Spain

Sir, in congratulating Mr. Hollai on his unanimous election to the presidency, I wish to express the confidence of the Spanish delegation in his experience and knowledge of the questions that we shall be discussing and assure him of our co-operation to ensure that this thirty-seventh session will be crowned with success. 199. I should also like to congratulate the outgoing President, Mr. Kittani, who conducted the work of the Assembly during the past year with a sense of impartiality and wisdom that we all should recognize and appreciate. 200. For the first time in the history of the Organization, the responsibility of conducting the work of the Secretariat has fallen to a Latin American. Spain shares the satisfaction and legitimate pride of Peru and all the peoples of Latin America. Today we reiterate our confidence, already confirmed by the facts, in the political skill of Mr. Perez de Cuellar. His experience and ability, well known to us, have been manifested in recent months during critical times at which he has shown himself capable of placing his full efforts at the service of the cause of peace with patience, wisdom and dedication. 201. During the year that has elapsed since the beginning of the last session of the Assembly, it could not be said that the United Nations has reached the goals of international co-operation and coexistence laid down in the Charter. In addition to problems inherited from the past, we have seen new tension and conflicts emerge with their tragic sequel of loss of human lives, irreparable damage, suffering and the development of potentially still more dangerous situations. Unfortunately, all this casts greater discredit upon the Organization. Both in disarmament and in the progress of economic co-operation, two serious questions, progress has been practically nonexistent. 202. My country has been a member of the Security Council for some two years. From this position of responsibility we have been able to take an active part in the consideration of matters such as the Middle East conflict, the situation in southern Africa, the crisis in Lebanon and the problem of the Malvinas. 203. In each case, we have maintained an absolutely independent position, based on the application of principles of our foreign policy in defence of the Charter and of the resolutions adopted in the United Nations. We have constantly endeavoured to ensure that the action of the Council was sufficiently prompt and effective to prevent open confrontations and loss of human life. 204. The Spanish delegation has taken part both in the deliberations of the Council and in negotiations among its members and interested parties in the solution of conflicts. When we have felt that our initiative was necessary, we have placed before the Council draft resolutions inspired by those principles and by humanitarian reasons. 205. At times our efforts have led to the adoption of resolutions. At other times, they have been blocked. Unfortunately, some countries have placed greater trust in victory by arms than in the fruits of dialogue and negotiation. We are at least left with the satisfaction of knowing that we have put forward appeals and proposals for peace, negotiation and compromise when there was still time to prevent bloodshed. Still, a minimum of lucidity suggests that once again, this year, the reason of force has made more headway than has the force of reason. 206. During the past year, Spain has pursued its course towards full membership in the political, economic and defence institutions of the world to which it belongs. It has done so faithful to its European and Western vocation and aware that the defence of its national interests and of international peace and progress required the full normalization of its presence in its natural forums and aware also that through that normalization it was serving the objectives of equality and absolute and uncompromising defence of its own sovereignty. These are objectives which are best served by participation rather than by maintaining anomalous positions of dissociation and indirect links with those forums. This was required by our history, our culture and our own geographical situation and made possible by the full restoration of the political values of freedom and pluralistic democracy. 207. We are taking our place in Europe and the West. We are doing so in conditions of equality and respect for our sovereignty, overcoming the merely indirect relationship which previously existed. We have done so aware that it does not diminish but rather enhances our independence for outside action and our capacity for activity in the world; good proof of this has been our involvement with the Security Council. 208. We have done so with the certainty that our action is not directed against anyone but only in favour of our national interests and rightsóaware, finally, that the historic restitution of Spain to a position of equality with the rest of the West enriches and gives meaning, depth and coherence to the other innate and profound dimension of our historical being, the Latin American dimension, and at the same time encourages our involvement in other forums of particular relevance, such as relations with the Mediterranean, Arab and African nations. 209. In recent years, our relations with the brother peoples of America have grown spectacularly in the area of economic, commercial and technical exchanges, cultural and educational co-operation and Spain's presence, contacts and full participation in the institutional framework being shaped by that community of nations. 