): I take pleasure in congratulating you, Sir, on your election as
President of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. Your
effective contribution to the work of the United Nations and your
long service to your country, the Hungarian People's Republic, have
won you the confidence of the delegations participating in this
session. We hope that your work will be crowned with the success to
which we all look forward, so that the resolutions of this session
may reflect the aspirations of the inter-national community and deal
with the most important questions and issues on the international
scene. I am pleased also to pay a tribute to your predeces-80r, Mr.
Kittani, for the constructive efforts he made and the ability and
great skill with which he led the work of the last session and the
special sessions of the General Assembly this year.
72. I take pleasure also, on behalf of the State of Bahrain,
in congratulating Mr. Perez de Cuellar on his election as
Secretary-General. His election to this high international position
is a recognition of his outstanding skill and experience in the work
of the United Nations. I should like here also to commend him on the
valuable report he submitted to the General Assembly at this session.
It contains a useful analysis of current international relations and
the challenges confronting the Organization, and it will assist us in
dealing with the questions and issues on the agenda.
73. Since the last session the world has witnessed exceedingly
dangerous developments in international relations, where methods of
conflicts and confrontation have pre-empted those dialogue and
negotiation. Rivalry between the combatant groups has intensified,
increasing the number of wars and disputes and undermining
international peace and security, as has happened in Asia, Africa,
Latin America and the Middle East. Israel invaded Lebanon and
destroyed Beirut, the way in the Falkland Islands broke out, the
Irano-Iraqi war continues and Afghanistan is still suffering from
foreign military intervention. The situation in Kampuchea is still
serious and no settlement of the question of Cyprus has been reached.
We live today in a world dominated by selfishness and force, the
imposition of the will of the victor on the vanquished and the
reaping by the aggressor of the fruits of his aggression. This
situation constitutes a serious change in international relations,
which further intensifies disputes and regional and inter-national
crises.
74. In our review at the twenty-sixth session of international
events, we referred to the establishment of the Gulf Co-operation
Council as a viable and constructive institution for collective
regional co-operation to meet the aspirations and ambitions of the
people of the region. The six member States have agreed in the
Charter of the Council to abide by their obligations under the
Charter of the United Nations, to act together to preserve peace,
security and stability in the region without foreign intervention,
and to develop political, economic, cultural and social relations
among themselves and with other States in the world for their benefit
and that of the world as a whole. As a result of the continuous
efforts and work of the leaders of the Gulf Arab States, the Council
has been able, within the short period that has elapsed since its
establishment in May 1981, to co-ordinate the efforts and policies of
the States of the region in regard to international issues. The
unified economic agreement which was concluded in November last year
laid down sound bases for economic self-sufficiency among these
States and for the co-ordination of their commercial and economic
policies with those of other States and other regional economic
groups. The establishment of the Council is a living example of
constructive regional co-operation and co-ordination based on the
common interests of the people of the region, to provide them with
security, stability and prosperity.
75. The Middle East region witnessed this 'year the recurrence of
serious events which threaten to undermine world peace, as a result
of the criminal Israeli invasion of Lebanon, which constitutes a
dangerous precedent in international relations and takes humanity
back to the law of the jungle. Lebanon is exposed now to the ugliest
forms of aggression, occupation and destruction. The Palestinian
people face- the danger of physical liquidation and mass
extermination by unprecedented means.
76. Israel, which claims to be a small State surrounded by other
States which surpass ~t in number and resources claims that it wants
peace with its neighbours. At the same time, it occupies Arab
territories one after the other, expelling and killing the legitimate
inhabitants in order to annex such territories to its racist
settlements. It subjects the rest of the inhabitants of those
territories to the worst forms suppression, injustice and torture in
an attempt to drive them out and replace them by Zionist settlers
coming from the four corners of the world. it builds settlements on
the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, in addition to
annexing Arab Jerusalem and declaring it its permanent capital,
annexing the Golan Heights and attacking the Iraqi nuclear reactor
designed for peaceful purposes an attack contrary to the Charter of
the United Nations and many resolutions in this respect We ask the
Assembly whether such a policy, based on aggression and expansion,
implies in fact a desire for peace?
77. The tragedy of the Middle East arises from the denial of the
legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian question
is the core of the Arab-Israeli dispute. A just and comprehensive
peace in the Middle East region can be attained only by the
withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories and the
recognition of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people, particularly their right to establish their
independent State on their national soil.
