Uruguay, 1982

Speaking for all members of the delegation of

Uruguay, I wish to address to the President our

warmest congratulations on his election to the

presidency of the thirty-seventh session of the

General Assembly. Similarly, I wish to convey to

his predecessor, Mr. Kittani, our special

appreciation for the efficiency with which he

directed deliberations at the last session.

257. Uruguay is taking part in this session of

the Assembly with the express desire of

reaffirming once again as an absolute priority

its historical commitment to peace. This

commitment has been made manifest ever since our

independence, in our support for dialogue as an

instrument for settling disputes, and in our

unremitting defense of international law.

258. In a world troubled by the most serious

threats, where there is constant tension and

confrontations are rife, even where peace and

security have been firmly established, the

international community must, without delay,

demonstrate in a specific, practical and

effective manner, that its attachment to the

principles and purposes of the Charter of the

United Nations is not merely a formal promise or

a passive expression of hope.

259. It is deplorable to note that in the

interval since the last session of the Assembly

new clashes, with their tragic toll of death and

desolation, have taken place in many parts of the

world. The sad reality of ongoing wars lends

added urgency to the current negotiations and

strongly underlines the unavoidable

responsibility incumbent on each and every one of

us, setting aside any dialectics.

260. Given the vicious circle of mistrust,

tension and the arms race, civilized and fruitful

coexistence can be obtained only to the extent

that the various States exert their influence in

their respective spheres in conformity with the

international legal order and in strict

observance of the obligations set down in the

Charter.

261. It was this line of thinking that led

Uruguay in a constructive spirit actively to

participate in the work of the second special

session of the General Assembly devoted to

disarmament. When we take stock of the results

achieved, it is frustrating to acknowledge the

lack of substantial progress on a topic in which

a great many hopes had been placed, namely the

comprehensive program for disarmament. It is,

however, important to mention that reaffirmation

of the validity of the 1978 Final Document in

resolution S-10/2, the commitment to abide by the

priorities established in the disarmament

negotiations, and the adoption of two resolutions

on a World Disarmament Campaign and disarmament

fellowships are concrete measures in the long and

laborious process of building up universal

understanding. My country welcomes them with

satisfaction.

262. With regard to disarmament, Uruguay

enthusiastically agrees that resources not spent

on armament should be reallocated to developing

countries. It also warmly supports as a form of

progress the idea of using these resources for

the development of nuclear-free zones which,

although geographically limited, contribute to

the cause and objectives of disarmament. It is to

be hoped that this example, to which Latin

America made an outstanding contribution with the

Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in

Latin America (Treat of Tlatelolco), will be

followed by other geographical areas, thus

multiplying the number of zones to be gradually

freed from the nuclear threat. However, the

inalienable right of the developing countries to

access to nuclear technology for peaceful

purposes should be strongly reaffirmed.

263. We should now like to offer some comments

concerning the many conflicts now under way.

Apart from constituting a threat to the basis of

the harmonious coexistence of nations, these

conflicts ignore the essential fact that we are

all part and parcel of the same civilization,

which is based on shared ideals. This deeply

troubles the conscience of nations such as mine

which regard any of their expectations as

secondary to the cause of peace and place all

their endeavors at its service.

264. During the conflict in the South Atlantic

Uruguay noted with concern and anguish how the

use of forceóa procedure irreversibly proscribed

by the Charter of the United Nationsóemerged in

the American community of nations. Those

responsible chose to disregard the inexorable

tide of history.

265. On various occasions and in various

bodies my country has taken a position of

solidarity with Argentina. This position is based

on recognition of Argentina's right to claim

sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands. Today

Uruguay confirms that recognition in keeping

with the best diplomatic traditions of my

country, having been one of the first to put

forward in this very body the unquestionable

right of Argentina to the archipelago under

dispute.