210. Thus, we have now become members of ECLA and observers in the Andean Pact and we have, as full-fledged members, subscribed to the Andres Bello Convention this year and the Hipolito Inanue and Simon Rodriguez conventions in 1981. It is clear that greater involvement by Spain in its environment enables its presence in the Americas and the Americas' presence in Spain to have greater depth, impetus and promise. 211. But, above all, we maintain with Latin America a common political will, seeking to ensure that in the United Nations and in other international forums to which Spain belongs we can advance and defend tin problems and just causes of those brother nations which Spain defends as its own. 212. These months of crises and international problems have been particularly difficult for Latin America. The grave situation in Central America, with its tragic spiral of violence and tension which threaten to spill over the borders of the States of that region, is taking on alarming proportions. The instability is growing through the deterioration of national economies;, aggravated by adverse international economic factors and a lack of understanding on the part of the economically powerful countries, which reduce to cold figures the treatment of issues so basic to Latin America as trade of commodities, on which the development and survival of entire peoples depend. 213. Various plans and peace proposals for Central America have not attained the objectives set. The coherent and reasonable plan of President Lopez Portillo of Mexico, proposals for Central American meetings emanating from Panama have not reached a stage of maturity and execution because the common horizon is darkened by misunderstanding and violence. 214. Spain is continuing to give priority attention to and show greater concern for the development of the Central American tragedy. We consider it necessary to design a pattern of solutions based on a number of basic ideas, which in our judgement could be the following: rejection of so-called military solutions, which lack effectiveness; reliance on political negotiations involving all national forces; an appeal to the principle of non-intervention, which must be applied strictly in Latin America to ensure that each people can determine its own fate; a willingness to assist in the consolidation of democratic and pluralistic alternatives, convinced of the need to organize peaceful coexistence on the basis of a respect for life and freedom and the requirements of social justice; and unequivocal and indiscriminate condemnation of the violation of human rights, without any territorial or ideological exceptions. 215. In affirming these ideas the Spanish Government will always be ready to contribute its efforts and determination, as we have said before in United Nations forums and as we publicly proclaimed in the Bogota Declaration last August. Spain understands the deep roots of the problems of these nations. We feel these problems as our own, and we know that it is unrealistic to trust that the course of time or unilateral formulas will resolve them, because the Central American situation needs solutions urgently, before it deteriorates into a conflict affecting the entire area and becomes one of the major focal points of world crisis. 216. The renewed Central American tragedy is even more regrettable in that it is avoidable. All that is necessary is a collective commitment to respect borders; to give Central American States the assurance that there will be no interference and that there will be self-determination for their peoples; to refrain from sabre-rattling, which makes neighbouring countries nervous and causes them to give the acquisition of weapons precedence over the satisfaction of social needs; to make the necessary effort to modernize their societies and encourage scrupulous respect for human rights. If we all dedicate ourselves to the task of encouraging the restoration of social and political balances, facilitating negotiation between democratic and representative forces and avoiding the possible dead-end of armed confrontation and political polarization, we shall have embarked upon a road leading to peace and stability in the entire zone. The Spanish Government whole-heartedly desires that peace and stability and is prepared to co-operate fully, together with sister republics of Latin America, in the achievement of that noble objective. 217. Another focal point of tension in Latin America has been in the South Atlantic, where a colonial situation has led to bloodshed and a tragic war. The Spanish Government has followed with concern and anxiety the development of the armed conflict in the Malvinas, a confrontation which should never have happened and which could have been avoided if appeals for dialogue and negotiation, insistently repeated by Spain, had been heeded. It is well known that my country made a number of attempts, both bilaterally and internationally, to halt the escalation towards a senseless and anachronistic war, in an effort to avoid bloodshed, the enormous material losses and the opening of a huge abyss of resentment and misunderstanding between Latin America and Europe. The Secretary-General and other countries joined in this effort, but our appeals were not heeded, with the disastrous consequences of which we all know. 218. It is now our duty, since it was impossible to avoid war, to redouble our efforts to ensure peace in the future. To that end Spain, which opposed the use of force as a means of settling international disputes from the beginning of the crisis, considers it indispensable that negotiations on the substance of the problem be opened, the substance being none other than decolonization of the Territory, in order to achieve a diplomatic solution which would contemplate the restoration of the territorial integrity of Argentina and safeguarding and guaranteeing the legitimate interests and rights of the population of the Malvinas. This is the only way we can definitively eliminate the roots of a conflict which would otherwise become a permanent source of tension and destabilization throughout the region, with the foreseeable negative impact on relations between Europe and Latin America, which we believe must be harmonious and must be improved. 