the voluntary return of millions of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran in conditions of peace and security for the region and beyond. Nepal has also been encouraged that such a turnabout has taken place thanks to the painstaking efforts, over six years, of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, Mr. Diego Cordovez. It was a matter of considerable pride and honour for Nepal to be invited to participate in the United Nations Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan (UNGDMAP) set up to monitor the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
Nepal has been following with considerable interest recent developments with regard to the situation in Kampuchea, including the Jakarta Informal Meeting held at Bogor, Indonesia, from 25 to 28 July 1988. We have also taken note of recent high-level talks between China and the Soviet Union on the situation in Kampuchea and the initiative of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries before, during and after the Bogor talks. While Nepal notes that some progress has been made, we remain convinced that a peaceful settlement of the Kampuchean problem requires, first and foremost, the unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces from Kampuchea and the full and free exercise by the Kampuchean people of their right to determine their own future.
The situation in the divided Korean peninsula still remains potentially explosive. Nepal is greatly pleased that the Seoul Olympic Games have been brought to a successful conclusion on an overall; note of sportsmanship and harmony between participating countries and athletes. It has observed and welcomed endeavours for broadening ties and contacts and initiating dialogue between the two Koreas. It thus remains Nepal's hope that the Korean people will address the important question of reunification with their age-old wisdom and customary ingenuity, without outside interference.
Auspicious harbingers or change have been discernible in Africa in the recent past. Among those that Nepal views as positive end hopeful are the efforts of the Organization of African Unity and the quadripartite negotiations can Angola and Namibia. The recent visit of the Secretary-General to Pretoria has paved the way for the dispatch of a United Nations technical team to Namibia to prepare for the emplacement of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group and has given rise to hope that South Africa may actually begin the Implementation of Security Cornell resolution 435 (1978), which it accepted in principle 10 years ago. Nepal would be honoured to co-operate in any Security Council endeavour to implement its resolutions on Namibia particularly resolution 435 (1978), if such a Council meeting were convened during Nepal's current tenure of non-permanent membership of the Security Council. On this occasion I should like to place on record Nepal's recognition of the contributions to Namibian independence made by the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO)
In South Africa, despite the clearly and repeatedly expressed will of the international community, the racist regime tenaciously clings to its abhorrent system of apartheid. As the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and the anti-apartheid movement worldwide gain new momentum every day, there are welcome signs that a growing segment of South Africa's white community is increasingly beginning to see the writing on the wall. Nepal remains convinced that comprehensive and mandatory economic: sanctions, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, represent the most effective and peaceful instrument for dismantling the apartheid regime and installing a truly representative, multiracial society in South Africa.

A note of optimism is also in order# we believe, with respect to the conflict over Western Sahara following acceptance by parties to the conflict of proposals for a peaceful settlement put forward by the Secretary-General and the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity. Nepal was privileged to have joined in the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 621 (1938) authorizing the Secretary-General to appoint a special representative on Western Sahara.
Last year from this rostrum I welcomed the Central American peace plan signed by the five Central American Presidents on 7 August 1987, based & that document greatly was on a commitment to strict observance of the principles of non-interference and non-intervention by all States with concerns and contacts in the region. That being so, it is only natural for us to be disappointed at the lack of substantial progress in the consolidation of peace in Central America since then. Nepal appeals to all concerned Governments to continue to demonstrate political will in favour of peace and commends those which have already fulfilled their commitments as enumerated in the Central American peace plan.
This year we have witnessed a tragic number of natural disasters and calamities that have struck various parts of the globe, including our region of South Asia. Coming as this does when broad global environmental concerns such as those relating to the depletion of the ozone layer and the increase in the greenhouse effect, among others, have spurred calls for a comprehensive study on climate and man's environment, my country welcomes the inclusion of the item entitled "Conservation of climate as part of the common heritage of mankind" in the agenda of this General Assembly session. As the Himalayas in Nepal constitute a very important climatic determinant for much of South and Central Asia, we would certainly co-operate in any regional or international effort aimed at a better understanding of the crucial, if often fragile, linkage between roan and the biosphere of environment in our part of the world.