266. Uruguay also reaffirms its strong desire

to help in the search for a negotiated solution

to the conflict. We are ready to participate in

efforts to attain this purpose. To that end my

Government would like to restate its willingness

to offer the necessary facilities to the

interested and concerned parties as well as to

any possible mediators so that it may receive

them in the traditional Uruguayan environment of

peace and security.

267. We have no doubt of the need for a

peaceful solution to the crisis obtaining in the

South Atlantic, but we should like to express our

firm desire that the solution not contravene the

course of history or breed future confrontations.

268. Once again the situation in the Middle

East is causing particular concern to my

Government, which, faithful to the juridical and

political principles that underlie our

international conduct, is particularly alive to

the anguish caused by the grave events that have

come to pass in Lebanon

269 We appreciate the values that Lebanon

represents. It is a nation that loves peace and

culture. The close links of friendship and

respect between our countries prompt us to call

for the strictest respect for its sovereignty,

territorial integrity, unity and political

independence. In other words, we demand respect

for its right freely to choose its own future

without foreign intervention. This obviously

implies the withdrawal from Lebanese territory

of all occupying forces regardless of their

origin.

270. In the judgment of my Government a strong

and independent Lebanon constitutes an essential

factor for peace throughout the region. The

international community must exert every effort

to co-operate with the people and Government of

Lebanon in the attainment of these goals. It is

likewise imperative that the parties to the

conflict adopt an unswerving policy to that end.

271. Uruguay will firmly support any action

designed to bring about peace in the Middle East.

That is consistent with our position. It should

be brought about through agreements negotiated

among the parties involved without violence and

with justice so as to guarantee all parties the

possibility of living within safe and recognized

boundaries in accordance with international law

and the relevant resolutions of the Security

Council.

272. In that spirit we are participating in

the Sinai multinational peace-keeping force, and

we are ready to co-operate in various actions to

be undertaken in order to consolidate and broaden

the process leading to a just and lasting peace

in the region, regardless of extraneous interests

and destabilizing factors.

273. Equally it bears repeating here that the

objective of peace in the Middle East

presupposes the existence and recognition of the

State of Israel and its right and the right of

other nations not to be attacked. Of course it is

also necessary for the international community

to understand the legitimate aspirations of the

[people of Palestine to have a territory in

which to settle and establish a free and

sovereign State.

274. My country's foreign policy has been

based on unswerving respect for fundamental

principles such as non-interference in the

domestic jurisdiction of States and the right of

all peoples to self-determination. The

application of these principlesówhich all have

the same source, the preservation of the right to

exercise sovereigntyóhas been constantly and

seriously hampered by the actions of countries

and pressure groups which, because of their

support for internal forces, internationalize

conflicts that clearly fall within the domestic

jurisdiction of States. This has led to a

situation in which the inalienable right of

States to decide their own future without foreign

pressure or undue influence is disregarded. This

is dramatically evident in regions such as

Central America, where, furthermore, violence and

terrorism daily infringe the political, economic

and social stability of countries, which is an

essential element of the full development of the

peoples of the region.

275. With regard to Afghanistan, the majority

of the international community has expressed a

strong desire for detente, an end to military

clashes so as to avoid greater suffering and

misery among the people, the immediate withdrawal

of foreign troops, total respect for the rights

of the civilian population and restoration of

effective sovereign national authority. The

persistence of the conflict creates a dangerous

source of friction that must be resolved as soon

as possible.

276. In the context of these particular

issues, I must state that my Government attaches

great importance to the achievement of a peaceful

independent solution to the question of the

unification of Korea through inter-Korean

dialogue. That would help create conditions

favorable for mutual understanding and for the

general stability of the region.

277. It would be worth while to reactivate the

good offices of the Secretary-General in this

case for discus-sions between North and South

Korea.

278. In all the international bodies in which

it participates, Uruguay has always defended the

principle of the self-determination of peoples.

