Argentina, 1969

29. Madam President, it is a matter of particular satisfaction to

my delegation that our deliberations are being presided over

today by a woman of such outstanding merits and one who,

at the same time, represents Africa, whose new States have

contributed so much to the present shape of this Organization.

On behalf of the Argentine Government, and personally,

I wish first of all to congratulate you on your

election to the highest office in the General Assembly. We

are confident that you will carry out this difficult task

successfully, for we are aware of your background and your

vast experience of the United Nations.

30. I wish also to pay a tribute to the memory of

Dr. Emilio Arenales Catalan, a Latin American who, while

still young, had attained the highest posts both in his own

country and on the international stage, and who presided

over the work of General Assembly at its last session with

so much tact and impartiality. His premature death has

deprived the international community of one of its most

outstanding figures.

31. The Argentine Republic wishes once again to reaffirm

its deep faith in the principles which are enshrined in the

Charter of the United Nations, The sovereign equality of

States, the self-determination of peoples, the peaceful

settlement of international disputes, respect for human

rights and fundamental freedoms without racial, religious or

any other form of distinction, respect for the territorial

integrity of States, non-intervention and international

co-operation constitute the basic rules of an international

order designed to ensure peace among nations. My own

country bases its international conduct on these principles,

for it believes that unqualified observance of them by all

Members of this Organization is the sole guarantee for

lasting peace and international harmony.

32. The United Nations has played a key role in preventing,

thus far, the outbreak of a generalized war. The process of

decolonization — an achievement of the Organization — which

has given to the quarter-century following the Second World

War one of its most outstanding features,

has been carried out in accordance with the Charter and

with the determined co-operation of the majority of

Member States. I feel it my duty to stress the constant

support given to this process by the Latin American

countries.

33. The programmes of technical and educational assistance,

the studies sponsored by the Organization and the

international co-operation which it promotes through an

extensive system of specialized agencies are also achievements

which justify the faith placed in the United Nations

by countries, such as my own, whose will to co-operate in

the common task remains intact. However, the world

situation this year does not seem any more encouraging

than it was at the previous session. In the introduction to

his annual report on the work of the Organization, the

Secretary-General paints an alarming picture, and opens

with a sentence which sums up the gravity of the present

moment: “During the past twelve months, the deterioration

of the international situation, which I noted in the

introduction to the annual report last year, has continued.”

[A/7601/Add.1, para. 1.]

34. Argentina is following with deep concern the deterioration

of the situation in the Near East, where present

tensions could at any moment unleash a war with major

and irreparable consequences. This disturbing situation,

with its successive crises, affects the authority of the United

Nations and, in particular, of the Security Council.

35. We are aware of the complexity of the problem; we

know what legacies of the past and passions of the present

are constantly weighing upon the populations concerned

and their leaders. We are, however, convinced that nothing

can be gained unless the facts are faced; we are absolutely

convinced that only a true act of political will can open up

prospects of peace for the Middle East, and this act must be

strict compliance with Security Council resolution

242 (1967) of 22 November 1967. Argentina, then a

member of the Security Council, worked with zeal and

hope, first to achieve a cease-fire and then in the drafting of

a resolution that might make it possible to eliminate the

real and deep-seated causes that had led to the conflict.

36. The situation in Viet-Nam, where the glimmerings of

peace have been extinguished by the recrudescence of the

struggle, shows no signs of improvement either. The Paris

talks go on without apparent progress of prospects of

change. Yet we must emphasize that the measures recently

adopted by the Government of the United States increase

our hopes that the atmosphere of negotiation can be

improved, and that seems to be the only possible way of

solving this tragic conflict.

37. Although the problems I have mentioned are allegedly

localized, they are involving powers from outside the region

and are endangering the security of all States.

38. In Latin America we witnessed very recently the

development of a situation which brought two neighbouring

countries into confrontation. Fortunately, as happens in

our region, which has always been noted for the exemplary

way in which it has been able to settle disputes, the rule of

law and the spirit of the inter-American agreements drawn

up in OAS ultimately prevailed.

