I am especially pleased to address the Assembly at a time when it is marking the fortieth anniversary of the birth of the United Nations. On behalf of my delegation, I take this opportunity to express our sincerest wishes for the strengthening of our Organization, which for 40 years has been able to preserve mankind from the scourge of a third world war.
My delegation is particularly gratified by the unanimous election of Ambassador de Piniés to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fortieth session and fully endorses the warm congratulations that have been addressed to him, a deserving tribute to his talents as an experienced diplomat well versed in the ways of our Organization. That is the most certain earnest of the success of cur work. His election is also a tribute to his great and beautiful country, Spain. His predecessor, a worthy son of Africa, Mr. Paul Lusaka, successfully guided the work of the thirty-ninth session with wisdom, efficiency and firmness.
Our Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, has once again in his annual report demonstrated the great courage and extraordinary far-sightedness for which he has always been so well known. Here I should like once again to renew my country's firm support for the way he is carrying out his lofty and onerous mission.
I wish to associate myself with preceding speakers to convey to the people and the Government of Mexico the deep sympathy of the people and the Government of Benin, in view of the earthquakes that ravaged Mexico City causing great loss of life and enormous property damage.
There is no more appropriate forum than the current session for dealing with those crucial problems that continue to confront our world today. We must work to bring about a world free from the fear of a nuclear holocaust, a world of security and peace. We must work to safeguard the rights of individuals and peoples and the establishment of a new international economic order. We must combat hunger and disease.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts made by every State and the numerous resolutions adopted here in this very Hall during the preceding sessions of the past 40 years, we are obliged to note that the international political situation is causing increasing concern and that numerous problems on which international peace and security hinge remain unresolved. Horse still, these problems continue to worsen because of the duplicity and diabolical maneuvers of some countries which cynically turn difficult situations to their own advantage.
It is totally inadmissible that today, 40 years after the emergence of our Organization, some people still live under colonial domination. Hence the situation prevailing in southern Africa deserves particular attention by the international community.
Although the question of Namibia has been on the agenda of all the regular and special sessions of the General Assembly since the adoption in 1946 of resolution 65 (I), the racist regime of South Africa continues to apply its odious annexationist and colonialist policy. This arrogant attitude of South Africa, based on total disregard for black peoples, united Nations resolutions and, consequently, the entire international community, is based on the more or less active support of certain circles which long for the days of colonialism and are determined champions of any and all neo-colonialist adventures designed to subjugate third-world countries.
Defying the United Nations settlement plan contained in Security Council resolution 435 (1978), South Africa has set up a so-called interim government in Namibia. Benin vigorously condemns the establishment of the puppet interim government in Namibia and welcomes the unanimous indignation against and condemnation of the international community this illegal act of South Africa has caused throughout the world.
On this occasion my delegation reaffirms once again its unswerving support for the South West Africa Peoples Organization (SHAPO) and solemnly appeals to all
countries that cherish peace and justice to do all in their power to support the colonized and exploited Namibian people in its just struggle to rid itself of the South African monster and restore its national sovereignty.
There is no need to reiterate here Pretoria's crises and the atrocities of which the apartheid Engine is daily guilty within the Republic of South Africa itself.
After the pseudo-constitutional reforms and the electoral masquerade which was Massively boycotted by mixed and Indian populations, the Pretoria racists continued to strengthen their despicable policy of blind, bloody and barbaric repression, mass arrests and the physical elimination of blacks.
The establishment of a state of emergency in 36 districts of the country is clear evidence of the confusion sown by the apartheid regime, confronted by the determination of the South African peoples, who wish to live in an egalitarian nation and who, under the leadership of the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), shrink at no sacrifice to defend their rights as free men. This is now an appropriate time to hail the unshakable courage of Nelson Mandela, a worthy son of Africa, of whom we demand the unconditional and immediate liberation.
The virtually continuous acts of aggression perpetrated against Angola,
Mozambique and the other front-line countries illustrate the desire of South Africa to destabilize the countries of this region.
The Beninese people once again would like to express, through me, to all the peoples of southern Africa and in particular to the people of Angola its unswerving support and militant solidarity.
Today more than ever, the international community is convinced of the absolute need to apply global and binding sanctions under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter against the racist regime of South Africa.
He must welcome the fact that peace- and justice-loving States have finally understood that only strong sanctions against South Africa are likely to put an end to this great blot on mankind. We urge them to exercise all possible forms of pressure on Pretoria until our world is freed of the repugnant scourge of apartheid.
Finally I take this opportunity to reaffirm my country's full support of the AHC in its heroic struggle for peace, liberty, equality and social justice in South Africa.
The misfortunes of the South African people can be compared only with those of the Palestinian people hunted down and persecuted on its own land in the Middle East. The conflicts in this region continue to cause death, suffering, misery and deprivation of all sorts. Defying the efforts of the international community for a just and equitable solution of the Palestinian issue, Israel engages in acts of aggression directed against independent and sovereign countries. The recent case of barbaric aggression against Tunisia gave rise, and justly so, to practically unanimous condemnation by the international community. We vigorously condemn that act and reaffirm our support of the PLC and of the Tunisian people.
These terrorist expeditions far from intimidating the Palestinian people only strengthen its determination to struggle towards the recovery of its inalienable rights. Israel must finally acknowledge that the settlement of the Palestinian question must include its immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied since 1967.
With regard to Lebanon, the Beninese people hope to see that country emerge once and for all from the political crisis that has been besetting it so that it may effectively achieve its national unity and embark with determination on the task of reconstruction for the well-being of the whole Lebanese people.
As for the dispute which has for five years now been pitting Iran against Iraq, we fear that recent events in that merciless war waged by these two fraternal countries is now increasing the risk of the internationalization of that armed conflict.
In addition, massive acts of destruction carried out through the bombing of cities will not encourage efforts at development by the Iranian and Iraqi peoples, whose casualties are now innumerable.
My delegation therefore again urges Iran and Iraq to sit down at the negotiating table in order peacefully to settle the dispute that divides them and restore peace to their two peoples and to the international community.
My delegation's position in regard to the situation in Chad remains unchanged. We are convinced that only total peace and an effective reconciliation of all the sons of Chad can allow that people to engage, in peace and harmony, in the enormous task of rebuilding their country, so severely affected by years of civil war.