A further matter of grave concern is the prolonged crisis in the international economic system and its adverse effect on the economies of the developing countries and the sharp decline in the general level of international economic assistance. This phenomenon, we have long maintained, has its origins in the structural inequities and imbalances in the present international economic order. It has been exacerbated by the anti-inflationary policies pursued by sons developed countries, adversely affecting the prices of and demand for products from the developing world, including commodities and oil. While industrial market economies appear to be progressing through the longest period of prosperity since the Second World War, this has coincided with the most prolonged and severe structural development crisis in the developing countries. As a consequence, over the past 10 years many developing countries have experienced stagnant or declining growth rates, in stark contrast to the goal of a 7 per cent growth rate set in the International Development Strategy. It is also quite contrary to the targets and objectives of the United Nations Substantial New Programme of Action for the 19e0s for the least developed countries, into which category ray country falls.
Nepal is concerned at the deteriorating external debt situation of many developing countries. That is a cause of grave economic and political anxiety, severely threatening as it does their very political stability. Ws believe that a lasting and mutually acceptable solution of the current external debt of developing countries is feasible only through an integrated growth-oriented strategy. In this context, we hold that debt rescheduling merely postpones the problem of indebtedness. Hence, in addition to reducing debt .repayment, whenever possible, we believe that a substantial portion of such debts of the least developed countries should be written off. Nepal also supports the call made in Geneva last month by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development for commercial banks to reduce by 30 per cent debts owed by developing countries.
What is clear, in any case, is the urgency of the revitalisation of the stalled North-South dialogue, based on a shared and enlightened community of interest. We therefore endorse the Economic and Social Council's recommendation to the forty-third session of the General Assembly to call a special session of the Assembly in 1990 to examine ways of a maintaining sustained growth in the world economy. Such a special session, we maintain, would not only assist in solving the problems facing the world economy but also help to improve the overall climate of international economic co-operation. Similarly, we support the Economic and Social Council's call for chalking out an international development Strategy for the fourth United Nations decade, from 1991 to 2000.
Over the years, Nepal has sought and welcomed assistance from friendly countries and development agencies to complement its own efforts to ensure planned economic development. In this context, Nepal is deeply grateful to Japan not only for its recent decision to convert official loans into grants but also for its long association as a major partner in Nepal's development efforts. On this occasion, I should like to express again the appreciation of His Majesty's Government of Nepal for the sympathy and the timely and generous support extended by friendly countries and non-governmental organizations in the aftermath of the severe earthquake that struck eastern Nepal in the early hours of 21 August 1988.
Development assistance is welcomed across the spectrum of planned development activities in Nepal, international assistance is especially invited for the exploitation of Nepal's well-known potential in water resources and for the expansion of its own determined and urgent - but necessarily limited - forestation endeavours. Besides helping Nepal to meet the chronic fuel and energy needs of its rising population, such assistance would, we sincerely believe, also have a profound and salutary impact in preventing further ecological degradation of the Himalayan foothills.
We have long held that the annual flooding of the plains that stretch from the foothills of the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal - of which the recent devastating floods in Bangladesh were such a stark example - is inextricably linked to, among other factors, the denudation of those once verdant and densely forested hillsides. One direct by-product has been this·, every year, from Nepal alone, an estimated 250 million cubic metres of precious topsoil is washed away into the Bay of Bengal. On this occasion X should like to recall and reiterate the proposal made by His Majesty Ring Birendra as far back as 1977 indicating Nepal's readiness to co-operate with all countries in its region in any joint ventures to marshal and exploit its water resources for the common good of the region. Such benefits could be realized in the area of flood control and regulation, in the production of new and renewable sources of energy and in the provision of additional navigation and irrigation facilities, including those of my landlocked country.
As a least developed country, Nepal finds it most disturbing that in today's unfavourable economic situation there should be a general decline in official development assistance (ODA) including that to the least developed countries. In this context we regret that the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product called for in the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade and the ODA target for the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for the least developed countries remains unfulfilled.
The full and timely implementation of the Substantial New Programme of Action is of vital importance for Nepal which is making serious efforts to ensure that our people's minimum basic needs for food,  grains, clothing, fuel, wood, drinking, water, primary health care and sanitation, primary and skill-oriented education and minimum rural transport facilities are met before the turn of the century.
