Senegal

I should like first of all to express the heartfelt congratulations of the Senegalese delegation to you, Sir, on your brilliant election to the presidency of the Assembly. Your long experience in the United Nations, your unanimously recognized competence, your solid intellectual and moral qualities is all a guarantee of the success of this important session. 84. It is also a great pleasure for me to pay a tribute to your predecessor, Mr. Kittani, for the remarkable way in which he conducted the debates at the thirty- sixth session. We express these feelings to him, with pride and appreciation, convinced that the results attained at the many sessions that took place this year are due in large measure to the expertise and intelligent authority that he demonstrated in accomplishing his delicate task. 85. I wish to pay a tribute also to the Secretary- General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, for his tireless efforts and to congratulate him warmly once again on behalf of Mr. Abdou Diouf, President of the Republic of Senegal, and on behalf of the Government and people of Senegal, on his election as Secretary-General. For almost a year now, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, through his repeated initiatives and courageous actions, has been engaged in the promising beginning of work that Will be remembered in history as particularly positive for the peace and security of the world. 86. The thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly is opening at an especially disquieting time in international affairs with an increase and intensification of hotbeds of tension and various conflicts as well as an ever-worsening imbalance in political and economic relations among nations. Thus relations between the major Powers are steadily deteriorating, the prospects for effective disarmament seem to be receding and throughout the world the problems dividing peoples are multiplying dangerously. Moreover, progress in reorganizing the world economy on a more just and agreed basis is perilously slow. 87. We must therefore determine how to use the framework, structures and procedures provided us by the United Nations to improve, in peace and stability, the situation of the world. 88. In contributing to this debate, we should like to express first of all, on behalf of Mr. Abdou Diouf, head of State, and of our country, Senegal, the fervent hope that at this session the Assembly will not shy away from the need for a lucid analysis of the problems confronting the international community nor from the courageous and persistent search for the most appropriate solutions, so that mankind may at last come to experience an era of peace, security and prosperity in the very spirit of the Charter of the United Nations. 89. Indeed, the situation facing the community of nations is but a sign that the international order which was established after the Second World War has run its course. Among the anomalies in this international order, colonialism and apartheid have shown exceptional longevity. Outlawed by the international community for many years now for its odious system of government, South Africa, supported materially, financially and militarily by certain industrialized States, still arrogantly ignores the resolutions and recommendations of the Organization. Today, four and a half years after the adoption of the settlement plan which was to have led Namibia to independence, the Pretoria racist regime is still trying, through unspeakable maneuvers, to promote the establishment of a so-called internal Settlementóas though the edifying example of Zimbabwe had not demonstrated the fate that history unfailingly reserves for that type of undertaking. Not satisfied with trampling underfoot the resolutions and decisions of the United Nations, the Government of South Africa persists in its use of violence and repression against Namibian patriots while perpetrating ever more acts of aggression against neighbouring States in general, and in particular, against Angola, part of whose territory remains occupied illegally by Pretoria's troops. 90. It is none the less a fact that the mobilization of South Africa's political and military apparatus can in no way affect the outcome of the freedom fight waged by our brothers of the South West Africa People's Organization. 91. A year ago, during the eighth special session of the General Assembly, devoted to the question of Namibia, a good number of us still harbored the hope that 1982 would be the year of independence for Namibia. Those hopes were dashed, basically because of the delaying tactics of the Pretoria leaders. In fact, in response to the responsible and courageous attitude taken by SWAPO in the negotiations initiated by the contact group of the five Western countries, South Africa, running out of pretexts, is today attempting to give an East-West dimension to a strictly colonial-type problem by making new demands of certain sovereign States in the region at every stage. 92. My delegation wishes once again to appeal to the group of Western countries that initiated the settlement plan to bring more pressure to bear on the Pretoria regime to induce it, in the negotiations under way, to comply with the provisions of Security Council resolution 435 (1978), the only valid framework in which a solution in accordance with the legitimate aspirations of the Namibian people can be founds 93. In this respect, it is fitting to underscore the efforts undertaken, in sometimes difficult conditions, by the five countries of the contact group. May they find in our words renewed encouragement to continue these efforts, because a solution to the Namibian problem will be an important stage towards peace and stability in that part of the world? 