Austria, 1982

81. It is with great pleasure and

satisfaction that I extend to the President of

the General Assembly the congratulations of

Austria on his election. We welcome him as the

representative of a country with which we enjoy

close neighborly human, cultural and historical

ties. Our two countries have demonstrated to the

world in a clear and tangible manner that

friendship and mutual tolerance can transcend

ideological and political boundaries.

82. His rich political and diplomatic

experience, long involvement with the work of the

United Nations and well-known commitment to

dialogue and compromise assure us that the

General Assembly will be guided in an objective

and constructive manner.

83. We should also like to thank his

predecessor, Mr. Kittani, who presided over the

General Assembly with particular tact and skill

under most trying circumstances.

84. I further wish to seize this opportunity

to express my gratitude to the Secretary-General

for his untiring work in his high office during a

year fraught with tension, crises and conflicts.

We are very grateful for his official visit to

our country and for his support of Vienna's

status as one of the three main United Nations

centers. We sincerely admire the courage and

frankness with which he has analyzed, in his

first report on the work of the Organization, the

state of the world and of the United Nations. We

agree completely with his conclusion that we are

perilously near to a new international anarchy .

85. The thirty-seventh session of the General

Assembly has been convened against the

background of severe crises in international

relations. Rarely before has world peace been

threatened from so many sides. The conflicts in

the Middle East, the continuing armed

interventions in Afghanistan and Kampuchea, the

crises in Central America and in various parts of

Africa, the Falklands and the situation in Poland

are only a few examples. The confrontation

between East and West continues, the disarmament

process and the North-South dialogue are

stagnating, human rights violations and acts of

terror proliferate and every new day brings more

bloodshed and human suffering.

86. How can we break this vicious circle of

violence and destruction? Are we really condemned

to impotence, passivity and frustration?

87. The difficulty with the present situation

lies in the fact that we are faced with three

closely related global phenomena: a world

political crisis, a world economic crisis and a

crisis of international organizations.

88. Today more and more voices speak of the''

irrelevance of the United Nations. They denounce

the Organization's inability to live up to its

mandate. The public continues to judge the United

Nations by its capacity to produce solutions to

major conflicts. Too often they overlook the

fruitful work done by the United Nations and the

specialized agencies in all fields of

international co-operation. All important world

political issues can be discussed at the United

Nations. The United Nations provides the

framework for dealing with all major problems of

mankind. Furthermore, for smaller States not

protected by alliances and dependent upon their

own resources for their security, the United

Nations, despite all imperfections, remains the

only global forum where they can seek and hope to

find the support of the international community

for their legitimate concerns.

89. The United Nations is no more than the

collective will of its Members. It is far from

being a world Government. Therefore we must not

be more critical of international organizations

than we are of States. The responsibility for a

solution to the three-fold global crisis lays not

so much with international organizations as with

each individual State. Finally, political

morality must also play a role in world politics.

One of the most important missions of the United

Nations is to uphold ideas and principles, even

when so-called realities stand in their way. We

therefore firmly support all efforts to

strengthen the authority of the United Nations

and that of the Secretary-General, the Security

Council and the General Assembly.

90. The Secretary-General can count on the

full support of Austria in the implementation of

his proposals, in particular those concerning the

preventive intervention of the Security Council

in the early stages of international crises and a

more forthright role for the Secretary-General.

We also support his suggestions regarding the

strengthening of peace-keeping operations. As a

country with traditional ties to the United

Nations peace-keeping systemómore than 15,000

Austrian soldiers have so far served with the

United Nations peace-keeping forcesówe have a

vital interest in this area.

91. We feel that all the considerations

submitted to us by the Secretary-General are of

great importance and crucial to the future of the

Organization. They should receive high priority

and be pursued further, perhaps by a working

group. Austria would be very happy to participate

in any such endeavor.

92. The maintenance of peace is one of the

major aims of our foreign policy. As President

Kirchschlager has repeatedly emphasized, peace

begins at home. Democracy and tolerance, human

rights and social justice, conciliation and

renunciation of the use of force are the

principles that must be implemented to guarantee

domestic peace. The Austrian Federal Government's

political program is based on these principles.