Therefore, we reaffirm once again the Namibian

people's right to independence and its right to

choose, in a climate of peace and free from undue

pressures and external influences, its own

political constitution, within the framework

guaranteed by the United Nations provisional

administration. Uruguay's stand on this issue is

not anomalous; it is consistent with, and a part

ot', our unswerving commitment to peace and our

emphatic rejection of any use of violence or

terrorism.

279. Uruguay is a party to the International

Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of

Racial Discrimination We were the first State to

accept the machinery set forth in that Convention

for receiving individual complaints and

communications. That position is not one dictated

by circumstances; it has been energetically and

unswervingly held by my country's

representatives ever since the inception of the

United Nations, ever since the Organization first

gave impetus to the process of decolonization.

280. Although the great majority of the

nations of the international community have

ratified or acceded to that Convention, thus

making it a universal instrument, discrimination

on the basis of color, race, national or ethnic

origin, or social class remains a tragic fact

which shocks our conscience and is an affront to

the spirit of progress of mankind.

281. The forced displacement of indigenous

populations; the marginal existence of national

or ethnic minorities; the existence of

discriminatory laws; the persistence of practices

based on notions of superiority or on racial

hater: all these things convince us that the

Programme for the Decade for Action to Combat

Racism and Racial Discrimination, which expires

in December of next year, should be renewed and

broadened.

282. Unfortunately the examples I have given

are not the only manifestations of

discrimination. It has also been manifested in

the most painful forms of religious intolerance,

which, in various parts of the world, continue to

provoke a great deal of violence, persecution,

and even genocide. In this connection, my country

reaffirms its full support for the Declaration on

the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and

of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief,

which the Assembly adopted fast year in

resolution 36/55. At the same time we urge the

prompt resumption of consideration of a draft

international convention on this matter. That

instrument would serve as the basis, together

with other necessary efforts, to combat theories,

systems and institutions based on discriminatory

principles which disregard the fundamental

equality of the family of man.

283. Uruguay was also one of the first

countries to ratify the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination

against Women, which was adopted by the Assembly

three years ago in resolution 34/180, and we

welcome the fact that the Convention has come

into force. We express the hope that it will help

to ensure the participation of women, on an equal

footing and at every level of society.

284. In that connection, we must mention a

system that shocks the conscience of mankind and

makes a doctrine of iniquity: Uruguay is

pleased to affirm with its usual conviction its

radical opposition to that policy as well as to

any other form of racism that openly and

stubbornly contradicts the moral and

philosophical premises that form the basis of our

most deeply and dearly held cultural traditions.

285. The world crisis facing mankind is

manifested not only in the destruction caused by

those who ignore the single origin and nature of

human-beings. It is also clear in the inability

of the international community to put a stop to

the ongoing violence which has become an integral

part of the political practice of nations,

nations with a long tradition of institutional

stability and those recently emancipated from

colonialism. That violence has resulted in

constant acts of terrorism, with their tragic

toll in murder, kidnapping and extortion; this

seems to flourish in societies where democratic

institutions prevail and where an attempt is made

to preserve fundamental freedoms and individual

rights. On the other hand, symptomatically, the

phenomenon of terrorism does not appear in any

country where totalitarianism exists with its

systematic violation of human rights.

286. Acts of terrorism are grave offences

against common law; they violate the most

fundamental principles of persona! and

collective security, whatever the political

pretexts invoked for their commission.

287. Uruguay is a party to all the conventions

adopted within the United Nations system and the

Organization of American States with the aim of

preventing and punishing acts of terrorism. It

has also participated very actively in the work

of the Ad Hoc Committee on International

Terrorism. Several of its proposals on the

subject have been approved by that Committee.

288. Notwithstanding our recognition of the

efforts that have been made, we must firmly state

our dis-appointment at the fact that the

international community has not adopted

practical, specific and comprehensive measures

to deal effectively with the grave and complex

problem of terrorism. Although the maintenance of

internal security is the responsibility of each

individual State, co-operation among countries is

essential to prevent and punish, in a co-ordinate

way, crimes with international implications.

