On behalf of the people and Government of Honduras I should like most
sincerely to congratulate you, Sir, on your fitting election as
President of the thirty seventh session of the General Assembly. I
would likewise express our gratitude to your distinguished
predecessor, Mr. Kittani, who in the discharge of his duties, in a
particularly difficult year, demonstrated great ability, firmness and
diplomatic tact. As a Latin American I am also very happy to greet
Mr. Perez de Cuellar, the Secretary General, who, with the valuable
cooperation of a Secretariat dedicated to the lofty ideals of the
Organization, has given dynamic direction and impetus to the many
activities that have been entrusted to him.
The creation of the United Nations inspired great hope among the
peoples of the world. The Organization established the instruments of
peace and cooperation that were needed to help a world that had been
afflicted by war. Although the ideological rivalry of the super
Powers soon paralyzed valuable initiatives and on many occasions
brought us to the brink of war, it is nevertheless true that the
United Nations, as a forum for open discussion, made it possible for
mankind to survive. There have been many important achievements over
the years, but we are now once again living in an era that requires
Member States to make a conscious effort to strengthen the role of
the United Nations and its main bodies in the quest for international
peace and security.
Today's world weighs heavily on our conscience. Endless conflicts
persist without a proper solution, including recent conflicts, as
well as internal and international tensions in various parts of the
world, which make it difficult to view the future as sounder and more
secure. Along with this disquieting situation, we have witnessed a
tremendous growth of the power of destruction of conventional and
other weapons in a frenzied arms race.
The world situation appears even bleaker when we realize with great
concern that the means of preventing or solving conflicts are
inadequate, haphazard and slow and, what is even worse, are
disregarded or ignored by some States or rendered ineffective because
of the obstacles created by attempts to achieve power.
4
The fragile nature of the present international structure shows that,
in the face of the threats to international peace and security, we
must display good sense and fulfil our basic responsibility towards
mankind by making every effort to foster and strengthen procedures
for the prevention and solution of international conflicts. There is
no doubt that this task must be undertaken on at least two levels:
first, by the member States of the international community, and,
secondly, by global and regional international organizations.
In the first instance, individual States must display a political
will for peace in order to solve their conflicts and must lend their
support to ensure that neighboring or friendly countries involved in
an international crisis situation achieve a peaceful solution; they
must help in the implementation of resolutions adopted by various
international bodies aimed at the settlement of conflicts between
States and abide by the decisions of international organizations.
In the second instance, we must make an effort to strengthen and
improve the means of obtaining peaceful solutions already available
to all States Members of the United Nations, while at same time
trying to find new and imaginative formulas that will contribute to
the prevention and settlement of conflicts.
My country has at past sessions of the General Assembly emphasized
that the future of mankind depends upon real possibilities for
effective negotiation and consultation to deal with conflicting
international interests. I must therefore at this time express the
strongest support of the people and Government of Honduras for the
courageous initiative of the Secretary General in his report on the
work of the Organization, concerning the strengthening of the role of
the Organization for the sake of peace. Honduras congratulates the
Secretary General on his timely report, and calls upon all Member
States to pledge themselves to the honorable mission of revitalizing
the juridical, institutional and diplomatic means available to the
Organization fully to implement the principles, goals and objectives
laid down in the San Francisco Charter.
To follow our words with deeds and translate our thoughts into
action, Honduras has taken an audacious step to help bring about
peace in Central America, particularly since the election of the new
constitutional and democratic Government of Roberto Suazo Cordova.
This pacifist tradition is deeply rooted in our history and in the
conscience of our people. Honduras is the central country of our
region, having borders with El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The
waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific bathe our shores.
In the nineteenth century and part of the twentieth century, Honduras
suffered the adverse consequences of its geographic position and its
soil was used as a battleground in the disputes of opposing political
factions in neighboring countries or conflicts between States. These
political upheavals in Central America deeply affected the Honduran
population and the ensuing internal wars caused grief and
destruction. Fortunately, the experiences of our history to which I
have referred helped us to overcome these problems and the Honduran
nation emerged strengthened and we were enabled to substitute
civilized, democratic, political dialogue for confrontation.