Under the dynamic and forward-looking leadership of His Majesty King Birendra of Nepal has for many years been engaged in an all-out war on poverty and - underdevelopment. This is a battle that is being waged against such formidable foes as the legacy of a century-long period of isolation a rapidly expanding population and a difficult topography within the confines of a landlocked configuration
I wish to record ray country's commitment to the eradication of the social cancer of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. In that regard# I should like also to recall that Nepal has been co-operating with its South Asian neighbours within the framework of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC).
With respect to another scourge of our times - terrorism - I am pleased to inform the Assembly of the signing at the third SAARC summit in Katmandu last November of the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism. I am also pleased to confirm that the cause of regional co-operation in South Asia has been further boosted since last addressed the General Assembly. Agreement on the establishment of the South Asian Food Reserve and the declaration of the SAARC member countries on initiating the process of dealing with the causes and consequences of natural disasters can be cited as two positive examples in that context. My delegation has every reason to believe that, given the grave dimension of the natural calamity that struck our friendly neighbour Bangladesh last August, the next SAARC summit - scheduled for December at Islamabad, Pakistan - will provide further momentum and urgency for such a study.
In conclusion, I take this opportunity to reaffirm our steadfast adherence to the principles and purposes of the United Nations - a commitment that is enshrined in the Directive Principles of the Constitution of Nepal. Similarly, I wish to express again Nepal's continuing support for the Non-Aligned Movement.
Nepal is convinced that the United Nations Charter provides the most universally accepted legal framework for conducting international relations. If recent developments have tended to rekindle new hopes in the future of the United Nations, the materialization of those hopes will largely depend on the active support of Member States for the principles of the world order to which the United Nations is committed. In our view, the continued credibility of the United Nations will also depend, in our dangerous nuclear age, on how effective the United Nations can be as an instrument of multilateral diplomacy at the preventive level.
Since January Nepal has had the great honour of sharing in some of the responsibilities of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security, by virtue of its non-permanent membership of the Security Council. I should like to assure the Assembly that Nepal will continue to uphold the cherished values and ideals of the United Nations Charter in the discharge of its duties in that principal United Nations organ.
Nepal will, naturally, be extending its unstinting support and co-operation to you, Mr, President, for the success of the forty-third session of the United Nations General Assembly. As in the past, Nepal will continue to join in any concerted endeavour that is aimed at the realization of the noble objectives of this world Organization, convinced as it is that the United Nations remains not only an accurate mirror of an ever-changing world but also the most effective international agent for affecting timely, peaceful and meaningful change.


On behalf of the President, the Government and the people of Liberia, I warmly congratulate the President on his election to preside over this forty-third session of the General Assembly. His wide experience and well-known diplomatic skills fully assure us that this session, under his leadership, will achieve very positive results. We can count on the usual co-operation and support of the delegation of Liberia in the months ahead. Permit me also to extend well-deserved thanks and appreciation to the President's predecessor, Ambassador Peter Florin of the German Democratic Republic who conducted the affairs of the forty-second session with great aplomb and distinction.
Special commendation is likewise due our illustrious Secretary-General for the skill and courage with which he has been serving the international community, my Government will continue to do everything to assist him in upholding the credibility of the United Nations and ensuring that its mandates are fulfilled.
Finally, allow me to take special note of the opportunities which the annual sessions of the General Assembly offer us for fruitful bilateral and multilateral consultations on issues of mutual interest.
The tragic experiences of two world wars and the imminent danger of nuclear catastrophe have made the search for peace and development the paramount concern of our time. The principles and ideals by which peace is to be achieved and development attained have been fully set out in the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Assembly.
For 43 years, guided by those principles and ideals, we have come here with various problems, disputes and ideas. Here we have debated the issues, grappled with the problems and their possible solutions, and expressed both our frustrations and our aspirations.
In spite of our varying dispositions and our cultural, economic and ideological differences, we have always acknowledged and professed the continuing relevance of the United Nations in the search for peace, security and development. It is against this background that my delegation, in addressing the specific issues before the Assembly, will give renewed emphasis to the need for strengthening the role of dialogue and solidarity for the betterment of the human condition.

My delegation welcomes the stirrings of peace that have greeted this forty-third session and given the international common new hope for the efficacy of multilateralism in the resolution of conflict.