289. Although consideration of the underlying

causes of acts of terrorism and violence deserve

attention, it must not lead us to delay

indefinitely the search for remedies to deal with

what is an undeniable fact: that acts of

terrorism are invariably repeated, deserving the

repudiation of all civilized nations.

290. The efforts to prevent and punish crimes

committed against diplomatic agents and other

persons enjoying immunities established in

international law are based on the adoption in

New York, m 1973, of the Convention on the

Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against

Internationally Protected Persons, including

Diplomatic Agents. But we believe that a

multilateral machinery must be established to

deal with acts of terrorism affecting ordinary

persons who do not enjoy the special protection

of those immunities, but who are, none the less,

entitled to international protection as human

beings.

291. This year we have witnessed a historic event of great importance: the

approval by the great majority of the

international community of the United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea,- which

establishes a new and comprehensive legal order

applicable to the seas and based on the

recognition of the sovereign rights and

jurisdiction of the littoral States in the waters

adjacent to their coasts, in an exclusive

economic zone, and on the continental shelf,

with due regard for the jus communication and the

rational exploitation of the resources of the sea.

292. It is also based on co-operation for the

development of scientific research, the

protection and pres-ervation of the marine

environment, the administration by an

international authority of that zone, of the

sea-bed and the ocean floor beyond national

jurisdiction with the necessary powers for

organizing and controlling those activities

related to the exploration and exploitation of

resources and the establishment of a production

policy for that zone and a comprehensive system

for the settlement of disputes.

293. However, we regret that some countries

were not able to overcome their difficulties with

respect to certain points and cast a favorable

vote. Nevertheless, we trust and hope that they

will be able to reconsider their position for the

benefit of the common good. This would allow us

to reach our objective, which would constitute an

achievement of prime importance for the stability

of international relations and the consolidation

of world peace.

294. With regard to the environment, 1982 has

been a year rich in important events, to which

our country contributed decisively and with

conviction. The session of a special character

that was convened by the Governing Council of

UNEP last May in Nairobi commemorating the tenth

anniversary of the United Nations Conference on

the Human Environment, which was held in 1972 in

Sweden, was followed by the tenth session of the

Governing Council. A signal achievement of these

two meetings was the renewal of the "spirit of

Stockholm", the solemn ratification by more than

100 nations of their commitment to preserve the

environment, thus ensuring a vital framework for

humanity and the common heritage of future

generations. The Nairobi and the Action Plan for

the Human Environment? that were adopted

represent a new policy approach. It is a more

systematic and technical approach which includes

a considerable strengthening of international

action on the subject and the implementation of

the resolutions adopted at the /M Meeting of

Senior Government Officials Expert in

Environmental Law, which my country was pleased

to host in October and November 1981.

295. The Second United Nations Conference on

the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

was held last August at Vienna. The objective of

the Conference was to analyze at the world level

those problems concerning the cosmos at a time

when we are approaching a quarter century of the

space age. Uruguay participated actively in the

work of that Conference, firmly convinced that it

was the appropriate time to take stock of the

past and the present in order to make a realistic

projection for the future with a view to genuine

international co-operation on this question.

296. The enormous increase in the field of

communications and the interdependence of

peoples that provide our civilization with a real

sense of unity has made it imperative for the

field of communications to become an essential

element in the economic and social development of

all countries.

297. Faithful to this idea, we have adhered to

the proclamation by the General Assembly of the

World Communications Year and we are ready within

our means to take part in the Plan of Action to

be undertaken next year. To this end, we have

already established a National Committee in our

country in which all the relevant ministries and

government services are represented.

298. Uruguay is a party to the international

Covenants on Human rights, including the

Optional Protocol to the international Covenant

on Civil and Political Rights. It has always

fought in every forum against the death penalty.