78. The question of Palestine which has existed since the
establishment of the United Nations is no longer unknown to anybody
in its dimensions and the tragedy of its people. It is the question
of a people expelled from its home and land, and denied for more than
34- years the exercise of its inalienable rights. That people, more
than any other people in history, is still suffering from
homelessnes3, deprivation and mass extermination at the hands of
world Zionism. In spite of the recognition by the United Nations of
the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to
their homeland, Israel denies them these rights and ignores all the
United Nations resolutions which acknowledge even part of the
inalienable and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
79. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon aimed at the complete subjugation
of that peaceful country and the destruction of its independence and
sovereignty and the integrity of its territory. We warned from the
start of the consequences that such aggression could have on Lebanon
and the repercussions it would have on the situation in the Middle
East in general, and the Palestinian question in particular. To
inform the world public of the dangers of such aggression, the Arab
States have contacted all States permanent members' of the Security
Council urging them to contain this serious situation, put an end to
it and expose its dangers and repercussions. They have asked them to
shoulder their responsibilities under the provisions of the Charter
for the maintenance of peace and security, and to stop the massacre
and acts of genocide perpetrated by the Israeli forces against the
Palestinian and Lebanese people. They Have also asked for an
international move to' put an end to such unprovoked aggression save
the independence of Lebanon and the integrity of its territory.
implement Security Council resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 ,1982,
which call for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the
invading Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories, and support
the efforts of the Lebanese Government to exercise its legitimate
authority and complete sovereignty within the internationally recognized
borders of Lebanon.
80. Terrorism has become the overt policy of Israel. as confirmed by
the tragic events which have taken place recently in Lebanon. The
world public has expressed its deep anger and disgust at the
appalling slaughter engaged in by Israel and its followers against
the unarmed civilians of west Beirut and the ugly massacres
perpetrated against the inhabitants of the Shatila and Sabra camps,
causing the death of hundreds of Palestinian families, mostly
children, old people and women. This brings back to our mind the
massacre carried out at Deir Yassin in Palestine in 1948 by the
terrorist Irgun Gang. led by the present Prime Minister of Israel.
81. Israel, acting its violation of the agreement made with the
Lebanese government and the three States participating in the
multinational peace force in Lebanon, carried out these ugly
massacres after the departure of the Palestinian fighters from west
Beirut.
82. At this crucial time, we appeal to the conscience of
the world, which is represented by the members here, to see to it
that the Organization moves from the stage of adopting resolutions of
condemnation to that of implementing those resolutions. We consider
that it is the duty of the General Assembly to request the Security
Council to reconsider the relations of the United Nations with
Israel, which is not a peace-loving Member and is bent on aggression
and expansionism, are shown by violations of international agreements
and persistent breaches of the Charter and resolutions of the United
Nations.
83. Israel claims that peace and security are the reason for its
motivation of Lebanon, its annexation of the Golan Heights and its
inhuman practices against the inhabitants of the occupied Arab
territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, but it is in fact
bent on more expansion, aggression and domination. No Member of the
United Nations may invade and occupy the territory of another Member
on the pretext of strengthening and defending its borders, Israel has
made s security the excuse for perpetuating its expansionist policy
in Arab territories.
84. Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, in spite of Security
Council resolution 497 (1981), means that it has no intention of
withdrawing from the Arab territories occupied since 1967 but is
aiming at the Judaization of those territories to serve the ambitions
and interests of zionism in the region.
85. Israel's occupation of Arab territories does not confer on Israel
any sovereignty over those territories however long that occupation
may last. Its attempt to legitimize its occupa6:m of those
territories i~ in clear breach of the principles of international
law, particularly the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of. War; of 12 August 1949.
86. It is indeed regrettable that the world has witnessed the
aggressive and criminal practices of Israel in Lebanon, the West Bank
and the Golan Heights without the Security Council having been able
to carry out its responsibilities and deter Israel from pursuing its
aggression. because of the use of the veto by the United States of
America time and time again to prevent the Security Council from
adopting deterrent measures under Articles 41 and 42 of the Charter.
87. We believe that it is necessary to impose sanctions on
Israel, to compel it to respond to the will of the international
community. We ardently hope that the General Assembly will urge the
Security Council to carry out its duty of maintaining peace and
security in the Middle East by adopting the necessary measures under
Chapter VII of the Charter in order to compel Israel to stop its
aggression and end its occupation of Lebanon and other Arab
territories and its annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights. We al50
hope that the United States of America will take a stand in keeping
with its great responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security
Counsil.
88. We support the international call for an investigation of the
atrocious crimes committed by Israel against the Lebanese and
Palestinian peoples and callfor an international trial of Israel for
the mass killings and criminal acts it perpetrated by using
internationally banned shells and weapons and destroying buildings
over the heads of their occupation in one of the harshest and ugliest
acts of genocide, which .vas witnessed daily by the whole world
through the mass media.