39. Through the frank and determined co-operation of the

Governments concerned, peace and harmony were restored,

although economic problems still remain which not only

affect the countries directly involved in the dispute, but,

because of their nature and extent, also concern and affect

Latin America as a whole. We shall have to spend some time

on these problems because of their implications for our

people and for the world. We trust that what has been

achieved so far in dealing with this dispute will provide the

basis for a final settlement. However, we are aware that if

this problem is to be completely solved, methods of

improving the economic situation of these countries must

be devised.

40. I should like to sound another note of hope in my

review of international affairs. The untiring efforts of His

Holiness Pope Paul VI for peace, his dramatic and fervent

championing of the equality of men — the essence of

Christianity — and his condemnation of discrimination and

prejudice on account of differences in race, belief and

wealth, give invaluable support to the Organization’s

efforts.

41. Of the Supreme Pontiff’s many activities, I must stress

the importance of his historic visit to Africa. In that

continent the Holy Father’s message met with a wide

response and symbolically affirmed the universal brotherhood

of man. But we deplore the fact that in part of that

same continent a pitiless struggle still rages which has

claimed thousands of victims through military action or

hunger. My Government fervently hopes that wisdom will

prevail in this conflict between brothers and will bring

about the peace and progress the continent deserves.

42. Unsettled regional disputes, ideological strife and

frustration all give rise to acts which affect the entire

international community. We observe with increasing

anxiety the commission of acts which threaten the safety of

air transport and gravely compromise world public order.

I refer to the frequent hijacking of aircraft by violent means

and to other forms of illegal interference with international

civil aviation.

43. Argentina was a sponsor of a proposal in the International

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which culminated

in a weaker resolution than it had in mind. That

recommendation and the provisions of the Tokyo Convention,

which will come into force on 4 December this year,

are the only instruments available for combating what has

come to be known as “air piracy”. For this reason, my

delegation will support any proposal for a study of this

problem that may be put before the General Assembly.

44. Argentina accepted the invitation to become a

member of the enlarged Committee on Disarmament with

the firm intention of collaborating in the search for

substantive agreements on one of the gravest problems of

our time. I wish to take this opportunity of expressing our

thanks to His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Brazil for

his remarks regarding our admission to that Committee. We

hope to continue to work as closely with his country there

as is the tradition in all international bodies of which Brazil

and Argentina are members.

45. It is no exaggeration to say that the Committee has

before it, in the form of the technical reports and studies

already prepared, alarming evidence of the destructive

capacity man has created. Since the scientific and technological

progress cannot be checked and since the adoption

of real disarmament measures has not yet begun, it is not

difficult to see that this severe reality will worsen in the

near future with the development of new and still more

powerful weapons and means of destruction.

46. In this connexion, it is only necessary to read the

Secretary-General’s report on chemical and bacteriological

weapons to appreciate how terrifying the prospects are.

My country repudiates the use of such weapons in any

circumstances whatsoever.

47. The Committee is, therefore, faced with two equally

urgent problems: one is to slow down the arms race and

prevent the appearance of complex arms systems which can

only make the “balance of terror“ more precarious, and the

other is the pressing need to go beyond such “non-armament”

measures and to promote really meaningful agreements

with a view to securing substantial and general

arms reductions.

48. My Government welcomes the efforts so far made by

the Committee on Disarmament, but of course realizes that

the progress made has been on collateral matters which

have only an indirect bearing on this basic issue. We must

not lose sight of the fact that the Committee’s goal is

general and complete disarmament under strict international

control. The recent increase in its membership will

undoubtedly give a new impetus to the search for suitable

ways of achieving that objective.