Hence we were pleased to note the significant

progress made in the drafting of a second

optional protocol to abolish capital punishment,

a vestige of history that denies the first right

of manóthe right to life.

299. In the same spirit, Uruguay has taken

part in the work of the Commission on Human

Rights is preparing a convention against torture

and other cruel, inhuman and degrading acts.

300. We have also reaffirmed our interest in

any measure contributing to the strengthening and

expanding of the machinery of the Organization to

improve the effective enjoyment of individual

rights and fundamental freedoms.

301. We also strongly support the planned

international campaign against drug trafficking,

within the context of the international Strategy

for Drug Abuse Control. This campaign is designed

to achieve the eradication of another human

scourge.

302. There are other initiatives aimed at

consolidating the objectives adopted by the

Assembly when pro-claiming international years,

such as the Year of the Child in 1979 and the

Year of Disabled Persons in 1981. We support

these initiatives. Given my Government's prime

interest in these matters, we noted with

satisfaction the considerable progress made in

the drafting of a convention on the rights of the

child, as well as that concerning the

implementation of the World Programme of Action

concerning Disabled Persons, designed to prevent

incapacitating disabilities and to promote

rehabilitation and the full integration of the

handicapped into society.

303. None the less, it is our earnest hope

that these aims will not become obscured by

rhetoric, as has unfortunately happened

frequently in the international community, which

shows the international community's incapacity

to go beyond the level of mere statements at a

time when crucial and ongoing challenges facing

mankind call for strong substantive action.

304. We know that there are good intentions;

we know that there is no lack of theoretical

concepts; but the shaping of a more just and

equitable world economy, as well as the

establishment of a legal order in a world fraught

with individualism and violence, is still mere

aspirations and nothing more.

305. A question affecting the whole of mankind

on which we cannot remain silent is that of

hunger and poverty which ruthlessly afflict more

than 900 million people in the world.

306. Uruguay, a developing country, cannot

accept with criminal indifference the suffering

of others as well as the passivity of the

machinery of a system that in practice violates

the basic tenets of the Organization.

307. These situations, which deny the very

minimum of human solidarity, demand the priority

attention of the Assembly in order to restructure

the links of interdependence and find solutions

capable of alleviating the scourge of hunger and

its cause, destitution. We must have the

necessary political will to adopt appropriate

measures allowing us to expect a certain measure

of success in the struggle for better health and

education in order to improve the lot of mankind

and enhance the sanctity of life.

308. In the field of health, it is fitting to

mention specifically the fact that Uruguay has

begun a massive vigorous campaign to vaccinate

all our population. This is the culmination of

the constant work of prophylaxis that has been an

ongoing concern of the health services of my

country.

309. It is also worth noting that, in the Held

of education, my Government is making every

effort to implement an ambitious literacy program

which will finally eliminate the already very low

rate of illiteracy of no more than 5 per cent.

The first stage of this campaign has successfully

been completed recently this year.

310. It is paradoxical to note that at this

time when we have witnessed the greatest

achievements and progress and when science and

technology borders on science fiction there still

remain groups of people living in abject poverty.

This is a harsh reminder of our unavoidable

responsibility.

311. This question cannot be considered in

isolation from the matter of trade, where we feel

the effects of tariff barriers in our efforts to

attain efficient food and agricultural

production. That is especially true in those

developing countries which have the good fortune

of possessing great resources to contribute to

the feeding of the world but which, because of

actions {taken by industrialized nations, must

face trade and marketing problems, to which I

shall refer later.

312. Concerning the world economic situation,

we must express our. deep concern at the gradual

and continuing deterioration within an acute

process that seems to accelerate day by day. The

persistence of recessionary and inflationary

processes, the increase in unemployment, the

instability of exchange rates, imbalances in the

balance of payments of the industrialized

countries, the consequent irritating

protectionist reactions and, finally, why not

say it?óthe indifference and the lack of the

political will on the part of the industrialized

countries to face the demands imposed by the

overwhelming world crisisóinexorably delay the

economic progress of the developing countries,

which are the majority of those gathered in the

Assembly.