89. The Palestinian people have proved their fighting ability by
their heroic stand against the Israeli invasion. They have prove to
the world that they are not merely a tiny group of terrorists, as
Israel claims but people struggling to retain their legitimate
rights. The Palestinian people s heroic struggle, under the
leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization has enhanced the
prestige of that organization as the sole and legitimate
representative of the Palestinian people and strengthened the loyalty
of the Palestinian people to the PLO.
90. Early last month, the leaders of the Arab States held the Twelfth
Arab Summit Conference at Fez. My country was one of those Arab
States that participated in the Conference. The Conference issued a
unified Arab plan for the solution of the Palestinian question. This
plan represents a genuine desire to find a durable solution of the
'Palestinian question and the problem of the Middle East. It consists
of eight points, which, in our view, are a good basis for the
solution of the problems relating to the situation in Palestine and
the Middle East. It is based on international legality as represented
by the principles and relevant resolutions of the United Nations,
starting with General Assembly resolution 181 (11) on the partition
of Palestine.
91. The plan ensures respect for international resolutions and
guarantees the Palestinian people the minimum of their rights as
prescribed in United Nations resolutions, including their right to
sovereignty, self-determination and the exercise of their inalienable
national rights on their national soil. It guarantees freedom of
worship to all religions in the Holy Places.
92. The plan consists of the following eight points. First, the
withdrawal of Israel from all Arab territories occupied in 1967,
including Arab Al Quds; secondly, the dismantling of settlements
established by Israel on Arab territories after 1967; thirdly, the
guarantee of freedom of worship and practice of religious rites for
all religions in the holy shrines; fourthly, the reaffirmation of the
Palestinian people's right to self- determination and the exercise of
its imprescriptible and inalienable national rights, under the
leadership of the PLO, its sole and legitimate representative, and
the identification of all those who do not desire to return; fifthly,
the placing of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the control of
the United Nations for a transitory period not exceeding a few
months; sixthly, the establishment of an independent Palestinian
State with Al Quds as its capital; seventhly, the guaranteeing by the
Security Council of peace among all States of the region, including
the independent Palestinian State; and eighthly, the guaranteeing by
the Security Council of respect for these principles.
93. This plan is in keeping with United Nations resolutions on the
question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East. It
strengthens the role of the United Nations in establishing durable
peace in the region. It is in line with the? call of the Secretary-
General in his report of the work of the Organization to establish a
more stable system in the world based on international collective
security and to encourage the use of the machinery of the Charter for
this purpose. We believe that-his plan provides a good opportunity
for "the solution of a question which has proved difficult to solve
during the past three decades-a question which, if it remains
unsolved, will threaten the whole world with grave dangers.
Therefore, we appeal to all States to support this plan and work
towards its implementation, in order to maintain peace and security
in that sensitive part 'of the world.
95. The Iraqi-Iranian war has now entered its third year, since it
broke out in September 1:•80. This war has begun to take on new and
more dangerous dimensions threatening to create• an explosive
situation in the whole region. There is no doubt that if this war
continues, it will spread and drive the whole region into the turmoil
of an international conflict.
96. We have on more than one occasion expressed great concern and
deep sorrow at the continuation of the dispute between Iraq and Iran
and called for a stop to this long and bloody conflict in order to
avert more bloodshed and rescue both countries from the ravages and
destruction of war.
97. We earnestly hope that these two neighbour States will be
able to negotiate a just and durable solution to their dispute,
particularly after the withdrawal by Iraq of its forces from the
international border and its declaration that it is ready to
negotiate with Iran and solve the differences existing between them
by peaceful means. We also hope 'ha' the good offices of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, the non-aligned countries and
the United Nations will succeed in securing a cease-fire between the
two countries and finding a solution to their differences by peaceful
means. We continue to welcome, as we did before, the response of the
sister country of Iraq to the mediation efforts of the Good Offices
Committee, particularly its readiness to observe a cease- fire and
withdraw its forces to the international border. We hope that the
Islamic Republic of Iran will also respond to the mediation efforts
of that Committee in the same manner as Iraq has already done.
98. The situation in the Horn of Africa is still a source of concern
and instability. We hope that disputes and differences in that region
will be solved by peaceful means within the framework of the OAU so
that a peaceful settlement that will be just for all parties may be
reached so that the people and States in that region of the world may
be enabled to Jive together in peace, security and amity.
