Bolivia, 1982

It is a great and significant honour for me to come to this rostrum

representing my country before the world.

38. My first words go to you, Mr. President, to congratulate you

on your well-deserved election as President of this session of the

Assembly. Your unmistakable gifts as an experienced diplomat

guarantee the success of our work. It is a pleasure, and not merely a

formality, for me to convey the thanks and congratulations of my

Government to Mr. Kittani of Iraq for the wise and successful way in

which he carried out his duties as President of the thirty-sixth

session.

39. Recently the United Nations has seen its mission even further

enriched by the appointment as Secretary-General of one of its most

distinguished officials, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, a most worthy

representative of Peruvian diplomacy. Bolivia reiterates its pleasure

at his appointment and its congratulations and best wishes to him,

the first Secretary-General representing Latin America, and the

brotherly and ancestral ties between Bolivia and Peru and the Andean

countries are well known. His presence as Secretary-General is a

sound guarantee for the fulfilment of the purposes of the

Organization.

40. For years we have been expressing our faith and reiterating

our purposes. Every year we come here and repeat our intention to

carry out the purposes and principles of the Charter. We announce

optimistic outlines for the future and the definite achievement of

our aims. However, realistically and objectively I think we must now

pause on our way to see whether we have really moved beyond mere

statements to concrete achievement.

41. Peace is still an unachievable goal and perhaps, sad to say,

a nostalgic dream of Utopia. Colonialism still seeks to broaden its

areas of domination, with aggressive and even bloody usurpation;

hegemony and the use of pressure by the powerful still persevere and

indeed show a disturbing tendency to increase. Inequalities and

injustices continue to show their ugly faces. Terrorism and new

treacherous forms of aggression, under cover of the advocacy of

change, disrupt every form of coexistence. Racial discrimination

continues as a flaw of mankind in our time. Territories conquered by

force of arms remain in foreign hands.

Arms manufacture and the development of new and powerful means of

destruction cast gloom over the positive achievements of our

civilization, and now there is a real danger that tomorrow, just as

the twenty-first century is about to begin, we may find ourselves

with a world in ruins unless common sense prevails.

42. These are some glimpses of the realities of today's world,

which persist despite the efforts of the Organization. My delegation

would like to state certain views on these matters, as an expression

of the unswerving Bolivian position on principles and international

policies.

43. Bolivia is one of the non-aligned countries, for compelling

reasons of principle and also because we advocate the elimination of

dogmatic compartmentalization and hegemonic bonds and because

self-determination and the inviolability of sovereignty are the

proper response to the efforts of the various forms of imperialism to

absorb others. The non-aligned countries advocate a role of balance

in defence of the rights of the weaker countries in the face of the

cold struggle by the great Powers for supremacy.

44. Those who supply raw materials and make great sacrifices in

their struggle to achieve their development have their spokesmen in

the non-aligned countries. The demands and claims made by many of our

peoples have received a positive echo in the voice of the non-aligned

countries. That is the case, forexample, with Bolivia's demand for

the restoration of its sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Only an

equidistant position between the imperialist forces, avoiding

subjugation and imposed conditions, can grant a country moral

authority and consideration in international affairs, and that is

precisely the position which the non-aligned countries seek.

45. It is this unswerving support for the principles of self-determination

and sovereignty which has led the Government of Bolivia, presided

over by General Guido Vildoso Calderon, to apply a policy of a return

to democratic institutional rights for our people.

46. In Bolivia we have set in motion the pre-electoral process,

with the scheduling of a general election for April 1983. The

consensus achieved among the political parties on the basis of the

invitation to participate made by the Government without any

discrimination has led to the constitution of a National Electoral

Court. We have also started on the study of a plan for economic

recovery in order to apply emergency provisions to overcome the

situation of deficit and the serious crisis inherited by the present

Government. As a result of a study, the economic plan was, also on

the basis of consultations, brought to the notice of the political

forces and the trade unions; a political and economic dialogue thus

took place.

