Hungary, 1982

On behalf of the Hungarian delegation, Sir, I

offer you heartfelt congratulations on your

election as President of the thirty-seventh

session of the General Assembly. We are pleased

at your election to that high post, for it is an

expression of international recognition both of

socialist Hungary's peace-loving foreign policy

and of its activities in the United Nations. It

is our sincere hope that under your guidance the

General Assembly will carry out the tasks of this

session successfully and in a constructive

atmosphere.

2. The thirty-seventh session of the General

As¬sembly is taking place in an international

situation full of controversy and fraught with

dangers. Since last year, subversive activities

threatening peace and security have been stepped

up; tension connected with certain specific

events continues to grow.

3. The main reason for the deterioration in

the international situation is that extremist

imperialist circles are striving to upset the

balance if power which has emerged between the

two world systems. They are striving to attain

military supremacy, and to that end have started

to arm themselves on an unprecedented scale. They

are seeking to establish international conditions

in which they can impose their will on other

States. I could give many examples of the way in

which existing crises have worsened and in which

new crises have emerged, aiding and abetting the

reactionary forces.

4. The extremist imperialist circles are

systematically seeking to impair relations

between the socialist and the developed

capitalist countries, and to destroy the results

which have been achieved in the development of

East-West co-operation on the basis of mutual

interests. In order to attain their goals, they

are exerting growing pressure on the developing

countries and on the liberation movements. They

have been launching campaigns of slander and

propaganda against the socialist and other

progressive countries and have been ceaselessly

attempting to interfere in their internal affairs

on various pretexts.

79

5. We are convinced that it is in the

interest of the peoples of the world to put an

end to these processes. It is promising to note

that more and more countries and larger and

larger masses of the people are op¬posing the

unbridled arms race, the policy of force,

sabre-rattling and measures aimed at creating

tension.

6. My Government decisively condemns the

attacks launched against detente and the attempts

that are being made in poison the international

atmosphere and to step up the arms race. We

consider that our most important foreign policy

task in the present situa¬tion is to make the

greatest contribution we can to the safeguarding

of peace throughout the world, to the improvement

of the international atmosphere, to the

strengthening of international security, to the

promo¬tion of the cause of disarmament and to the

strength¬ening of friendship and multilateral

co-operation among States and peoples. We

constantly advocate this in international forums

and in bilateral relations. We consider that

every opportunity should be seized to expand

international co-operation and that increased

efforts should be undertaken to find constructive

solutions to the problems that stand in the way.

Thus, we attach particular importance to the

maintenance of the bilateral relations which have

evolved during the past decade on the basis of

the principle of the peace¬ful coexistence of

countries with different social systems.

Moreover, we deem it necessary to intensify

political contacts and dialogue and to broaden

eco¬nomic and other relations which serve our

mutual interests.

7. In order to achieve these goals, we must

continue to strengthen the role of the United

Nations so that it can be more effective in

bolstering the cause of peace,

8. The Hungarian People's Republic is a

staunch champion of disarmament and of the

limitation and reduction of armed forces and

armaments. My Govern¬ment takes active part in

various international disarmament forums and also

seeks in its bilateral relations to promote the

cause of disarmament. We are convinced that none

of the pressing problems of peace can be solved

by armaments. Stockpiling weapons will not result

in more stable, guaranteed security or peace,

even for the countries which possess those

weapons.

9. Today's balance of military power in the

world is characterized by parity between the

Soviet Union and the United States, and between

the Warsaw Treaty countries and the countries of

the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NAO].

There is now approxi¬mate parity in both nuclear

and conventional weapons. That parity is an

historic victory for the countries and peoples

which are fighting for socialism, progress and

peace; they therefore advocate maintaining it,

and strive to ensure that it is maintained at the

lowest possible level.

10. Hence the socialist countries, together

with other peace-loving countries, in the United

Nations and in all other international forums,

are making constant efforts to curb the arms race

which has reached senseless proportions and to

achieve tangible, sub¬stantive results in the

field of disarmament. That goal is served by a

number of proposals and draft treaties submitted

at this session of the General Assembly which

prescribe specific commitments.

11. Naturally, given the state of armaments

today, peoples of the world and peace-loving

Governments are concentrating first and foremost

on eliminating the danger of nuclear war. My

Government also gives priority importance to

nuclear disarmament. We are anxious to see the

urgent adoption of measures and the conclusion of

international agreements that would reduce the

arms race and at the same time be specific steps

towards nuclear disarmament.