93. Peace at home is the prerequisite for

peace among neighbors. At a time when

international tension is increasing, Austria

attributes particular importance to a

good-neighbor policy to improve and deepen

relations with its neighbors irrespective of

their social' and political systems. We hope

therefore to contribute also to security and

stability in Europe and in the world. Our

good-neighborly relations with Switzerland,

Liechtenstein, Italy and the Federal Republic of

Germany, which are all committed to a pluralistic

and democratic system, as well as with Yugoslavia

and Hungary, have developed along very positive

lines. As a result of pragmatic efforts on both

sides, there is now also reason to hope for

continuous improvement in our relations with

Czechoslovakia, which in 1981 were overshadowed

by a number of problems.

94. With regard to Italy, our policy of

establishing good-neighborly relations with all

countries has been actively supported by the

United Nation. General Assembly resolutions 1497

(XV) of 31 October 1960 and 1661 (XVI) of 28

November 1961 on the question of South Tyrol

brought about negotiations which in 1969 led to a

new framework of autonomy for South Tyrol.

95. Since that time South Tyrol has

undoubtedly obtained a significant amount of

autonomy. Nevertheless certain problems remain

unresolved. Some of these are of particular

significance for the preservation of the South

Tyrolean ethnic group; in particular, the

language question and the autonomous section in

Bozen of the Administrative Court. Last year

Prime Minister Spadolini gave assurances that

have not yet been carried out. The Austrian

Federal Government wishes to express its firm

expectation that the measures already agreed upon

in 1969 and not yet implemented will be carried

out as early as possible and in close

consultation with the South Tyroleans. We do so

in view of the quality of Austro-Italian

relations, the positive outcome of my talks with

Foreign Minister Colombo on 27 July of this year

in Venice and the latest statement of the Italian

Government, which has declared its determination

to seek solutions acceptable to the ethnic

minorities and to bring the entire matter to an

early conclusion. We hope that this will not

remain a dead letter and that a settlement will

be achieved in the very near future. We cannot

ignore the fact that such a settlement has also

become urgent considering the increasing anxiety

among the South Tyrolean population.

96. Good-neighborly relations are essential,

but they are not enough. We must see the world as

a whole. Austria is therefore making every effort

to restore the policy which has been described by

the term detente and was so beneficial to

Austria, Europe and the world. Of course, when we

speak of detente we do not mean a policy of

appeasement but rather continuous efforts to

achieve a modus vivendi for coexistence and

co-operation.

97. In this connection the success of the

Madrid follow-up conference to the Conference on

Security and Co-operation in Europe would be of

great importance. Austria, together with other

neutral and non- aligned countries of Europe, has

submitted a substantial and balanced draft final

document which provides inter alia for the

convening of a conference on confidence-building

and security-building measures in Europe. We

believe that a positive result in Madrid on the

basis of these proposals would be in the interest

not only of detente in general but also of

Poland, whose people have suffered such

deplorable set-backs in their development as a

result of the imposition of martial law. Austria

understands the difficulty of Poland's problems

today. Together we must find a way to revive

Poland's economy. Federal Chancellor Kreisky has

expressed ideas for comprehensive action by East

and West to help Poland overcome its enormous

economic difficulties.

98. Efforts to achieve detente cannot and

must not be limited to one continent, detente

must be universal. In the age of interdependence

and given the global dimensions of international

politics, Austria cannot and does not want to

content itself with the role of a mere observer

of world events. Every country's security depends

on the security of others. Security cannot be

achieved against one another but only with one

another.

99. Austria's position on the Middle East

question is well known and has been repeatedly

presented in detail before the Assembly. We

continue to believe that the core of the problem

is a just settlement of the Palestinian question

We see some encouraging signs: the joint

declaration of the Arab States in Fez based on

the concept of mutual recognition; the statement

of President Reagan of the United States; and the

growing perception that the Palestinian question

demands a just settlement which respects the

rights and interests of both sides. Austria

welcomes the United States President's initiative

as an historic move. It also recognizes the

importance of the results of the Fez Summit

Conference and Mr. Brezhnev's statement of 15

September 1982. We hope that a negotiating

process will now be initiated and will finally

lead to a balanced and lasting solution.