In this connection, we note with satisfaction the Peace Accords with regard to Afghanistan, signed last April, which are facilitating the withdrawal of foreign troops from that country. We also applaud the acceptance by Iran of the provisions of Security Council resolution 598 (1987), which has brought about the cessation of hostilities in the Persian Gulf and made possible the on-going peace talks between Iraq and Iran under the auspices of the United Nations. We are also pleased that, through the mediation of the Secretary-General and the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity, Morocco and the POLISAR10 Front have consented to the holding of a referendum, which constitutes an important step towards resolving the question of Western Sahara. Moreover, we note that negotiations between the two communities in Cyprus are progressing satisfactorily, also under the auspices of the United Nations.
It is in this context that we must highly commend the Nobel Prize Committee for being so thoughtful as to award its 1983 Peace Prize to the United Nations peace-keeping forces. And we congratulate the Secretary-General on this achievement. At the same time, ray delegation appeals to all the parties involved to continue to work co-operatively for the final resolution of these problems.
But we must resist every temptation to be lulled into a state of complacency by these recent successes, as our present agenda still contains a number of unresolved issues which must claim the Assembly's urgent attention.
Despite the best efforts of the countries members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), a just and lasting settlement to the Kampuchea dispute has remained elusive. We therefore support the Jakarta Informal Meeting, which seeks to bring together all the parties concerned in an effort to resolve the problem of Kampuchea. A comprehensive settlement of the dispute roust take into account the exercise by the Kampuchean people of their inalienable right to self-determination, free from foreign interference.
With regard to the Korean question, my delegation urges acceleration of efforts to bring about a constructive and fruitful dialogue in the peninsula. The special declaration, by President Roh Tae Woo of July 1988, in the interest of national self-esteem and prosperity, constitutes a positive step towards easing tension and leading to the peaceful unification of the two Koreas.
We congratulate the Governments and peoples of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the commemoration of their fortieth anniversary of nationhood. We wish them a prosperous and bright future and the attainment of unity, peace and stability as soon as possible. In Central America various peace plans proposed by the countries of the region have not yielded the desired results. My delegation would therefore hope that the people of Central America could be left alone to chart their own course on the path of restoring peace, fostering democracy and strengthening regional unity and economic co-operation.
A sad episode in the Middle East crisis is the tragedy of Lebanon, a country with which Liberia has enjoyed close ties of friendship over the years. Once a prosperous nation, Lebanon is today ravaged by years of incessant civil strife, aggravated by unwarranted external interference. We therefore urge respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon the safeguarding of its independence, an end to violence, and the withdrawal of all foreign troops from its territory.
Since the last session of the General Assembly a year ago the crisis in the Middle East has escalated significantly despite the various peace initiatives undertaken. In this connection, we call on Israel to exercise restraint in its enforcement of law and order in the occupied territories. It continues to be the view of my Government that a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict must take into account the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people, as well as the right of all States in the region, including Israel, to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries.
In this regard we reiterate the call for the convening of an international conference on the Middle East, with the participation on a basis of equality of all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, the authentic representative of the Palestinian people. Such a conference should certainly enhance the peace process in the region.
A few days ago General Moussa Traore, President of Mali and current Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity, eloquently outlined to the Assembly Africa's position on a number of important issues, including the vexed question of southern Africa.
My delegation therefore wishes only to stress Liberia's grave concern that the racist minority regime in Pretoria, aided and abetted by its collaborators, has continued to defy with impunity the collective will of the international community by its flagrant disregard of the fundamental rights of the black majority in their own land. Furthermore, there can be no denying the fact that the extremity of the cruel and degrading treatment meted out to black South Africans bears a disturbing and chilling resemblance to Nazi practices. To date, the brutal and remorseless Pretoria regime has kept hundreds, if not thousands, of children in detention, subjecting them to systematic torture and even genocide. Reports of such horrors perpetrated by the regime' leave my Government in no doubt that the international community has not done enough to destroy apartheid.
So entrenched is the racist minority regime's policy of apartheid that no other peaceful means short of comprehensive mandatory sanctions under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter can eradicate that system and save the country from an eventual bloodbath. Those who argue that sanctions will only bring hardships to the blacks of South Africa and to the front-line States are either simply against the aspirations of black people or interested only in their investments and profits. For the persistent rejection of apartheid by the black South Africans themselves has surely, demonstrated that they at least would prefer hardship in freedom to prosperity under apartheid.