My country therefore supports all efforts aimed at establishing peace and harmony in Chad through a union of all citizens of Chad.
Once again it is clear that peace and security in the world inevitably depend on the elimination of all these focal points of tension which the great Powers and their allies unfortunately insist on maintaining.
Despite the relevant resolution of the nineteenth summit of the Organization of African unity (OAU) regarding the western Sahara approved by the General Assembly at its thirty eighth session, Western Sahara continues to be the victim of acts of aggression carried out by those who do not shrink at any crime whatever to satisfy their imperialist designs and egoist interests.
My delegation, faithful to the principle of the right to self-determination of all peoples, once again urges the General Assembly to do everything it can to ensure the effective implementation of the relevant resolutions of the OAU and the United Nations on Western Sahara.
The situation in Central America and in Asia is of just as much concern as those in the Middle East and in Africa. In the face of flagrant and daily violations of the legitimate rights and sovereignty of all the States in Central America, the international community must react with greater firmness and demand peace for all peoples of that region.
My delegation would like here to renew its support for the just struggle of all the oppressed peoples of Central America for their liberation from all forms of domination and exploitation and unreservedly supports the tireless efforts exerted by the Contadora Group in the search for peace.
In Asia the division of the Korean peninsula constitutes a source of tension in that part of the world.
Benin cherishes the firm and ardent hope of seeing the sons of Korea once again return to the path of dialog that will bring them to a peaceful and independent reunification of their common homeland.
I take the present opportunity to say how much my country appreciates the numerous efforts continuously made by the People's Democratic Republic of Korea to implement this objective, which is supported by the whole international community because it is a champion of peace and security for our world of today. To this end it is important that all foreign forces be withdrawn from Korea so as to enable that country's sons to achieve a final settlement of their problem free from foreign interference.
In the present international situation characterized by the struggle being waged by the threat Powers for military supremacy, the people of the whole world expect the United Nations to concentrate its efforts on finding a solution to the most crucial pro! em of our time, namely, the cessation of the arms race and the prevention of nuclear war.
My delegation is convinced that the problem of disarmament must take pride of place in the concerns of the present session of our General Assembly and must be dealt with objectively, with common sense and realism.
The exclusion of outer space from the sphere of the arms race must be treated as an issue that is closely linked to the global problem of preventing nuclear war and the United Nations must exert all its influence to combat any plans for the militarization of outer apace and do everything in its power to ensure that negotiations are undertaken immediately on this problem at the bilateral as well as multilateral level.
On the economic level it is regrettable that after 40 years of existence the mission of the United Nations still remains hampered by the egoism of the rich countries. In fact, the situation remains characterized by an unjust international division of labor. The countries of the third world, suppliers of cheap raw materials, continue to feed the factories of the developed countries for whom they form an enormous market outlet for finished products. In addition, the difficult efforts of economic restructuring undertaken by the developing countries are wiped out by the continuous deterioration in the terms of trade.
Therefore, the international economic order which prevails in our world today is that of imperialist domination, the pillage of the resources of third world countries and the exploitation of their peoples.
It therefore follows naturally that those countries which are called developing countries, but which over the years have in fact been sinking into total poverty, see their dependence on the countries of the North increasing every day as a result of the steady increase in the size of their external debts.
It is generally acknowledged that a charge of 20 to 25 per cent of export earnings for debt servicing is an unbearable burden for the economy of any countries. Yet the relevant figures for most of the third world countries go well beyond such levels, and the forecasts are even more gloomy.
The deplorable consequence of this situation is the present economic crisis which Africa is now experiencing, despite its vast riches and its great potential. All forecasts indicate that the threat of disaster will continue to loom over this continent for almost all of the coming decade, and the World Bank has warned us that in the South of the Sahara per capita income is likely to continue to decline, so that by 1995 four out of five Africans will be below the absolute poverty level.
In the circumstances there is no prospect of relief for the third world in general and for Africa in particular unless the international community reacts immediately to put an end to the present economic system, which has shown its obvious drawbacks during the forty years of existence of our Organization.
Africa, for its part, has shown its awareness of the threat which looms over it and is devoting the twenty-first summit conference of the Organization of African unity (OAU) to economic issues and an assessment of the implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action. This assessment has made it clear that most of the suggested projects have not been carried out because of a lack of funds.
It is to meet these needs that the OAU created the special emergency assistance fund to combat drought and famine in Africa.
While thus shouldering its responsibilities, Africa also has resolved to achieve self-sufficiency in food in order to put an end to famine, malnutrition and endemic illnesses in the continent.
The twenty-first summit conference of the OAU also decided to convene an international conference on Africa's external debt. My delegation cherishes the hope that the international community will be able to take advantage of this opportunity, in default of proposals for a broader-based conference at an earlier date, to simply deferring payment on all the present debts of the third world. This action should be understood as a contribution made by the developed countries to the implementation in the developing countries of minimal conditions for making use of the indispensable international assistance which is needed for their economic and social growth.
The General Assembly will undoubtedly respond to the urgent appeal of the OAU to convene a special session to consider questions relative to the critical economic situation now prevailing in Africa. We should like here to express our
great gratitude to the international community which reacted so positively to the alarming situation now existing in Africa.
The establishment of a new international economic order implies a radical transformation of the present abrasive economic relations between North and South.
The magnitude and complexity of the present problems of the international community require of our respective countries a steadfast political will to confront all these dangers which threaten the security and peace to which all mankind aspires.
The United Nations and its specialized agencies have demonstrated over the past 40 years that they are important forums whose mission is to unite all States on the basis of equality in order to maintain and strengthen that international peace and security. The People's Republic of Benin is convinced that it is possible to increase the effectiveness of this Organization through a serious effort to revise its Charter with respect to all provisions which are no longer in line with the realities of our times. The important questions of equitable representation of nations in the Security Council and the right of veto should be dealt with within this framework to ensure better application of the rights of peoples to self-determination with respect for the sovereignty and equality of States.
Regarding the prevailing situation in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), my country hopes that the great and noble mission of UNESCO to ensure that human civilization thrives will continue on a normal basis with effective participation by all States devoted to peace and justice. My delegation would like to appeal to all countries to ensure that in the higher interests of mankind a frank and sincere dialog be established directed to the resumption of the active participation of all countries and all peoples in that organization.