219. In recent months the situation in the Middle East has continually worsened. Despite the existence of some positive elements, such as the recovery of the whole of the Sinai by Egypt, other developments, such as the illegal annexation of the Golan Heights and, more recently, the brutal armed intervention by Israel in Lebanon, with its consequent tragedies, have posed a constant challenge to the international community and have seriously disturbed the conscience of mankind. 220. Spain has co-operated actively in the Security Council in the search for a solution and humanitarian activities to alleviate the sufferings of the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples. The results achieved have been modest. The resolutions of the Security Council, which are binding upon all Member States, have remained ineffective. We have seen the powerlessness of the Organization to prevent the invasion of Lebanon, the assault upon Beirut and, in a context in which the horror of the deed was much greater than any political consideration, the sacrifice of hundreds of innocent victims in the Palestinian refugee camps, an act of barbarism such as we had thought was a thing of the past. 221. In the ruins of Beirut and the renewed tragedy of the Palestinian people, however, some elements can be perceived that would seem to point towards the beginning of a solution. For many years Spain has stated in this forum that any solution to the Middle East conflict must necessarily include recognition of the national rights of the Palestinian people. 222. The principles of Security Council resolution 242 (1967) remain valid and include withdrawal from all the occupied territories and the right of all States of the area to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries, a right which Spain accepts, recognizes and respects and from which it excludes none. But together with this recognition it is necessary to view the Palestinian phenomenon in its full dimensions. Spain welcomes the new proposals, especially the Arab plan prepared in Fez, with optimism. These are gaining growing acceptance as containing all the political elements necessary to ensure a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East problem. 223. Spain seeks to intensify its co-operation with all the countries of Africa, being closely involved with the problems affecting that continent. We feel ourselves linked with those countries, more especially the northern African countries, for reasons which go beyond immediate geographical proximity, including the old historical and cultural ties which unite us with the Arab nation. 224. Spain's determination to maintain permanent and fruitful co-operation with the neighbouring countries of the Maghreb is well known, as is our desire to ensure that the problem of Western Sahara is solved to the satisfaction of all parties, in accordance with the principles and resolutions of the United Nations and the OAU and the expression of the will of the people. ?25. We believe that a decisive role must be played by the OAU in the solution of the problems of the continent and in eliminating the tension existing today. Spain's determination to co-operate in the African continent, expressed both in our political statements and in our growing links of co-operation wit: various countries of that continent, is of signal value in the case of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, a Spanish-speaking African nation now going through a vital stage of renovation of its political institutions with the approval by referendum of a new constitution and is making great efforts for economic development and reorganization. Spain views with satisfaction the convening, under the auspices of the United Nations, of a pledging conference for that Republic, a conference in which it took an active part. It will continue to enhance its links of co-operation with that nation, always adapting them to the will expressed by the people and Government of that nation, in strict respect for its options, its independence and its sovereignty. 226. With respect to the problem of Namibia, we view with concern the fact that our hopes for an imminent settlement are now meeting with new and growing difficulties. Spain considers necessary the immediate implementation of the plans for the independence of the Territory contained essentially in Security Council resolutions 385 (1976) and 435 (1978), whose principles and provisions we support. 227. We reiterate our rejection of the heinous practice of apartheid which constitutes not only a flagrant violation of human rights but a source of grave tension endangering peace and security in the Region and representing a permanent challenge to the Organization. 