12. We consider the general and unilateral

commit¬ment of the Soviet Union as being a

significant con-tribution to the cause of peace

and disarmament, and welcome it, namely, that in

no circumstances would it be the first to use

nuclear weapons. If all nuclear Powers were to

make that commitment, in practice that would mean

that the use of the most dangerous weapons of

mass destruction would be impossible. Trust

amongst States would be signifi¬cantly increased

and we could hope for the success of disarmament

talks with justifiable optimism.

13. We regret that the nuclear Powers which

have not yet taken this step are adhering to

their plans for manufacturing new types of

nuclear weapons, and some of them are still

continuing to disseminate the absurd doctrine of

a limited nuclear war.

14. From the point of view of strengthening

universal peace and security, relations between

the Soviet Union and the United States are of

decisive importance; hence their talks to limit

and reduce strategic nuclear weapons, as well as

medium-range nuclear missiles, are particularly

important. It is urgent that practical agreements

be reached as soon as possible in those talks, oh

the basis of the principle of equality and equal

security.

13. In the struggle against armaments an

important role would be played by a ban on

nuclear-weapon testing in all spheres. Along with

many other coun¬tries, we were amazed at the

recent decision of the United States

Administration not to resume the trilateral talks

on a general and complete ban on nuclear-weapon

testing. We follow with anxiety the fact that

there is an increase in the number of indi¬vidual

countries which intend to become nuclear- weapon

States. We consider that one of the most pressing

tasks which demand tremendous responsi¬bility is

the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons.

That is why the United Nations should also strive

to bring that about.

16. The goal of fostering nuclear disarmament

requires that in addition to efforts towards

resolving the baste problems, it is necessary to

use all other opportunities which directly or at

least indirectly could promote a reduction of the

nuclear threat. In this respect we believe that

further efforts should be made to reduce the

deployment of nuclear weapons, to create

nuclear-free zones and zones of peace, to

guarantee the security of countries which do not

possess nuclear weapons and to prevent the accidental

use of nuclear weapons.

17. The Government and people of the

Hungarian People's Republic express regret that

because of the existing unfavorable international

situation and the lack of political will among

certain influential Powers, the second special

session devoted to disarmament did not yield the

expected results. However, one should not

underestimate the significance of the fact that

at that session the overwhelming majority of the

States Members of the United Nations unanimously

expressed their concern at the threat of war.

They clearly stated that the elimination of the

nuclear threat was the most urgent task of this

period.

18. The Government of the Hungarian People's

Republic constantly devotes great attention to

European security and co-operation. Although our

country is small, still, as far as we can, we too

promote the practical implementation of the

recommendations and spirit of the Final Act of

the Conference on Security and Co-operation in

Europe, signed at Helsinki. Our delegation to the

Madrid session of the Conference, which is to

resume its follow-up to questions of European

security and co-operation next November, will

work in the interest of guaran¬teeing a

constructive spirit for the talks and the

adop¬tion of a meaningful, balanced and

purposeful final document.

19. The Government of the Hungarian People's

Republic is anxious that the Madrid session

should conclude its work successfully. We

consider it partic¬ularly important that that

Conference should adopt a decision to convene a

European conference on confidence-building,

security and disarmament. The delegations rf all

countries participating in the Madrid Conference

should be guided by a will to achieve agreement.

The responsibility of the participating

coun¬tries is particularly great, since the

shaping of the international political situation

and prospects for disarmament depend to a large

extent on how rela¬tions evolve among the

participating countries and what sort of

co-operation will be established among them.

20. The growth of international tension has

been fostered also by the fact that in effect no

progress has been made in eliminating pockets of

tension that have either long existed or recently

emerged. Furthermore, in some places the

situation continues to worsen, and the prospects

for settlement are becoming ever more remote. My

Government believes it abso¬lutely urgent to

adopt specific steps speedily to eliminate

pockets of tension and local conflicts and to

resolve controversial issues by peaceful means.