Similarly, ray country supports the actions undertaken by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to ensure the immunization of all children by 1990.
In conclusion, I firmly hope that the work of the present session of the General Assembly will enable this fortieth anniversary of the United Nations to be a starting point for a new era during which our Organization will be able to take oh an ever-greater role within the international community as a true guarantor of international peace and security, and serve as a forum for advancing the harmonious development of all countries and the emancipation of all the peoples of our planet.
We are ready for the revolution. The struggle continues.


It is a particular pleasure for me. Sir, to convey to you our warm congratulations and our best wishes for success on the occasion of your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its fortieth session.
At the request of the President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu, I wish to set out the position, assessments and thoughts of our President and of Romania on some of the items on the agenda of this Assembly session.
This year, the international community celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the bloodiest military confrontation in the history of mankind. It cost so many human lives and caused huge material destruction. Today when we examine the causes of that great world conflagration, it is clearer than ever that it was possible for war to break out because of a lack of unity and firmness on the part of peoples and realistic democratic forces in the face of the expansionist policy of fascism, which was aimed at world domination. He must never forget that the great victory over fascism was possible precisely because of the creation of a broad anti-Fascist coalition and because of the scores of peoples which were committed to the struggle and which rose up resolutely to defend their freedom and independence and to crush the Hitlerite war machine.
Learning the harsh lessons of history, the world's peoples - including the Romanian people, which has been particularly active - have acted with firmness and have succeeded for 40 years in preventing the outbreak of a new major conflagration on our planet.
However, it should be added that during the four decades since the end of the war, the international situation has been marked by a series of grave and complex developments which have given rise to mistrust and tension in relations among States. Although late last year and during the course of the present year some positive developments occurred, other developments in the international situation since the last session of the General Assembly show that the danger persists.
Under these circumstances nothing could be more important than rallying the efforts of the United Nations, of all peoples and of all peace-loving forces to halt the dangerous course towards tension and war, towards the nuclear precipice, and to resume and strengthen the policy of detente, co-operation and peace. Thus it is more than ever necessary to act with all our might to defend the supreme right of all peoples to life, peace and a free and dignified existence. Pride of place in this effort belongs to the United Nations, which was created 40 years ago precisely to contribute to building a better and more just world, without weapons and without war.
That is why Romania is committed to promoting a wide-ranging policy of dialog and international relations aiming at constructive solutions of the major problems facing mankind. This is a policy of principle, of broad co-operation with all States in the world, regardless of their social systems, a policy of supporting the struggle for liberation and national independence, and a policy which favors detente and peace. Romania has worked and continues to work consistently to base its relations with all States on the principles of full equality of rights, respect for national independence and sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, mutual advantage, and the renunciation of force and the threat of force, and to affirm those principles in international life. We firmly believe that only such a policy, along with close co-operation and a strengthening of the independence of every nation and of peace in the world, can guarantee the realization of the aspirations of all the world's peoples to freedom, a better life, and progress.
This session of the General Assembly is taking place in a particularly serious and complex international situation. The arms race, first and foremost the nuclear-arms race, is reaching unprecedented proportions; this continues to increase the threat of another world war, which would inevitably become a nuclear catastrophe leading to the destruction of the very conditions of life on earth.
Never in mankind's long history has such a threat hovered over civilization and over the life and freedom of peoples. Therefore, in the opinion of Romania and of President Nicolae Ceausescu the fundamental issue of our time is that of halting the arms race, especially the nuclear-arms race, and proceeding to disarmament, eliminating all nuclear weapons, ceasing all actions to militarize outer space, and defending and consolidating peace.
The policy of force and the threat of force, and of consolidating and carving out spheres of influence continues with intensity. Armed conflicts and hotbeds of tension persist in various parts of the world. Moreover, the world economic crisis, which in one way or another has affected every State in the world, has further worsened the situation of the developing countries and has broadened the gap separating those countries from the developed countries.
Since the 1982 special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, the situation in the field of weaponry has moved in a direction contrary to that advocated in the conclusions and documents adopted at that session and contrary to the legitimate hopes of peoples. The arms race continues at an ever more frantic pace; military expenditures have increased every year; efforts to develop and manufacture new types and systems of weapons, including nuclear weapons with ever greater destructive capacities, have intensified; and attempts are being made to militarize outer space.
There has been a particular worsening of the situation in Europe because of the deployment by the United States of America of intermediate-range missiles in some Western countries and because of the consequent nuclear countermeasures taken by the Soviet Union.
Like other countries, Romania welcomed the start of Soviet-American negotiations in Geneva. As is known, the two rounds of talks that have taken place thus far have led to no concrete results. During this period the deployment of new nuclear weapons in Europe has continued, and this has only increased the nuclear danger still further.
An encouraging fact in this regard is constituted by the measures adopted by the Soviet Union regarding the moratorium on the deployment of some nuclear weapons until the autumn of this year and the cessation of nuclear tests until the end of the year, as well as the statement that if the United States of America were to adopt similar measures it would be possible to extend the cessation of nuclear tests and conduct negotiations with a view to the complete renunciation of such tests. We expect from the United States a positive reply to these initiatives and the submission of new proposals designed to reduce and then eliminate nuclear weapons and to halt the militarization of outer space. Mere statements are not enough; real, concrete actions are needed to prove the seriousness of the statements, to prove that there is a willingness to take the path toward the elimination of the nuclear danger.
The fact that there will be a meeting next November between the General-Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan, is without any doubt a positive event. That meeting could, in Romania's opinion, promote the achievement of positive results in the Soviet-American negotiations in Geneva.
We do feel, however, that halting the arms race, particularly the nuclear-arms race, and proceeding to disarmament requires that the European countries should not wait passively for the outcome of the Soviet-American negotiations and of the forthcoming meeting between the leaders of the two countries. Quite to the contrary, those States - and, in the first place, those that are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Treaty Organization - must shoulder a greater direct responsibility and must intensify their actions to lead the two great nuclear Powers to act concretely to achieve a mutually acceptable agreement on nuclear weapons and on preventing the militarization of outer space and, as a result, to reach the appropriate agreements to that end during their meeting in November.