My delegation holds the view that, if the racist regime in South Africa truly desires genuine peace, it must, in good faith and without pre-conditions, immediately release Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners as a first step towards reconciliation and the institution of a non-racial democratic society based on universal franchise. In this context, Liberia wishes to associate itself with those delegations that have called for the convening of a special session of the General Assembly in 1989 to consider the overall situation in southern Africa, including the question of Namibia.
A clear demonstration of South Africa's arrogance is its illegal occupation of Namibia, in utter contempt of the resolutions and decisions of the United Nations, and its continued use of that Territory to launch subversive, aggressive and destabilizing policies against neighbouring States.
While we take note of the recent quadripartite discussions on the Namibian question, there is nothing in the negotiating record of the racist regime to justify any reliance on its commitments. The Security Council should therefore proceed to take such measures as may be necessary to carry out its mandate, as set forth in its resolution 435 (1978), As we observe the tenth anniversary of that resolution, we reaffirm Namibia's right to self-determination and independence within a united territory, including Walvis Bay, the Penguin Islands and all other offshore islands, and under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), the sole and legitimate representative of the Namibian people. It is our fervent hope that, when the forty-fourth session of the General Assembly convenes, a free and independent Namibia will be able to take its rightful place as a full Member of the United Nations.
I wish to turn now to the question of disarmament, which for my delegation at least has real implications not only for peace and security but for development as well. Liberia maintains its position that if peace and development are to be fully achieved the international community simply cannot continue to spend so many billions of dollars each year on armaments and related activities. In seeking to ensure security we have somehow unleashed a costly arms race, which has diverted resources from development needs, thereby exacerbating social problems in developing countries. This point was well articulated by a number of speakers at the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development, held last year.
The recent ratification of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles - INF Treaty - by the United States and the Soviet union marks a new and encouraging beginning in bilateral disarmament efforts. On the other hand, the failure of the third special session devoted to disarmament to arrive at a consensus represents a serious setback to multilateral disarmament initiatives. My Government continues to believe that bilateral and multilateral efforts complement each other am d that the United Nations remains the central forum for disarmament issues.
Liberia considers the Non-Proliferation Treaty an important international instrument and its ratification a vital first step towards nuclear disarmament. In this connection, we are particularly concerned that South Africa's nuclear capability has continued to frustrate the attainment of the objective of the Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa, to make it a zone of peace. Indeed, the credibility of the Treaty will remain doubtful as long as measures are not taken to ensure the subjection of the nuclear capability of South Africa and other countries to safeguards and inspection under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Thus we favour the convening of the Fourth Review Conference of States Patties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1990 to consider suds matters, among others.
My delegation joins previous speakers who have condemned the use of chemical weapons in contravention of the 1925 Geneva Treaty banning the use of such weapons. Similarly, we are gravely concerned about the dumping of toxic and other hazardous waste on African soil, an act which is tantamount to a declaration of chemical war on our people. This multifarious environmental abuse endangers the well-being and lives of all our peoples. Such waste not only poisons the air we breathe but also pollutes our water resources and contaminates the very soil upon which we depend for the cultivation of food. But is there not an ethical question also? At the close of the twentieth century, should Africa still be facing such a threat to its survival? Was slavery not enough? Was colonial exploitation not enough? Is the present critical economic situation made worse by various natural disasters not enough? Must we now be exposed also to poisonous and radioactive substances that threaten our very survival as a people?
So serious is this problem of toxic waste disposal that we must urge the Economic and Social Council to expedite the adoption and implementation of its draft convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes, we also welcome the call for the Conference on Disarmament to draft a convention on the prohibition of the dumping of radioactive and toxic wastes for hostile purposes.
Unlike the political environment in which significant progress towards the relaxation of tension has been observed, it is regrettable that no comparable development in the economic sphere was attained during the year.
Since the last session of this Assembly, the international economic environment experienced further decline and disequilibrium. The fall in commodity prices, the decrease in the flow of official development assistance and the crushing debt burden have continued to be the most serious factors responsible for the net outflow of capital from developing to developed countries.
It was this very serious predicament that led to the convening of the thirteenth special session of the General Assembly, on the critical economic situation in Africa, a little over two years ago. In this connection, the mid-term review and appraisal exercise undertaken last month has confirmed that the international community has not fulfilled its commitment under the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development.