49. During the last two years, the General Assembly has

been dealing with the question of the sea-bed and the ocean

floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. My country

attaches particular importance to this subject and intends

to continue participating in the work of the competent

bodies in order to contribute to the establishment of an

international régime which, while duly respecting the

legitimate rights of the coastal States, will ensure a rapid

expansion of scientific research in the areas outside national

jurisdiction, the use of those areas for exclusively peaceful

purposes and the exploitation of their resources for the

benefit of mankind as a whole, bearing in mind particularly

the needs of the developing countries.

50. I have already spoken of the Organization’s work in

the field of decolonization. Although it was on the African

continent that its most resounding successes were achieved,

it is also on that same continent that it is now being

threatened with its greatest failures. The case of Namibia

not only attests to the persistence of an intolerable colonial

situation, but is also a threat to the authority of the whole

Organization. I do not need to list the resolutions subsequent

to General Assembly resolution 2145 (XXI) which

have gone unheeded. The latest development is that the

resolution adopted this year by the Security Council

[resolution 264 (1969)] seems also to have fallen on deaf

ears. My country contends that the resolutions of the

Security Council cannot be disregarded by signatories to

the Charter.

51. The situation in Southern Rhodesia has been aggravated

by the adoption by the illegal régime of a constitution

based on the principle of racial inequality. I wish,

incidentally, to reiterate our categorical condemnation of

all forms of racial discrimination, which we regard as a

retrogressive manifestation without whose elimination no

attempt at peaceful international coexistence can succeed.

52. Since 1966 my country has strictly implemented the

sanctions imposed on Rhodesia by Security Council resolutions

232 (1966) and 254 (1968). We realize that the effect

of the sanctions which have been applied has not been as

rapid as could have been wished, but we are confident of

their final success and consequently welcome the activities

of the Committee set up under Security Council resolution

253 (1968).

53. In this case — and this has been reiterated in a number

of resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security

Council — we consider that the responsibility for resolving

the colonial situation rests first and foremost with the

administering Power. Year after year, we have expressed

our concern, and do so again, at the lack of change in the

decolonization process in Angola, Mozambique and so-called

Portuguese Guinea.

54. Almost ten years after the adoption of the Declaration

on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and

Peoples [resolution 1514 (XV)], we reaffirm our conviction

that the process of decolonization must be fully and

inexorably implemented. It is for this reason that my

country is following the work of the Special Committee of

Twenty-Four very closely and is giving this Committee its

firm support.

55. In the introduction to his annual report, the

Secretary-General refers to colonial problems involving

conflicting claims to sovereignty. He states:

“Here, too, the United Nations can play an important

role in helping to achieve the objectives laid down in the

Declaration, but only if it receives the full co-operation of

the Governments concerned.” [A/7601/Add.1, para.172.]

56. In the three cases of this kind which have been

discussed in the United, Nations, the questions of the Islas

Malvinas, Gibraltar and Belize, there are two similarities:

the administering Power is the same, and the other States

involved have expressed their willingness to negotiate.

Although the approach to negotiation has differed in each

case, we regret to say that in none does a final solution

seem very close.

57. Every year from this rostrum my country repeats that

it is a primary objective of its foreign policy to ensure the

full exercise of its sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas, a

sovereignty based on legitimate rights with which this

Assembly is fully familiar.

58. Operative paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution

1514 (XV) reaffirms the principle of territorial integrity.

Argentina has advocated, and will continue to advocate, full

compliance with that principle.

59. We repeat what we have already said many times

before, namely, that if we treat our dispute strictly in

accordance with the terms of resolution 2065 (XX) and if

the United Kingdom agrees to consider this question

without prejudice, taking full account of the material

conditions prevailing in the Islas Malvinas, it will be easy to

find a definitive solution which will also satisfy the

population of the islands and safeguard their interests. As

the Assembly is aware, my country has continued the

negotiations which were initiated with the United Kingdom

following the General Assembly’s adoption of resolution

2065 (XX) concerning the question of the Islas Malvinas,

and it hopes to be able to report to the Assembly on the

progress of these negotiations during the present session.