21. It may seem strange that in this context

I should also mention Europe. In the past, we

used to talk about Europe as a region of peace

and tranquility. However, events that have

occurred in recent years —the decision by NATO to

station 572 medium-range nuclear missiles in

Western Europe, the American refusal to ratify

the SALT II agreement, the Western plan for a

vastly accelerated arms build-up and the

inadmissible Western interference in the events

in Poland—have increased tension in our continent

to a significant degree. We hope that the ongoing

Soviet- American talks will ultimately yield

results that will foster peaceful co-operation

among the European countries.

22. The extremely tense situation in the

Middle East that has evolved in recent months has

created profound concern. That region has for

many years been the source of one of the world's

most tragic crises. The Government of the

Hungarian People's Republic and public opinion in

our country most vehemently condemn the

aggressive expansionist policies of Israel and

its barbaric war against the Lebanese and

Pal¬estinian Arab peoples which, together with

the imperialist maneuvers designed to achieve a

total domination over the Middle East, has

created a serious threat to peace and security

for the peoples in that region and for the entire

world. We express our sympathy for the victims of

the terrible tragedy that has occurred in

Lebanon, and we continue to support the just

struggle of the Arab peoples. Our people learned

of the bloody massacre in Beirut with indigna¬tion

and we vehemently condemn that evil deed. The

United Nations should take decisive measures to

restrain Israel, which has consistently

disregarded Security Council and General Assembly

resolutions and which regularly violates the

elementary norms of international law.

23. The aggression against Lebanon is a new

and premonitory proof of the fact that the policy

of separate dealings and the blatant use of

military force cannot lead to any real settlement

of the Middle East crisis but, on the contrary,

will lead to an exacerbation of the situation in

that region. The Hungarian Govern¬ment will

continue to advocate a comprehensive and just

settlement of the Middle East crisis and the

establishment of lasting peace in the region. It

firmly believes that in order to achieve this it

is urgent that there be a complete and

unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from

the Arab territories that have been occupied

since 1967, as well as from Lebanon; that there

be a guarantee of the inalienable rights of the

Palestinian Arab people, including their right to

create an independent Palestinian State; and that

there be international guarantees for the

security and inde¬pendent existence of all States

in the region. It supports the idea of convening

an international conference with the

participation of all parties concerned, including

the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO], in

order to promote a comprehensive and just

settlement. The six-point proposal of the Soviet

Union that was put forward by the General

Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of

the Presidiums of the Supreme Soviet, Leonid

Brezhnev , meets all those requirements, and we

therefore believe it to be acceptable for the

resolution of the problem.

24. The development of the international

situation has been adversely affected by the

baleful influence of circles seeking to maintain

and to worsen tension and which continue

artificially to support the inclusion of the

so-called Afghan and Kampuchean questions OH the

agenda. With regard to Afghanistan, my

Govern¬ment continues to maintain its firm

position that the key question is a cessation of

the interference by the forces of international

reactionary forces in the internal affairs of

that country. We support the pro¬posals of the

Government of Afghanistan and the Soviet Union

designed to bring about a political solu¬tion of

the situation prevailing around Afghanistan. We

have followed with interest the activities of the

Personal Representative of the Secretary-General.

We hope that the States directly concerned will

find a way to resolve the problem by talks, which

must include recognition of the legitimate

Government of the Democratic Republic of

Afghanistan as well as guarantees for the

security of that country.

25. The Government of the Hungarian People's

Republic, as is well known, feels solidarity with

the countries of Indo-China. It welcomes and

supports the proposals of the Ministers for

Foreign Affairs of the three Indo-Chinese

countries dated July 1982, which show that those

countries are seeking peace and dialogue on

substantive matters, as well as friendship and

co-operation with their neighbors. The attempts

being made through the vestiges of the former

regime, which formed the so-called coalition

government, to undermine the legal order of the

People's Republic of Kampuchea are doomed to

failure. We are convinced that recognition of the

existing political realities is the only right

way to guarantee peace and stability in that

region.

26. The Government of the Hungarian People's

Republic supports the proposal of the Government

of the Mongolian People's Republic for the

convening of an international conference of the

Asian and Pacific countries to discuss questions

relating to the conclusion of a convention on the

non-use of force and mutual non- aggression.

Among the factors hindering an improve¬ment in

the international situation we should mention the

problems created by the Korean question, which

has remained unsettled for so long. My Government

continues to support the just struggle of the

Demo¬cratic People's Republic of Korea and the

cause of a peaceful and democratic unification of

the two parts of the country free from outside

interference. My Government regards as of

particular importance the restitution of the

territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus

and its Government's policy of non- alignment. It

supports a peaceful solution to the ques¬tion of

Cyprus through negotiations that would serve the

interests of both communities in that State in

accordance with the relevant United Nations

resolu¬tions, and it supports efforts undertaken

in that direction.