99. As regards Western Sahara, we regret the failure of the
efforts of the OAU to settle that question peacefully, and we hope
that collective efforts will be made to find a just solution to this
dispute so that peace and stability may prevail in the region.
lOO. We welcome the efforts for the independence of Namibia made by
some Western States in the contact group. We welcome the positive
steps taken to implement the United Nations plan for the
independence of that country pursuant to Security Council resolution
435 (1978), which is the proper legal frame-work for the peaceful
settlement of the Namibian question. We should like to reaffirm
Bahrain's support for and solidarity with the just struggle of the
people of Namibia under the leadership of SWAPO. We appeal to all
States Members of the United Nations to put pressure on the
Government of Pretoria and to impose sanctions against it under
Chapter VII of the Charter in order to compel it to abandon the
detested policy of apartheid it practises against the black majority
of the people of South Africa and to support the struggle of that
majority to regain its legitimate rights to freedom, equality and
human dignity.
101. Faithful to the principle of non-intervention in the domestic
affairs of States, the State of Bahrain has called for an end to the
Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. We have made clear before the
Assembly our stand with regard to the settlement of the Afghan
question. We are still convinced that there should be a political
solution to this question in accordance with the United Nations
resolutions that ca)) for the withdrawal of foreign forces from
Afghanistan, for respect for Its sovereignty, independence and
non-aligned status and for respect for the right of the people of
Afghanistan freely to choose their political, economic and social
system free from any foreign intervention in their domestic affairs.
102. With regard to the Korean question, the State of Bahrain,
respecting the will of the Korean people, welcomes the efforts made
to settle peacefully the dispute between North and South. We hope
these will lead to the establishment of peace and security under a
unified State free from any foreign intervention.
103. The world economic situation is no better this year than it
was last year. The world economy still suffers from recession and
inflation. The gross national product of some developing countries
has diminished because of the scarcity of national resources and the
decrease of financial aid and loans from developed to developing
countries, particularly to those of low income. The global
negotiations for the establishment of a new international economic
order still face difficulties that are caused by the policies and
positions of the developed countries. The hopes that were pinned on
the International Meeting on Economic Co-operation and Development,
which was held at Cancun in 1981, to establish a just and fair new
international economic order have been dashed. No tangible Progress
has been made in the global negotiations between the developed and
the developing countries in narrowing the gap between their policies,
although both are equally convinced of the fact of the
inter-dependence of interests in world economic relations. We cannot
conceive of a just and fair international economic order that would
solve the problems and meet the needs of the world without changing
current international economic relations to remove the
injustice and. inequality that exist in the present international
economic order.
104.. It is indeed regrettable that the second special session on
disarmament, held last June, ended without any appreciable results in
the efforts of the United Nation to adopt a comprehensive programme
of disarmament valid to the end of this century. The failure to adopt
effective measures at that session is the result, in our view, of the
deterioration of the international situation, regional conflicts and
the policy of confrontation in the relations between the great
Powers, shrouded as they are in suspicion as well as rivalry, the
arms race and non adherence to the concept of collective security
prescribed in the Charter.
105. In this context, we applaud the report of the Independent
Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues prepared under the
chairmanship of Olof Palme and entitled "Common Security-a program
for disarmament. That report stresses the Importance of survival,
rather than the annihilation that threatens humanity, in objective,
impartial and independent way and points out the fatal dangers in the
manufacture and trade in arms. It emphasizes the need for confidence
among States before an attempt is made to achieve international
disarmament.
106. We hope that the General Assembly will consider the report with
the attention it deserves so that the huge amounts of money spent on
armaments may be rechanneled to projects for economic and social
development, for the maintenance of security and for affording
prosperity to mankind.
107. After nine sessions of negotiations and exhaustive discussions,
the Third United Nations Conference of the Law of the Sea was able to
adopt a comprehensive convention which IS regarded as a great
achievement by the United Nations in the field of the regulation and
codification of the rules of the law of the sea and the exploitation
of the resources of the seas and oceans, which are the common
heritage of mankind. We hope that all States participating in the
Conference will accept the Convention4 after it is signed at the
final session of the Conference.
108. In spite of the failure of the United Nations to accomplish many
of the purposes and principles for which It was established,
particularly those having to do with international disputes and
crises, it has been able to do great and positive things in many
fields--economic, cultural, humanitarian and others. This emphasizes
the importance of its existence and the need to support its
principles and activities and to act for the implementation of its
resolutions so as to strengthen its role in international life.
109. My country's delegation hopes that at this session the General
Assembly will adopt appropriate resolutions to strengthen confidence
among Member States and to meet the aspirations of the people of the
world. I have the honour to state from this rostrum, on behalf of the
Government and people of Bahrain, our complete readiness to act in
this direction, with the other peoples and States represented in this
international forum, for the achievement of peace, justice and
prosperity. Bahrain will continue to abide by its obligations to the
United Nations and to be faithful to the Charter, for the
accomplishment of the goals for which the Organization was
established in 1945.