60. One of the characteristics of our time is the sincere

desire of men and peoples to reach a social and economic

level which would fully meet their needs and open up new

prospects of material and cultural progress, free of individual

restrictions or privileges.

61. It is well known that the last few decades have seen a

rapid widening of the gap between the advanced and the

less developed countries. Despite the impressive scientific

and technical progress which we have witnessed during

these years, it can be established that two thirds of the

human race have remained untouched by its benefits and

are struggling with illiteracy, hunger and disease. It is one of

the moral and social obligations of our time to rectify this

deficiency by legal and economic measures leading to a

better distribution of the fruits of technical civilization

among individuals and peoples.

62. Argentina is gratified that the United Nations, through

some of its organs and specialized agencies, has already

considered this problem of the transfer of scientific and

technical knowledge from the more advanced to the less

advanced countries. As we are well aware of the vital

importance of this development for harmonious economic

and social growth, we have established bodies at the

national level to co-ordinate all activities in science and

technology, administration and policy-making being

centralized in the recently established National Council for

Science and Technology.

63. Despite the efforts being made both nationally and

internationally to close the gap which technological progress

has created between the highly developed and the

developing countries, we must emphasize, as before, that no

positive results can be achieved unless a solution is first

found to the problem of the economic dependence of the

latter countries on the former.

64. It is well known that a common characteristic of

developing nations is their heavy dependence on other

countries. Latin America, for example, has to finance its

industrial and technical development from the sale of a

small number of raw materials which constitute the bulk of

its exports and which are purchased by a small group of

buyers. It is these buyers who are ultimately in a position

to establish prices and methods of payment, and their

action therefore has a decisive influence on the possibilities

of growth throughout the continent.

65. This vulnerability and external dependence of the

developing countries’ economics have, as their logical

consequence, the need for international co-operation in the

regulation of foreign trade and the responsibility of those

countries and regions which exert a greater influence on

account of their larger share of world trade. Unfortunately,

international trade is passing through a critical period as a

result of restrictive trends in the policies of the developed

States and their regional organizations. The progress of the

developing countries is being unjustly delayed as a result of

high customs duties, prohibitive import surcharges, quotas

and other non-tariff and para-tariff barriers, overt and

covert export subsidies, purported health regulations which

do not always correspond to scientific standards and are

not objectively applied, and the permanent threat of new

restrictions.

66. Facts of this kind, which are difficult to refute, make

it clear that an improvement in trading conditions is more

important to these countries than the receipt of assistance,

necessary though this may be as a complementary factor.

The improvement in these conditions should take two

forms, firstly, remunerative prices and access to markets for

commodities, and secondly, opportunities for imports of

manufactures from developing countries. This is the only

way in which we can break the vicious circle and finance

the industrial development of our countries from our own

resources.

67. The experience gained during the First United Nations

Development Decade shows that the modest objectives

established in General Assembly resolution 1710 (XVI)

have not been achieved. Argentina is aware of the complexities

of the problems which will have to be faced in the

next ten years and has therefore participated actively, and

intends to continue to do so in the work of the Preparatory

Committee for the Second United Nations Development

Decade on the preparation of a global development

strategy, a task which is now in progress and on whose

satisfactory accomplishment the success of the decade of

the seventies must largely depend.

68. My Government informed the Secretary-General of its

views at the beginning of this year, and at the three

previous sessions it expressed its opinions very clearly on

the establishment of global and sectoral objectives and on

the policy measures which it considered necessary for their

attainment. It is important that the Preparatory Committee

should not slacken the efforts it has been making. We

consider, indeed, that the time for statements has now

passed in the Committee’s work and. that it should now

embark on the stage of negotiations on policy measures.

69. With respect to financial co-operation, we think that it

is necessary to modernize the concepts and methods

hitherto used. The flow of public and private international

resources to the developing countries is not sufficient to

supplement the domestic investment designed to reduce the

income differences between the different groups of countries

which make up the world community. Arrangements

must be found which will ensure the continuation of aid

and compensatory financing, but on terms compatible with

the payment capacity of each country. This will avoid the

paradox of the need to finance external financing.