In the meantime, African countries themselves, in spite of the unfavourable international economic climate, have endeavoured to pursue structural adjustment programmes, institutionalized or otherwise. Liberia, for instance, has undertaken certain measures within its own capabilities, to establish conditions for economic recovery. I refer  to attempts being made, through a green revolution programme, to expand agricultural production with a view to attaining food self-sufficiency. Moreover, steps have been taken, not only towards efficient management of the public sector, but also towards the encouragement and promotion of private initiative and enterprise in economic growth and development.
In view of the foregoing, ray delegation joins previous speakers who have called on the international community to live up to its commitment under the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development, and in particular to accelerate the flow of resources to the continent. Our common heritage and interdependence demand the concerted effort of all for the attainment of the conditions that will ensure a higher standard of living for the peoples of the developing countries.
This planet on which we live may have its imperfections, but until scientific exploration can confirm otherwise, it remains the only homo we have. It is therefore our sacred obligation to create in it a wholesome environment: for ourselves and for posterity.
In this connection, we must strive for a political environment free from conflicts and war·, we must strive for an economic environment that provides for a just, equitable and efficient production and distribution of goods and services, and we must pursue sustainable development policies that will ensure the protection of our eco-system.
When we pollute the oceans, the rivers and streams, when we denude our forests, when we violate the human rights of our fellow man, and engage in various forms of warfare without neighbours, when we exploit the poor and the weak, we do great harm to the human environment and thereby undermine the peace and security of our world.
The task of facing the future and safeguarding the interest of succeeding generations requires our collective moral commitment and co-ordinated political will and action.
In the view of my Government, the United Nations is still the best instrument at our disposal for the attainment of that wholesome environment envisaged and desired by all, and we thus reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the principles and purposes enshrined in its Charter.


I thank you for the kind words you have just said as you bade me welcome to the Assembly.
Allow me to congratulate you on your well-deserved election to the presidency of this session and to express the hope that, under your guidance, its work will be successful.
It gives me great pleasure also to extend my warm greetings to the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, whom we had the pleasure of welcoming to Cameroon at the beginning of this year. As you are well aware, Cameroon owes its existence to the United Nations. It is therefore deeply attached to this Organization, which played a decisive role in its accession to independence.
I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General for his devotion to the service of our Organization. I take this opportunity also to reiterate our support for the considerable efforts he is making to promote peace and co-operation in the world in spite of the prevailing economic difficulties.
I also wish to extend my congratulations to the United Nations peace-keeping forces, which have just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We are on the eve of the year 2000, a turning point in the history of mankind. We will also be responsible for the smooth or faulty take-off of this new millennium.
The duty of each and every one of us is to ensure the future of generations to come in the best possible circumstances. If we take a quick look at the world today the words that keep coming up are: crisis; conflicts; poverty; ignorance; disease; disasters; and injustice. Yet never before have science and technology offered the opportunities they offer today for us to overcome poverty and disease and never before have the various means of communication offered such tremendous possibilities for abolishing distances; but never before has a political and economic crisis reached the extent of today's crisis.
The United Nations, it must be recognized, is doing what it can to improve international relations from both the political and the economic points of view. All these efforts notwithstanding, much still remains to be done. Every conflict stands in the way of progress. Progress depends inevitably on entente, consultation and mutual respect.
Because of their unavoidable interdependence, States should regard the United Nations as a neutral forum wherein they harmonize their positions and settle their disputes in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner - and this is possible. Politically, the new climate between the Soviet Union and the United States is an example. The commitment of those two great nations to report to the international community, in particular to the Conference on Disarmament, on the progress and results of their negotiations is a decisive step towards peace.
The determination of the major Powers to work more closely together leads us to expect other encouraging results. In Afghanistan, the partial withdrawal of Soviet troops holds out hope for new developments. In the Western Sahara, the peace plan proposed by Mr. Perez de Cuellar has been accepted. The Chad-Libya border conflict appears to be moving towards a negotiated settlement. Many leading African Presidents have made ceaseless efforts to achieve a peaceful settle it. Such a settlement would certainly constitute a great victory for them and for the whole of Africa. The situation in the Horn of Africa also allows us to be hopeful. Efforts to normalize relations between Ethiopia and Somalia should be encouraged and supported. In Angola the peace talks between the parties concerned are continuing in Brazzaville. Following the cease-fire agreement in August, the talks between Iran and Iraq begun in Geneva are to be resumed.