27. At this session of the General Assembly,

many speakers will undoubtedly express their just

concern about the fact that with a view to

securing their interests imperialism and neo

colonialism are in¬creasing their pressure on the

developing countries and the non-aligned

movement, and that they are trying to frustrate

the success of the national liberation movement.

In this forum, I should like to reaffirm the

support of the Government of the Hungarian

People's Republic for the struggle of peoples for

social progress, national independence aid

self-determination and our opposition to colonial

oppression and neb- colonialist aspirations. We

are decisively opposed to racial discrimination

and condemn the policy of apartheid?

28. We feel that the United Nations must

adopt more decisive and effective measures than

it has done so far to eliminate once and for all

the vestiges of colonialism in order to guarantee

the rights of all peoples to self-determination.

29. The South Atlantic armed conflict which

took place in recent months with regard to the

Falkland (Malvinas) Islands also has shown how

many complex and far-reaching international

problems can be created by the vestiges of the

colonial system and what a serious threat they

can constitute for peace. We consider that that

problem too should be resolved through

negotiation.

30. Notwithstanding the derisions of the

United Nations and all efforts made thus far by

the progressive forces in the world, the South

African racist regime continues to occupy

Namibia. The situation which has emerged in

southern Africa poses a serious threat to

international peace and security. That is why one

of the most urgent tasks is to resolve the fate

of Namibia, to guarantee the independence of that

country. My Government supports the just struggle

of the Namibian people which it has been waging,

under the leader¬ship of the South West Africa

People's Organization [SWAPO], its sole

legitimate representative, against the South

African occupiers to win genuine indepen¬dence

for the country. Hungary rejects the Western

maneuvers, the aim of which is to maintain

foreign domination, both political and economic,

and to pre¬serve the influence of the South

African racist Govern¬ment. We favor the

implementation of the United Nations plan. The

basis for a negotiated settlement can only be

Security Council resolution 433 (1978), which

should be implemented without any change or

distortion.

31. Nowadays we often receive news about

pres¬sures and threats aimed against Cuba.,

Nicaragua, Grenada and other Latin American

countries, about the heroic struggle of the

patriots of El Salvador and of actions against

the dictatorial regimes in many coun¬tries of

Latin America. We believe that in this region of

the world, too, we should respect the right of

peoples to self-determination.

32. We believe that the non-aligned movement

is an important, positive factor in international

life. We were concerned that recently imperialist

machinations to shatter the movement have been

stepped up. We believe that the non-aligned

countries can maintain and strengthen the

anti-imperialist unity of their movement in this

situation too, and can remain true to their

well-tested principles.

33. My country is very concerned about the

un¬hampered development of mutually advantageous

international economic, trade and financial

relations. I must note with regret that the

tension in the inter-national situation has long

had an unfavorable influence onall fields of

international economic, trade, financial and

scientific and technological co¬operation. We

decisively reject the policy of economic

sanctions against the socialist countries, the

policies of embargo, boycott and discrimination.

Such policies have not been successful in the

past, and at the present time no one will be able

to move the socialist countries away from the

path of building a new society and promoting

progress. Such attempts can only lead to a

worsening of the international atmosphere. All

this not only has an unfavorable impact in

relations between East and West, but does damage

to the interests of the developing world and

further delays the establishment of a new, just

inter¬national economic order, based on

democratic prin¬ciples.

34. My Government believes that the

difficulties in international economic

co-operation should be eliminated and that

countries of the world, both large and small,

should equally, without any discrimination, enjoy

the mutual advantages which result from the

international division of labour.

35. Despite the more tense international

situation and the unfavorable political processes

taking place in the world, we believe that the

possibilities of peace¬ful development have not

yet been exhausted. This view is imposed by

common sense and by the interests of the peoples

of the world. We are convinced that joint actions

by all the political elements and serial forces

desirous of maintaining peaceful international

relations and co-operation among States can, in

the final analysis, overcome the determination to

seek confrontation To bring about that end my

country is prepared to join with all countries

who are conducting a sober, responsible policy.

It is in that spirit that our delegation will act

at this session of the General Assembly.