The manner in which our economic structures developed helped us avoid
the establishment of a dominant class possessing most of the national
wealth. The main items we produce fell to the monopoly of foreign
interests, particularly as regards export, and drained our country of
capital. Consequently the economic disparities which exist in
Honduras have not resulted in an unbridgeable gap between the
different sectors of our society. We have no hegemonic oligarchies,
no indigenous aristocracy. It is therefore not surprising that those
who have achieved economic, professional or political success are
often people of humble extraction, who have learned and succeeded
through hard work.
These harsh conditions are reflected in various actions taken
recently. No one is unaware of the fact that the countries which have
suffered most acutely from the impact of recession, are, like ours,
countries of the American continent which lack energy resources.
Nevertheless, Honduras has made an enormous internal effort to
readjust its economy and to meet fully all its economic and financial
commitments, which has enabled us to protect the stability of our
currency and the image of a country which takes seriously its
responsibilities vis a vis the international economic community.
In the social field, we are proud of our free, strong and pluralistic
trade union movement. Our farmers have been organized for more than
two decades and the various farmers' associations and unions have
more than 100,000 members. We also have numerous professional
organizations of technical experts and craftsmen, and people involved
in small , medium and large scale industry, as well as associations
of students, teachers, businessmen, farm workers, cattlemen, and
others. Four political parties represent different trends of thought
in our legislative system and people of all walks of life are members
of our judicial system. For more than 30 years we have had labor laws
to protect our workers and for 20 years we have had a process of
agrarian reform and a system of social security. The freedom of the
press is unlimited and fundamental human rights are fully protected.
In saying this I do not imply that we have solved all our problems;
far from it. I am merely saying that we live in a society governed by
the law, that there is a plurality of interests which find expression
in the framework of freedom, and there are more things uniting us
than there are separating us. We live in a society which is open to
peaceful change and dedicated to the improvement of its democratic
institutions.
The political, economic and social development of Honduras has
created a reality which is unique in the Central American region.
Despite many short, comings in social services in the field of health,
education, housing, nutrition and other areas, the Honduran nation
has achieved high standards in certain fundamental areas which enable
us to look with optimism.
The Hondurans embrace the creed of peace through justice, and justice
through freedom. Hence, those who are familiar with our people know
that we reject violence in all its forms. More than any other Central
American people, Hondurans practice dialogue in the settlement of
their disputes. We support the electoral process for the
establishment of a government, in the belief that there is support in
our society for all political sectors involved in running the affairs
of our community.
These values of the Honduran nation were reaffirmed in the re
establishment of democracy which began in 1980, when the people were
called upon to elect a National Constituent Assembly, and 84 per cent
of the electoral population of Honduras went to the polls. Not even
countries with the oldest democratic tradition can boast such
vigorous popular participation. There is no doubt that this
overwhelming expression of the sovereignty of the people is an
outstanding example for the future of our country and of Central
America.
One year later, in 1981, the Honduran people demonstrated even more
vigorously their confidence in the free electoral process. Observers
from almost all parts of the world witnessed a new, exemplary, civic
event, namely the establishment of the political and legal system
which now governs the destiny of our country.
The Honduran people, on the basis of its sovereignty, calls for a
return to a climate of political understanding, social peace and
respect for human dignity, at a time when we are witnessing in our
region the tragedy of violence and social upheavals.The situation in
my country is in stark contrast with the abolition in other States of
the region of individual and public freedoms and the denial of the
peoples' right to self determination.
For these reasons, the democratic process which began in Honduras so
successfully undoubtedly represents renewed hopes for peace and
freedom which are bound to exert a positive influence in our
tormented Central America.