However, the odious system of apartheid is still thriving in South Africa and, to date, in spite of United Nations Security Council resolutions 435 (1978) and 601 (1987) Namibia continues to be deprived of its independence, A solution to this conflict would also enable the independent States of the subregion to continue, in an atmosphere of peace and security, the work of nation-building which has been undermined by the attacks and acts of economic sabotage perpetrated by the rebels armed by racist South Africa. We will continue to support a people fighting for a just cause, namely human dignity.
Out present economic difficulties should not prevent us from honouring our commitments to the Special Fund of the Co-ordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa and to the Action for Resisting Invasion, Colonialism and Apartheid (AFRICA) Fund. We should also continue to help the freedom-fighters of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), as well as the front-line States.
Once more I call on all forces of peace, on all nations, to exert pressure and to adopt comprehensive and mandatory economic sanctions against the racist regime of Pretoria.
The situation in the Middle East remains disturbing. Cameroon, which maintains relations of friendship and co-operation with all States of the region, condemns the escalation of violence. I sincerely hope that dialogue will replace such violence and enable all parties concerned to seek a just and lasting peace. It is high time for the international community to find an appropriate solution.
Numerous hotbeds of tension still persist also in Latin America and Asia, and we must commit ourselves to restoring calm.
The encouraging results achieved in the Sahara, in Afghanistan, in Angola and in Chad are proof that it is always possible to find an appropriate solution: what is needed is to demonstrate seriousness and good faith.
Unwavering determination must be applied to resolving the severe economic crisis afflicting the third world. Consultation designed to find solutions to the poverty in which three fourths of mankind is living is as necessary and as important as the quest for solutions to  inflicts. The economic picture of the past few years has been appalling. Imbalances are worsening. Rich countries are enjoying growing prosperity. Whereas the natural resources of developing countries no longer suffice even to meet the basic needs of their peoples. The African countries have now come to realise that they must first count on themselves and on their own efforts.
Confronted with this very serious situation we have taken measures aimed at stabilizing our economy and, in the long term, bringing about its recovery. We no longer want to be dependants. We have either abandoned or reconsidered certain development projects and we have cut down on State expenditure. Certain companies have been obliged either to close down or to lay off staff. We are all aware of the gravity of the situation.
The special session of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Plan of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development. However, within the context of the world crisis it is not enough to constitute subregional bodies or to define short-term priorities to stimulate our growth and reduce the vulnerability of our economies.
The prices of our basic products have reached the lowest level in the past 50 years. Our export earnings have dropped alarmingly, while the prices of the capital goods and finished products we import are continually rising. As if that were not enough, our manufactured goods meet with the protectionist policies of the industrialized North.
The result is that our balance of payments is registering a serious deficit. That deficit is further aggravated by the burden of our external debt and by monetary disorders. It is true that we want to settle our debt, but we do not have the means to do so. It is therefore logical and imperative that we examine with our creditors those solutions that will allow us to replay our debts and still save our economies from total collapse.
Everything that has been done to contain this situation has come up against a hostile International environment. We are working more, we are managing better, we are producing more, yet the sharp drop In the prices of raw materials, the reduction of financial aid for development, the enormous debt burden, inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, the lack of dialogue, which is crucial to bringing about a more just economic order - all those elements constitute impediments to the progress of the African continent and threaten the future of the world.
As we are well aware, world stability concerns both developed and developing countries. We are waiting for the international community to make greater efforts and to adopt concrete measures. Decisions taken by a certain number of developed countries, such as Canada and France, and those taken at the summit meeting of the Seven in Toronto, constitute the beginning of positive action.
We ate not asking for charity, we are seeking help in order to resolve the serious problems that concern us all. Every one of us has a stake in this - it is not a one-way street. Assisting developing countries out of the crisis means opening up new markets to industrialized countries, new markets for their products. The solutions exist, and all we need is to seek them whole-heartedly.
Politically, the major Powers have demonstrated that when they want something it can be achieved. That applies to the economic crisis as well. We need only have the Will.
For us, the United Nations represents a forum for consultation and for seeking solutions. The United Nations reflects the common determination of nations to work together. The United Nations is an assembly. It is a force to reckon with, a powerful tool for development. Let us learn to use it together.