70. We contend that aid should not be subject to political

conditions, since this accentuates inequalities and

discrimination. We also believe that the steps taken by the large

countries to improve their balance of payments position

should not be to the detriment of the less developed

countries.

71. In granting loans to developing countries, the international

financial bodies should adopt a more flexible attitude

with regard to the use of such funds for the purchase of

local industrial products, since the price margin for the

granting of preference to such products is very small. It

would be desirable for the World Bank to increase the

margins for these countries, since this would have the result

of increasing their industrial capacity.

72. Compensatory financing and the flow of private

capital are additional means of expansion which benefit all

the parties concerned. Recognizing the reciprocal benefits,

we support the idea that, as part of a new policy of

co-operation, the developing countries should, in their turn,

assist the least developed countries among them. To the

extent of its possibilities and in a wide range of fields, the

Argentine Republic constantly practises this type of co-operation.

73. As the Assembly is well aware, there is another subject

to which our Government attaches high priority, namely,

multilateral aid. The Argentine Republic has submitted a

proposal to convert the present World Food Programme

into a truly effective instrument for the elimination of

hunger through the establishment of a world food fund.

Changes in current bilateral programmes and the World

Food Programme should be largely based on multilateral

solutions that will not damage the trade of the efficient

exporting countries.

74. Men cannot be subordinated to things. For that

reason, recalling the words of His Holiness Pope Paul VI, we

should not reduce the number of guests at the banquet of

life but rather increase the food on the table. Today, given

technological progress and the resources of economic

organization, man has it within his power to eliminate

malnutrition for once and for all. Instead of using the

negative approach of birth control, we advocate the positive

approach of increasing production.

75. I am certain that all the Governments represented here

are aware of the need for a change in the standards that

govern political, economic and financial relations among

States, a change which should be carried out jointly and

peacefully and should meet the imperative need for the

economic and social transformation of the modern world.

Only thus will we be able to achieve the aims of the Charter

drawn up at San Francisco.

76. Consequently, my Government attaches particular

importance to the Draft Declaration on Social Progress and

Development [A/7643]. Our purpose in taking this initiative

was to contribute to international co-operation in the

social sphere. We regret the various amendments submitted

to the original draft, particularly in matters relating to

social policy, since they are not in keeping with the spirit of

the proposal and are not universally accepted.

77. So far as the Argentine Government is concerned, it

has embarked on a process of change with a view to

promoting the welfare and security of its people, a process

being brought about by methods adopted in the belief that

domestic effort is the key to the achievement of these

goals. Much hard work has been directed to this end with

the result that there has been a substantial increase in the

gross national product, an equally significant increase in

domestic investment, a better distribution of income, and a

monetary stability which led to the application to

Argentina of Article VII of the Articles of Agreement of

the International Monetary Fund and to the initiation of

some major public and social projects. During this period

our educational, health, social welfare and housing facilities

have been considerably improved.

78. At the regional level, Argentina continues to play an

active role in implementing the principles that led to the

foundation of the Latin American Free Trade Association

(LAFTA) and in drawing up new instruments for mutual

assistance and co-operation in the region.

79. On 23 April 1969, the River Plate Basin Treaty was

signed in the city of Brasilia to record the determination of

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay to co-ordinate

their efforts to achieve the physical integration

and the harmonious and balanced development of one of

the potentially richest regions in the world. The Argentine

Republic, in whose capital this process was initiated,

pledges its full support for the attainment of the goals of

the Treaty.

80. The River Plate Basin Programme has many aspects, all

of the utmost importance for the future of the region.

Among these the Argentine Government attaches particular

importance, together with the study of technical problems,

to the conclusion of a legal instrument to govern the

rational and equitable use of water resources. Since the

rivers form the backbone of a water basin such as that of

the River Plate, it is essential that their waters should be

used for the benefit of all the riparian countries in

accordance with a policy of regional solidarity.

