Indonesia, 1983

215. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to address to Mr. Illieca

the felicitations of my delegation on his assumption of

the presidency of the thirty-eighth session. His election

is deserved recognition of his many accomplishments in?

the service of his Government and of the international

community. We are confident that we shall benefit from

his wisdom and experience in our work at this session.

216. I should also like to take this opportunity to commend the previous President, Mr. Imre Hollai, on the way

he fulfilled his many responsibilities in difficult circumstances, and to record our deep appreciation of his guidance and leadership.

217. On behalf of the Indonesian Government and

people, I extend a warm welcome to Saint Christopher

and Nevis on its accession to membership in the Organization. My delegation looks forward to close co-operation

between our two countries.

218. This thirty-eighth session is meeting in an atmosphere of deep anxiety and frustration, as the world

continues to be confronted by multiple crises of unprecedented proportions and persistence. The turmoil and

tension in the political sphere are matched by the stagnation and disarray that today characterize the economies

of virtually all nations, affecting most severely the developing countries. The threat of nuclear catastrophe, fed

by an incessant arms race, is casting its ominous pal over

all other human endeavours. Yet, instead of mounting

a purposeful, global response to these challenges, the

international community seems to be locked In a perverse

inability to agree on even a common approach to the

problems.

219. We have all come to recognize peace, disarmament

and development as the central, interrelated issues of our

time, but in acknowledging this reality we are in fact also

defining the comprehensive context, which is the only?

relevant content, for peacefully resolving the growing

insecurity instability in the world.

220. In the present global setting, mutual interaction

and linkages between political and economic problems

are self-evident. In an increasingly interdependent world,

the political stability and economic well-being of both

developed and developing countries are becoming more

intertwined. As the promos we face today have assumed

global proportions, in scope as well as In their consequences, they accordingly Cali for a globalized effort in

finding solutions. The emergence of a new, more equitable and rational international order can come about

only through sustained international co-operation and

dialogue, conducted within a coherent and integrated

approach to the problems at hand.

221. It is a matter of deepening concern, therefore,

to observe what our Secretary-General in his report

on the work of to- Organization so aptly described as the continuing "erosion of multilateralism and

internationalism".

222. The growing tendency of some major Powers to

resort to a bilateralism based on considerations of expediency and a narrowly defined concept of security must

be checked, as it earn only lead to heightened polarization

and the revival of naked power politics. If such a drift

were allowed to continue, while inequalities and inequities

among nations remain unresolved, interdependence will

sadly become a mere euphemism for new forms of dependence and domination. When, furthermore, each and

every conflict situation in the acid is being perceived

and east within the context of East-West rivalry, then the

solution of problems will only be further complicated

and the risk of world-wide escalation correspondingly

enlarged.

223. My Government, therefore, fully endorses the coil

made by the Secretary-General to take a fresh collective

look at the problems we are facing, to exert renewed

efforts at the highest level to strengthen international cooperation and to support the United Nations as the

principal, collective instrument through which Governments can and should control conflicts and work out

solutions together.

224. The threat to the very survival of human civilization from nuclear war remains the greatest danger facing

the world today. The nuclear arms race, far from abating,

continues to escalate to the point of complete irrationality. The more money is spent on arms, the more people

seem to be taking leave of their senses, proceeding inexorably on a path of self-destruction, spending more and

more and gaining less and less.

225. Faced with the prospect of an irreversible spiral

of escalation, the Seventh Conference of Heads of State

or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New

Delhi last March, has called for priority action on a freeze

on the production and deployment of nuclear weapons,

the speedy finalization of a comprehensive test-ban treaty

and a treaty banning chemical weapons, as well as for

action to ensure that outer space is used exclusively for

peaceful purposes. The heads of State or Government of

Non-Aligned Countries also reaffirmed the importance

of establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis

of arrangements freely arrived at among the Stash. I of the

regions concerned.

226. For its part, Indonesia has always emphasized the

validity and relevance of the regional approach to security

and disarmament. The States of the Association of South-

East Asian Nations have long advocated a zone

of peace, freedom and neutrality within which there is

provision for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free

zone in South-East Asia. In that part of the world,

ASEAN has built an edifice for co-operation and progress

among regional States which to date has proved not only

its utility out, more importantly, its durability. The establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South-East

Asia, as a component element of a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality, would be a logical and meaningful

contribution to regional peace and stability.

227. In a climate of growing distrust and heightened tensions between the super-Powers, conflicts have become increasingly more difficult to resolve. It is to be regretted, therefore, that the shocking incident involving the shooting down of the South Korean civilian airliner on 1 September 1983 has further exacerbated this climate of tension and mutual suspicion. Indonesia welcomes the recent decision on this matter taken by the ICAO Council, which is the appropriate forum to conduct a thorough investigation and to ensure that tragedies of this kind do not occur in the future.