It is in the interest of the peoples of the continent, and indeed of all the peoples of the world, to intensify the efforts and the actions designed to halt the deployment of new nuclear weapons in Europe and to proceed to the withdrawal of those already in place and then to the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons, to the cessation of nuclear tests and to the renunciation of any action towards the militarization of outer space.
More than ever before it is now necessary that all Governments, all Heads of State, all political forces act before it is too late to save mankind from nuclear catastrophe.
Romania is in favor of and acts resolutely towards the success of the work of the Stockholm Conference on Confidence and Security-Building Measures and on Disarmament in Europe, and towards the beginning of effective negotiations to bridge the positions and reach an appropriate agreement. At the same time, we believe that the proposals made during the Vienna negotiations on the reduction of armaments and armed forces in Central Europe are a good basis for ensuring without delay an initial agreement acceptable to all parties.
In our opinion, the Geneva Conference on Disarmament must act constructively; it must consider the existing proposals with a view to overcoming the stalemate in the negotiations and achieving agreement on questions such as the prevention of nuclear war, the prohibition of all nuclear tests, the prevention of the spreading of the arms race to outer space, and the prohibition of the development and production of chemical weapons and the destruction of the stockpiles of such weapons.
We attach special importance to the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in various regions of the world as an important component of the policy of disarmament and security. In that spirit, we act to promote an active policy to ensure the broad development of relations with all Balkan States, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and the transforming of that region into a zone of good neighborliness, co-operation and peace, free of nuclear weapons and foreign bases. Similarly, we support the establishment of such zones in the northern and central part of the continent as well as in other regions of the world.
To halt the arms race it is necessary to take consistent action for the freezing and reduction of military budgets. It must be understood that with the level reached by existing armaments the question of the lack of balance of forces is irrelevant. Balance must be achieved not through new weapons or new military expenditures, but through a reduction in the existing ones to the lowest possible level, and, in general, through the elimination of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. We believe that on the basis of the decision adopted by the Conference on Disarmament in 1985, we can through common efforts contribute to the acceleration and then the successful completion of the process of the formulation of principles on the freezing and reduction of military expenditures, with a view to starting concrete negotiations to bring about international agreements in this field.
 Halting the arms race and proceeding to the reduction of military expenditures could create conditions that would make possible the allocation of large financial, material and human resources to the solution of the serious problems faced by the developing countries. That could not but exert a positive impact on the entire world economy, favoring the expansion of international co-operation and of economic and political stability throughout the world.
In the general context of measures aimed at halting the arms race and proceeding to disarmament, we regard as of particular importance the cessation of the arms race in outer space. The misuse, without any control, of outer space -the heritage of mankind as a whole - is a serious danger for the peoples. We therefore think that it is necessary to stop any action designed to use outer space for military purposes, and to reach a general regulation of the use of outer space for peaceful purposes only. The question of the non-militarization of outer space must be solved appropriately within the context of the process designed to intensify international co-operation in the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. In the spirit of that position of principle, we support the proposals put forward by the Soviet Union concerning the peaceful use of outer space, including the convening of an international conference and the establishment of an international organization to that end.
In the light of the importance of nuclear disarmament, of general disarmament, of ensuring peace, the President of the Socialist Republic of Romania recently addressed a further appeal to all responsible political elements and to the peoples of the entire world to combine their efforts and, irrespective of social systems or political, philosophical or religious convictions, to act - before it is too late -to put an end to the dangerous trend of events towards nuclear catastrophe, to save mankind from destruction, to ensure that our peoples and mankind as a whole have the right to free development and to use the discoveries of science and human knowledge solely for peaceful purposes, for the well-being, freedom, independence, and happiness of each nation.
Romania,, which is firmly in favor of reviving the policy of detente, believes that it is necessary to do everything possible to eliminate existing conflicts and settle all disputes between States solely through negotiations.
Romania has firmly and consistently declared its support for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Arab territories occupied since the 1967 war, recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to create their own State and guarantees of the independence, sovereignty and security of all States in the region. To that end, our country firmly and consistently supports the convening of an international conference, under the auspices of the United Nations and with the participation of all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, as well as the Soviet Union, the United States of America, and other States which could contribute constructively to the establishment of peace in that region. We feel that it is particularly important to enhance the role of the Secretary-General in the achievement of that goal and to involve him more actively in the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The worsening of the situation in Lebanon is a cause of deep concern. We favor broad reconciliation of the internal political forces with a view to ensuring the unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.
At the same time, we must express our concern at the continuing war between Iran and Iraq, which is causing both peoples immense human and material losses. We favor the immediate cessation of military hostilities, the withdrawal of troops by both sides to within the internationally recognized borders that existed before the outbreak of the conflict and the initiation of negotiations aimed at the peaceful settlement of the problems between those two neighboring States. This would be in the interest of the two countries and peoples and of peace and stability in that region and throughout the world.

With regard to the Korean question, Romania reaffirms its solidarity with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and its active support for the position and initializes it has taken and for its political and diplomatic efforts aimed at the peaceful, democratic and independent unification of the country.
Romania actively supports the liberation struggle of the peoples and their efforts to consolidate their national independence and completely eliminate colonialism. In this spirit, we support the struggle of the Namibian people, under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), to gain their independence and ensure the implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978).
We strongly condemn the new repressive measures taken by the South African authorities against the black population and their blatant armed intervention and aggression against Angola and other neighboring States. We support the proposals of the African countries regarding the adoption by the United Nations of effective measures to put an end for ever to the racist policy of apartheid.
Generally speaking, in the light of the numerous existing conflicts, which maintain and increase the seriousness of the international situation, we feel that it is high time for the United Nations to undertake with greater determination new measures and initiatives to resolve these conflicts by peaceful means, by negotiation.
It is in this spirit that, on the instructions of the President of the Socialist Republic of Romania we propose that the General Assembly of the United Nations address a solemn appeal to all States involved in military conflicts to cease hostilities immediately and move towards the solution of their problems through negotiations. We propose that with a view to the organization of such talks, the General Assembly request the Security Council to appoint special representatives. We propose, further, that all States should make a solemn commitment to comply with the obligation not to resort to the use or threat of use of force, not to interfere in any way whatsoever in the internal affairs of other States and to resolve all situations of conflict and tension by means of negotiations.
