Bolivia

It is a great and significant honour for me to come to this rostrum representing my country before the world. 38. My first words go to you, Mr. President, to congratulate you on your well-deserved election as President of this session of the Assembly. Your unmistakable gifts as an experienced diplomat guarantee the success of our work. It is a pleasure, and not merely a formality, for me to convey the thanks and congratulations of my Government to Mr. Kittani of Iraq for the wise and successful way in which he carried out his duties as President of the thirty-sixth session. 39. Recently the United Nations has seen its mission even further enriched by the appointment as Secretary-General of one of its most distinguished officials, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, a most worthy representative of Peruvian diplomacy. Bolivia reiterates its pleasure at his appointment and its congratulations and best wishes to him, the first Secretary-General representing Latin America, and the brotherly and ancestral ties between Bolivia and Peru and the Andean countries are well known. His presence as Secretary-General is a sound guarantee for the fulfilment of the purposes of the Organization. 40. For years we have been expressing our faith and reiterating our purposes. Every year we come here and repeat our intention to carry out the purposes and principles of the Charter. We announce optimistic outlines for the future and the definite achievement of our aims. However, realistically and objectively I think we must now pause on our way to see whether we have really moved beyond mere statements to concrete achievement. 41. Peace is still an unachievable goal and perhaps, sad to say, a nostalgic dream of Utopia. Colonialism still seeks to broaden its areas of domination, with aggressive and even bloody usurpation; hegemony and the use of pressure by the powerful still persevere and indeed show a disturbing tendency to increase. Inequalities and injustices continue to show their ugly faces. Terrorism and new treacherous forms of aggression, under cover of the advocacy of change, disrupt every form of coexistence. Racial discrimination continues as a flaw of mankind in our time. Territories conquered by force of arms remain in foreign hands. Arms manufacture and the development of new and powerful means of destruction cast gloom over the positive achievements of our civilization, and now there is a real danger that tomorrow, just as the twenty-first century is about to begin, we may find ourselves with a world in ruins unless common sense prevails. 42. These are some glimpses of the realities of today's world, which persist despite the efforts of the Organization. My delegation would like to state certain views on these matters, as an expression of the unswerving Bolivian position on principles and international policies. 43. Bolivia is one of the non-aligned countries, for compelling reasons of principle and also because we advocate the elimination of dogmatic compartmentalization and hegemonic bonds and because self-determination and the inviolability of sovereignty are the proper response to the efforts of the various forms of imperialism to absorb others. The non-aligned countries advocate a role of balance in defence of the rights of the weaker countries in the face of the cold struggle by the great Powers for supremacy. 44. Those who supply raw materials and make great sacrifices in their struggle to achieve their development have their spokesmen in the non-aligned countries. The demands and claims made by many of our peoples have received a positive echo in the voice of the non-aligned countries. That is the case, forexample, with Bolivia's demand for the restoration of its sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Only an equidistant position between the imperialist forces, avoiding subjugation and imposed conditions, can grant a country moral authority and consideration in international affairs, and that is precisely the position which the non-aligned countries seek. 45. It is this unswerving support for the principles of self-determination and sovereignty which has led the Government of Bolivia, presided over by General Guido Vildoso Calderon, to apply a policy of a return to democratic institutional rights for our people. 46. In Bolivia we have set in motion the pre-electoral process, with the scheduling of a general election for April 1983. The consensus achieved among the political parties on the basis of the invitation to participate made by the Government without any discrimination has led to the constitution of a National Electoral Court. We have also started on the study of a plan for economic recovery in order to apply emergency provisions to overcome the situation of deficit and the serious crisis inherited by the present Government. As a result of a study, the economic plan was, also on the basis of consultations, brought to the notice of the political forces and the trade unions; a political and economic dialogue thus took place. 