100. Austria has followed the tragic events in

Lebanon with great concern. We deeply regret and

condemn the use of force, which has claimed

thousands of human lives. We have strongly

condemned the continuing Israeli invasion of

Lebanon, which is causing inconceivable

suffering among the civilian population and

giving rise to new misery and new streams of

refugees. Another proof of the indiscriminate

nature of the attacks of the Israeli army in

Lebanon is the shelling of the Austrian Embassy,

which is located outside military target zones.

100. Austria learned with horror and

consternation of the recent massacres of

Palestinian men, women and children in the area

of Beirut. We are deeply shocked by these

atrocities. At the seventh emergency special

session on Palestine. Austria had an opportunity

to condemn this crime. Nevertheless, I would like

to stress once again the necessity and the

responsibility of the United Nations to ensure a

Ml investigation and clarification of these

criminal acts. In a letter addressed to the

President of the Security Council on 21

September, proposed on behalf of the Austrian

Government the establishment of an impartial and

objective investigation commission. We expect

that this proposal, which in the meantime has

found general support in the General Assembly in

the adoption of resolution ES-7/9, will be

implemented as early as possible.

101. Austria feels strong solidarity with

Lebanon and its severely tried people. The

withdrawal of all foreign troops and the

restoration of the full sovereignty and

territorial integrity of the country is an

absolute necessity. We hope that national

reconciliation will be achieved in Lebanon,

which will make possible the reconstruction of

that war-torn country. We will contribute as much

as we can to the attainment of this goal.

102. Austria continues to be concerned about

the fate of the Cambodian people, which has

suffered both tremendous human rights violations

and foreign intervention. As President of the

International Conference on Kampuchea, I feel a

special responsibility in this regard. I had the

opportunity to talk with the parties involved in

the conflict and to obtain a first-hand picture

of the present situation in Cambodia. I see the

initiation of a dialogue between Viet Nam and the

members of the Association of South-East Asian

Nations as a positive development. I have always

been convinced that the Cambodian problem can be

solved only by a dialogue involving all parties.

Dialogue is important, but tangible results must

follow. The International Conference on Kampuchea

has created the framework for a comprehensive

political settlement. The Declaration and

resolution of the Conference should be viewed as

a package incorporating two key elements: the

complete withdrawal of foreign troops from

Cambodia and a guaranteed the Cambodian people's

right to self-determination. This implies the

possibility freely to elect a Government.

Therefore, no faction should receive any

advantage in those elections or be placed at any

disadvantage, and all outside influences must

definitely be excluded. Internationally

controlled elections alone must determine the

composition of the future Government. This should

be the basis for the reconstruction of a free

and independent Cambodia, free from outside

intervention from any side and assured of its

place in a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality

in South-East Asia. I appeal to all parties

involved to make every effort to support the

goals of the International Conference on

Kampuchea in order to build a better future for

this long-suffering country.

103. Apart from all the political problems of

Cambodia, there is another issue of particular

concern: the gradual decay of the latest temple

city in the world, Angkor Wat. The present

political situation must not prevent urgently

needed international rescue measures. The

splendid structures of Angkor Wat are part of the

common heritage of mankind. New ways must be

found to rescue them. Granting UNESCO the right

to intervene to save endangered cultural

monuments would be an appropriate approach.

UNESCO's role in protecting the cultural heritage

of mankind could be similar to that of the Red

Cress in the area of humanitarian protection.

104. Austria remains convinced that the world

economic crisis, which particularly affects the

developing countries, can be overcome only by a

major cooperative effort by industrial and

raw-material- producing States to alleviate

poverty in the third world. I am referring here

to the proposal wade by Federal Chancellor

Kreisky at the International Meeting on

Co-operation aid Development, held in October

198i in Cancun. As one of the initiators of that

meeting, we hope that agreement can soon be

reached to revive the North-South dialogue.

105. Our commitment to human rights needs no

reiteration. The figures creak for themselves. In

1981 alone 35,000 refugees came to Austria. This

year, 1982, our expenditures on assistance to

refugees are expected to amount to about $100

million. On behalf of the Austrian Federal

Government, I should like to thank sincerely

those countries which have helped by offering a

new home to many of these refugees. Austria will

continue to care for people seeking assistance in

desperation. Despite economic difficulties, we

consider it a moral obligation, an essential

element of our humanitarian policy, to continue

to offer a haven of freedom and a source of hope.