The adoption of such an appeal and such a solemn commitment would testify to the political will of all States to respect the United Nations Charter and would be a clear contribution to the policy of promoting detente, improving the international situation, strengthening trust among nations and promoting disarmament, independence, co-operation and peace.
There is deep concern at the fact that the world economy continues to be marked by instability and by a whole series of negative phenomena caused by the economic crisis, whose consequences are felt, to a greater or lesser extent, by all countries. The economic situation of the developing countries has been particularly affected by that crisis. The great majority of those countries find that they are prevented from developing their economies and advancing along the road of economic and social progress because of their external indebtedness and the extremely high interest rates which they must pay, as well as the protectionism increasingly practiced in various forms by the developed countries.
As the Assembly knows, Romania has already put forward a series of proposals in this context. Romania, like many other countries, believes that in order to arrive at a global solution to the problems of underdevelopment, including the debt problem facing the developing countries, it is necessary to organize and begin within the United Nations genuine negotiations between the developing and the developed countries. Romania believes that within the framework of those negotiations agreement should be reached on a set of principles and arrangements for the global solution of the problem of the external debt of the developing countries, which would lead to: first, the cancellation of the debts of countries with a per capita income of $500 to $600, a large reduction in the debts of countries with a per capita income of $1,000 to $1,200 and a general reduction of 30 per cent to 50 per cent of the debts of all developing countries; secondly, the remainder of the debt being rescheduled on a long-term, not, as at present, a medium-term, basis, with a maturing period of three to five years; thirdly, interest rates being fixed at reasonable levels, while deducting from the remaining debt the excess payments made in recent years; fourthly, to the rescheduling of debts in such a way that the external debt servicing would not exceed 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the annual export revenues; and, finally, to the establishment, with the contributions of the developed countries, of a special fund from which to make new loans to developing countries at reasonable interest rates.
The adoption of such emergency measures and the need to restructure the international monetary and financial system make it necessary to convene an international monetary and financial conference, as proposed by the non-aligned countries. The system conceived in the light of the conditions and interests that prevailed 40 years ago and on the basis of prewar experience has become obsolete as a result of the great political and economic changes that have taken place in the world.
It is also necessary to restrain the present strong protectionist tendencies. Our country firmly believes that the developed countries should make a commitment not to introduce new restrictions and should adopt resolute measures to reduce and eliminate in accordance with a precise timetable those that are already in force. It is also necessary for all States to abstain from adopting for political or other reasons economic restrictions and sanctions incompatible with the norms and principles of international law and with the requirements of economic interdependence among all nations. Like other States, Romania favors the convening of a new round of multilateral trade negotiations aimed at the reduction of customs tariffs and the dismantling of non-tariff barriers.
There is reason to recall also that, in our day, where a major scientific and technological revolution is in full swing, the developing countries find that almost all the channels of access to modern technology are closed to them- Finding ways to revive and .intensity the transfer of technology to the developing countries, increasing their access to the achievements of science and technology, would allow them to accelerate their development and their economic potential and, implicitly, it would allow them to increase, for the benefit of all, their own participation in the world economic system.
The growing gap between the economic development and the prospects of the developed countries, on the one hand, and of the developing countries, on the other hand, makes determined action to stop the brain drain more imperative than ever. It is incumbent upon the General Assembly not only to keep this question before world public opinion, but also to work harder to build a framework for international co-operation which would avoid the harmful consequences of the drain of trained personnel from developing countries.
To place international economic relations on a new, sound and fruitful footing and to overcome the instability which characterizes those relations, it is clearly necessary to bring about radical, fundamental changes which would do away with underdevelopment and establish a new international economic order, in keeping with the requirements of progress in today's world.
The vital interests, present and future, of all the peoples of developed and developing countries urgently require that we give up selfish positions and get on with the settlement of these grave problems, while there is still time to control them and to solve them through talks. The dialog between the developed and developing countries carried out in a constructive, productive spirit in all negotiating bodies must be resumed as a matter of urgency and, finally, global negotiations must be started. Similarly, Romania has been and is in favor of a summit conference of the developing countries which would enable them to discuss ways of strengthening mutual co-operation and to develop a common strategy in their negotiations with the developed countries.
One cannot truly overcome the world economic crisis and ensure lasting large-scale recovery, as well as economic stability in the world, without resolving the problems of underdevelopment in all their complexity. The actual start of talks to achieve new relations in international co-operation based on equality, equity and mutual benefit constitute an overriding necessity, a proof of the capacity of States to resolve this fundamental contemporary problem and to lay the foundations for widespread and sustained progress, in harmony with the needs and immense possibilities of the world we live in, and in harmony with the requirements of economic stability and international politics.
Youth now represents an enormous social force for progress and peace which must resolutely have its say on all the major topics of international life. The young must above all act in close unity, side by side with their peoples and with the advanced democratic forces in the world, to curb the arms race and to achieve disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, in order to protect and strengthen peace.
As builders of tomorrow's world, the young are deeply interested in participating actively and responsibly in the discussion and solution of all problems upon which their future peace, progress and well-being depend. Questions dealing with the removal of social injustices, with the guarantee of fundamental rights to work, training, culture and education are closely linked to the life at status of youth in society.
Romania greatly appreciates the proclamation by the United Nations of International Youth Year, under the motto "Participation, Development, Peace". It
is an event of deep significance for the present and for the future of the younger generation in the world.
We must act in such a way that International Youth Year will be an important factor in uniting young people of the whole world to defend and exercise their fundamental right to create a free and happy life for themselves and to develop in a climate of true security, co-operation and peace.
It is our conviction that broad and representative participation in the United Nations World Conference for the International Youth Year, during this session of the General Assembly, will make it possible to debate the very substance of the major problems of the younger generation and to adopt, approve and implement guidelines for future programs devoted to youth, prepared by the United Nations Advisory Committee for International Youth Year.
During this session we shall celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, an event of such great scope and importance in international life. During the four decades of its existence, the United Nations has brought together almost all countries .In the world and has contributed to ensuring the necessary climate for peaceful coexistence and for the maintenance of dialog among States, in order to safeguard peace.
This anniversary provides us with a good opportunity for a realistic evaluation of the activities of the United Nations and for identifying new ways and concrete measures to increase its role and its contribution to the solution of the cardinal problems of humanity.