313. Within an economic framework such as that

which exists today, which is marked by an intense

and ever greater interdependence among the

peoples of the world, it is imperative to find

solutions based on a global economic approach,

which makes it necessary to adopt a long-term

global economic policy. This requires the optimum

allocation of resources, which in turn signifies

the redistribution and relocation of industries

according to the competitive capacity of each

country, the general opening of economies in

order to ensure an effective interplay of the

laws of competition, and the adoption of a

strategy capable of covering ail the developing

areas without excluding key sectors.

314. Within the same line of reasoning and

with reference to international trade, we must

note the grave damage done to economic

development in general and to food production and

agricultural and industrial development in

particular by the discriminatory practices and

tariff barriers applied in many parts of the

world, particularly by the developed countries.

315. We believe that the creation of an

effective system of global security in the food

sector must be accompanied by the parallel

creation of an international financing system

which will not be prejudicial to the

food-producing developing countries. A new world

food order is a prerequisite for any

international economic order.

316. Within the structural readjustment that

we are proposing, the problem of energy is also a

priority that must be dealt with as a whole. A

new world energy order must assure access by all

non-oil- producing countries with a limited

economic potential to sources of supply at

reasonable and predictable prices. We must also

consider the development and international

financing of new and alternative sources of

energy. This must be a pre-condition of the

establishment of any new international economic

order.

317. The developing countries are not resigned

to this critical situation but insist upon a

clear-cut position regarding the adoption of

decisions by international bodies and greater

participation in the acceptance of such

instruments.

318. Within this context, we fully support the

aims of and the steps taken to ensure the

relaunching of global negotiations, on the

understanding that what will be discussed

concerning this subject is of interest to

everyone in the international community. These

negotiations must be carried out in conditions of

absolute equality.

319. It is difficult to understand how in the

world of today we could reach agreements on

energy and financing, international trade,

protectionism and readjustment, raw materials and

food, and industrialization and technology

without the representation of all those

interested and concerned. There must be an end to

exclusion and selective participation and the

question of the formal initiation of global

negotiations must as soon as possible be brought

to the Assembly.

320. It is worth noting that the developing

countries have initiated a very significant

attempt to establish a South-South dialogue

through the implementation of a wide range of

activities involving economic cooperation.

Uruguay has participated and is participating

with enthusiasm and good faith in this process,

which offers clear hope of widening the basis of

the economies of the developing countries and of

bettering the standard of living if their

peoples. That common effort is an appropriate and

suitable response to the needs and requirements

of our time, always bearing in mind the

solidarity that must prevail among countries that

are going through similar stages of development.

321. We firmly believe that development and

security are intimately linked concepts and it

could be said that there can be no integral

development without the counterbalance of

collective economic security through a

multilateral juridical system that guarantees the

full implementation of the rules and principles

of co-operation for development. This is also

applicable to the area of defense, in the case

of economic measures or actions aimed at

thwarting the sovereign will of States, the

maintenance of the essential conditions of free

and normal economic development and, in the last

analysis, the effective practical application of

international economic justice.

322. Uruguay has voted in favor of the program

budget for the biennium 1982-1983. This is a

budget in which the concept of zero growth is

used for the first time, after many years of

sustained increases. The comprehensive nature of

the budget appropriations does not entail an

increase in the financial burden.

323. The support of my country for this policy

of austerity is based upon the unavoidable need

to rationalize the hyperactivity of the United

Nations and prevent the dispersal of effort. In

this context, we should like the process of

identifying and eliminating activities that are

outdated, inefficient or of marginal usefulness

to be intensified. This also applies to reduction

of the very high percentage of costs absorbed by

salaries and staff contributions. That percentage

bears no reasonable relationship to the funds

appropriated by the Organization for programmes

of work of a substantial nature in the economic,

social and humanitarian fields.