228. In South-East Asia, peace and regional harmony

continue to elude us because of the unresolved probate

of Kampuchea. Central to this problem is the question

of how to secure the restoration of national independence

and sovereignty for the Kampuchean people and, indeed,

how to secure their very survival as a nation. As long as

foreign forces remain in that country, as long as the

Kampuchean people arc denied the right to determine

their own future and to pursue their own political and

economic system, free from external interference, no just

and durable solution can be found to this problem.

229. We are encouraged to note that the Coalition

Government of Democratic Kampuchea has been gaining

widening support, inside Kampuchea as wet as abroad.

230. My Government reiterates its firm belief that it is

in the interest of all parties concerned to seek a comprehensive political solution through negotiation rather than

confrontation. We remain convinced that the elements

contained in the Declaration on Kampuchea provide

the best framework for such a solution. They offer an

equitable approach to ensure the re-emergence of Kampuchea as an Independent, sovereign and non-aligned

nation. That Declaration also takes fairy into account the

legitimate interests and security concerns of all countries

in South-East Asia including Viet Nam.

231. should take to stress that what Indonesia and the

other member countries of ASEAN aspire to is not a

solution beyond the attainable, given the often-expressed

desire of all States in the region for peace, stability and

mutual co-operation in South-East Asia. But it must be

based on the premise of the withdrawal of all foreign

troops from Kampuchean soil and the establishment of

a Kampuchean government of the people's own choosing,

through internationally supervised elections In which all

Kampucheans will participate, for only then can the

various political groups in Kampuchea actively work

towards the goal of national reconciliation.

232. Yet another issue which begs for a speedy political

solution based on the withdrawal of foreign forces is the

situation In Afghanistan. In addition to endangering the

peace and security of South-West Asia, this conflict has

justifiably aroused world-wide concern because of its

ramifications on a number of global issues. The sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and non-aligned

status of the country must be restored and the Afghan

refugees must be allowed to return to their homes In

safety and dignity. 1 would like to take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the Secretary-General to

find a negotiated solution, and we are encouraged by

the indications of progress so far made by his specie

representative.

233. The search for a just peace in the Middle East revolves around the questions that remain at the core of the protracted conflict in that region: self-determination and sovereign nationhood for the Palestine people and the cessation of Israeli aggression and illegal occupation of all Arab territory, including Jerusalem. Developments in this seed-bed of turbulence nave followed an unchanging pattern of movement from one violent crisis to the next, triggered by the aggressive and expansionist policies of Israel and its defiant flouting of all decisions of the United Nations. From proclaiming Jerusalem as its capital to the annexation of the Golan Heights, by the further establishment of illegal settlements in the occupied territories and the continued oppression and violation of the human rights of the Arab people in those territories, Israeli policies have been title root cause of aggravated tensions, making any meaningful progress towards solution exceedingly difficult. Ironically, these policies have brought neither peace nor greater security for Israel. Indonesia has consistent; supported all Arab initiatives, including the proposals of the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference, tied at Fez, as they provide a sound basis for the search for a just and durable peace in the region. Indonesia remains steadfast in its support of the PLO, the soy and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

234. The International Conference on this Question of

Palestine, just had at Geneva, was a historic gathering

of the international community which underscores the

urgency and concern we all attach to securing the rights

of title Palestinian people. The decisions of the Conference, in the view of my delegation, contain the key ferments for a peaceful solution to the question of Palestine.

Most importantly, it called upon the Security Council to

adopt effective measures to establish an independent and

sovereign Palestinian State white assuring the right of all

States to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. In this regard, the Council was invited

to convene an international peace conference on the

Middle East, with alt parties, tincturing the PLO and the

big Powers, as wet as other concerned States, participating on an equal footing. Our task is to secure this goal

through a process of negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.

235. Israel’s massive invasion of Lebanon test year

shocked the world and underscored the impunity with

which Israel has tried to impose its designs on the region?

in complete disregard of world censure. A year after the

invasion, Israeli forces continue to occupy large areas of

Lebanon, and the situation is further aggravated by the

involvement of more extra-regional States. My delegation

maintains that the key to the preservation of the territorial

integrity and independence of Lebanon is to secure the

immediate and tactic withdraws of ate Israeli forces and

the scrupulous observance of non-interference by all

outside Powers. This would greatly facilitate efforts In

encouraging all contending Lebanese factions towards

negotiations leading to national reconciliation. We therefore welcome the recent cease-fire as a positive step in this direction.