Increasing the contribution of all States to the debate and to the solution of the problems which concern mankind is an essential characteristic of contemporary political life. We see small and medium-sized countries, non-aligned countries and developing countries, all of which are highly interested in a policy of co-operation, independence and peace, asserting themselves more and more on the
world scene. It may be said that every State and nation whether large or snail, has a share in the responsibility for the fate of peace and of civilization, and its duty is to contribute to the cause of peace, detente and co-operation among peoples.
The United Nations must faithfully reflect the realities of today's world, and it must truly represent a forum for the entire international community. It must . provide the necessary framework allowing all States to speak their minds on an equal footing and to decide on the fate of the United Nations and of peace in the world. It therefore seems necessary to improve the activities of the United Nations and of other international bodies, making them more democratic.
Through the years, Romania has presented concrete proposals concerning fundamental guidelines for the activities of the United Nations. It has, with other countries, undertaken a series of initiatives to increase the contribution of the United Nations to the solution of current international problems and to strengthen its capacity for acting in harmony with the requirements of peace and security.
We continue to attach the greatest importance to improving the machinery of the United Nations in terms of the peaceful settlement of disputes within the possibilities provided by the United Nations Charter. Romania has put forward, in the spirit of the Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes adopted by the General Assembly in 1982, the proposal to establish within the United Nations a commission for good offices, mediation and conciliation. It is a proposal which this year was studied in depth within the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on strengthening the role of the United Nations. I should like to make it clear that this proposal is not intended to create new structures, but rather to define, in complete harmony with the spirit and provisions of the Charter and within the functions of the principal bodies of the
United Nations, a procedure within the Organization which would be permanently available to States and competent bodies of the United Nations, and through which interested countries could at any time go to a commission for good offices, mediation and conciliation, to settle conflicts through political means.

Romania believes that in order to strengthen peace and security and cooperation between nations it is particularly important to develop and strengthen good neighborliness between States, the subject of an item that appears on the agenda of the present session, as a result of a proposal by our country. He consider that at the present stage of debate on the matter we should proceed, within a framework to be decided without delay, to identify and clarify all the elements of good neighborliness, with a view to the drafting of an international document of the United Nations.
In our view, the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization can play a very important and useful role. We believe that the Committee could be used more efficiently than it has been so far in considering and adopting effective measures aimed at strengthening the Organization's ability to take action.
In once again reaffirming Romania's deep commitment to the United Nations and to the purposes and principles of the Charter, adopted four decades ago, the Romanian delegation commits itself to work resolutely, in the spirit of the mandate given it by the President of the Republic, and in close collaboration with the delegations of other States, to contribute to the success of the present session, so that it may help bring about a turning point in international life, one that will make a change from tension and confrontation to detente and disarmament, to a policy of wide co-operation and understanding between States, so that reason and peace may reign on our planet.


At the outset of its statement, the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic expresses to the delegation of Mexico its roost heartfelt condolences at the cruel human and material losses sustained by Mexico from recent earthquakes.
On behalf of the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic I express my warm congratulations to your Sir, on your unanimous election to the office of President of the fortieth session of the General Assembly. I am convinced that, under your wise leadership and thanks to your long experience in diplomacy, the work of this session will achieve satisfactory results.
I should like also to express my sincere appreciation to Ambassador Paul Lusaka for the outstanding way in which he guided the work of the preceding session.
My warm congratulations and greetings go also to the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, for his indefatigable and constructive efforts in the cause of the maintenance and strengthening of peace, security and international co-operation.
This year the fortieth session of the General Assembly is taking place at a time when the international community is commemorating several important historical events.
Last May progressive mankind solemnly observed the fortieth anniversary of the great victory over the forces of fascism and militarism which, in unleashing the Second World War - resulting in the lost of 50 million lives, something which no one must forget - dreamed of dominating the world and subjugating its peoples.
Also, as a decisive factor in the restoration of the independence and sovereignty of many countries of Europe and Asia which saved millions of people from fascist barbarism, that victory has gone down in history as a glorious page recording the triumph of the great ideals of peace and justice. Those same ideals led to the establishment of the United Nations, whose prime task is the maintenance of international peace and security and whose fortieth anniversary we will be celebrating this month.
Indeed these two coinciding anniversaries cannot be separated from one another, because the founding fathers of the United Nations, and in particular the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, deeply affected by the tragedy and harsh lessons of the Second World War, stated in the very first words of the Charter the need "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war", and to that end invited peoples with different political and social systems "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors". The latter concept has become a new principle governing international relations, namely, peaceful coexistence.
Since the end of the Second World War, more than 100 countries which were at that time under foreign domination have regained their right to self-determination and become independent and full Members of the United Nations and of the Non-aligned Movement.
These important events in international political life are in keeping with and respond to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. In recent decades, on the initiative of the socialist countries and the Non-aligned Movement, the United Nations has adopted several important resolutions and helped on several occasions to halt local conflicts and resolve the disputes that constituted a threat to international peace and security. Likewise, the United Nations has helped to slow down the arms race. It has, moreover, established the legal foundations for the movements struggling for peace, national independence,
democracy and social progress, in particular by adopting the Declaration on the
Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in 1960, on the
initiative of the soviet union. That Declaration is the symbol of the elimination of colonialism, and we shall soon be celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary.
But unfortunately this Declaration has not yet been fully applied, because colonialism, racism and apartheid continue to afflict some regions of the world. It is therefore imperative that all Members of the United Nations act in concert to eliminate these scourges once and for all.
The United Nations, with its 159 Member countries, is representative of the international community, and should be a center where the efforts of nations are harmonized, above all in the area of safeguarding international peace and security. In this spirit that we hope that every Member of the Organization will bring its political will to bear to ensure that the implementation of the Charter will be more effective.
However, what concerns us is that at a time when the United Nations is preparing to celebrate its fortieth anniversary and officially proclaim that 1986 will be the International Year of Peace, warlike imperialist circles have been working to aggravate the already tense situation by trying to disrupt the military and strategic balance through a new escalation of the arms race. They are thus trying to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in several West European countries and to manufacture new generations of nuclear weapons, what is more, they have planned, through their "Star wars" program, to deploy anti-missile weapons and anti-satellite weapons in outer space.