94. We say "stage" because genuine peace cannot be established in southern Africa so long as the racist minority continues to deny the majority in South Africa itself the fundamental right to a life of dignity and freedom. The condemned system of apartheid, which has created a dangerous and explosive situation throughout southern Africa, calls for active solidarity on the part of all of us with the oppressed majority of South Africa. I take this opportunity to reaffirm here, on behalf of my country, the determination of the Government and the people of Senegal to continue to provide aid and support to our brothers in South Africa organized in the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress. 95. At the other end of the continent, Western Sahara is today the basis for problems which Africa couM and should have been able to avoid. We in Senegal continue to hope that a dynamic African-style compromise will be found soon in order to extract the continental organization from the present dangerous impasse. 96. As for the Comorian island of Mayotte, we shall continue to encourage the parties concerned to engage in constant dialogue and we reiterate our readiness to do everything within our means to help them to do that. 97. It often happens that on the eve of a session an important event moves to front stage on the international scene. This applies today to the Middle East crisis. The deterioration of the situation in that part of the world has now reached alarming proportions. The problem before us in that region is all the mote alarming because the Security Council has still not managed to obtain the implementation of the measures it has adopted to achieve the restoration of a just peace in that area through respect for the immutable principles of international law. 98. Since the last three sessions of the General Assembly, the Israeli leaders have not confined themselves to making further claims on the occupied Arab territories: they have again moved into action with the annexation of the eastern part of the city of Jerusalem in June 1980, action which the international community condemned in the most categorical terms and which my country, Senegal, continues to oppose within the Al Quds Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. 100. Thus, after having annexed the Syrian Golan Heights last December, the Tel Aviv authorities, deaf to the repeated appeals of the international community, seem today to have decided to accelerate the process of annexing the occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, while the occupation of part of the Lebanese territory continues. The criminal massacre just a few days ago of innocent Palestinian civiliansówomen, children and the elderlyóunfortunate once again demonstrates a policy which is immoral and categorically condemned by international law. By that new act of blind violence, Israel has once become an outlaw in our communally, which has M down its rules for peaceful and sound coexistence based on philosophical and political principles that have constituted and still constitute the positive extension of all that is lofty and great in the history of human endeavor. 101. Need we recall the bloody premeditated invasion of Lebanon by Israel in June 1982, with the avowed purpose of drowning the resistance of Palestinian patriots in blood? The military liquidation of the PLO, in Israeli logic, was designed to allow the Tel Aviv authorities to impose on the inhabitants of the occupied territories an ' autonomous" status which would only facilitate the final annexation of the territories occupied by force since 1967. The blind massacre of Lebanese id Palestinian civilians therefore compounded the most serious challenge that has ever been posed to the authority of the Organization. 102. Thus defying with impunity the authority of the United Nations, Israel continues to demand that the legitimate rights of the peoples of the region be sacrificed to the imperatives of its so-called security. It is clear that the United Nations could not and cannot accept the dangerous prospect of such a situation. 103. The Palestinian nation exists; it is built on suffering and frustration and seasoned by years of struggle for freedom and independence. As it hails the courage and determination with which the valiant Palestinian patriots continue to resist the repeated assaults of the Israeli aggressor, my country, Senegal, wishes solemnly to reaffirm here its constant and unswerving support of the Palestinian cause, under the guidance of its authentic and legitimate representative, the PLO, courageously led by Yasser Arafat, to whom I wish here, on behalf of my country, to pay a heartfelt tribute for the admirable and victorious way in which for several weeks he organized the heroic Palestinian resistance in west Beirut. To that I add the support of the Senegalese people for the brother people of Lebanon which, through its dignity and spirit of self-sacrifice, is providing the world a living example of its genius and capacity for survival. 104. The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, over which my country has the honor to preside, long ago outlined the framework for a just and comprehensive solution of the Middle East question. In the past as today, our basic objective must be to implement the recommendations of that Committee, as well as those of the Security Council, so that the Palestinian people will not lose hope in the triumph of international law, for, if it did, that would only pointlessly prolong a tragedy whose outcome in the short or long run is perfectly clear: nothing can be imposed on a people which refuses to submit. 105. The stakes are high. At issue is the credibility of the United Nations in small countries and with oppressed peoples, which, like the Palestinian people, are only claiming their right to freedom and independence. 106. It makes our countries very bitter to note that the indifference to the appeals of the community of nations has become almost deafness today when problems directly affecting the freedom and dignity of third-world peoples are involved. Like the peoples of South Africa, Namibia and Palestine, the peoples of Kampuchea and Afghanistan remain subject to laws imposed upon them by foreign Borders in defiance of the principles of the Charter, in all those cases the Nations has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of the occupying troops and the restoration the sovereignty of those States by the formation of legitimately chosen government. My country, Senegal with continue to support law and justice, which are on the side of those who are subjected by force to intolerable situation, as is the case today of Kampuchea and Afghanistan. 