236. The plight of Namibia continues to be an affront

to our sense of justice and a hearty burden on the collective conscience of the international community. How long

should we bear witness to the pain and suffering of?

millions who are fighting for human dignity and soda

justice Indeed, how long can we remain patient, year?

after year, la the face of Pretoria's ruthless perpetuation

of its twin policies of occupation in Namibia and

apartheid in South Africa

237. Despite concerted International efforts, most re

entity at the International Conference in Support of the

Struggle of the Namibian People for independence, held

in Paris from 25 to 29 April 1983. the prospects of a free

and independent Namibia seem no better today that they

did last spring. Most significantly, the further report of

the Secretary-General on his recent visit to the region'

has shown that the stalemate continues because of Pretoria's insistence at Making progress towards Namibia

independence to extraneous issues such as the presence

of Cuban troops in Angola. The racist regime also persists

in efforts to perpetuate its integral occupation of Namibia

through a calculated potties of social and political fragmentation and imposing puppet regimes. As the Secretary General pointed out, unit a date is fixed for the

implementation of Security Council resolution 435 (1978

and a cease-fire comes into force, the calm of substantial

progress cannot be sustained. Against this background,

it would be naive to entertain the hope that South African

racists will ever abandon their policies and abide by the

terms of relevant Security Council resolutions without the

imposition of mandatory sanctions.

238. Indonesia will continue in its staunch support of the valiant struggle of the Namibian people under the determined leadership of SWAPO, their solo and authentic representative.

239. In South Africa, the odious policy of apartheid continues to be pursued. In the face of increased repression by the regime, the people have intensified their resistance. This was demonstrated by last month's protest meeting in Cape Town, the largest held in South Africa in over two decades.

240. It is clear that South Africa's protects of internal

oppression and external aggression have reached such a

magnitude as to pica international peace and security

in imminent jeopardy. The front-line States have borne

the brunt of South Africa's repeated armed aggressions

and attempts at military, political and economic destabilization. Such continuing threats must be

addressed by the Security Council, which has the authority and responsibility to compel South Africa's compliance with its obligations under the Charter of the United

Nations.

241. All too often the cessation of armed hostilities has led to a slackening of efforts to achieve peaceful settlement of a dispute. New efforts should be exerted to resume negotiations, as procrastination can only idea to a prolongation of the dispute or even to a resumption of armed hostilities.

242. Within the same area of the world, we continue

to view with concern the tensions and strife that have

beset Central America and the Caribbean. The factors

that have embroiled this region in incessant turmoil are

fundamentally rooted in internal, unresolved proms

women in the past thwarted movement towards social and

economic justice as well as growth towards true independence. Movement toward the solution of these problems

is hampered by externally induced overt or covert pressures. The most rational approach has come from the

Stats in the region themselves, which ultimately have the

greatest stake in re-establishing stability in the region.

243. it is in this context that my Government supports

the Contadora Group's initiative. The Group's understanding of the unique historical circumstances and its

comprehensive regional approach fully deserve serious

attention. In addition, my delegation hopes that the

exiting regional organizations wimp also pays a greater

reef in building a vibe: infrastructure for economic

co-operation, political cohesion and overall stability.

244. There is no doubt that Antarctica is of great scientific, environmental and climatic significance to the world, in addition to holding out considerable economic potential. Thus in recent years there has been increasing international interest towards the sixth continent, which in many aspects constitutes the last frontier on earth. Unfortunately, however, information about this region has not kept pace with this increased interest. There is, therefore, a real need for the universal sharing of such information and for wider international co-operation to ensure that all futures activities in Antarctica will be for the benefit of all mankind.

245. We are aware that the parries to the 1959 Antarctic

Treaty has promoted scientific co-operation and environmental research and has succeeded in preventing

territorial claims at the militarization of the region.

None the is, all of these commendable activities do not

detract from the fact that knowledge about the workings

of the Treaty and the modalities of its functioning have

so far been the privilege of a few. Hence, the initiative

of Malaysia and Antigua at Barbuda

in asking the United Nations to undertake a

comprehensive study of the region is a commendable one,

which my dedication fully supports. It is also in tune with

the decision taken at New Delhi by the Seventh Confer-

once of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries

246. Indonesia does not share the apprehension of the

Treaty's signatories that such a study would in any way

undermine what it has already achieved. Indeed, we

should air ensure that such an examination will contribute?

to increasing the informed interest at participation of

the international community in the development of the

potential of Antarctica, without undermining the legal

regime already in force.

247. In reviewing the global economic situation and

international economic relations, we cannot disguise our

exasperation at the protracted malaise that continues to

afflict them. The economic crisis which has tons since

reached global proportions is threatening the stability and

stiffing the growth of all countries. Consequently, the

economic resilience and margin of safety once available

too many developing countries have been severely eroded.

Their vulnerable economies, left exposed to the relentless

onslaughts of this extremely induced -.rises, have sustained

a most damaging impact.

