Lesotho, 1969

1. Madam President, it is

with great pleasure that the Lesotho delegation joins the

delegations which have taken the floor before it in

expressing its congratulations upon your election as President

of the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly.

2. We also wish to take this opportunity of paying tribute

to your predecessor, the late Mr. Arenales, whose untimely

death has deprived not only his country but also this

Organization of his outstanding statesmanship.

3. The Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations

reaffirms faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity

and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men

and women and of nations large and small. Therefore, in

assessing the past achievements and failures of the United

Nations, we can justifiably ask how far the world body has

contributed towards the attainment of those noble objectives,

and how far the individual Member States follow the

fundamental principles of the Charter in their dealings with

one another.

4. We, in Lesotho, are as eager as any genuinely peace-loving

nation to promote co-operation and peace in the

world in accordance with the provisions of the Charter,

particularly because we believe that the attainment of

human rights and of economic and social development

cannot take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace. This is

a primary consideration in the formulation and implementation

of our domestic and foreign policies. It is

disturbing, however, to note that in our deliberations in this

highest Assembly of Governments and statesmen it is often

too easily forgotten that the end purpose of all our efforts

must be the well-being of individual men and women. We,

in the smaller developing communities, are primarily

concerned not with abstract global concepts or generalizations,

but rather with people and the basic problems of

human existence. It is in this spirit that we join in providing

a reminder of the human realities underlying discussions in

this Assembly.

5. A subject of great concern to us in Lesotho is that of

racialism. We, like all others in this Organization, will yield

to no one in our rejection of discrimination based on race,

colour or religion. We are, therefore, disturbed to note that

in this day and age discriminatory practices have not yet

been completely eradicated in the world. While there are

encouraging signs of genuine efforts on the part of some

countries to come to grips with this problem, it is

disheartening to observe the lack of will and even resistance

in others. We are convinced that the best and, indeed, the

only feasible way of eradicating racialism and discrimination,

and reversing the immense tide of human suffering

which goes with those policies, is by contact and peaceful

negotiation. It is our considered opinion that a negative

attitude of non-co-operation does nobody any good.

6. Our experience has shown that, with determination,

independent States allowing full involvement and harmonious

participation by all men, irrespective of race, can thrive

in Africa. This fact alone makes all the more ridiculous and

dangerous the course of action chosen by the illegal Smith

régime and its followers in Rhodesia of stubbornly denying

the right of African people and their leaders to participate

in a fair and significant way in the government of their

country. It is our sincere hope that the Member States of

this Organization will continue to adhere to the principle of

no independence before majority rule in Rhodesia by denying

the illegal régime the comfort of any recognition while

it pursues its reckless and dangerous policies. We realize

that the mandatory sanctions, which we have supported,

have not had the desired effect on the illegal régime, and so

we urge the strengthening of measures already imposed and

are willing to support any further means to avoid the illegal

situation. However, we would view with serious reservations

any escalation of the sanctions to our region as this would

automatically pose a serious threat to our fledgling economy

and, indeed, our very survival.

7. In spite of the efforts of this Organization to eradicate

colonialism from the face of the earth, Portugal still clings

to the territories of Angola and Mozambique. The assertion

that Portugal’s outmoded colonialist policies in the territories

constitute a threat to international peace and security

has often been viewed with scepticism, but the recent

censure resolution by the Security Council on Portugal for

the latter’s illegal adventures in the territory of a Member

State of this Organization, demonstrates that a real threat

to international peace is inherent in Portugal’s colonial

policies. Moreover, as we have already indicated, we cannot

help but condemn in the strongest terms any form of

government based on racial myths and paternalism.

8. Much as all nations and peoples desire peace, it is

inevitable that differences should arise from time to time in

the conduct of relations between one nation and another or

between groups of nations. Lesotho is firmly committed to

the peaceful settlement. of disputes and is convinced of the

importance of the renunciation of war or threats of war

when differences arise. It is, therefore, disturbing to note

how nations, large and small, are drifting into the practice

of settling differences by the deployment and actual use of

weapons of destruction in utter disregard of the traditional

means of negotiation, mediation or arbitration which this

Organization has always sought to promote. A concomitant

development is the tendency to lose respect for human life

and to ignore the suffering of the victims of war and

violence. Without seeking to apportion blame, it is easy to

note that the casualties of the Viet-Nam war are no longer

regarded as anything more than mere statistics released with

every report on this tragic conflict. Lesotho believes that

the parties to the conflict should intensify their search for a

negotiated settlement in order to prevent further loss of

innocent lives.

9. The importance of the need for negotiated settlement,

either within or outside the framework of the United

Nations, is further stressed by the situation in the Middle

East. The continuation of fighting across the cease-fire

lines, which the Secretary-General has also referred to as

confrontation lines, is ample evidence that the tensions in

the area cannot be permanently solved through a military

victory by one side over the other. We reiterate our

conviction that lasting peace can only come as a product of

negotiations based on the honest recognition of political

realities. That Israel is a political fact cannot be contested.

That it has the right to transform occupation, based on

force, into legal annexation must be denied. Israel must,

however, have the assurance that it can continue to exist

without fear of attack. It must also be assured of secure and

recognized boundaries. Lesotho hopes that Israel and its

Arab neighbours will bear in mind the serious plight of their

populations who must live under the cloud of war until a

permanent settlement is found. It should, however, be

pointed out that the reaching of a permanent settlement

has not been allowed to lie entirely within the discretion of

the parties to the conflict. Interference by the big Powers

has delayed the realization of this goal. It is to be hoped

that these Powers will realize the futility of their intervention

and will co-operate with this Organization in urging the

parties to the conflict to reach a negotiated settlement

based on mutual trust.