Honduras, its people and its Government, are fully aware of the
circumstances which threaten peace at home and abroad. They are
equally aware of their role in the current situation in the region.
The President of my country, Mr. Roberto Suazo Cordova, upon coming
to power, stated that Honduras did not want to become the arbiter of
the region and its anguish, its hopes and its expectations, for that
is not its function. But Honduras ardently desires to help bring
about stability and harmony, in keeping with its devotion to the
principles of non intervention and self determination, and to help
Central America to become a region of peaceful coexistence, whose
people and leaders will establish and maintain understanding on the
basis of effective dialogue. The President of Honduras wants Central
America to be a zone of peace, not to see it tormented by bellicose
disputes and polarizing confrontations. In that vein, the foreign
policy of Honduras is based on the simple but preeminent principle of
the internationalization of peace in that troubled region of our
continent.
Based on our desire to adopt concrete measures in Central America to
relieve the tension and dispel the violence of irreparable
consequences, Honduras has presented a peace initiative which has
received broad national and international support. It consists of six
points which, in the view of my Government, cover the main questions
to be discussed. This, however, does not exclude the possibility of
considering others aimed at the same goal of achieving peace in the
region, which may come from other States equally interested in
achieving the same goal. Honduras has proposed the following six
points.
First, we propose that the bases for general disarmament in the
region be immediately established. This would imply not only a halt
of the arms race which has created so much tension and instability in
Central America and in continental relations, but a real reduction of
military equipment and manpower to ensure that countries possessing
armed forces maintain them at the level strictly necessary for the
defense of their territorial integrity and sovereignty and the
maintenance of public order, and that they abide by the universally
established criteria recognized by every democratic society based on
the rule of law. There should also be agreements on the types of
weapons whose limitation on proscription would be determined in this
general disarmament plan.
Secondly, we propose that agreement likewise be reached on an
objective and reasonable reduction in the number of foreign military
and other advisers, or any other elements which are liable to cause
concern or unrest, or undermine the identity of any nation.
Thirdly, we propose that there be a survey of and agreement on the
required machinery to ensure, by means of international supervision
and monitoring, to which Honduras will submit, that countries of the
Central American region fulfill their commitments and
responsibilities. This system of supervision and monitoring would be
applied to countries where there exist conflicts and difficult
situations likely to affect peace in the region, especially in ports,
airports, borders and strategic areas. My country is ready to open
its territory without any reservations to any form of international
supervision for the purpose of achieving and maintaining peace.
Fourthly, we propose that there be consideration of and agreement on
the most appropriate procedures and mechanisms to put an end to the
traffic of arms in the region.
Fifthly, we propose that recognized boundaries and the traditional
lines of jurisdiction of the States of the region be fully respected
so as not to endanger peace through new disputes which might arise
with regard to land or sea.
Sixthly, we propose that a set of guidelines be drawn up for a
permanent multilateral dialogue on the basis of this initiative, thus
to promote political understanding internally, to achieve a
democratic and pluralistic system and assure respect for public
freedoms and the right of the peoples to express their will freely.
We affirm that the arms race constitutes an inherent threat to the
future of nations and the survival of mankind itself. We therefore
believe that the excessive expenditures in war equipment should be
used to combat poverty and misery and to promote the well being of
the people, to lend technical and scientific assistance, to overcome
conditions of backwardness facing developing countries and to help in
the establishment of a new international economic order so as to
reduce the tensions that aggravate the tragic problems of our times.
This is the struggle that we are engaged in to achieve domestic as
well as international peace; but I must state clearly and
unequivocally that we have fallen victim to certain problems which
stem from the internal problems of neighboring nations which are
threatening our own security now. Honduras is being threatened by
terrorism in which the direct participation of outside elements has
been demonstrated, and which undermines fundamental human rights and
attempts to undo the entire democratic process which we are building.
The recent acts of terrorism have been denounced by our people who
most energetically reject violence as a means of political action
whose sole purpose is to destroy social peace and jeopardize human
dignity.