248. The harsh realities besetting the world economic

scene today, compounded by factors, are in truth

symptomatic of more fundamental inadequacies plaguing

the international economic order. In the last decade, since

the sixth special session of the General Assembly, in 1974,

many initiatives were taken and numerous conferences

and meetings were held in vain attempts to redress these

structural imbalances. The failure of these efforts to begin

the democratization of the international economic order

does not negate their validity, nor should it diminish our

commitment to their eventual achievement. Indonesia,

for its part, reiterates its strong commitment to the establishment of the new international economic order. We

cannot settee for is. We want equitable participation in

the productive and decision-making processes of the

global economy.

249. What then should be our response to this multiple crises? Some industrialized countries have responded by inaugurating recovery policies which are rooted in the so-called trickier-down theory of economics. Such policies are tantamount to relegating the development of the developing countries to being a mere by-product of the economic revival of the North. But can recovery policies based on such exclusiveness be sustained against the reality of global economic interdependence? Conversely, can lasting development of the developing countries be ensured without world economic recovery? These fundamental questions pose a challenge to the collective wisdom of the international community.

250. Consequently, Indonesia fully supports the efforts of the non-aligned countries and the Group of 77, manifested at New Delhi and Buenos Aires earlier this year, to address these problems specifically. Immediate measures to stimulate world economic recovery and the accelerated development of the developing countries are urgently needed. Prominent among these measures is the proposal to convene an international conference on money and finance for development, to which Indonesia fully subscribes.

251. Concurrently, decisive action should be taken

effectively to launch global negotiations. At New Dei hi

a two-phased approach was broached; those issues concerning connotation and allocation on which agreement

has been reached will be taken up in the first phase of

the negotiations and those issues affecting the structure

of the international economic system and its institutions

will be discussed in title second phase. This flexible approach demands a corresponding constructive response

from the developed countries, in a spirit of mutual interest at interdependence, we therefore strongly cat upon

our partners to attach the global negotiations without

delay.

252. The outcome of the sixth session of the United

Nations Conference on Trade and Development has been

deeply disappointing. A golden opportunity was indeed

missed. Far from responding adequately to the gravity

of the world economic situation, the developed countries

at the Conference failed to demonstrate flexibility

corresponding to that displayed by the developing countries. Moreover, the failure of the Conference to achieve

any meaningful progress could set a damaging precedent

resulting in the erosion of multilateral co-operation. That

is not to say that we completely denigrate the results of

the Conference. We can agree with the assessment of the

Secretary-General that it did yield some positive elements which could form a basis for further dialogue and

negotiations.

253. Collective self-reliance of the developing countries,

as expressed through economic and technical co-operation

among them, Is a dynamic process? Such a process should

not only prove critical for revitalizing the development

of their economies but should also greatly contribute to

a sustained global recovery. Since its inception at Bandung in 1955, and as amplified in Algiers, Caracas and Buenos Aires, South-South co-operation has made commendable progress. Economic and technical co-operation among developing countries has become an integral part

of Indonesia's foreign policy. Within our limited capacities we have extended technical co-operation programmes to various countries both within and beyond our region. This we will continue.

254. The 1980s, so far, have brought au a distressing increase in political tensions, conflict and economic

dislocation on a global as well as a regional scale. This

turn for the worse has been accompanied by a corresponding aggravation of mutual suspicions, divisions and

polarization among nations and a continuing incapacity

of the international community to develop the necessary

concepts, policies and institutions capable of meeting the

new realities of our time. Conversely, however, the inexorable trend towards the greater independence of nations

and of solutions to problems has also strengthened a

growing consciousness of the common fate and common

future that all humankind shares in this, our one-world

community.

255. Great adversity and crisis always pose a threat, but they also offer an opportunity to effect fundamental change. So even though it may be tempting to lapse into cynical resignation or pessimism, the compelling need is to rise to the challenge and to arrest and reverse the slide into uncontrollable and unmanageable chaos and the collapse of the present international order. We should stop paying only lip service to interdependence, which as of now is asymetric l and therefore unjust anyway. Instead we should marshal our collective capacity and political will to really start dealing with the implications of genuine, global interdependence on the basis of mutual benefit and common security. Indonesia believes that there is no better time and place than right here and now, as it remains convinced that the United Nations is the international instrument best suited to develop such a capacity.

256. The presence here in New York of a large number

of heads of State or Government, in response to the

initiative of the chairman of the Movement of Non-

Aligned Countries, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, not

only serves to bolster our unwavering support for the

United Nations; the informal meetings which have been

held among these world leaders, in a spirit of sincerity

and good faith, have also provided a unique focal point

where at least the beginnings of a concerted global approach to the problems of peace and peaceful coexistence,

disarmament and development can be fashioned.

257. If this should be the ease, then 1983 could yet turn

out to be, in the words of the Secretary-General, a year

of reassessment and a turning point.