228. With regard to the problem of Cyprus, we favour the continuation of all efforts to relaunch, under the auspices of the Organization, the intercommunal dialogue upon which the future of peaceful coexistence favouring the economic development of the Cypriot people must be based, in order to ensure that a satisfactory solution may be achieved on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus. 229. In other areas of the world there remain tension and armed confrontations to which the Organization must attempt to put an end. The war between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, to cite only one example, has now lasted for more than two years, with enormous losses of human lives and suffering for both parties. The Spanish Government views with distress and concern this conflict between two friendly countries and is prepared to support every effort designed to achieve a solution. 230. With regard to Afghanistan, three years after the invasion there is still no glimpse of a solution to this foreign armed intervention which we have repeatedly denounced. We must continue to insist on the exercise of international pressure to bring about the liberation of Afghanistan. Therefore we hope that the General Assembly will reiterate its resolutions demanding the withdrawal of the foreign military forces and calling for the restoration of Afghanistan as a free and independent country. 231. In Gibraltar there persists a situation which must be brought to an end according to the recommendations of the United Nations, through negotiation between Spain and the United Kingdom. This principle has been accepted by the British Government, which, in signing the Declaration of Lisbon^ committed itself to resolving through negotiation with Spain all differences concerning Gibraltar, in a spirit of friendship and in conformity with relevant resolutions of the United Nationsóa commitment that was reiterated on later occasions. 232. The climate of dialogue and understanding, the favourable climate which must necessary precede or accompany a negotiation which for us is of decisive importance, was modified by subsequent events which have brought about postponements. There have been circumstances that have affected negatively the intensity, the earnestness, the seriousness and the depth which these negotiations require. The course of authentic negotiation is the course that Spain has long since chosen, in conformity with the United Nations decisions and parallel with activities in other forums, it is also the only possible course. We are convinced that the persistence of a situation such as this is contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter, as the Assembly has repeatedly declared. We also believe that two democratic countries such as Spain and the United Kingdom must resolve this problem by the civilized method of dialogue and negotiation. However, the negotiation must be authentic and conducted m good faith, and cover, of course, all the elements of the problem and essentially the one constituting the very root of the dispute: the question of sovereignty. Any attempt to avoid that element because of temporary circumstances, however strong the passions aroused, would constitute a grave responsibility and could endanger the process of resolving the problem as it has been set forth. 233. With regard to the population of Gibraltar, I wish to reiterate once more that Spain accepts the idea that its interests must be borne in mind and fully safeguarded in the negotiations and that the preservation and promotion of their well-being and the protection of their rights must also be part of the solution of the problem. The Spanish Government has no hostility towards that population, nor has it any intention of interfering with its citizenship or any other questions of that nature in its relations with the United Kingdom. 234. Spain has the irrevocable objective of restoring its territorial integrity by recovering? through negotiations with the United Kingdom, that portion of its territory, while preserving the interests, rights and well-being of the population. This has been the doctrine of the United Nations, according to which the principle of territorial integrity, enshrined in paragraph 6 of the Declaration in Assembly resolution 1314 (XV), is applicable in this case, taking precedence over any other criterion. This doctrine has been estate listed by the United Nations in an irreversible dear and manifest manner for the solution of this problem. 233. I wish to refer to various matters which demonstrate both the essential nature of the work we are doing in the Organization and the lack of effectiveness -chat the Organization has, unfortunately, had in recent years. 236. The first is the matter of human rights, which by its very nature is the ultimate goal of all political activity and of all organizations such as this one. Proper observance of human rights is the key to the peaceful solution of national and international problems. 