107. With respect more particular to the problem of Kampuchea, the Net/ Committee Mel's was created by the International Conference convened on the question in July 1981óa Committee ever which my country presidesóis continuing it?, efforts to formulate concrete proposals so Chat negotiations may at last take place, to the benefit of the Kampuchean people, which has suffered so much from this tragedy. True, a solution is certainly not yet in sight, but there is reason for hope, as attested to by the formation last June of coalition government composed of the various components of the heroic resistance of the people of Kampuchea. 108. With regard to Afghanistan, my country has been following with sustained interest the efforts made by the Secretary-General to achieve an acceptable solution to this problem in the true interest of this sorely tried brother people. We remain ready, in the name of solidarity among nations and the principles contained in the Charter, to contribute to these peace efforts within the limits of our modest possibilities, convinced as we are that a stubborn desire to find a solution by force will simply pointlessly prolong the tragedy of the people of Afghanistan and serve only to increase tension among the States of the region. 109. As for the distressing Iraq-Iran conflict, the international community should show greater tenacity by increasing and strengthening the efforts already undertaken under various auspices to induce the two belligerents to settle their dispute by peaceful means, within the framework of a comprehensive, just and honorable solution. The Islamic Peace Committee, established in January 1981 at Taif, the mediation committee of the movement of non-aligned countries, and the United Nations have made praiseworthy efforts in this connection; the international community should encourage pursuit of those efforts in order to put an end to a conflict with many repercussions for international security. 110. We should also give our attention to the question of Korea. The principle of reunification, which has been accepted by both countries, should be encouraged by the Organization. 111. Peace through law, the basis for 4he foundation of the United Nations, has not yet been established as a guarantee of international security. Quite the contrary, peace through terror seems to have replaced the rule of law in a world now more than ever before dominated by clashes between the interests of Powers and ideologies. 112. While many decisions of the Organization remain unimplemented, 3th race for destructive power continues inexorably, posing an increasing threat to the pea e and security of our planet. 113. The difficulty of changing this situation, which is so dangerous for the future of mankind, has just been demonstrated once again by the failure of the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, which had inspired legitimate hope in all those, like us, for whom halting the arms race is one of the major concerns of our time. It is disquieting, to say the least, the sum international situation which is constantly deteriorating, at that session it was not possible to achieve some minimal results; this points to a lack of genuine political will to achieve progress. But the fact that that session did not lead to concrete results only strengthens our attachment to the historic validity of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly and to the comprehensive program of disarmament prescribed therein, which has become more imperative than ever. That failure, however regrettable it may be, must not win out over our determination to redouble our efforts to succeed in the task of disarmament, which remains one of the essential keys to international peace and security. 114. Important items on the agenda of that session ófor example, those concerning studies, the improve-ment of the effectiveness of institutional machinery for disarmament and new initiativesówere not considered substantively. Along with other delegations present here, we hope that this thirty-seventh session will provide us with the opportunity to go more deeply into these matters in our debates; they have the highest priority of any, for on them depends the security of the world. 115. While current political events are a source of preoccupation for the international community, the economic situation, too, points to the need to mobilize all possible political will to make genuine progress. Indeed, if there are anomalies in international political relations, these exist alsoóand certainly to a greater extentóin economic relations among nations. It is good that everyone has realized this and that there is unanimous agreement that one of the great problems of our day is the revision of economic relations, particular between the rich countries and the poor countries. 116. That problem is all the more crucial because the disparities in the world economy, especially between North and Southóand their consequences for international co-operation for developmentófoster a practically chronic instability in world political relations. 117. Within nations, revolutions have always resulted from injustice, abuses and social inequalities But this time the shock-waves could affect the international order itself, for we are heartened by a vast worldwide confrontation which could bring the rich of the world into dangerous collision with the poor. H8. Unfortunately, this year, like past years, has provided a significant illustration of the inadequacy of the efforts made by the developed countries on behalf of the developing countries. 119. There is, of course, some cause for satisfaction, such as the successful outcome of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. But the various summits of the countries of the North have not lived up with the expectations of the countries of the South. They have not resulted in the necessary decisions, which would have been such as to lead to a resumption of the North-South dialogue. 120. In our view, the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly is all the more important because of the solutions it must strive to find for the many imbalances at present facing the international economy. In that connection, this session should promote the launching of global negotiations, which will provide a long-term framework for changing the present irrational and unjust system of international economic relations. 