10. The Nigerian crisis is not only a blot on Africa’s image,

but a challenge to man’s conscience. We urge Members of

this Organization to view with sympathy and concern the

losses which this great African nation has already suffered

and to desist from actions which may aggravate the

situation. Since we believe in the territorial integrity of

Member States, we condemn tribalism, secession and

persecution of minorities, all of which are disturbing forces.

A united and peaceful Nigeria can contribute no end to

Africa’s progress.

11. We reaffirm our belief in complete disarmament. We

note with alarm and concern the development of new and

more sophisticated weapons of war, especially bigger

nuclear devices and items of gas and germ warfare which,

by their very nature, pose a threat to the entire human race.

We hope, therefore, that the Conference of the Committee

on Disarmament, as it continues its efforts to draft a treaty

on general and complete disarmament under effective

international control, will meet with some success.

12. The close relationship between disarmament and

economic development has long been acknowledged. Our

interest in disarmament is therefore also due to the belief

that a substantial part of the resources derived from a

reduction in military expenditure could be channelled to

projects of social and economic development in all countries.

13. Lesotho’s stand on the question of the admission of

the People’s Republic of China into this Organization has

not changed. Whatever solution is ultimately found, it

should not be at the cost of the membership of the

Republic of China. Our unequivocal stand is that any

decision which would bar the participation of the representatives

of the Republic of China in this, or any other organ

of the United Nations, would be unjust and totally

unworthy of this Organization in its dealing with Member

States. The Republic of China has fully demonstrated its

right not only to exist as a sovereign independent State, but

also to participate constructively in world affairs.

14. On the question of a divided Korea, the delegation of

Lesotho reaffirms its support for the efforts of all parties to

find a solution for that situation within the framework of

the United Nations Commission for the Unification and

Rehabilitation of Korea. The Government of Lesotho,

therefore, urges all parties to recognize the legitimate role

of the United Nations in this peace-keeping and arbitration

effort in order that the door towards a solution to this

long-standing problem may be opened. We are amazed that

the Government of North Korea, which claims popular

support, should be so reluctant to co-operate with the

appropriate United Nations organ. This seems to be an

example of politicians putting their own interests above

those of the people they claim to serve.

15. Before leaving the subject of political strife, I wish to

allude to certain disturbing situations which are a challenge

to this Organization. Uppermost among these is the

question of a divided Germany. The dismembering of

nations for purely ideological reasons does not contribute

to permanent peace. The military occupation of Czechoslovakia

and subsequent interference in its internal affairs

by the Warsaw Pact countries is still very fresh in our

memories and evokes uphappy memories of what happened

to Hungary in 1956. The situation in Northern Ireland,

where incidentally the British Government seems to have

departed from its declared stand against the use or show of

force, is a clear demonstration of the dangers inherent in

any form of discrimination and intolerance. Finally, a new

phenomenon which, if allowed to go unchecked, would

usher in a new era of terror in our already troubled world.

Here I am referring to the hijacking of aircraft by

irresponsible individuals and groups which have shown

criminal disregard for international law and order. We think

it is time the international community took action to

protect itself.

16. There is a great deal the United Nations can do to

assist in the advancement of developing countries but,

needless to say, success or failure depends largely on the

will and the determination of the advanced Members of the

Organization, which are able to make substantial contributions

in cash or kind. The Lesotho Government is aware of

the serious lack of trained manpower in technical skills and

development which adversely affects the economic growth

of many countries, including those richly endowed with

natural resources. Hence our appreciation of the valuable

professional and technical assistance given by the United

Nations Development Programme and the numerous

specialized agencies of the United Nations. In our own

small way, we shall continue to contribute regularly to the

resources of the United Nations and its agencies.

17. During the First United Nations Development Decade

we have noted with disappointment the slow progress made

in the promotion of world trade. Experience has shown

that the goals set and the problems encountered called for

far more determination and closer co-operation than most

Members of this Organization were prepared to give. It is

not charity that the developing countries are asking for, but

rather a readjustment of the terms of trade and aid in such

a way as to bring prosperity to all. Here again, the advanced

countries have it in their power to redress or aggravate the

situation. This is a matter for action and not merely good

intentions and pious resolutions.

18. My Government is conscious of the major responsibility

of the United Nations in the development of

international law in our contemporary world. We feel that

all the major changes which have taken place in the world

during the past two decades should be accommodated

within the framework of legal relations. That task is

rendered more urgent by the tendency of some States to

take unilateral decisions for purely domestic reasons without

regard to commitments previously entered into, and

without regard to the significance of the relevant provisions

of the Charter to which we all subscribe. If there is to be

international justice, it can only be within the framework

of international law. That is why we attach so much

importance to the outcome of the recent United Nations

Conference on the Law of Treaties, in which we participated.

As a land-locked country completely surrounded by

South Africa, our nearest neighbour, we are deeply interested

in the development of international law with respect

to land-locked States. We hope that the efforts to minimize

and finally eliminate the problems of land-locked States

will continue. For us this is not a matter of politics only

but rather of facing the realities of our geographical

situation, which is unique, and which we ask our friends to

try to understand.

19. As a small nation, we continue to put our hopes in the

United Nations and wish to reaffirm our belief in the goals

set forth in its Charter. We believe that this Organization

has it in its power, as the most comprehensive forum of

world opinion, to arrest the dangerous course of events to

which we have already referred. Unless we make a

concerted effort to eradicate, once and for all, the evils of

sectionalism, intolerance and selfishness, our world is

doomed to extinction. It is well to remember a hackneyed

expression, “Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they

first make mad”.