It goes without saying that this new escalation of the arms race further increases the danger of nuclear war and thus constitutes a matter of grave concern to the international community.
In recent times the imperialists, in order to defend their so-called vital interests, have been carrying out acts of provocation, issuing threats and interfering in the internal affairs. Its of several States, all acts that amount to a form of State terrorism, and have thus created hotbeds of tension in various regions of the world.
In Central America and in the Caribbean we are witnessing an intensification of the undeclared war against Nicaragua, interference in the domestic affairs of the people of El Salvador and the pursuit of a hostile policy towards Cuba.
In southern Africa the situation continues to deteriorate because the racist regime of Pretoria, with the support of the imperialists, is intensifying its. repression, massacres and arrests of the black people of South Africa and prolonging its illegal occupation of Namibia, as well as carrying out acts of aggression against its neighboring countries, in particular Angola. These acts constitute a flagrant violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of those countries as well as of the decisions and resolutions of the United Nations and of the Non-aligned Movement.
In the Middle East the Zionists and imperialists plan of domination and expansion has met with strong opposition from the Arab nationalist forces, which forced the aggressors to withdraw from Lebanon. But the Israeli occupation troops, with the support of certain imperialist countries, have intensified their barbaric repression of the Lebanese civilian population and carried out massacres of Palestinians in refugee camps which constitute a serious violation of human rights and of United Nations resolutions as well as a threat to the peace and security of the region.
Faced with the existing tense and complex international situation, the Heads of State and Government of Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden and Tanzania - representing the five continents - appealed last January to the countries possessing nuclear weapons to adopt measures conducive to containing and reversing the nuclear-arms race. For their part, the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries put forward proposals aimed at halting the arms race, both on Earth and in space, in particular through the prohibition of nuclear tests, a nuclear-arms freeze, and the reduction and eventual complete elimination of nuclear arms from our planet. Those countries also put forward the proposal on international co-operation in the peaceful exploitation of outer space under conditions of its non-militarization, and proposals to restore detente in Europe and other regions of the world. Moreover, the Soviet Union has unilaterally undertaken not to be the first to resort to nuclear weapons or to deploy anti-satellite weapons in space, and has proclaimed a moratorium on nuclear tests from 6 August 1985 to 1 January 1986. These proposals were broadly supported by the peoples devoted to peace and justice and by international public opinion.
For its part, the Lao People's Democratic Republic firmly supports the aforementioned appeal, the constructive and realistic proposals and the unilateral commitments. These prove the sincerity and great sense of responsibility of these countries towards mankind. If all the nuclear Powers were to follow the example of the Soviet Union, the danger of nuclear war would be considerably reduced. For the time being, the international community is expecting much from the United States-Soviet Union negotiations, recently resumed in Geneva, and from the forthcoming summit meeting between these two countries, the success of which will have a very positive effect on international relations.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic reaffirms its solidarity and unswerving support for the people of revolutionary Nicaragua and the Sandanist Government in their valiant struggle against subversion, the threat of aggression and economic blockade by imperialism and its puppets, in order to safeguard their national, independence and the achievements of their revolution. Our Republic also supports the peace process undertaken by the Contadora Group and appeals to the United States Government to resume the Manzanillo negotiations.
We firmly support the just struggle of the people of El Salvador against oppression and exploitation and for freedom and true democratic rights.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic would like further to reaffirm its solidarity and unswerving support for its brother Cuban people in their determined struggle against the threat of aggression and subversion by imperialism and demands that the Guantanamo Base be returned to Cuba.
It is equally imperative that foreign troops withdraw rapidly and unconditionally from Grenada so that the people of that country may freely exercise their right to self-determination.
We strongly condemn the repression, threats and arbitrary arrests of the black population of South Africa and firmly support the courageous struggle of that oppressed people, under the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) against apartheid and for the restoration of their basic human rights in a non-racist democratic society.
We reaffirm our unswerving support for the heroic struggle of the people of Namibia under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), their sole, legitimate representative, for their right to self-determination, freedom and national independence in a unified Namibia. We strongly denounce Pretoria's recent decision to establish the so-called interim government in violation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978), and to linking the granting of independence to Namibia with the withdrawal of Cuban internationalist forces from Angola.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic reaffirms its militant solidarity and unshakable support for the Angolan people in their brave struggle against the acts of aggression and sabotage by the racist Pretoria regime and for the defense of the independent sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country.
We firmly support also the courageous struggle of the patriotic forces of Lebanon against the Israeli occupier for the defense, independence, sovereignty and unity of their country. We condemn the barbaric practices of the Zionists and firmly support the just struggle of the Palestinian Arab people under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), their sole, legitimate representative, for the restoration and exercise of their basic inalienable rights, including the right to found an independent Palestinian State. In our opinion, the proposal of the Soviet Union on the convening of an international conference for peace in the Middle East - in which all parties concerned, including the PLO, would participate on an' equal footing and with the same rights - is the solution which could lead to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region. This proposal, therefore, receives our full support.
The conflict between Iran and Iraq in the region of the Persian Gulf has already caused much loss of human life and property on both sides, we would appeal to these two countries to resolve their differences peacefully and honorably.
The increasing imperialist military presence and the strengthening of the Diego Garcia base and other logistical stage posts in the Indian Ocean region constitute a threat to the independence and security of the littoral and hinterland States of the region. In view of this tense situation, we deem it essential that the international conference on turning the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace take place within the time frame established by the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session.
The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan continues to be the victim of an undeclared war waged from a neighboring country with the support of international imperialist and reactionary circles. We strongly condemn that armed interference and subversive acts against Afghanistan and reaffirm our support and unswerving solidarity with the Government and people of Afghanistan in their struggle to safeguard their national independence and the fruits of the April revolution.
The policy aimed at perpetuating the division of Korea and setting up a new military alliance in the Far East has created a permanent situation of tension there. We demand the withdrawal of foreign troops from South Korea and support the proposals of the People's Democratic Republic of Korea for the peaceful and independent reunification of their Korean homeland without foreign interference.