47. Giving effect to the general feelings expressed by the political parties and labour representatives, who requested an immediate transition to a democratic system, the Bolivian Government has decided to convene the representative Parliament elected in the 1980 elections, which had been suspended by a military coup at the time, so that that Parliament will, in accordance with the norms of the political Constitution of the State, appoint the new office holders who will have charge of the nation from 10 October next. For them and their arduous task in government we request the solidarity of all nations, particularly on account of the grave economic crisis that my country is experiencing. The new constitutional authorities will have to overcome that crisis and will need all the co-operation that they can possibly obtain from friendly countries-combined, of course, with Bolivia's own efforts-in order that Bolivia may progress. 48. All this process of transition to democracy has taken place within the framework of an unchanging respect for human rights and the prerogatives of the citizens and on the basis of the fulfilment of the treaties and international commitments entered into by Bolivia. 49. On 10 October next the armed forces of Bolivia will restore the political control of the nation to a civilian Government. This voluntary gesture, in keeping with the wishes of the Bolivian people, is worth emphasizing in this international forum. 50. Another subject which I cannot refrain from mentioning is that of the progress of integration. Happily, we are living in a time of integration and economic co-operation, of interdependence. All nations-literally all-need something from others. There is inevitably a need for raw materials, goods and services, technology, credits and assistance of all sorts. What is important is that the prices should be fair, exchanges just and that co-operation have but one aim-to secure the goal of shared development and common benefit. .. 51. In the regional and sub-regional spheres Bolivia has been taking part in all the programmes of integration and co-operation. Its special geographical location in South America and the fact that it is a country with tributaries of three of the four major river basins of the continent has given it a unique status as a signatory country of all the sub-regional agreements as well as the regional treaties of the Latin American Integration Association and the Latin American Economic System. For example, we are a member of the Cartagena Agreement, binding on the Andean nations, and a signatory of the Treaty for Amazonian Co-operation and the Treaty of the River Plate Basin. 52. The Bolivian position with regard to the process of integration is clear. We uphold the need to preserve, expand and improve the machinery of the integration process. Integration and the programmes and actions for co-operation are only a means towards the ends of development and the harmonious progress of our nations. We must also nurture, strengthen and improve those instruments of economic and social progress, whose sole beneficiaries must of course be our peoples and their future. 53. We must also make the North-South dialogue a reality and seek ways to give viable form to the new international economic order. This scheme has so far not had the acceptance, the solidarity and particularly the political will of the industrialized nations, which it needs if its basic objectives are to be met. 54. These problems, therefore, should be seen as part of the struggle for economic, political, social and cultural liberation of peoples who, like those of Bolivia, are currently engaged in their own development. If manifest unwillingness and delaying tactics continue to be shown, it will be impossible to intensify the co-operation which at the international level should promote the development of nations in a setting of justice and equity. We therefore look forward very much to the prompt initiation of the global negotiations. 55. Understanding, co-operation and the processes of integration have another requirement in order to be perfect-the redressing of injustices and inequalities, I must refer once again, before the world community assembled here, to our geographical condition-the fact that we are landlocked, a fact that has been forced upon us for the past 103 years. This reference also derives from the imperative mandate given by my people, who for more than a century have pressed for their rights to return, with sovereignty, to the shores of the Pacific. 56. We all know that when they have the stamp of legitimacy the rights of nations are never exhausted. Therefore, the return of territories which have been usurped in so many latitudes of the world is essential. 57. With regard to the maritime problem of Bolivia, the time of our return to the Pacific Ocean is bound to come. But good faith is necessary for this, together with a clear readiness by the other party to make reparations. We also need action and the encouragement and support of the international organizations, particularly if, as is fortunately the case, we have the firm support of the majority of the world community for our just cause. 58. Humanity has virtually put an end to one of the most degrading and odious systems adopted by man in the past-slavery. But, late in the twentieth century, still other grievous vestiges of the past remain as an affront to mankind-colonialism and racial discrimination. 