47. Giving effect to the general feelings expressed by the

political parties and labour representatives, who requested an

immediate transition to a democratic system, the Bolivian Government

has decided to convene the representative Parliament elected in the

1980 elections, which had been suspended by a military coup at the

time, so that that Parliament will, in accordance with the norms of

the political Constitution of the State, appoint the new office

holders who will have charge of the nation from 10 October next. For

them and their arduous task in government we request the solidarity

of all nations, particularly on account of the grave economic crisis

that my country is experiencing. The new constitutional authorities

will have to overcome that crisis and will need all the co-operation

that they can possibly obtain from friendly countries-combined, of

course, with Bolivia's own efforts-in order that Bolivia may progress.

48. All this process of transition to democracy has taken place

within the framework of an unchanging respect for human rights and

the prerogatives of the citizens and on the basis of the fulfilment

of the treaties and international commitments entered into by Bolivia.

49. On 10 October next the armed forces of Bolivia will restore

the political control of the nation to a civilian Government. This

voluntary gesture, in keeping with the wishes of the Bolivian people,

is worth emphasizing in this international forum.

50. Another subject which I cannot refrain from mentioning is

that of the progress of integration. Happily, we are living in a time

of integration and economic co-operation, of interdependence. All

nations-literally all-need something from others. There is inevitably

a need for raw materials, goods and services, technology, credits and

assistance of all sorts. What is important is that the prices should

be fair, exchanges just and that co-operation have but one aim-to

secure the goal of shared development and common benefit. ..

51. In the regional and sub-regional spheres Bolivia has been

taking part in all the programmes of integration and co-operation.

Its special geographical location in South America and the fact that

it is a country with tributaries of three of the four major river

basins of the continent has given it a unique status as a signatory

country of all the sub-regional agreements as well as the regional

treaties of the Latin American Integration Association and the Latin

American Economic System. For example, we are a member of the

Cartagena Agreement, binding on the Andean nations, and a signatory

of the Treaty for Amazonian Co-operation and the Treaty of the River

Plate Basin.

52. The Bolivian position with regard to the process of

integration is clear. We uphold the need to preserve, expand and

improve the machinery of the integration process. Integration and the

programmes and actions for co-operation are only a means towards the

ends of development and the harmonious progress of our nations. We

must also nurture, strengthen and improve those instruments of

economic and social progress, whose sole beneficiaries must of course

be our peoples and their future.

53. We must also make the North-South dialogue a reality and seek

ways to give viable form to the new international economic order.

This scheme has so far not had the acceptance, the solidarity and

particularly the political will of the industrialized nations, which

it needs if its basic objectives are to be met.

54. These problems, therefore, should be seen as part of the

struggle for economic, political, social and cultural liberation of

peoples who, like those of Bolivia, are currently engaged in their

own development. If manifest unwillingness and delaying tactics

continue to be shown, it will be impossible to intensify the

co-operation which at the international level should promote the

development of nations in a setting of justice and equity. We

therefore look forward very much to the prompt initiation of the

global negotiations.

55. Understanding, co-operation and the processes of integration

have another requirement in order to be perfect-the redressing of

injustices and inequalities, I must refer once again, before the

world community assembled here, to our geographical condition-the

fact that we are landlocked, a fact that has been forced upon us for

the past 103 years. This reference also derives from the imperative

mandate given by my people, who for more than a century have pressed

for their rights to return, with sovereignty, to the shores of the

Pacific.

56. We all know that when they have the stamp of legitimacy the

rights of nations are never exhausted. Therefore, the return of

territories which have been usurped in so many latitudes of the world

is essential.

57. With regard to the maritime problem of Bolivia, the time of

our return to the Pacific Ocean is bound to come. But good faith is

necessary for this, together with a clear readiness by the other

party to make reparations. We also need action and the encouragement

and support of the international organizations, particularly if, as

is fortunately the case, we have the firm support of the majority of

the world community for our just cause.

58. Humanity has virtually put an end to one of the most

degrading and odious systems adopted by man in the past-slavery. But,

late in the twentieth century, still other grievous vestiges of the

past remain as an affront to mankind-colonialism and racial

discrimination.

59 Twenty-two years have elapsed since the general Assembly adopted

the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries

and Peoples. Each year we revert to the terms of that declaration and

the general Assembly adopts new resolutions on specific cases.