In the same context, we support the proposals of the Soviet Union on the preparation of confidence-building measures in the Far East and its proposals aimed at strengthening peace and stability in Asia. We 'also support the proposals of the People's Republic of Mongolia on the conclusion of an international convention on non-interference and non-recourse to force in relations between the States of Asia and the Pacific. These proposals, we feel, are in keeping with the interests of the peoples of the region.
During the last six years the situation in South-East Asia has taken a positive turn, despite the many difficulties resulting from the destructive war, its aftermath, and the subversive activities of international imperialist and other reactionary circles. The three countries of Indochina, in particular the People's Republic of Kampuchea, have achieved great success in their respective task of defense and national reconstruction.
These successes show us that the People's Republic of Kampuchea and the Kampuchean people, which are developing their country and strengthening it more every day, are now in control of all of their national territory and have become full masters of their homeland. The fact that the People's Republic of Kampuchea and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam jointly declared on 16 August during the Eleventh Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Kampuchea and Viet Nam in Phnom Penh, capital of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, that the partial withdrawal of the Vietnamese volunteer forces from Kampuchea would be continued on an annual basis and totally concluded in 1990 is proof of this development and consolidation. It is also proof of the sincerity of Viet Nam which continues ceaselessly to do everything in its power effectively to aid the Kampuchean people and to respect the independence and sovereignty of Kampuchea.
It is time that the international community respected the legitimate rights of the Kampuchean people in its labor of rebirth and national reconstruction on the path it has itself chosen. The seat of Kanpuchea in the United Nations and in other international bodies should be restored to the People's Republic of Kampuchea, the sole legal and genuine representative of the Kampuchean people.
On the other hand, despite the obstacles created by hostile circles, the tendency towards dialog in the region has also developed. Indeed, the recent meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, representing the three countries of Indochina, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, representing the member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), has created conditions for a greater mutual understanding for the purpose of finding a solution to the problem of peace and stability in South-East Asia. To this end, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the People's Republic of Kampuchea and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam have worked ceaselessly to restore friendly relations with neighboring countries, in particular with the People's Republic of China, and to restore good-neighborly relations with the Kingdom of Thailand, and to make the border of Laos and Kampuchea with Thailand one of peace and friendship.
During the Eleventh Conference of their Ministers for Foreign Affairs, the three countries of Indochina once again reiterated their proposal to sign a treaty of peaceful coexistence with the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Thailand.
Moreover, the People's Republic of Kampuchea has declared its willingness to negotiate with groups or with individuals belonging to the opposition, on the subject of national reconciliation, on the basis of the elimination of the Pol Pot clique and the organization of general elections after the total withdrawal of the Vietnamese volunteer forces from Kampuchea.
We hope that these steps forward can lead towards the objectives pursued by all countries of the region - namely, peace, stability, friendship and co-operation.
However, it is regrettable that Lao-Thai relations have not yet been normalized and that a number of important problems remain unresolved.
On 2 October 1984, the Thai Government announced before the General Assembly the withdrawal of its troops from the three Lao villages. But up to now, although these troops have been withdrawn, they still occupy several neighboring points in the interior of Lao territory and are continuing their criminal activities against the local civilian population.
In spite of this, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, ever faithful to its foreign policy of peace, friendship and co-operation, has not ceased to make efforts to safeguard and develop the friendly and good-neighborly relations existing between the two peoples. In this spirit, the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic recently repeated to the Royal Government of Thailand its proposals to negotiate at governmental level, either in Bangkok or in Vientiane, in order to ensure the strict application of the joint Lao-Thai communiques of 1979, which established the necessary bases for harmonious relations between the two countries. But unfortunately the Thai Government has not to this day responded positively to our sincere proposals. In the interests of the two peoples, as well as in the interests of. peace and stability in the region, the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic hopes that the Royal Thai Government will respond reasonably to those proposals.
The arms race has resulted in a significant increase in military expenditures during this decade. If one part of these incredible sums were used in the economic and social sphere, we could have eliminated much misery from the world. As we know, military expenditures have plunged the developed capitalist countries into a hopeless economic crisis. To escape from that crisis, they have taken protectionist measures, and are practicing a monetary policy which generates high interest rates and other problems. This state of affairs has of necessity had very negative effects on the economic and social situation in the developing countries, particularly among the least developed: a deficit in their trade balance and a serious increase in their foreign debt which is becoming an unsolvable problem. This situation has led to a deterioration of the living conditions of those peoples and in particular of the mothers and children who are among the most vulnerable.
To resolve this crisis, it is important that there should be a restructuring of the system of international economic relations as it exists at present, on a more just and democratic basis, and the establishment of a new international economic order, free from all neo-colonialist pressure and exploitation.
At the same time, the capitalist creditor countries should find reasonable, appropriate solutions to the problem of the debt of the developing countries.
However, it is regrettable that to date global negotiations on international economic co-operation for development have not yet begun, as a result of certain capitalist developed countries clinging to their selfish interests and thus continuing to obstruct the establishment of a new international order.
Furthermore, to assure good health to future generations in general, and to mothers and children in particular, we find that the Secretary-General's appeal for the carrying out of a universal immunization campaign for children between now and 1990 is very timely indeed, and in accordance with the policy of our Government with regard to mothers and children; hence we support this appeal.
In commemorating the fortieth anniversary of these two historic events — the great victory over fascism and the creation of the United Nations - we cannot but think of the tragedy of the Second World War and draw a parallel between the present situation and that existing before the war. when we see the imperialists carrying out acts of aggression, threats and blockades against several countries in various regions of the world; when we see them engaging in an ever more unbridled arms race; when we see expansionists advancing territorial claims which are unfounded; and when certain circles claim entire regions of the world as their sphere of vital interests, and organize "crusades against communism" - all this cannot but bring to mind the facts which provoked the outbreak of the Second World War.
Therefore, we hope that the tragic lessons of this war will serve as a warning to the peoples of the world and encourage them to devote all their efforts, both physical and intellectual, to eliminating the danger of nuclear war and safeguarding international peace and security.
The Lao People's Democratic Republic, which was the victim of the imperialist war of aggression for several decades, has no other desire than to live in peace and friendship with all countries on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and mutual interests.
In this spirit the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Lao people will do everything in their power to contribute to the struggle of the peoples of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the other regions for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.
In conclusion, the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic wishes every success to the General Assembly at its fortieth session.