The Honduran people want to live in peace, work in peace, build in
peace, bring about change in peace and know that the road of peace
was built to be used for peace in this democracy in which we live
today.
The Government of Honduras expresses the hope that the international
community, represented in the Organization, will devise and adopt
multilateral legal instruments which will eradicate the underlying
causes of terrorism and will fight and impose sanctions on this
dreadful scourge, one which offends the conscience of civilized
nations and of the peoples who strive to build a better future based
on peaceful coexistence, understanding and solidarity.
Honduras wants to devote all of its strength to the consolidation of
political democracy and economic and social development. We want and
need a climate of peace and security, stability and harmony, to
strive to overcome the present economic crises in our country and at
the same time achieve social justice by means of peaceful change. We
would like to devote our limited material resources to combat poverty
and promote the well being of our people rather than to compete in a
ruinous arms race. We do not want an armed peace for Central America,
nor a balance of power based on the possession of sophisticated
weapons of destruction.
Honduras extends its hand to the countries that are ready to
associate themselves with this effort for peace with justice and
freedom.
Together with Costa Rica, Honduras has endeavored to find formulas to
solve the conflicts in Central America peacefully and democratically.
A meeting of foreign ministers of several Central American and
Caribbean countries was held in San Jose on 4 October last, to
consider ways and means truly and effectively to achieve these goals.
A particularly significant issue was the establishment of a forum for
peace and democracy with a mandate to carry out the peace initiatives
based on agreements between States of the region.
This meeting of democratic countries emphasized the need to help
establish peace in the region, to promote and. consolidate a
comprehensive system of institutions in the countries of the region
and to create an appropriate scheme for intra regional and
international cooperation in various fields on the basis of peace,
security, democracy and development.
Tins new vigorous effort is made in the context of the Honduran peace
proposal, sincemultilateral dialogue on a permanent basis is the
fundamental requirement for the achievement of appropriate and
lasting solutions We would like to express the hope that the
Government of Nicaragua will support this new initiative and the
principles which have inspired it, for we believe that a Nicaragua
which will establish and guide its revolutionary process along the
path of democracy, pluralism and non alignment is essential for the
political stability and the peace and security of the Central
American region.
The Secretary General asked me today, without prejudice to other
ongoing initiatives, to meet at Headquarters with the Foreign
Minister of Nicaragua. I have accepted this fraternal invitation of
the Secretary General to demonstrate quite clearly once again, in
this Hall where we gather in the pursuit of peace, justice and
cooperation, the unswerving desire of the Government of Honduras to
hold a dialogue for a global exchange of views on the problems which
affect the Central American region.
I have tried to explain in plain and simple terms what Honduras
consists of and what its contribution is to the cause of peace in
Central America. The international community will judge us on the
basis of our actions. Before I refer to other matters in the general
debate, I should simply like to repeat, with all the strength that my
Government is capable of demonstrating, that we shall continue to
conduct our affairs in accordance with the principles of
nonintervention, respect for the right to self determination of
peoples, the territorial integrity of every State and, especially,
our respect for the us^ of peaceful means to solve disputes. I am
simply emphasizing the words of the President of Honduras, Roberto
Suazo Cordova, who, addressing himself recently to the Presidents of
Mexico and Venezuela, affirmed that The Honduran people will never
resort to aggression or threats against any of our neighbors because
we firmly believe that any dispute between States can be settled
peacefully.
My Government trusts that all Central American States will identify
with this postulate and that, setting aside claims of supremacy and
dangerous ideological confrontations which are alien to our spirit,
our destiny and our history, a free and democratic Central America
will see its efforts crowned with peace.