237. Spain values respect for these rights nationally and internationally, with the intensity and passion of one who has recovered something he lost. The constitutional recognition of the value of international and European claims in this matter, the acceptance of all mechanisms for monitoring at the international and European levels, the full participation and assumption of initiatives in every facet of the work of the Council of Europe, the United Nations and other bodies in these fieldsóthese are clearly well known and demonstrate the sincerity of our position. There remains a great deal to be done in the protection and safeguarding of human rights, removing this question, as I have said before, from the geographical or ideological limitations with which it is sometimes viewed, limitations which because of their basic insincerity prevent effective progress from being made. 238. The first human right is the right to life, a right which is being infringed every day by terrorists. Terrorism crosses all borders and there must be international co-operation in order effectively to combat it. On previous occasions we have spoken of that necessity and, more specifically, I stated the following to the Assembly at the thirty-sixth session: "... we cannot compromise with terrorists without endangering peace. No one can claim to be persecuted for political reasonsóan allegation all too often made by the terroristóif that person is free in a free political society. Wherever political change can be sought without risk through regular elections allowing free expression of every option, none can claim to be persecuted for political reasons. There are no political offenders in a real democracy: if it is a democracy they do not exist; if they exist it is hot a democracy. "It is abnormal to impose by force a nonexistent and brutal 'right' to kill and to seek protection outside one's borders, claiming that political freedom is needed when it already exists." 239. That co-operation for which I appealed last year is something that we have called for and sought firmly and emphatically, in all its dimensions and in all forums in which we are represented. In European and Western forums, as in international organizations, we have contributed to creating sensitivity to and arousing awareness of the immoral and obnoxious character of terrorism and of its serious social and political aspects. The progress achieved, however, should not lead us to forget the continued existence, in increasingly isolated cases, of indifference or lack of solidarity, the explanation of which can only lie in short-sighted and suicidal egoism, and which is particularly serious and painful when the countries concerned have common borders. 240. Another aspect which an international organization must constantly bear in mind in dealing with human rights is the situation of immigrants. If there is a group of human beings who, together with refugees, deserve international understanding and protection they are immigrants. Spain will continue to work for the adoption of a set of clear and precise rules effectively protecting the rights of immigrants and foreign workers, who need legal protection, social solidarity and economic security. The Government of Spain has presented specific proposals and working documents to the General Assembly designed to bring about a speedy international agreement guaranteeing the rights of migrant workers. 241. Not only has the international economic picture failed to improve but all indicators suggest that it may deteriorate still further in coming months. The financial crisis which threatens to distort the entire international monetary system and imbalances in commodity markets which affect the most vulnerable economies are leading the least developed countries into increasingly untenable situations. 242. Spain favours global negotiations conducted within the framework of the United Nations. The preparations for the negotiations should be open to all States concerned to avoid the danger of a repetition of the problems that arose in connection with the North-South dialogue. The experience of recent years has demonstrated the interdependence of the different economies, which are affected by global problems which can only be solved through proposals and negotiations in which all the interested parties are involved. 243. It is obvious that one of the reasons for the economic difficulties is the arms race. In this field Spain, as is evident and is recognized by all, has made national defence, politically, internationally and militarily, genuine defence, without threatening anyone, and proclaims its concern about the arms race as well as the evasiveness and insincerity of those who really could contribute to disarmament. 244. The Government of Spain has taken many initiatives in this field and supports all initiatives which, based on realism and the effective preservation of security and balance and not on Manichean consideration or the desire to spread propaganda, could lead to progress in this field. 245. On 12 October the decade that will culminate in 1992, the date which will mark the five-hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, will begin. When on that dawn in 1492 the three Spanish vessels reached the coast of America, communication was established between the old lands of Europe and a fabulous new continent which its discoverers called the New World. The earth became round and history became universal. 246. Let me recall that event to the Organization the very aim of which is universality. The role played by Spain in that discovery justifies my mentioning to the Assembly now a proposal by the Dominican Republic that the Assembly declare the year 1992 the year of the five-hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America. The Spanish Government supports and welcomes that initiative without reservation. 247. We believe that the responsibility for commemorating the five-hundredth anniversary of the discovery should be universal, so as to bring to every comer of the world and to the mind of all the memory of the American past, its present reality and its future promiseóa future in which Spain sees one of the great hopes of our time.