324. Finally, we should like to make reference

to something of special importanceónamely, the

strengthening of the role of the Organization and

equitable representation of its members of the

Security Council.

325. As I have already said, Uruguay fully

understands and supports the purposes and

principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

which are those that have always guided our

foreign policy. Support for the objectives of

international peace and security are, in the end,

identified with the aims of the civilization to

which we all belong. We reaffirm our faith in the

present and permanent relevance of this

civilization and we express our steadfast support

for all measures aimed at overcoming the

obstacles in the path of the development of

harmonious relations and mutual respect based on

justice among all the peoples of the world.

326. We place our greatest hope in the common

effort of all those in the Organization and in

the firm and unswerving application of the means

and instruments available to the Organization.

In this way we shall be able to make gradual but

steady progress in maintaining and consolidating

international peace and security, developing

co-operation among nations, promoting the rules

of international law and improving relations

among States as well as on questions of the

procedure for the peaceful settlement of disputes

both regionally and internationally.

327. Only two months ago, our President

Alvarez, analyzing the Latin American scene

during a recent meeting of the Latin American

Integration Association, said:

"A world of super-Powers and mini-States, of

groups of countries with enormous imbalances in

their relative development, is their share in the

fruits of progress and in their capacity to

negotiate, calls for concerted action by those

countries that are more excluded than weak, in

order that it may become more just.

"With its demographic influence, its common

cultural tradition, its enormous and unexploited

riches and its dedication to peace and law, Latin

America has a!! the conditions necessary to

constitute an influential area, not only in

economic alignment but in the political and

cultural spheres as well, within an international

order where im-balances of power give rise to

voluntary or involuntary situations of

domination.

"Setting aside questionable schemes used to group

countries according to their level of

development or relative power, I should like to

see a Latin America that would be a totally new

and independent force projected into the future

as the continent of hope, of freedom and of

justice, as the bridge and the link between the

more developed and the most backward areas of the

world."

328. In this same line of thinking, I have no

doubt that Uruguay will honor its commitment to

America and to the world for the harmonious

convergence of both currents, so that we can

devote all our efforts to serving the aim of

closer and more reciprocal constructive

co-operation.

329. With regard to matters relating to the

functions of the Security Council, the

distressing events that occurred during this year

make it more than ever necessary to amend the

rule of unanimity that was established for the

benefit of the permanent members of the Security

Council, a rule that tends to perpetuate an

obvious situation of privilege the exercise of

which paralyses the Council's mission for peace.

330. It is also necessary to say that with the

passing of time and in the light of many painful

and enlightening experiences it will become

necessary to consider the possibility of giving

thought to the most effective means of organizing

the system of voting in the Security Council,

above all in order to preserve intact its

constitutional power to act for the preservation

of peace, which is the very reason it was brought

into being.

33!. It is then fittingóand in this regard we

fully agree with the proposal made by the

Secretary- Generalóto hold a special meeting of

the Security Council. This would be a frank,

determined action that would enable us

realistically to face those problems in the

solution of which we are all ineluctably engaged.

332. In conclusion, my Government is prepared

to support any effort designed to strengthen the

Organization and to enable it fully to assume

its responsibilities. Hence, we shall make a

firm contribution to creating a climate favorable

to dialogue and trust, to civilized and fruitful

coexistence, starting along the road towards a

community of nations without tutors or pupils, a

community in which the legal equality of States

will be expressed through a policy of full

respect for the right of everyone freely to

choose his own future without interference or

aggression. This is the task we all face. It is

an unavoidable and daily task that poses: a

crucial challenge, one we must face and one we

must overcome, guided by the same spirit of

solidarity and brotherhood, as we continue along

the path of peace and justice towards the new

conditions the future holds in store for mankind.