81. The United Nations was founded in the last days of

the Second World War to safeguard international peace.

After nearly twenty-five years of rapid change and historic

achievements, our faith in the Organization has not

faltered. But if we genuinely wish to perfect the institution

which brings us together, it is necessary to be completely

frank. I must therefore say that certain practices must be

changed, if we are to prevent the United Nations from

being relegated to second place in the interplay of the

major political and economic factors of today’s world.

82. In the political field, we feel obliged to point out that

the principles underlying and inspiring the Charter of the

United Nations are sometimes forgotten, and that some

resolutions of the Organization are not implemented. We

have only to study the agenda of the present session to

realize that some of the most important issues in the world

today are not being submitted for our consideration.

83. The United Nations can be only what its members

decide that it should be. The great Powers bear the heaviest

burden in this respect because of the responsibilities

devolving on them as a result of their vast resources and

political influence. But agreements between them will not

suffice unless they serve as a foundation for erecting a

structure of peaceful coexistence which must take the

interests and opinions of the smaller countries into account.

If we do not view the problem in this light, there is a risk

that those very foundations of peace so far achieved,

foundations which we believe to be solid, will be undermined

and endangered.

84. From its beginnings in 1945, the Organization has

grown into a large administrative machine, entrusted with a

programme in which important questions are too often

combined with others that are less important or that do not

require the dedicated attention of an Organization of this

calibre. An analysis of the programmes and projects in

progress justifies our concern: we find matters that have

dragged on from session to session, having been taken up

and shelved owing to lack of interest or the impossibility of

finding a solution, others that are of a purely academic

character with no apparent practical prospects; the duplication

of activities with other international organizations in

spheres in which they possess specific competence; important

questions left in abeyance through lack of agreement

between the blocs and spheres of influence which are

notoriously active in this field.

85. In this attempt at constructive criticism, we wish to

express our concern at the increase in the Organization’s

budget in the last few years, which does not seem to have

led to a corresponding improvement in international co-operation

or to concrete results of benefit to Member

States. We are also concerned that organizations set up to

deal with important problems are on the verge of financial

collapse.

86. My country will not support the establishment of new

international bodies unless there is evidence that they are

useful for the purposes of co-operation and necessary as a

means of directing the efforts of members of the international

community. Nor shall we support any programme

that does not hold out definite promise or that does not

faithfully reflect the spirit and stature of the United

Nations.

87. We consider that a careful review of the budget is both

necessary and urgent in order to reduce its total, not only

through the cancellation of programmes that are not

demonstrably practical and appropriate, but also through

an overhaul of the actual machinery of the United Nations.

88. The smaller Powers have to make very heavy outlays

in relation to their financial capacity both for the payment

of contributions to international bodies and for other forms

of co-operation.

89. We are all certain that the headlong speed of scientific

and technological progress will be maintained during the

next few years. It is difficult to foresee the precise form of

its enormous impact on social and political structures, both

domestic and international, but easy to appreciate its

magnitude. For the moment, what is clear is that the

technological revolution of our times faces us with the

imperative need to extend its benefits to the vast masses

living on the margin of that revolution and also to enable

the developing countries to.share in the wealth and to

utilize the resources of this science and technology that we

consider revolutionary.

90. This is the only orderly, progressive and fruitful way

to modernize our structures effectively. If we are not

prepared to adopt this course, we shall have to face the

possibility of violence, with the frustration, suffering and

failures it entails.

91. The United Nations is confronted with a vital task:

that of establishing conditions to ensure that the impending

change can take place peacefully through close international

co-operation. Unless the United Nations appreciates

the scope of the responsibility involved in this task, the fate

of mankind may pass all too soon into the hands of those

who are more impatient and less mature. In the light of the

guiding principles that inspired its foundation and which

are expressed in the admirable Preamble to the Charter, we

reiterate our faith in the fundamental values of man and in

his transcendent destiny.