59 Twenty-two years have elapsed since the general Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Each year we revert to the terms of that declaration and the general Assembly adopts new resolutions on specific cases. Nevertheless, new forms of colonialist aggression can be clearly seen, not simply disregarding the principles and purposes of the Charter but clearly violating them. A recent example was the case of the Malvinas Islands, with its bloody epilogue, leading to the restoration of colonialism, which should give us food for serious thought. 60. Faithful to its position of principle on the rejection of any form of colonialism, Bolivia supported the Argentine cause and will continue to support the demands for repossession of its territory made by our brother nation of the River Plate, as we have done since 1833, when the President of Bolivia at that time was the first to speak up against the British usurpation of that era. 61. We can never try hard enough in the Organization to put an end to colonialism and all forms of seizure of territories and the imposition of tutelage and foreign rule on peoples. On the day we dispose of these last vestiges of colonialism mankind will be able to take pride in having taken an enormous step towards a world of truly free communities, such as those for which the Liberator Bolivar fought. His bicentenary is to be commemorated next year, and I am sure that the Organization will wish to participate in commemorating that anniversary, thereby confirming the universal nature of Bolivar's thinking and deeds. 62. With regard to racial discrimination and apartheid my country's consistent attitude has been one of opposition and condemnation of thatsituation and system, which are a breach of the elementary principles of equality and human rights. 63. Man holds certain rights even before his birth. if we commit a breach of those rights; we offend God, who modelled our spirit on His image and in His likeness. 64. 1 said at the beginning of this statement that peace was an objective that the wortd had not yet achieved. The recent distressing events in the Middle East, particularly those in Lebanon, give some idea of the deplorable situation. 65. I must express here the deep concern of the Bolivian community and its Government over the now long-drawn-out crisis in the Middle East, which has so grievously affected various peoples in the region. We must strive to find there an understanding which, with recognition of the rights of the countries involved, will bring about a return to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. 66. Violence can only give rise to greater violence and peace is not a free gift; it must be built carefully, with sacrifice and magnanimity. 67. The mission of the United Nations with regard to the problems of the Middle East and of the world in general is still an arduous one requiring unswerving commitment. We must all be committed to this task if we want to show that man is capable of thinking of the future, using his intelligence to coexist and to build, to reconcile differing views and not to hate, thus overcoming a shameful recent past, which paradoxically encompassed the greatest examples of barbarity and tragedy as well as the greatest achievements of the technological era. The answer to the challenge of the years to come ties within us; it is the possibility of offering the coming generations a world of harmony, peace and justice. 68. These difficult problems concerning peaceful coexistence lead to another major theme of our age. I am referring to the problem of disarmament. A Bolivian writer has said: Two of the greatest mistakes made by mankind were to condemn Socrates and to manufacture the atomic bomb. The first did violence to, the meaning of justice; the second showed man the road to his own destruction. 69. Instruments have been adopted by the United Nations and at the multilateral and bilateral levels on the need for disarmament and the prohibition of nuclear weapons including resolutions banning test explosions in the atmosphere and under water. In open contradiction with these commitments, however, the arms build-up, the sophistication of weapons and the production of new and menacing means of destruction have continued. Unfortunately, each conflict gives rise to improvements in and new uses for the means of warfare, as was the case in the recent painful conflict over the Malvinas. 70. Perhaps what is needed to stop the arms build-up is in the first place spiritual disarmament: the elimination of hatred and prejudice; the liquidation of barriers of ideological animosity; the promotion of fellowship, bearing in mind that mankind is after all a single entity and that fraternal understanding is possible. 71. The period of multiple crises which mankind is once again experiencing is straining our capacity to face up to the challenge it presents and our courage. The Organization is again being put to the test and we the Members must not evade this tremendous challenge but meet it head on. The principles of the Charter and all the resolutions and declarations generated by the problems of the word form a basic body of norms accepted by all the word. We must now show that we can go beyond the spirit and the letter of those documents and are capable of establishing peaceful coexistence, with freedom, bread and love for all the people of our earth.