There are many political, economic and social issues on the agenda of
the General Assembly on which we should like to express our objective
views which guide us. in our participation in the work of cooperation
that motivates the United Nations. Our country will continue to make
its enthusiastic contribution to the Group of 77, over which we have
presided on two occasions in various forums. Honduras will also be
present as an observer in the meetings of the non aligned movement,
aware that, in political and economic matters, both groups agree on
principles of justice in keeping with the growing aspirations of the
developing world.
The climate of mistrust and underlying hostility between the major
political and military blocs of East and West this year have darkened
the picture. The limited achievements of the second special session
of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament is an eloquent
statement on the real intentions which seem to guide the super Powers
at this time.
The principles of international law enshrined in the Charter have
continued to be ignored in various situations, sacrificed to the most
blatant form of power politics, and the Security Council has been
paralyzed during grave conflicts because of a total lack of agreement
on the objectives and the actions to which it could have legitimately
committed itself.
This atmosphere of tension and lack of effectiveness has further
complicated the solution of problems which are within the competence
of the Security Council, thus prolonging existing conflicts and
failing to avoid the emergence of new crises and international
confrontations.
In the Middle East, conflicts have worsened. Hence, in the past few
months we have witnessed the invasion of Lebanese territory by the armed
forces of Israel, which, engaging in heavy fighting with Syrian and
Palestinian military units, have occupied part of that territory and
for several weeks encircled its capital, Beirut, causing destruction,
desolation and death. This tragic situation was further aggravated by
the massacre of refugees, which caused indignation in the
international community and deeply moved the Honduran people. My
Government, which is attached to the values of respect for the human
person, most vigorously condemns this tragic holocaust.
The Honduran Government firmly condemns the use of force in the
settlement of international conflicts and rejects with equal vigor
the corollary that the acquisition of territories by occupation can
be justified.
Similarly, our Government believes that the legitimate rights of the
Palestinian people to have their own homeland should be achieved
through serious comprehensive negotiations and the open and firm
support of the international community.
The right of Israel to exist and live in peace with its neighbors
within secure and recognized boundaries, which Honduras has always
supported, can and must be coupled with the rights of the Palestinian
people to self determination and the establishment of their own State.
In southern Africa, the hopes raised five years ago by the plan of
Western Powers for Namibia, supplemented by the Security Council,
have given way to profound disillusionment, creating a dangerous
climate which could lead to new acts of aggression. In our view,
there is no other way but to persist in achieving the holding of free
elections in Namibia as soon as possible and, therefore, we lend our
support to fresh negotiations to put an end to the illegal occupation
of the Territory by South Africa.
The world problems to which we referred earlier cannot conceal the
important fact that conflicts emerge and develop basically in a
regional context and that according to the letter and spirit of the
Charter it is first and foremost for the members of each region and
regional machinery they have established to solve conflicts with a
full sense of responsibility.
Because of its global character, the process of decolonization must
be in conformity with the peculiarities of history and geography.
Thus, in our American continent, a problem at once colonial and
regional has been deeply felt recently by our peoples. We refer to
the colonial situation of the Malvinas and the grave crisis and armed
confrontation of last April and May between the Republic of Argentina
and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Honduras recognizes the sovereign rights of the Republic of Argentina
over the Malvinas and supports its claim. Honduras believes that
every conflict between States can be settled by negotiation;
therefore, it rejects the use of force in any international conflict.
Honduras is in favor of a speedy negotiated solution between the
parties which would give sovereignty over the Malvinas to Argentina.
Our people is united in the quest for material and spiritual
advancement and the consolidation of Honduran nationhood through
sound institutions based on justice, freedom and national harmony.
We are also united with regard to external matters. It is not a mere
whim to insist on peace; nor is it Utopia. Men of good will and
generous thought know how to achieve it. Leaders who forget that the
supreme mandate is to secure the well being of those they govern
through respect for their dignity and the practice of harmonious
coexistence, will inescapably be drawn to the exercise of tyranny
which is doomed to failure. The lessons of history are many and
Honduras has learned from them. We have chosen to take the
encouraging and promising road of democracy and peace.