121. The head of State of Senegal, President Abdou Diouf, has constantly emphasized the special im-portance attached by my country to the launching of global negotiations in order to promote the international co-operation they are bound to foster. For three years the General Assembly has been adopting by consensus resolutions concerning the global round of negotiations. It is urgent; we feel that the necessary political will will finally emerge in order to bring about the consensus needed to open the negotiations on an acceptable and just basis. 122. I now come to a question to which my Government attaches very great importance. I refer to the drafting by the Organization of an international convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. 123. The Government of Senegal, indeed, has always defended here and elsewhere, on every occasion, the principles recognized by the United Nations, including those regarding the independence, national sovereignty and equality in law of States, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the non-use of force in relations between States. There is no need to stress that respect for those principles is an important condition for the establishment of international peace and security. 124. In that spirit, my Government believes that no consideration of any kind can justify the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries, or armed support for the actions of certain groups which rise up in rebellion against the legal Governments of sovereign States. 125. It will be recalled that my country was a sponsor of the text adopted as resolution 35/48 and played an active part in its adoption by the Assembly. That resolution established the Ad hoc Committee on the Drafting if an International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. We played that role because Senegal believes that an international convention on the subject would make a contribution to the elimination of a major cause of disturbances and destabilization in relations between States. 126. The threat posed by the activities of mercenaries in the third world in general, and in Africa in particular, has been growing. Unfortunately, despite the impressive number of resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as by the Organization of African Unity [OAU] condemning the activities of mercenaries, it can easily be stated that the recruitment and use of mercenaries, with orders to take destabilizing action in independent African countries, has not, it seems to us, noticeably diminished. 127. In the face of that situation, the African countries, through the OAU, have adopted a convention on the elimination of mercenarism in Africa. But that legal instrument is of only regional scope and cannot solve the problem throughout the world. To do that, there must be a contribution by all the States members of the community of nations, for most of those mercenaries come from non-African countries. Thus, only rational international co-operation can rid the African continent and the rest of the third world of the constant grave threat posed by that danger. 128. It is therefore the responsibility of the Organization, and more specifically the General Assembly, to draw up and adopt as swiftly as possible the text of an international convention against the recruitment, use, training and financing of mercenaries in order to respond adequately to the hopes the international community has placed and continues to place in the Organization. 129. In this connection we should like to welcome the draft convention that has been introduced by Nigeria. We would venture to hope that the Ad Hoc Committee will continue to give this document all the attention its urgency and importance merit. Furthermore, it is to be hoped that the Ad Hoc Committee will not fail in its mandate and that, after the recent adoption by the General Assembly of the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, a convention on mercenaries will complement the range of legal instruments adopted by the United Nations in order to provide effective protection of human rights and the rights of peoples throughout the world. 130. The confidence which we place in the United Nations has prompted us at this session to reaffirm with all sincerity our earnest commitment to seeking a permanent solution to the burning issues of the present day. If relations among nations are to be based on genuine peaceful coexistence, it is essential that conciliation rather than conflict, co-operation rather than confrontation, be the general rule in these relations. Only thus can our ultimate goalóto bring about world peace on a total basis and in perpetuity, together with prosperity and justiceóbe achieved. To that end, a restructuring of the Organization is more necessary than ever. 131. In the state of restless change that is the fundamental law of our present-day worldóand never has change been as swift as it is todayóit is essential that peoples and institutions adapt to new conditions. The United Nations, our Organization, can be no exception. 132. The revision or, rather, the adaptation of the Charter to the present international situation is essential if we are to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations in settling problems relating to peace and security throughout the world. In this connection the delegation of Senegal, in accordance with instructions received from its Government, would like to reiterate its support for and confidence in the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization and would encourage it to pursue its work actively so as to conclude its mandate as expeditiously as possible. 133. It should not be forgotten that, by virtue of the role it has played and continues to play in the major turning-points in the history of mankind, the United Nations remains the support and hope, the refuge and benchmark for nations in their ceaseless quest for peace and happiness. It is for that reason that Senegal Supports it and pledges its co-operation in its historic, noble and inspiring work for the survival of mankind.