Nevertheless, new forms of colonialist aggression can be clearly

seen, not simply disregarding the principles and purposes of the

Charter but clearly violating them. A recent example was the case of

the Malvinas Islands, with its bloody epilogue, leading to the

restoration of colonialism, which should give us food for serious

thought.

60. Faithful to its position of principle on the rejection of any

form of colonialism, Bolivia supported the Argentine cause and will

continue to support the demands for repossession of its territory

made by our brother nation of the River Plate, as we have done since

1833, when the President of Bolivia at that time was the first to

speak up against the British usurpation of that era.

61. We can never try hard enough in the Organization to put an

end to colonialism and all forms of seizure of territories and the

imposition of tutelage and foreign rule on peoples. On the day we

dispose of these last vestiges of colonialism mankind will be able to

take pride in having taken an enormous step towards a world of truly

free communities, such as those for which the Liberator Bolivar

fought. His bicentenary is to be commemorated next year, and I am

sure that the Organization will wish to participate in commemorating

that anniversary, thereby confirming the universal nature of

Bolivar's thinking and deeds.

62. With regard to racial discrimination and apartheid my

country's consistent attitude has been one of opposition and

condemnation of thatsituation and system, which are a breach of the

elementary principles of equality and human rights.

63. Man holds certain rights even before his birth. if we commit

a breach of those rights; we offend God, who modelled our spirit on

His image and in His likeness.

64. 1 said at the beginning of this statement that peace was an

objective that the wortd had not yet achieved. The recent distressing

events in the Middle East, particularly those in Lebanon, give some

idea of the deplorable situation.

65. I must express here the deep concern of the Bolivian

community and its Government over the now long-drawn-out crisis in

the Middle East, which has so grievously affected various peoples in

the region. We must strive to find there an understanding which, with

recognition of the rights of the countries involved, will bring about

a return to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

66. Violence can only give rise to greater violence and peace is

not a free gift; it must be built carefully, with sacrifice and

magnanimity.

67. The mission of the United Nations with regard to the problems

of the Middle East and of the world in general is still an arduous

one requiring unswerving commitment. We must all be committed to this

task if we want to show that man is capable of thinking of the

future, using his intelligence to coexist and to build, to reconcile

differing views and not to hate, thus overcoming a shameful recent

past, which paradoxically encompassed the greatest examples of

barbarity and tragedy as well as the greatest achievements of the

technological era. The answer to the challenge of the years to come

ties within us; it is the possibility of offering the coming

generations a world of harmony, peace and justice.

68. These difficult problems concerning peaceful coexistence lead

to another major theme of our age. I am referring to the problem of

disarmament. A Bolivian writer has said:

Two of the greatest mistakes made by mankind were to condemn

Socrates and to manufacture the atomic bomb. The first did violence

to, the meaning of justice; the second showed man the road to his own

destruction.

69. Instruments have been adopted by the United Nations and at

the multilateral and bilateral levels on the need for disarmament and

the prohibition of nuclear weapons including resolutions banning test

explosions in the atmosphere and under water. In open contradiction

with these commitments, however, the arms build-up, the

sophistication of weapons and the production of new and menacing

means of destruction have continued. Unfortunately, each conflict

gives rise to improvements in and new uses for the means of warfare,

as was the case in the recent painful conflict over the Malvinas.

70. Perhaps what is needed to stop the arms build-up is in the

first place spiritual disarmament: the elimination of hatred and

prejudice; the liquidation of barriers of ideological animosity; the

promotion of fellowship, bearing in mind that mankind is after all a

single entity and that fraternal understanding is possible.

71. The period of multiple crises which mankind is once again

experiencing is straining our capacity to face up to the challenge it

presents and our courage. The Organization is again being put to the

test and we the Members must not evade this tremendous challenge but

meet it head on. The principles of the Charter and all the

resolutions and declarations generated by the problems of the word

form a basic body of norms accepted by all the word. We must now show

that we can go beyond the spirit and the letter of those documents

and are capable of establishing peaceful coexistence, with freedom,

bread and love for all the people of our earth.