106. Disarmament is a topic of the greatest

interest to the Austrian public and to me

personally. Austria, which is constitutionally

committed to permanent neutrality, cannot remain

indifferent in the face of the accelerating arms

race between East and West and in the third

world. In 1981 alone military expenditures

totaled $600 billion to $650 billion. And there

is a trend towards these expenditures continuing

to increase in the future. We are deeply

convinced that this tendency has to be reversed

and that the vicious circle of mistrust and arms

build-up must be broken our goal must be common

security, as stated in the Palme report:^

International security must rest on a commitment

to joint survival rather than on a threat of

mutual destruction.

107. If we agree that military strength is no way

to guarantee genuine and lasting security, the

alternative can only be closer international

co-operation. Cooperation creates confidence and

mutual dependence, and both, in turn, strengthen

security. Developments in Western Europe since

the Second World War are proof of that fact.

Traditional enemies have been brought together

into a comprehensive system of cooperation which

transcends the economic sphere and creates

manifold ties between peoples. As a consequence

of Western European co-operation, shaped around

institutions such as the European Community and

the Council of Europe, war among these nations

has become inconceivable today.

108. The Final Act of Helsinki constitutes a

new basis for co-operation and peaceful

coexistence. The historical experience of one

continent is not necessarily transferable to

others, but I am convinced that the methods and

instruments of co-operation developed in Europe

could serve as models for other regions also.

109. Another threatening feature of the

present arms race is the fact that it is no

longer confined to earth alone; it is

increasingly being carried into outer space.

During the last decade more than 1,700 military

satellites have been put into orbit. At least

three quarters of all the satellites in space are

being used for military purposes. In view of the

growing concern of the international community,

the Second United Nations Conference on the

Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

UNISPACE 82, which took place under my

chairmanship in Vienna in August, recommended

that the General Assembly and the Committee on

Disarmament give high priority to measures for

the prevention of an arms race in space.

110. I appeal to all States to conclude

agreements aimed at banning all weapons from

outer space. I have already presented Austria's

position on all major aspects of this vital issue

at the twelfth special session, the second

special session on disarmament. Today I wish to

emphasize just one point which, in our view, can

be of great significance for the reduction of

mistrust, namely, the development of

internationally recognized mechanisms for the

objective establishment and evaluation of the

state of armaments at the regional, interregional

and global levels. Austria has submitted a

memorandum on this matter to all Member States. I

should like to ask delegations to work with us on

the further development and elaboration of this

proposal.

111. Let us be frank: the second special

session on disarmament was a failure. We note

this with great disappointment. However, the

dangerous world situation, the commitment to the

survival of all and the increased awareness of

world public opinion force us to continue our

efforts to achieve disarmament as a matter of

absolute priority. The goal of these efforts must

remain a genuine balance at the lowest level,

taking into account all weapon systems and

regions. In this connection we welcome the

resumption of the Soviet-American negotiations in

Geneva on intermediate-range nuclear forces and

strategic arms reductions.

112. World crisis, the absence of peace and

justice and the progressive militarization of

international relations are the breeding ground

for new violence and terrorism. Terrorism, which

we condemn most firmly and for which there is no

justification, must be repressed but it must also

be prevented. We must strike at the roots of

terrorism wherever human rights are constantly

violated, wherever social injustice is

perpetuated and wherever political convictions

cannot be expressed in a democratic manner, the

seeds of violence will grow. Violence breeds

violence and injustice breeds injustice.

113. What can we do to prevent it? Every

citizen and every Government in the world bears

direct responsibility for peace at home and

abroad. Our good example is the prerequisite for

peaceful coexistence between individuals and

peoples and for fruitful cooperation. It is only

through co-operation that we shall be able to

meet the great challenges of our time: peace,

disarmament, respect for human rights,

development, social justice and the elimination

of violence and terrorism. We welcome all

activities, and particularly those of the peace

movements which aim to translate into reality the

principles and goals of the Charter.

114. Pope John Paul II in his address at the

17th meeting of the thirty-fourth session of the

General Assembly said: I would like to express

the wish that, in view of its universal

character, the United Nations will never cease to

be the forum, the high tribune, from which all

man's problems are appraised in trust and

justice. In the spirit of that statement, I

should like to express my earnest hope that the

United Nations, to which there is no alternative,

will play an ever more important role in

achieving a just and lasting system of world

peace.